Used 2021 Mazda MAZDA3 for Sale near Illinois

How much does the 2021 Mazda MAZDA3 cost?

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

There are 573 listings available, which suggests you have a workable amount of inventory to compare.

Is the 2021 Mazda MAZDA3 a good car?

Yes — the 2021 Mazda MAZDA3 earns a 5/5 user rating and an 8.3/10 expert rating. The model scores 10/10 across Look and feel, Cost effectiveness, and Safety.

Owners consistently praise its sporty design, high-quality interior, and fun driving experience, and they also highlight its fuel efficiency. In use-case terms, that lines up well if you want a compact car that feels more polished and engaging than a typical commuter.

The main trade-offs are a lack of manual transmission, poor visibility, and outdated technology. Even so, the market still shows 29.7% good or great deals, which points to solid availability for value-minded shoppers.

Is the 2021 Mazda MAZDA3 reliable?

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

The owner feedback points to a car people feel good about living with over time, especially because it is described as dependable, trouble-free, and something you can count on. The expert drive notes also emphasize smoothness, consistency, and predictability, which reinforces the sense that the car behaves in a reassuring way day to day.

Mazda also frames the car’s driving character as something you can learn and trust, which supports confidence in long-term ownership. For used buyers, the main risk is less about outright durability and more about making sure the specific car has been cared for properly.

What should I look for when buying a used 2021 Mazda MAZDA3?

At 74.2% 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 any signs of prior repair. It also makes sense to focus on cabin condition and electronics, since the car’s appeal depends heavily on its premium feel and technology working as intended.

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: The cabin materials and design details are a major part of the car’s appeal, and the higher-spec version adds Nappa leather, a head-up display, and a more upscale interior presentation.
• Powertrain: The turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder pairs with a six-speed automatic and AWD, and Mazda tunes it for smooth, predictable, and consistent response.
• Safety package: The i-ActiveSense suite includes adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go capability, automatic high-beam LED headlights, and an Adaptive Front Lighting System; Premium Plus adds a surround-view camera, front and rear parking sensors, low-speed reverse automatic braking, and Traffic Jam Assist.
• Infotainment: Mazda Connect uses an 8.8-inch display with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a three-year trial subscription to Mazda Connected Services, but the screen is not touch-sensitive.
• Fuel efficiency: During testing, the turbo model averaged 20.4 mpg, and the review notes an EPA estimate of 27 mpg in combined driving.

Which 2021 Mazda MAZDA3 trim should I buy?

The 2021 Mazda MAZDA3 is offered in 2 trim levels: standard and Premium Plus.

Here's the short version:

• standard: This is the better-value choice if you want the Mazda3’s core strengths without stretching for the top trim. It still gives you the car’s stylish design, premium feel, and engaging driving character.
• Premium Plus: This is the trim to choose if you want the most upscale version, with Nappa leather, a head-up display, and the extra safety and convenience features that make the cabin feel more complete.

The safety package is a strong point across the lineup, and Premium Plus adds the most exclusive features.

Is now a good time to buy a used 2021 Mazda MAZDA3?

This is a moderate market for selective buyers, so you can shop with some leverage if you compare listings carefully.

• Deal availability: 29.7% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 573 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices have held steady compared with last year.
• Clean inventory: 74.2% of listings are accident-free.

If you find a listing below $18,450, that's toward the low end of the year-round range and worth acting on quickly.

What is the 2021 Mazda MAZDA3's resale value?

The current average of $19,112 sits slightly below last year's $19,277.

That small decline suggests the market has been fairly stable rather than volatile. For a future seller, that usually means you are not looking at a dramatic drop in value, but you also should not expect rapid appreciation.

The car’s strong owner satisfaction and premium appeal should help keep demand healthy among used shoppers. Well-kept examples with clean history and desirable equipment are likely to remain easier to sell than average 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 2021 Mazda MAZDA3 safe?

The 2021 Mazda MAZDA3 earns five-star ratings in every NHTSA assessment, including rollover resistance, and it had previously carried an IIHS Top Safety Pick+ rating.

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

Mazda’s i-ActiveSense suite is designed to support the driver rather than replace them, and it includes adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go capability, automatic high-beam LED headlights, and an Adaptive Front Lighting System. Premium Plus adds a high-definition surround-view camera, front and rear parking sensors, low-speed reverse automatic braking, and Traffic Jam Assist.

One caveat is that Traffic Jam Assist is not a Level 2 system, so you remain in control of steering at all times.

Should I buy a 2021 Mazda MAZDA3 or consider a different year?

If you're weighing the 2021 against nearby model years, here's how to think about it:

Choose the 2021 if:

• 29.7% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• At 74.2% 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.
• The turbocharged setup brings boosted power and a more refined, premium-feeling driving character.

Consider the 2020 if:

• At $17,386, the 2020 costs less than the current year's $19,112 average.
• It emphasizes a premium feel, standard advanced safety features, and everyday usability.

Consider the 2022 if:

• At $20,675, the 2022 costs more than the current year's $19,112 average.
• It adds a Carbon Edition and extra convenience touches, including a standard wiper de-icer on Turbo models.

The bottom line: The 2021 is the right pick if you want the strongest mix of style, performance, and value in this range. If price is your top priority, the 2020 is the smarter shopping target, while the 2022 makes sense if you want the newer-year upgrades and can pay more.

How does the 2021 Mazda MAZDA3 compare to the 2021 Honda Civic?

Expert Pros & Cons (per CarGurus review team)

2021 Mazda MAZDA3:

• Pros: Stylish design, Fun to drive, Premium interior materials.
• Cons: Manual transmission not available, Poor visibility, Outdated technology.

2021 Honda Civic:

• Pros: Stylish design, Multiple body styles, Fun to drive.
• Cons: Underwhelming base engine, Outdated technology, Interior materials feel cheap.

Our experts score the 2021 Mazda MAZDA3 8.3/10 and the 2021 Honda Civic 7.2/10. The Mazda3 comes across as the more upscale and polished choice, especially if you care about interior materials and a more premium feel. The Civic counters with more body-style variety and a stronger base-engine setup, but its cheaper-feeling cabin keeps it from matching the Mazda’s overall impression.

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.