Mazda 3

Name: 2013 Mazda 3
Brand: Mazda

EPA MPG: 32 mpg

Owner Reported MPG:

EPA MPG: 32 mpg

Owner Reported MPG:

RECALL ALERT: There is 1 recall on this vehicle. Learn More.

There is 1 recall on this vehicle. Learn More.

RECALL ALERT: There is 1 recall on this vehicle. Learn More.

There is 1 recall on this vehicle. Learn More.

Reliability Details

Owner Satisfaction Details

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Road Test

A light freshening for 2012 includes powertrain tweaks to improve the Mazda3's fuel economy to an impressive 32-mpg overall. This vaulted its road test score to near the top of our small car rankings for the model year. Further, Mazda's SkyActiv 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine delivers smooth and ample performance. An available 2.5-liter four cylinder provides more power, but is less frugal with fuel. Other attributes include agile handling, a supple ride and a well-designed interior with good materials and comfortable seats. On the downside, rear-seat room is tight and road noise is pronounced. A blind-spot detection system was made available for 2013.

2013 Sedans & Hatchbacks Reliability

This Car

100

0 - 100

Mazda 3

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Crash Tests

IIHS Front Moderate Overlap

Good

IIHS Front Small Overlap, Driver

IIHS Side Crash

Good

NHTSA Overall Crash

NHTSA Overall Frontal-Crash

NHTSA Overall Side-Crash

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Owner Reports

Owner Satisfaction

2000

2001

2002

2003

2004

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

2010

2011

2012

2013

2014

2015

2016

2017

2018

2019

2020

2021

2022

2023

2024

2025

Driving Experience

Comfort

Value

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Mazda vs. Other New Car Brands

See How All Brands Stack up

Crash Tests

IIHS Front Moderate Overlap

Good

IIHS Front Small Overlap, Driver

IIHS Side Crash

Good

NHTSA Overall Crash

NHTSA Overall Frontal-Crash

NHTSA Overall Side-Crash

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Mazda vs. Other New Car Brands

See How All Brands Stack up

Crash Tests

IIHS Front Moderate Overlap

Good

IIHS Front Small Overlap, Driver

IIHS Side Crash

Good

NHTSA Overall Crash

NHTSA Overall Frontal-Crash

NHTSA Overall Side-Crash

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Mazda vs. Other New Car Brands

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2013 Small sedans/hatchbacks Ratings

2013 Mazda 3

$4,900 - $6,900

EPA MPG 32 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2013 Chevrolet Cruze

$4,250 - $4,975

EPA MPG 26 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2013 Chevrolet Sonic

