Used 2020 Mazda MAZDA3 for Sale near New Jersey

How much does the 2020 Mazda MAZDA3 cost?

Prices have softened 5.14% compared to this time last year, making it a favorable time to shop this model year.

There are 587 listings available, which gives you a meaningful 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 the car’s stunning design, amazing interior, and enjoyable driving experience. The upscale feel and advanced safety features also come through as recurring positives, which fits a car aimed at buyers who want something more premium than a typical compact.

The main trade-offs are limited power and limited cargo space. That matters most if you want a small car that leans more toward everyday practicality than style and refinement.

The overview points to a compact car that prioritizes a premium feel, stylish design, and safety over maximum room, so it suits you best if those qualities matter more than space. With 33.4% of listings marked as good or great deals, you still have room to shop selectively.

Is the 2020 Mazda MAZDA3 reliable?

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

User feedback points to a dependable-feeling ownership experience, with drivers highlighting the car’s enjoyable driving experience and advanced safety features. The expert review also describes the car as a strong expression of Mazda’s refined, driving-focused approach, which supports the sense that it is built to be a car you can count on.

The cost-effectiveness review also notes decent fuel economy, which can help keep day-to-day ownership manageable. For used buyers, the main long-term risk is that a premium-feeling compact can still bring premium expectations for condition and upkeep.

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. A pre-purchase inspection is especially useful here because you want to focus on body condition, interior wear, and signs that the car’s premium-feel materials have held up well.

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: The base trim misses some of the visual polish you get higher up, while the Premium Package adds 18-inch alloy wheels and LED headlights that help the car feel more upscale.
• Powertrain: All 2020 Mazda3s use a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with 186 horsepower and a six-speed automatic is common, while a six-speed manual is limited to front-wheel-drive hatchback models with the preferred or premium package.
• 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 Acceptable headlights, while the Premium Package’s LED headlights are rated Good.
• Infotainment: The cabin centers on an 8.8-inch display, and Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Bluetooth, and Sirius XM satellite radio are included or available. Mazda uses a rotary controller instead of touchscreen input.
• Fuel efficiency: The EPA says it returns 25 mpg in the city and 33 mpg on the highway, and the review team averaged 31 mpg in combined driving.

Which 2020 Mazda MAZDA3 trim should I buy?

The 2020 Mazda MAZDA3 is offered in 2 trim levels: sedan and hatchback.

Here's the short version:

• Sedan: This is the better fit if you want the cleaner, more traditional body style and the premium feel Mazda is aiming for. It suits you best if style and everyday usability matter more than maximum cargo flexibility.
• Hatchback: This is the more distinctive choice, with the more dramatic shape and the version Mazda leans on most in its marketing. It’s the better pick if you want the most special-looking Mazda3 and value a little extra versatility.

The Premium Package is the trim-level step that most clearly adds upscale touches, including 18-inch alloy wheels and LED headlights. Lower trims still get the core safety story, but the Premium Package is the one that most strongly reinforces the car’s near-luxury feel.

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

This is a moderate market for selective buyers, so you can shop carefully and still find worthwhile listings.

• Deal availability: 33.4% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 587 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 5.14% compared with last year.
• Clean inventory: 71.7% of listings are accident-free.

If you find a listing below $17,073, 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 $17,506 sits slightly below last year's $18,455.

That softer pricing suggests the market has become a little more favorable for buyers, which can make future resale a bit more competitive for you as an owner. If you buy well now, you may have less room for appreciation later, but you can still benefit from the model’s strong appeal and premium image.

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 is a Top Safety Pick+ from IIHS and earns five-star ratings from NHTSA.

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

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 do give up the better-rated headlights, since the Premium Package’s LED headlights score Good while lower trims receive Acceptable headlights.

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:

• 33.4% 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 5.14% compared with last year.
• Owners rate it 5/5 — a strong satisfaction signal.
• The 2020 model combines premium styling, standard advanced safety features, and a 7.8/10 expert rating.

Consider the 2019 if:

• At $16,929, the 2019 costs less than the current year's $17,506 average.
• The 2019 is an upscale, refined, and genuinely athletic compact with standard advanced safety features.

Consider the 2021 if:

• At $19,125, the 2021 costs more than the current year's $17,506 average.
• The 2021 adds turbocharged power and a more mature, upscale character.

The bottom line: If you want the best balance of price, safety, and premium feel, the 2020 is the smart default. If you’re 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 is the more style-forward choice, with a premium feel and standard safety features that stand out. The Civic counters with stronger value, more body styles, and more powertrain choices, so it makes more sense if you want flexibility and lower-cost practicality.

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

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from October 27, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.