GREEN CHOICE

Mazda 3

Name: 2016 Mazda 3
Brand: Mazda

EPA MPG: 33 mpg

Owner Reported MPG:

EPA MPG: 33 mpg

Owner Reported MPG:

RECALL ALERT: There are 6 recalls on this vehicle. Learn More.

There are 6 recalls on this vehicle. Learn More.

RECALL ALERT: There are 6 recalls on this vehicle. Learn More.

There are 6 recalls on this vehicle. Learn More.

Reliability Details

Owner Satisfaction Details

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Road Test

The Mazda3 combines real sportiness with the best gas mileage -- 33 mpg overall -- of any conventional compact car. That has earned it one of the top spots in our compact-car Ratings.

2016 Sedans & Hatchbacks Reliability

This Car

100

0 - 100

Mazda 3

vs. Similar Cars

Chevrolet Cruze

Ford C-MAX

Honda Civic

Honda Fit

Hyundai Elantra

See All Models Reliability

Crash Tests

IIHS Front Moderate Overlap

Good

IIHS Front Small Overlap, Driver

Good

IIHS Side Crash

Good

NHTSA Overall Crash

NHTSA Overall Frontal-Crash

NHTSA Overall Side-Crash

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Crash Tests

IIHS Front Moderate Overlap

Good

IIHS Front Small Overlap, Driver

Good

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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Owner Reports

Owner Satisfaction 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

Driving Experience

Comfort

Value

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Mazda vs. Other New Car Brands

See How All Brands Stack up

Mazda vs. Other New Car Brands

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Crash Tests

IIHS Front Moderate Overlap

Good

IIHS Front Small Overlap, Driver

Good

IIHS Side Crash

Good

NHTSA Overall Crash

NHTSA Overall Frontal-Crash

NHTSA Overall Side-Crash

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2016 Small sedans/hatchbacks Ratings

2016 Mazda 3

$7,800 - $11,300

EPA MPG 33 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2016 Chevrolet Cruze

$5,200 - $7,400

EPA MPG 34 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

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$4,575 - $6,850

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Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2016 Chevrolet Spark

$5,475 - $5,725

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Road test

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Owner Satisfaction

2016 Chevrolet Volt

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53 miles

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Road test

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Owner Satisfaction

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Road test

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Owner Satisfaction

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Road test

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Owner Satisfaction

2016 Ford C-MAX

$7,950 - $8,775

EPA MPG 39 mpg

Road test

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Owner Satisfaction

2016 Honda Civic

$10,000 - $13,375

EPA MPG 35 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2016 Honda Fit

$9,125 - $10,700

EPA MPG 34 mpg

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Owner Satisfaction

2016 Hyundai Accent

$5,625 - $5,925

EPA MPG 31 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2016 Hyundai Elantra

$6,225 - $7,925

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Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2016 Hyundai Elantra GT

$ NA

EPA MPG 27 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2016 Kia Forte

$5,900 - $8,675

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Road test

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Owner Satisfaction

2016 Kia Rio

$5,325 - $6,775

EPA MPG 31 mpg

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Owner Satisfaction

2016 Mitsubishi Lancer

$5,925 - $8,375

EPA MPG 25 mpg

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Owner Satisfaction

2016 Mitsubishi Mirage

$ NA

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Road test

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Owner Satisfaction

2016 Nissan Sentra

$5,150 - $6,250

EPA MPG 32 mpg

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Owner Satisfaction

2016 Nissan Versa

$4,450 - $5,650

EPA MPG 33 mpg

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2016 Nissan Versa Note

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EPA MPG 34 mpg

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2016 Scion iA

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$9,950

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Owner Satisfaction

2016 Subaru Impreza

$7,350 - $11,175

EPA MPG 30 mpg

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Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2016 Toyota Corolla

$9,100 - $11,050

EPA MPG 32 mpg

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Owner Satisfaction

2016 Toyota Prius

$12,675

EPA MPG 52 mpg

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Owner Satisfaction

2016 Toyota Prius C

$9,625 - $10,550

EPA MPG 50 mpg

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Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2016 Toyota Prius V

$12,600

EPA MPG 42 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2016 Toyota Yaris

$6,800 - $9,725

EPA MPG 32 mpg

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Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2016 Volkswagen Golf

$6,225 - $16,775

EPA MPG 29 mpg

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Owner Satisfaction

2016 Volkswagen Golf SportWagen

$ NA

EPA MPG NA

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2016 Volkswagen Jetta

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EPA MPG 32 mpg

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See All Small sedans/hatchbacks Ratings

Features & Specs

4-door hatchback

sedan

2 front, 3 rear

Front

2-liter 4 (155 hp)
2.5-liter 4 (184 hp)

6-speed automatic
6-speed manual

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.

Read more about extended warranties

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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.