How much does the 2020 Mazda MAZDA3 cost?

Prices have softened 4.42% compared to this time last year, making it a favorable time to shop this model year.

There are 498 listings available, which suggests you should have a reasonable amount of inventory to compare.

If you find a listing below $17,071.22, that's toward the low end of the year-round range and worth acting on quickly.

Is the 2020 Mazda MAZDA3 a good car?

Yes — the 2020 Mazda MAZDA3 earns a 5/5 user rating and a 7.83/10 expert rating. The standout strength is Safety at 10/10.

Drivers consistently praise the stunning design, amazing interior, and enjoyable driving experience. The cabin’s luxurious feel and advanced safety features also come through as recurring positives.

The main trade-offs are that it lacks power and has limited cargo space. That lines up with the model’s positioning as a compact car that leans into style, refinement, and safety rather than maximum practicality.

For you, that means the 2020 Mazda MAZDA3 makes the most sense if you want a small car that feels more premium than most mainstream rivals. 30.1% of listings are priced as good or great deals, so there are still some attractive opportunities in the market.

Is the 2020 Mazda MAZDA3 reliable?

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

The owner feedback also points to a car that feels reliable, dependable, and worth counting on over time, especially for shoppers who value a polished daily driver. The expert notes reinforce that impression by describing the powertrain as good and predictable, which supports confidence in everyday use.

Mazda also includes a strong set of standard safety and convenience features, which can help reduce ownership stress if you choose a well-kept example. For used buyers, the main long-term risk is less about a known mechanical weak point and more about finding a car that has been maintained and not worn hard.

What should I look for when buying a used 2020 Mazda MAZDA3?

At 71.7% 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. Then prioritize a pre-purchase inspection, especially if you’re considering a car with higher mileage or visible cosmetic wear. Focus on cabin condition, tire wear, and how the car drives over rough pavement, since the chassis tuning can make imperfections more noticeable.

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: The base car misses some of the visual polish and equipment that make the Mazda3 feel upscale, including the 18-inch alloy wheels that come standard on all but the base-trim-level vehicle. Higher trims also bring better headlight performance.
• Powertrain: Every 2020 Mazda3 uses a 2.5-liter SkyActiv four-cylinder with 186 horsepower and 186 pound-feet of torque. It’s good and predictable, but it lacks the immediate punch of turbocharged rivals.
• Safety package: Mazda’s driver-assistance suite includes forward-collision warning, lane-departure warning, adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and dynamic brake support. Lower trims get less capable headlights than the Premium Package.
• Infotainment: The cabin centers on an 8.8-inch display, and Mazda does not use touchscreen functionality. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are included, and the system is controlled by a rotary dial.
• Fuel efficiency: The EPA estimates 25 mpg in the city and 33 mpg on the highway, and the test vehicle averaged 31 mpg in combined driving.

Which 2020 Mazda MAZDA3 trim should I buy?

The 2020 Mazda MAZDA3 is offered in 2 trim levels: Preferred and Premium.

Here's the short version:

• Base trim: The lower-spec setup leaves out some of the visual upgrades that help the car feel more premium, including the standard 18-inch alloy wheels found above the base-trim-level vehicle. It also gets lower-rated headlights than the Premium Package.
• Premium/top trim: This is the better pick if you want the most upscale feel, since the test vehicle’s Premium Package brings the strongest combination of appearance, lighting, and overall polish.

The safety package is a strong selling point across the lineup, but the Premium Package’s headlights are the trim-level standout.

Is now a good time to buy a used 2020 Mazda MAZDA3?

This is a moderate, selective buyer’s market, so you can shop carefully without expecting every listing to be a bargain.

• Deal availability: 30.1% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 498 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 4.42% compared with last year.
• Clean inventory: 71.7% of listings are accident-free.

If you find a listing below $17,071.22, that's toward the low end of the year-round range and worth acting on quickly.

What is the 2020 Mazda MAZDA3's resale value?

The current average of $18,033 sits slightly below last year's $18,868.

That softer pricing can work in your favor if you buy now, but it also means future resale may depend heavily on how well you preserve the car’s condition. A clean history, strong maintenance records, and desirable equipment should help protect value better than a rough example with prior damage.

Because the model has strong owner satisfaction and a premium reputation for the class, well-kept examples should remain easier to sell than more ordinary compact cars. 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 2020 Mazda MAZDA3 safe?

Labeled a Top Safety Pick+ by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), the Mazda3 received a five-star overall safety rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), scoring top marks in all crash tests.

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

Mazda’s standard driver-assistance suite includes forward-collision warning, lane-departure warning, adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and dynamic brake support. That’s a strong list for the class, and it helps explain why the car scores so well with both experts and crash-test agencies.

One caveat is that lower trims receive an Acceptable headlight rating, while the Premium Package’s LED headlights earn a Good rating. If safety is a top priority, that makes the higher trim especially appealing.

Should I buy a 2020 Mazda MAZDA3 or consider a different year?

If you're weighing the 2020 against nearby model years, here's how to think about it:

Choose the 2020 if:

• 30.1% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• At 71.7% accident-free, a meaningful share of listings has prior incidents — history verification is especially important.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 4.42% compared with last year.
• Owners rate it 5/5 — a strong satisfaction signal.
• It combines upscale styling, standard advanced safety features, and easy-to-use technology.

Consider the 2019 if:

• At $16,967, the 2019 costs less than the current year's $18,033 average.
• It makes a compact car feel upscale, refined, and genuinely athletic.

Consider the 2021 if:

• At $19,402, the 2021 costs more than the current year's $18,033 average.
• It adds turbocharged power and a more refined driving character.

The bottom line: The 2020 Mazda MAZDA3 is the right pick if you want the strongest mix of style, safety, and value in this range. If you’re price-sensitive, the 2019 is the better budget play; if you want more performance and can spend more, the 2021 is the upgrade path.

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from August 21, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.