Used 2020 Mazda MAZDA3 for Sale nearMesa, AZ

How much does the 2020 Mazda MAZDA3 cost?

Prices have softened 6.32% compared to this time last year, making it a favorable time to shop this model year.

There are 582 listings available, which gives you a solid amount of inventory to compare.

Is the 2020 Mazda MAZDA3 a good car?

Yes — the 2020 Mazda MAZDA3 earns a 5/5 user rating and a 7.8/10 expert rating. The standout strength is Safety at 10/10.

Drivers consistently praise its stunning design, luxurious feel, and enjoyable driving experience. The cabin also gets credit for its amazing interior and advanced safety features, while the main trade-offs are limited cargo space and a lack of power for some shoppers.

That lines up with the car’s use case: it is aimed at you if you want a compact car that feels more premium than most rivals, even if you give up some room and utility. With 32.3% of listings marked as good or great deals, there is still meaningful market opportunity if you shop carefully.

Is the 2020 Mazda MAZDA3 reliable?

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

The owner feedback points to a reliable, trouble-free ownership experience for many drivers, with language that emphasizes confidence in the car over the long term. The expert review also describes the powertrain as good and predictable, which supports the sense that the car is easy to live with day to day.

Mazda’s maintenance messaging also helps ownership costs feel more approachable when that coverage applies. For used buyers, the main long-term risk is less about outright dependability and more about whether the specific car has been cared for properly.

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

At 72.3% 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 close inspection of body panels, paint consistency, and signs of prior repair. Because this model is valued for its premium feel, pay extra attention to cabin condition, switchgear wear, and any signs that the car has been used hard or neglected. If possible, take a thorough test drive to confirm that the car still feels tight, quiet, and well sorted.

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: The sedan and hatchback both emphasize style, but the hatchback looks especially distinctive, while the sedan is the more traditional choice. The 18-inch alloy wheels are standard on all but the base-trim-level vehicle, so the cheapest version gives up some visual polish.
• Powertrain: All 2020 Mazda3s use a 2.5-liter four-cylinder with 186 horsepower and 186 pound-feet of torque. The engine is predictable and smooth, but it does not deliver the immediate punch of a turbocharged setup.
• 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 trim levels receive an Acceptable headlight rating, while the Premium Package’s LED headlights are rated Good.
• Infotainment: The cabin centers on an 8.8-inch display controlled by a rotary dial rather than touch input. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are included, Bluetooth is standard, and the system is designed to feel more integrated than a typical tablet-style screen.
• Fuel efficiency: The EPA says it returns 25 mpg in the city and 33 mpg on the highway.

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:

• Preferred: This is the better-value choice if you want the Mazda3’s upscale design, standard safety equipment, and easy-to-use tech without stretching to the top of the range. It captures the core appeal of the car while keeping the price more manageable.
• Premium: This is the one to choose if you want the most polished version of the Mazda3, especially if you care about the richer feature set and the more upscale presentation. It makes the strongest case for the car’s near-luxury mission.

The safety package is a major part of the Mazda3’s appeal, and the Premium Package’s headlights are specifically rated better than the lower trims.

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

This is a moderate market for selective buyers, so you can shop with some leverage if you stay patient.

• Deal availability: 32.3% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 582 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 6.32% compared with last year.
• Clean inventory: 72.3% of listings are accident-free.

If you find a listing below $17,074, 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 $17,386 sits slightly below last year's $18,559.

That decline suggests the market has already adjusted downward, which can help you as a buyer today but may limit upside if you plan to resell soon. If you buy at the right price, you reduce the chance of taking a steep depreciation hit later. The model’s premium image and strong demand for its styling should still help it hold interest better than many basic 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?

The 2020 Mazda MAZDA3 earns a Top Safety Pick+ rating from IIHS and a five-star overall rating from NHTSA, with five-star ratings 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. Lower trim levels do give up the better headlight rating that comes with the Premium Package.

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:

• 32.3% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• At 72.3% accident-free, a meaningful share of listings has prior incidents — history verification is especially important.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 6.32% compared with last year.
• Owners rate it 5/5 — a strong satisfaction signal.
• It pairs premium styling with standard advanced safety features.

Consider the 2019 if:

• At $16,931, the 2019 costs less than the current year's $17,386 average.
• It feels upscale, refined, and genuinely athletic.

Consider the 2021 if:

• At $19,112, the 2021 costs more than the current year's $17,386 average.
• It adds turbocharged power and a more mature upscale character.

The bottom line: If you want the best balance of price, style, and safety, the 2020 is the smart default. If you are especially price-sensitive, the 2019 is the value play; if you want more power and can spend more, the 2021 is the upgrade path.

How does the 2020 Mazda MAZDA3 compare to the 2020 Honda Civic?

Expert Pros & Cons (per CarGurus review team)

2020 Mazda MAZDA3:

• Pros: Stylish design, Easy-to-use technology, Standard advanced safety features.
• Cons: Cramped back seat, Not much cargo space.

2020 Honda Civic:

• Pros: Excellent value for money, Multiple body styles, Multiple powertrain options.
• Cons: Outdated technology.

Our experts score the 2020 Mazda MAZDA3 7.8/10 and the 2020 Honda Civic 8.2/10. The Mazda3 feels more premium and comes with stronger standard safety equipment, while the Civic leans harder into value and versatility. If you care most about style and a more upscale cabin, the Mazda3 has the edge; if you want more body-style and powertrain choice, the Civic is the more flexible pick.

Read our full side-by-side expert comparison here.

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