Used 2017 Mazda MAZDA3 for Sale nearColumbia, SC

How much does the 2017 Mazda MAZDA3 cost?

Prices are up 3.68% year-over-year — a sign of continued demand for this model year.

There are 671 listings available, which suggests a modest amount of inventory for shoppers to compare.

Is the 2017 Mazda MAZDA3 a good car?

Yes — the 2017 Mazda MAZDA3 earns a 4.83/5 user rating and an 8.5/10 expert rating. The model scores 9/10 across Look and feel, Performance, Cost effectiveness, and Safety.

Owners consistently praise its sporty feel, responsive acceleration, fuel efficiency, stylish interior, and user-friendly technology. The overview also points to a car that feels more expensive than it is, with broad appeal from its well-equipped base version and well-priced options.

That combination makes it a strong fit if you want a compact car that feels engaging and upscale without pushing into luxury-car pricing. 32.3% of listings are priced as good or great deals, so there are still worthwhile opportunities in the market.

Is the 2017 Mazda MAZDA3 reliable?

Owners rate it 4.83/5, a strong signal of long-term satisfaction.

The owner feedback highlights a car that feels dependable in everyday use, with strong fuel economy and a reputation for being enjoyable to live with over time. The expert evaluation also emphasizes that it is a fun and economical choice, with coverage that includes a 3-year/36,000-mile bumper-to-bumper warranty, a 5-year/60,000-mile limited powertrain warranty, and 3 years/36,000 miles of roadside assistance.

That said, used buyers should still focus on maintenance records and overall condition, since long-term ownership risk depends heavily on how well the car was cared for.

What should I look for when buying a used 2017 Mazda MAZDA3?

At 53.1% accident-free, a meaningful share of listings has prior incidents — history verification is especially important.

You should start with a vehicle history report and confirm whether any prior damage was repaired properly. A pre-purchase inspection is especially useful here, since condition can vary a lot from one listing to another. Pay close attention to signs of uneven wear, incomplete repairs, and any issues that could affect the car’s safety systems or driving feel.

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: The base Sport is well equipped with daytime running lights, tire pressure monitoring, dynamic stability control, traction control, air conditioning, remote keyless entry, cruise control, and Mazda Connect, while Touring adds 18-inch wheels, automatic on/off headlights, heated side mirrors, dual-zone climate control, heated front seats, and leatherette-trimmed sport seats. Grand Touring adds the more powerful engine, LED fog lights, a rear decklid spoiler, perforated leather-trimmed sport seats, and a power sliding-glass moonroof.
• Powertrain: You get a 2.0-liter 4-cylinder with 155 hp and 150 lb-ft of torque in the lower trims, or a 2.5-liter 4-cylinder with 184 hp and 185 lb-ft in Grand Touring. Both engines are offered with a 6-speed manual or 6-speed automatic, and the stronger engine trades a bit of efficiency for more punch.
• Safety package: Touring and Grand Touring add advanced blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and Smart City Brake Support, Mazda’s automatic emergency braking system. Base trims do not include those upgrades.
• Infotainment: The system uses a 7-inch touchscreen, includes Bluetooth, Mazda Connect, SiriusXM, voice command, AM/FM/HD Radio, and USB ports, but Android Auto and Apple CarPlay are not available.
• Fuel efficiency: The base engine is rated at 27 mpg city/37 highway with the manual or 28/37 with the automatic. The 2.5-liter engine is rated at 25/34 with the manual or 27/36 with the automatic, and the available i-ELOOP package can improve the automatic’s rating to 28/37.

Which 2017 Mazda MAZDA3 trim should I buy?

The 2017 Mazda MAZDA3 is offered in 3 trim levels: Sport, Touring, Grand Touring.

Here's the short version:

• Sport: This is the value play if you want the Mazda3’s core strengths at the lowest entry price. You still get the 2.0-liter engine, a manual or automatic transmission, and a surprisingly complete equipment list, so it suits you if you care more about driving enjoyment and affordability than extra comfort features.
• Touring: This is the best-value trim for most shoppers because it adds the most useful everyday upgrades without jumping to the highest price. Heated front seats, dual-zone climate control, 18-inch wheels, and the safety upgrades make it the sweet spot if you want a more polished daily driver.
• Grand Touring: Choose this if you want the strongest engine and the most upscale feel. It adds the 2.5-liter engine, moonroof, leather-trimmed sport seats, Bose audio, and the full-color active driving display, so it fits you best if you want the most premium version of the car.

Touring and Grand Touring are the trims with the added safety package features.

Is now a good time to buy a used 2017 Mazda MAZDA3?

This looks like a moderate, selective buyer’s market, so you can shop patiently but still move quickly on a strong listing.

• Deal availability: 32.3% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 671 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices are up 3.68% year-over-year.
• Clean inventory: 53.1% of listings are accident-free.

If you find a listing below $11,909, that's toward the low end of the year-round range and worth acting on quickly.

What is the 2017 Mazda MAZDA3's resale value?

The current average of $13,411 sits slightly above last year's $12,936.

That upward movement suggests the market has been willing to pay a bit more for this model year, which is a positive sign if you plan to sell later. A car that holds demand while staying in a relatively affordable price band can be easier to move when it’s time to trade in or list privately.

Strong owner satisfaction also helps support future demand, especially for shoppers who want a compact car with a sporty reputation and good fuel economy. Vehicles with strong owner satisfaction ratings, like this model year's 4.83/5, tend to retain buyer demand, which supports resale value over time.

Is the 2017 Mazda MAZDA3 safe?

The 2017 Mazda3 has not been fully rated by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. It has so far received five-star ratings in side crash testing and four-star ratings in rollover testing.

It earns a 9/10 safety score from our experts.

Standard safety features include multiple airbags, antilock brakes with electronic brakeforce distribution, hill launch assist, dynamic stability control, traction control, and a reversing camera. Touring and Grand Touring add advanced blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and Smart City Brake Support, Mazda's automatic emergency braking system.

The main caveat is that the car had not yet been fully tested by the IIHS at the time of this evaluation, so you should pay close attention to trim-level safety equipment when comparing listings.

Should I buy a 2017 Mazda MAZDA3 or consider a different year?

If you're weighing the 2017 against nearby model years, here's how to think about it:

Choose the 2017 if:

• 32.3% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• At 53.1% accident-free, a meaningful share of listings has prior incidents — history verification is especially important.
• Price trend: Prices are up 3.68% year-over-year.
• Owners rate it 4.83/5 — a strong satisfaction signal.
• Mazda’s update for this year added design changes and G-Vectoring Control, making the car feel more refined and engaging.

Consider the 2016 if:

• At $12,064, the 2016 costs less than the current year's $13,411 average.
• It emphasizes engaging driving feel without becoming harsh or tiring.

The bottom line: If you want the better-rounded version of this generation, the 2017 is the stronger pick because it adds meaningful updates and still keeps the Mazda3’s core appeal intact. If your priority is saving money and you can live without the newer touches, the 2016 is the better value-oriented alternative.

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from September 22, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.