Used 2016 Mazda MAZDA3 for Sale nearSan Francisco, CA

How much does the 2016 Mazda MAZDA3 cost?

Prices are up 1.37% year-over-year — a sign of continued demand for this model year.

There are 544 listings available, which gives you a modest amount of inventory to compare. If you find a listing below $10,773.36, that's toward the low end of the year-round range and worth acting on quickly.

Is the 2016 Mazda MAZDA3 a good car?

Generally — 4.3/5 from owners and 7.83/10 from our experts point to a car that lands well with shoppers. The standout strength is Safety at 10/10.

Drivers consistently praise the Mazda3 for its great fuel economy, reliability, and fun driving experience. They also like its attractive design and affordable features, which helps it feel like a strong value in daily use.

That lines up with the overview: you get a compact car that feels lively and rewarding to drive, while still covering everyday practicality. The tradeoff is the small cabin, so this makes the most sense if you care more about driving enjoyment than maximum interior room.

Only 22.6% of listings are priced as good or great deals, so the market is somewhat selective even if the car itself is broadly appealing.

Is the 2016 Mazda MAZDA3 reliable?

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

The owner feedback highlights reliability directly, along with a dependable and trouble-free ownership impression. That same theme shows up in the expert commentary, which says Consumer Reports is bullish on the Mazda3 for reliability and ownership costs.

The car’s engineering also supports that reputation: the driving feel is described as refined and well-sorted, with a strong emphasis on making the car pleasant to live with over time. For used buyers, the main long-term risk is less about a single glaring flaw and more about choosing a well-kept example that hasn’t been neglected.

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

At 51.3% 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 pre-purchase inspection, especially if the car has had bodywork or multiple owners. Focus on condition details that matter in a compact car: cabin wear, electronics, and signs that the car has been used hard or repaired poorly.

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: The Sport trim is the most basic version, while Touring and Grand Touring add more equipment and safety tech. The base setup can leave you without some of the convenience and driver-assistance features that make the higher trims easier to live with.
• Powertrain: You can choose a 155-horsepower, 2.0-liter 4-cylinder or 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 on Grand Touring automatic models adds dynamic cruise control, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, adaptive HID headlights with automatic high-beam operation, and lane-departure warning.
• 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 uses a touchscreen, but touch input is disabled while driving.
• Fuel efficiency: The 2.0-liter engine returned 28.5 mpg in testing, 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, Grand Touring.

Here's the short version:

• Sport: This is the entry point, and it makes sense if you want the Mazda3’s driving character at the lowest starting point. It can be a smart value if you’re willing to skip some of the nicer convenience and safety upgrades.
• Touring: This is the best-value trim for most shoppers because it adds more everyday usability and includes blind-spot warning with rear cross-traffic alert as standard. If you want the sweet spot between price and equipment, this is the one to focus on.
• Grand Touring: This is the right pick if you want the most upscale feel and the most available technology. It also unlocks the Technology Package on automatic models, which adds more advanced driver-assistance features.

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 looks like a moderate, selective buyer’s market: there are some decent opportunities, but you still need to shop carefully.

• Deal availability: 22.6% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 544 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices are up 1.37% year-over-year.
• Clean inventory: 51.3% of listings are accident-free.

If you find a listing below $10,773.36, 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 $11,994 sits slightly above last year's $11,833.

That modest increase suggests the market has held up reasonably well, which is a good sign if you plan to sell later. A stable price trend usually means buyers still see value in the car, especially when the model has a strong reputation for driving enjoyment and ownership satisfaction.

Because the year-over-year change is only 1.37%, you are not looking at a dramatic appreciation story, but you are also not seeing a sharp drop that would signal weak demand. For a future seller, that points to a car that should remain reasonably marketable if it stays in good condition and has clean history.

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?

It 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 Mazda3 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.

If you move up to the Grand Touring with the automatic transmission and Technology Package, you get dynamic cruise control, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, adaptive HID headlights with automatic high-beam operation, and lane-departure warning. That package is a meaningful upgrade if safety tech matters to you.

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:

• 22.6% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• At 51.3% accident-free, a meaningful share of listings has prior incidents — history verification is especially important.
• Price trend: Prices are up 1.37% year-over-year.
• Owners rate it 4.3/5 — a solid satisfaction signal.
• The 2016 emphasizes engaging driving feel while still filtering out harshness.

Consider the 2015 if:

• At $10,919, the 2015 costs less than the current year's $11,994 average.
• It feels more upscale than its mainstream positioning.

Consider the 2017 if:

• At $13,378, the 2017 costs more than the current year's $11,994 average.
• It adds a meaningful update and G-Vectoring Control.

The bottom line: If you want the best balance of price, driving enjoyment, and safety, the 2016 is the one to target. If you are more price-sensitive, the 2015 can save you money, while the 2017 makes sense if you want the newer update and are willing to pay more.

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from August 28, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.