How much does the 2018 Mazda CX-3 cost?

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

With 283 listings available, you have a modest amount of inventory to compare before you buy.

If you find a listing below $14,320.86, that's toward the low end of the year-round range and worth acting on quickly.

Is the 2018 Mazda CX-3 a good car?

Yes — the 2018 Mazda CX-3 earns a 5/5 user rating and an 8/10 expert rating. The model scores 9/10 across Performance and Safety.

You also get recurring praise for its great handling, smooth ride, and attractive design. Owners frequently note that its compact size and AWD capability make it feel more luxurious than its price suggests.

That lines up with the CX-3’s use case as a small crossover that prioritizes driving feel and a more polished cabin over maximum space. Even with its compact footprint, it aims to feel refined rather than basic.

With 27.6% of listings marked as good or great deals, there is still some room to find value if you shop carefully.

Is the 2018 Mazda CX-3 reliable?

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

User feedback points to a vehicle that feels dependable and enjoyable to live with over time, with owners repeatedly highlighting its strong day-to-day appeal. The expert evaluation also emphasizes the CX-3’s improved handling and added cabin refinement, which supports the impression of a well-sorted small crossover.

The standard 2.0-liter engine and 6-speed automatic are described as straightforward, and the model’s upgraded insulation and sound deadening suggest a more settled ownership experience. For used buyers, the main long-term risk is less about mechanical drama and more about whether the specific example has been cared for well.

What should I look for when buying a used 2018 Mazda CX-3?

At 64% accident-free, a meaningful share of listings has prior incidents — history verification is especially important.

You should start with a vehicle history report so you can separate clean examples from cars with prior damage. After that, prioritize a pre-purchase inspection that focuses on body condition, alignment, and signs of repair quality. Because this model is praised for its compact size and refined feel, you should also pay close attention to whether the cabin and exterior still reflect that condition.

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: The base Sport trim gets a 7-inch touchscreen, reversing camera, push-button start, cruise control, Bluetooth, air conditioning, and a 6-speaker stereo, while the Touring adds 18-inch alloys, auto headlights and wipers, heated seats, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, auto climate controls, heated mirrors, proximity entry, and blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alerts. The Grand Touring adds full exterior LEDs, leather-trimmed seats with Alcantara inserts, a head-up display, paddle shifters, and navigation.
• Powertrain: Every CX-3 uses a 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine with a 6-speed automatic transmission. It is described as peppy, with strong power delivery and quick acceleration for the class, and it can be upgraded to AWD.
• Safety package: The CX-3 includes low-speed emergency braking as standard, and the Touring trim adds blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alerts. The Premium Package adds upgraded forward-collision warning and auto-braking, adaptive cruise, lane-departure warning, auto high beams, and traffic-sign recognition.
• Infotainment: You get a 7-inch touchscreen with Mazda Connect, but the system does not include Android Auto or Apple CarPlay. The Grand Touring’s head-up display can also show traffic-sign information.
• Fuel efficiency: The CX-3 is rated at 31 mpg combined, 29 mpg city, and 34 mpg highway.

Which 2018 Mazda CX-3 trim should I buy?

The 2018 Mazda CX-3 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 lowest entry price and still want the core CX-3 experience. You get the redesigned suspension, standard low-speed emergency braking, a 7-inch touchscreen, reversing camera, and the same peppy 2.0-liter engine, so it covers the essentials well.
• Touring: This is the best-value trim for most shoppers because it adds the most useful everyday upgrades: heated seats, auto climate controls, proximity entry, auto headlights and wipers, and blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alerts. If you want the sweet spot between price and equipment, this is the one to target.
• Grand Touring: Choose this if you want the most upscale CX-3, with leather-trimmed seats, Alcantara inserts, navigation, paddle shifters, and a head-up display. It makes the cabin feel more premium, but you should expect to pay more for those extras.

Mazda notes that the more advanced safety systems are available on the Touring trim, while the Premium Package is the route to the fullest safety tech.

Is now a good time to buy a used 2018 Mazda CX-3?

This looks like a moderate, selective buyer’s market, so you can shop with some leverage if you stay patient.

• Deal availability: 27.6% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 283 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices have held steady compared with last year.
• Clean inventory: 64.0% of listings are accident-free.

If you find a listing below $14,320.86, that's toward the low end of the year-round range and worth acting on quickly.

What is the 2018 Mazda CX-3's resale value?

The current average of $15,322 sits slightly below last year's $15,397.

That small decline suggests the CX-3 has been holding value fairly steadily rather than dropping sharply. For a future seller, that kind of price movement is a good sign because it points to a market that remains relatively stable.

The model’s appeal as a stylish, fun-to-drive small crossover helps support demand, especially among buyers who care more about character than maximum utility. If your example is clean and well maintained, it should be easier to position it competitively when you sell.

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

Is the 2018 Mazda CX-3 safe?

It earns a Top Safety Pick+ rating from IIHS and a five-star overall rating from NHTSA.

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

The CX-3’s standard safety equipment includes low-speed emergency braking, and Mazda also makes more advanced safety systems available on higher trims. The Touring trim gets blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alerts, while the Premium Package adds upgraded forward-collision warning and auto-braking, adaptive cruise, lane-departure warning, auto high beams, and traffic-sign recognition.

That said, some of the more advanced safety tech is not standard across the lineup, so you should confirm exactly which package a used example has before you buy.

Should I buy a 2018 Mazda CX-3 or consider a different year?

If you're weighing the 2018 against nearby model years, here's how to think about it:

Choose the 2018 if:

• 27.6% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• At 64% 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 5/5 — a strong satisfaction signal.
• Mazda improved the handling and added standard low-speed emergency braking for this year.

Consider the 2019 if:

• At $16,047, the 2019 costs more than the current year's $15,322 average.
• It adds more style and sophistication while leaning even harder into a premium feel.

The bottom line: The 2018 is the better starting point if you want the strongest mix of price stability, owner satisfaction, and updated safety and handling. If you can spend more and want a slightly more upscale-feeling CX-3, the 2019 is the alternative to compare, but price-sensitive buyers should focus on the 2018’s Touring trim for the best balance of value and equipment.

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