$3,300 - $5,000

EPA MPG 33 mpg

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Owner Satisfaction

2013 Chevrolet Spark

$3,225 - $3,425

EPA MPG 31 mpg

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Owner Satisfaction

2013 Chevrolet Volt

$4,525

EPA MPG 37 mpg

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Owner Satisfaction

2013 Dodge Dart

$3,325 - $4,550

EPA MPG 28 mpg

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Owner Satisfaction

2013 Ford C-MAX

$4,400 - $4,900

EPA MPG 40 mpg

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Owner Satisfaction

2013 Ford Fiesta

$2,850 - $4,000

EPA MPG 31 mpg

Road test

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Owner Satisfaction

2013 Honda CR-Z

$6,350 - $7,500

EPA MPG 33 mpg

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2013 Honda Civic

$5,475 - $9,100

EPA MPG 32 mpg

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Owner Satisfaction

2013 Honda Civic Hybrid

$ NA

EPA MPG 44 mpg

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Owner Satisfaction

2013 Honda Fit

$6,600 - $8,225

EPA MPG 31 mpg

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Owner Satisfaction

2013 Honda Insight

$5,425 - $6,125

EPA MPG 41 mpg

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2013 Hyundai Accent

$4,200 - $4,650

EPA MPG 31 mpg

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Owner Satisfaction

2013 Hyundai Elantra

$4,650 - $5,200

EPA MPG 31 mpg

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Owner Satisfaction

2013 Hyundai Elantra GT

$ NA

EPA MPG 30 mpg

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Owner Satisfaction

2013 Kia Forte

$3,900 - $4,925

EPA MPG 30 mpg

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2013 Kia Rio

$3,750 - $4,525

EPA MPG 31 mpg

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$4,750 - $5,175

EPA MPG 29 mpg

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2013 Mitsubishi Lancer

$2,850 - $16,850

EPA MPG 25 mpg

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$4,175 - $4,800

EPA MPG 29 mpg

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2013 Nissan Sentra

$3,150 - $4,275

EPA MPG 33 mpg

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Owner Satisfaction

2013 Nissan Versa

$3,025 - $4,075

EPA MPG 33 mpg

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2013 Scion iQ

$6,100

EPA MPG 36 mpg

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2013 Scion tC

$6,500 - $6,650

EPA MPG 26 mpg

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Owner Satisfaction

2013 Scion xB

$6,850 - $7,150

EPA MPG 24 mpg

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Owner Satisfaction

2013 Scion xD

$6,450 - $7,125

EPA MPG 28 mpg

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Owner Satisfaction

2013 Smart ForTwo

$3,575 - $4,800

EPA MPG 36 mpg

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Owner Satisfaction

2013 Subaru Impreza

$5,150 - $12,200

EPA MPG 30 mpg

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2013 Suzuki SX4

$2,725 - $3,875

EPA MPG 25 mpg

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2013 Toyota Corolla

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EPA MPG 29 mpg

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2013 Toyota Matrix

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EPA MPG 24 mpg

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EPA MPG 48 mpg

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2013 Toyota Prius C

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2013 Toyota Prius V

$8,075

EPA MPG 42 mpg

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2013 Toyota Yaris

$5,250 - $6,900

EPA MPG 32 mpg

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$6,700 - $9,050

EPA MPG NA

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2013 Volkswagen Golf

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EPA MPG 26 mpg

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2013 Volkswagen Jetta

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EPA MPG 27 mpg

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Features & Specs

4-door hatchback

sedan

2 front, 3 rear

Front

2-liter 4 (148 hp)
2-liter 4 (155 hp)
2.3-liter 4 turbo (263 hp)
2.5-liter 4 (167 hp)

6-speed automatic
5-speed manual
5-speed automatic
6-speed manual

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In most cases, automotive warranties are based on the vehicle identification number (VIN), and the warranty will be valid regardless of ownership. The dealership can tell you exactly how much warranty is left.

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Model History

2019-Present

Current Generation

The redesigned Mazda3 is offered in sedan or hatchback forms. The sole engine is a carryover 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine mated to a six-speed manual or automatic transmission. All-wheel drive is now available. The interior is nicely furnished and features a new infotainment system that drivers interact with by using a screen exclusively through a rotary knob. Handling is still nimble but less sporty than in the previous 3. Mazda has improved the ride; it’s firm, but absorbs impacts well. The cabin is relatively quiet and nicely finished. There is an available Driver Monitoring System that watches the driver's face and sounds an alert to warn of fatigue. For 2021 a new 2.0-liter became the base engine, and a much more powerful 2.5-liter turbo is optional. The latter is coupled to all-wheel-drive. The 2.0-liter engine was dropped in 2023. ACC is standard for 2025.

2014-2018

2014 Redesign Year

Available as a four-door sedan or five-door hatchback, the Mazda3 is a joy to drive, thanks to super-sharp handling, sprightly yet efficient engines, and smooth transmissions. Mazda's entry-level car also offers a number of features normally found on luxury cars, including a modern infotainment system; it is controlled by a console-mounted knob and can be somewhat frustrating. Optional active safety features include forward collision warning and automatic emergency braking. Blind-spot monitoring and cross-traffic alert are standard on Touring and Grand Touring trims, a nice touch. Ride comfort takes a back seat to sporty handling and interior noise levels are a bit high. A 2017 update brought some improvement, as well as more features. The four-door hatchback has a good sized trunk, while the hatchback offers more flexibility; both have a somewhat cramped rear seat for the class.

2010-2013

2010 Redesign Year

With its 2010 reboot, Mazda3 remained one of our top-scoring small cars. Just as with its predecessors, this version of the Mazda3 is gifted with agile handling and a well laid out passenger compartment hosting quality materials. Still, while the interior is upgraded, the rear seating area remains a bit tight and road noise is somewhat pronounced. Stability control became standard for all trim lines beginning with the 2011 model year. For 2012, Mazda added a new 2.0-liter SKYACTIV engine and that boosted fuel economy to an impressive 32 mpg with the six-speed automatic transmission. A blind-spot detection system was made available for 2012.

2004-2009

2004 Redesign Year

Available in sedan and hatchback body styles, the Mazda3 holds the distinction of being one of the better small car choices. Introduced for 2004 to replace the Protege, it features strong and refined four-cylinder engines, along with precise, responsive handling and a firm, but comfortable ride. Interior quality is very good, though the cabin is noisy and the rear seat somewhat tight. If you're shopping in this model year range look for one with the available curtain airbags, as the Mazda3 received a Poor rating in the IIHS side-crash test without them. These were added as a standard feature for the 2009 model year, along with side airbags. Uplevel Touring and Grand Touring models have standard stability control, starting in 2007; these are the versions to get.