Used Mazda MAZDA3 for Sale nearElgin, NE

How much does the Mazda MAZDA3 cost in today's market?

Used Mazda MAZDA3 prices span a wide range depending on model year. Here's what the market looks like right now:

The Mazda MAZDA3's current nationwide average price is $17,475, and its lowest point over the past year was $15,487. Recently, prices have come down for the 2024 and 2025 models, making now a good time to shop recent model years.

Is the Mazda MAZDA3 a good car?

Yes — the Mazda MAZDA3 is a strong pick if you want a compact car with style, a premium feel, and engaging driving manners. The all-generations owner rating is 4.59/5 across every model year in the data.

Owners consistently praise the Mazda MAZDA3 for its sporty design, upscale interior, and fun-to-drive character. They also frequently highlight its strong fuel efficiency and responsive handling, which help give it a more polished personality than many rivals.

Expert reviews rate the 2015 and 2014 models among the highest across all years.

The main trade-offs that show up in recent expert reviews are a cramped back seat, outdated technology, and an underwhelming base engine. Even so, the Mazda MAZDA3 remains appealing if you want a small car that feels more refined and rewarding than the average commuter.

31.2% of listings are priced as good or great deals.

Are Mazda MAZDA3 models reliable?

Owners and experts consistently praise the Mazda MAZDA3 for its sporty feel, upscale interior, and enjoyable driving experience. Across the model years, it also earns strong marks for fuel efficiency, handling, and overall build quality.

• Owners rate the Mazda MAZDA3 between 4.0 and 5.0 out of 5 stars across all model years in the data.

For long-term ownership, you should still check maintenance history and vehicle condition carefully, especially on older examples where age and prior use matter more.

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

Across all model years, at 72.2% accident-free, a meaningful share of listings has prior incidents — history verification is especially important.

Older model years carry meaningfully higher accident rates, so always verify the vehicle history report on pre-2022 models.

Key things to evaluate:

• Safety package: i-Activsense with forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning, lane-keep assist, automatic high beams, and a driver condition monitor; the Select Sport trim adds blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert, and the 2.5 Turbo Premium Plus adds adaptive headlights, a head-up display, lane centering, a surround-view camera system, and reverse automatic braking.
• Infotainment: a standard 8.8-inch infotainment display with dial-controller operation, plus a 10.25-inch touchscreen on higher-trim Turbo models with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto and a wireless charging pad.
• Fuel efficiency: Our Mazda 3 Carbon Edition test vehicle with AWD returns an EPA-estimated 30 mpg combined (26/35 mpg city/highway), while the more powerful Turbo models are estimated at 27 mpg combined (23/32 mpg city/highway).

Which Mazda MAZDA3 trim should I buy?

The 2026 Mazda MAZDA3 offers these trims:

• 2.5 S: the base trim, with the 2.5-liter four-cylinder, 191 horsepower, 186 pound-feet of torque, and the model's core upscale cabin and styling.
• 2.5 S Select Sport: adds blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert and is a smart step up if you want more everyday driver-assistance coverage.
• 2.5 S Preferred: keeps the base powertrain and adds to the comfort-and-convenience side of the lineup.
• Carbon Edition: a strong value choice if you want standard AWD along with the 2.5-liter four-cylinder and a more distinctive look.
• 2.5 Turbo Premium Plus: the top trim, with AWD, the 227-hp turbo powertrain, adaptive headlights, a head-up display, lane centering, a surround-view camera system, reverse automatic braking, and the available 12-speaker Bose audio system.

What Mazda MAZDA3 do most buyers choose?

The Mazda MAZDA3 years with the most listings are 2025, 2024, and 2023.

These higher-volume years tend to be popular because they give you the broadest mix of pricing, availability, and trim choices. They also make it easier to compare similar examples and find one that fits your budget and feature priorities.

What is the Mazda MAZDA3's resale value?

Most model years in the table are moving lower year over year, which is good news if you're shopping used and want more room to negotiate. A few older years are edging up, so the strongest bargains are concentrated in the years showing the sharpest declines.

The 2016, 2018, and 2021 model years are holding steady, with prices close to flat year-over-year.

The 2017, 2023, and 2014 model years have held their value best, with prices flat to rising year-over-year.

Is the Mazda MAZDA3 safe?

• 2026: 6/10
• 2025: 9/10
• 2024: 9/10
• 2023: 8/10
• 2022: 10/10
• 2021: 10/10
• 2020: 10/10
• 2019: 9/10
• 2017: 9/10
• 2016: 10/10
• 2015: 10/10
• 2014: 10/10

All 2026 Mazda 3 models come standard with i-Activsense, including forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning, lane-keep assist, automatic high beams, and a driver condition monitor.

For the safest used buy, the 2014, 2015, 2016, 2020, 2021 and 2022 models all post the highest confirmed score of 10/10.

Should I buy a used Mazda MAZDA3 now or wait for the next model?

Buy now if:

• Price trend: The 2025 model is at −10.97% versus a year ago, and the 2024 model is at −12.2%.
• Deal availability: The 2025 model has 36.3% good and great deals, and the 2024 model has 37%.
• Sweet-spot year: The 2025 model has the most listings at a current average price of $23,412. The Mazda MAZDA3 offers a premium-feeling cabin and engaging driving character that make it feel more upscale than many compact cars.

Consider waiting if:

• Powertrain/efficiency: The 2026 Mazda 3 is offered with the choice of two drivetrains, including a base 2.5-liter four-cylinder that produces 191 horsepower and 186 pound-feet of torque and a Turbo model that increases output to 227 hp and 310 lb-ft of torque on regular unleaded fuel, or 250 hp and 320 lb-ft of torque with premium.
• Tech: Higher trimmed Turbo models get a 10.25-inch touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and a wireless charging pad.
• Safety: The latest model adds blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert on the Select Sport trim, plus adaptive headlights, a head-up display, lane centering, a surround-view camera system, and reverse automatic braking on the 2.5 Turbo Premium Plus.
• Starting price: The 2026 Mazda 3 sedan has an MSRP of $25,785 for the base 2.5 S trim.

If you're buying used today, the 2025 model year offers the best mix of value and availability. If you want the latest tech and features, it may be worth waiting for the next model year's inventory to build up.

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from September 15, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.