Used Mazda MAZDA3 for Sale nearHighland Park, IL

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 $17,221, and its lowest point over the past year was $15,479. 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 used-car pick if you want style, driving enjoyment, and a more upscale feel in a compact package. 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 engaging driving experience. Fuel efficiency and responsive handling also come up again and again, which helps explain why so many shoppers view it as a stylish, satisfying daily driver.

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

The main trade-offs in recent expert reviews center on the base engine, rear-seat space, and technology, so you should expect the strongest appeal from the Mazda MAZDA3 to come from its style, refinement, and driving character rather than maximum practicality.

33.3% of listings are priced as good or great deals.

Are Mazda MAZDA3 models reliable?

Owners and experts consistently point to the Mazda MAZDA3's engaging driving feel, attractive design, and strong overall appeal. Across the model years, it also earns praise for fuel efficiency and a well-built, upscale cabin.

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

For used buyers, the long-term ownership picture looks encouraging overall, but you should still check maintenance history and vehicle condition carefully, especially on older examples.

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

Across all model years, at 72% 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
• Infotainment: 10.25-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and wireless Android Auto
• Fuel efficiency: Our Mazda 3 Carbon Edition test vehicle with AWD returns an EPA-estimated 30 mpg combined (26/35 mpg city/highway). The front-drive model gains one or two mpg across the board, 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 2.5-liter four-cylinder produces 191 horsepower and 186 pound-feet of torque, and this is the entry point if you want the most affordable way into the lineup.
• 2.5 S Select Sport: This trim adds blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert, making it a smart value step for shoppers who want more everyday confidence.
• 2.5 S Preferred: This trim continues with the base 2.5-liter setup and sits above the Select Sport in the lineup.
• Carbon Edition: This trim adds standard all-wheel drive and the 2.5-liter four-cylinder, making it the best-value choice if you want extra traction and a more distinctive setup.
• 2.5 Turbo Premium Plus: This trim adds the turbocharged powertrain with 227 hp and 310 lb-ft of torque on regular unleaded fuel, plus adaptive headlights, a head-up display, lane centering, a surround-view camera system, reverse automatic braking, and a 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 a broad mix of availability, newer features, and pricing that still sits below brand-new-car territory. They also make it easier to compare trims and find the body style and equipment level you want.

What is the Mazda MAZDA3's resale value?

Most model years in the table are down year over year, which is good news if you're shopping used and want to benefit from softer pricing. A few years are moving up, so the market is not falling uniformly across the lineup. The biggest drops are concentrated in the newer years, while some older examples are showing modest gains.

The 2021 model year is holding steady, with prices close to flat year-over-year.

The 2017, 2016, and 2023 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.

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 −9.77% versus a year ago, and the 2024 model is at −10.66%.
• Deal availability: The 2025 model has 35.8% good and great deals, and the 2024 model has 35.5%.
• Sweet-spot year: The 2025 model has the most listings at a current average price of $22,740. The Mazda MAZDA3 offers a stylish, upscale cabin and an engaging driving feel that make it feel more premium than many compact cars.

Consider waiting if:

• Powertrain/efficiency: The base 2.5-liter four-cylinder produces 191 horsepower and 186 pound-feet of torque, while the Turbo model increases output to 227 hp and 310 lb-ft of torque on regular unleaded fuel and 250 hp and 320 lb-ft of torque with premium.
• Tech: Higher trimmed Turbo models get a 10.25-inch touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay, wireless Android Auto, and a wireless charging pad.
• Safety: The top 2.5 Turbo Premium Plus model adds adaptive headlights, a head-up display, lane centering, a surround-view camera system, and reverse automatic braking.
• 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 October 20, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.