Used 2018 Mazda CX-3 for SaleNationwide

How much does the 2018 Mazda CX-3 cost?

Prices have softened 1.66% compared to this time last year, making it a favorable time to shop this model year.

There are 323 listings available, which gives you a modest amount of inventory to compare.

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.

Drivers consistently praise its great handling, smooth ride, and attractive design. Owners also like its compact size and AWD capability, and the cabin feels more luxurious than the price suggests. For you, that means this is a strong fit if you want a small crossover that prioritizes driving feel and a polished interior over maximum utility. The market also shows 36.5% of listings as good or great deals, which supports a favorable shopping environment.

Is the 2018 Mazda CX-3 reliable?

Owners rate it 5/5, a strong signal of long-term satisfaction. Drivers describe it as dependable and trouble-free, with praise that points to a car you can count on over time. The expert review also emphasizes the CX-3’s improved refinement and the way Mazda updated the suspension and cabin insulation for 2018. If you’re buying used, the main long-term ownership risk is that a compact crossover with this much age can hide wear, so condition and maintenance history matter.

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

At 60.1% 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 close inspection of bodywork, alignment, and signs of past repair. Because the CX-3 is valued for its handling and refinement, you’ll want to focus on how it drives, how the cabin wears, and whether the features work as expected. If cargo space matters to you, make sure the usable space fits your needs before you commit.

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: The Sport trim gives you 16-inch alloy wheels, push-button start, a 7-inch touchscreen with a reversing camera and app integration through Mazda Connect, cruise control, Bluetooth, air conditioning, and a 6-speaker stereo with CD player. 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. The Touring with the Preferred Equipment Package is the best-value setup, while the Grand Touring with the Premium Package is the choice if you want the most safety tech.
• Powertrain: Every CX-3 uses a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with a 6-speed automatic transmission. It makes 146 hp and is tuned for responsive everyday driving rather than outright speed, with strong low-end feel and quick acceleration for the class.
• Safety package: The CX-3 includes low-speed emergency braking as standard. Blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alerts appears on the Touring, and the Premium Package adds upgraded forward-collision warning and auto-braking, adaptive cruise, lane-departure warning, auto high beams, and traffic-sign recognition.
• Infotainment: The CX-3 uses a 7-inch touchscreen with Mazda Connect, but it does not include Android Auto or Apple CarPlay. The head-up display is available on higher trims, and the Grand Touring’s traffic-sign recognition adds useful information to that setup.
• Fuel efficiency: The CX-3 is rated at 29 mpg city and 34 mpg highway, and the expert review notes that real-world driving can come close to those figures.

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 entry point, but it still gives you a strong feature set for the money, including the 7-inch touchscreen, reversing camera, push-button start, and Mazda Connect app integration. If you want the lowest-cost way into the CX-3 and care most about handling and design, this is the trim to start with.
• Touring: This is the best-value trim because it adds the comfort and convenience upgrades many shoppers will actually notice every day, including heated seats, auto climate controls, proximity entry, 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: This trim is for you if you want the most upscale CX-3 experience, with leather-trimmed seats, Alcantara inserts, a head-up display, paddle shifters, and navigation. It makes the most sense if you want the most complete feature set and plan to add the Premium Package for the strongest safety tech.

The Touring trim gets the most compelling safety and convenience upgrades, while the Grand Touring with the Premium Package is the most complete safety-focused choice.

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

This looks like a moderate, selective buyer’s market, so you have room to shop carefully without waiting forever.

• Deal availability: 36.5% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 323 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 1.66% compared with last year.
• Clean inventory: 60.1% of listings are accident-free.

If you find a listing below $14,317, 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 $14,850 sits slightly below last year's $15,100.

That softer pricing suggests the CX-3 has already absorbed some depreciation, which can help future sellers if they buy at the right price. If you purchase near the lower end of the current range and keep the car in clean condition, you may be better positioned when it’s time to sell. Demand should also benefit from the model’s strong owner satisfaction and appealing driving character.

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?

The 2018 Mazda CX-3 is a Top Safety Pick+ from IIHS and earns five-star ratings from NHTSA.

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

Standard safety equipment includes low-speed emergency braking, and higher trims add blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alerts. The Premium Package brings upgraded forward-collision warning and auto-braking, adaptive cruise, lane-departure warning, auto high beams, and traffic-sign recognition. If you want the most advanced safety setup, you’ll need to move up from the base trim.

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:

• 36.5% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• At 60.1% accident-free, a meaningful share of listings has prior incidents — history verification is especially important.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 1.66% compared with last year.
• Owners rate it 5/5 — a strong satisfaction signal.
• The 2018 adds standard low-speed emergency braking and a redesigned suspension for better handling.

Consider the 2019 if:

• At $15,785, the 2019 costs more than the current year's $14,850 average.
• It adds more style and sophistication.

The bottom line: If you want the better value, the 2018 is the smarter buy because it combines a lower average price with strong owner satisfaction and meaningful updates. If you’re willing to spend more for a fresher-feeling model year, the 2019 is the better secondary path.

How does the 2018 Mazda CX-3 compare to the 2018 Honda HR-V?

Our experts score the 2018 Mazda CX-3 8/10 and the 2018 Honda HR-V 6.7/10.

The CX-3 is the better choice if you care more about handling, driving feel, and a more polished cabin. The HR-V has the edge in practicality and broader market availability, but the CX-3 offers stronger performance and a more engaging personality. If you want the more enjoyable small crossover to drive, the Mazda is the one to focus on.

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from November 3, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.