Used 2016 Mazda MAZDA3 for Sale near Illinois

How much does the 2016 Mazda MAZDA3 cost?

Prices have held steady compared to this time last year, signaling a stable and predictable market for this model year.

There are 634 listings available, which gives you a decent amount of inventory to compare.

Is the 2016 Mazda MAZDA3 a good car?

Generally — the 2016 Mazda MAZDA3 earns 4.3/5 from owners and 7.83/10 from our experts. The standout strength is Safety at 10/10.

Drivers consistently praise its great fuel economy, reliability, and fun driving experience. They also like the attractive design and affordable features compared to competitors. For you, that means this is a compact car that aims to balance everyday value with a more engaging feel behind the wheel.

The model’s appeal is strongest if you want a compact car that feels lively and rewarding rather than purely utilitarian. 29.3% of listings are priced as good or great deals, which suggests there are still worthwhile opportunities if you shop carefully.

Is the 2016 Mazda MAZDA3 reliable?

Owners rate it 4.3/5, a solid signal of long-term satisfaction.

Drivers describe the car as reliable, and the ownership feedback also points to trouble-free day-to-day use and strong confidence over the long term. The expert driving notes reinforce that sense of dependability by describing the car as refined and well sorted, with a driving character that feels composed rather than fussy.

The ownership-cost commentary also notes that Mazda3 buyers can choose how much equipment they want to pay for, which can help you control long-term costs if you keep the build simple. For used buyers, the main risk is that a higher-spec example may carry more complexity and more expensive repairs if it has been heavily optioned.

What should I look for when buying a used 2016 Mazda MAZDA3?

At 52.1% accident-free, a meaningful share of listings has prior incidents — history verification is especially important.

You should start with a vehicle history report and then prioritize a careful inspection of body panels, paint consistency, and signs of prior repair. Because this car is small inside, it’s also worth checking whether the cabin layout and cargo space work for your daily needs before you commit.

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: The Sport, Touring, and Grand Touring trims build on each other, with the base Sport missing some of the convenience and safety equipment that appears on higher trims. The Touring and Grand Touring add more of the features that make the car feel better equipped for daily use.
• Powertrain: You can choose between a 155-horsepower, 2.0-liter 4-cylinder and a 184-horsepower, 2.5-liter 4-cylinder. The smaller engine is the efficiency-minded choice, while the larger one gives you stronger acceleration.
• Safety package: Blind-spot warning with rear cross-traffic alert is standard on Touring and Grand Touring and optional on Sport. The Technology Package adds dynamic cruise control, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, adaptive HID headlights with automatic high-beam operation, and lane-departure warning on Grand Touring models with an automatic transmission.
• Infotainment: Mazda Connect is standard, with Bluetooth music streaming, HD Radio, satellite radio, Internet radio, social media access, text-message delivery and reply, and two USB ports. The system also includes an Active Driving Display on top-shelf versions.
• Fuel efficiency: The 2.0-liter engine returned 28.5 mpg in one test, while the 2.5-liter automatic returned 26.7 mpg.

Which 2016 Mazda MAZDA3 trim should I buy?

The 2016 Mazda MAZDA3 is offered in 3 trim levels: Sport, Touring, and Grand Touring.

Here's the short version:

• Sport: This is the entry point, and it makes sense if you want the Mazda3’s core driving character at the lowest starting point. It’s the trim to consider if you plan to add only the equipment you truly need.
• Touring: This is the best-value trim for most shoppers because it adds more of the useful everyday equipment while staying below the top trim. It also gets the blind-spot warning system with rear cross-traffic alert as standard.
• Grand Touring: Choose this if you want the most complete version of the car, including the highest level of comfort and technology. It’s also the trim that can be paired with the Technology Package for the fullest safety and driver-assistance setup.

The safety package is strongest on Touring and Grand Touring, while Sport leaves some of those features optional.

Is now a good time to buy a used 2016 Mazda MAZDA3?

This is a moderate market for selective buyers, so it rewards patience and comparison shopping.

• Deal availability: 29.3% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 634 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices have held steady compared with last year.
• Clean inventory: 52.1% of listings are accident-free.

If you find a listing below $10,769, that's toward the low end of the year-round range and worth acting on quickly.

What is the 2016 Mazda MAZDA3's resale value?

The current average of $12,027 sits slightly above last year's $11,935.

That small increase suggests the market has stayed stable rather than swinging sharply in either direction. For you, that usually means resale values are being supported by steady demand instead of short-term hype.

Because the price range has remained tight, a well-kept example should still be relatively easy to position competitively when you eventually sell. Strong owner satisfaction also helps keep interest alive among used-car shoppers.

Vehicles with solid owner satisfaction ratings, like this model year's 4.3/5, tend to retain buyer demand, which supports resale value over time.

Is the 2016 Mazda MAZDA3 safe?

The 2016 Mazda MAZDA3 earns top crash-test ratings from the federal government and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.

It earns a 10/10 safety score from our experts.

The car offers access to key safety technologies on all three trim levels. Blind-spot warning with rear cross-traffic alert is standard on Touring and Grand Touring and optional on Sport. Mazda Connect also includes an E911 automatic emergency notification system.

The Technology Package adds dynamic cruise control, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, adaptive HID headlights with automatic high-beam operation, and lane-departure warning on Grand Touring models with an automatic transmission. If you’re shopping a lower trim, pay close attention to which of those features are standard versus optional.

Should I buy a 2016 Mazda MAZDA3 or consider a different year?

If you're weighing the 2016 against nearby model years, here's how to think about it:

Choose the 2016 if:

• 29.3% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• At 52.1% accident-free, a meaningful share of listings has prior incidents — history verification is especially important.
• Price trend: Prices have held steady compared with last year.
• Owners rate it 4.3/5 — a solid satisfaction signal.
• It balances engaging driving dynamics with strong safety and technology.

Consider the 2015 if:

• At $11,045, the 2015 costs less than the current year's $12,027 average.
• It offers a more premium-feeling drive with strong all-around refinement.

Consider the 2017 if:

• At $13,442, the 2017 costs more than the current year's $12,027 average.
• It adds a meaningful update with new design changes and G-Vectoring Control.

The bottom line: If you want the best balance of price, safety, and driving enjoyment, the 2016 is the smart middle ground. If your priority is saving money, the 2015 is the better value play; if you want the newer update and can spend more, the 2017 is worth a look.

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from September 15, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.