Mazda CX-3 vs. Mazda Mazda3 Sedan
iSeeCars' unbiased and data-driven comparison of the Mazda CX-3 and Mazda Mazda3 Sedan contrasts the two cars across a broad spectrum of vehicle specifications to determine which car is better. In addition to comparing pricing and specs, iSeeCars uses all the ratings, rankings, and insights from its comprehensive analyses of each vehicle model, including calculations of reliability, safety, depreciation, value retention, and the vehicle's projected lifetime recalls (based on analyzing over 25 billion data points). This in-depth evaluation is used to identify which vehicle represents a better overall choice for shoppers who are considering both the Mazda CX-3 and the Mazda Mazda3 Sedan.
When comparing the Mazda CX-3's and the Mazda Mazda3 Sedan's specifications and ratings, the Mazda CX-3 has the advantage in the areas of resale value and interior volume. The Mazda Mazda3 Sedan has the advantage in the areas of typical lower range of pricing for one- to five-year-old used cars, reliability, overall quality score and base engine power. The Mazda CX-3 and Mazda Mazda3 Sedan have the same fuel efficiency. Based on this comparison of the Mazda CX-3's and the Mazda Mazda3 Sedan's specifications and ratings, the Mazda Mazda3 Sedan is a better car than the Mazda CX-3.
Pricing: A used 2021 Mazda CX-3 ranges from $17,524 to $22,997 while a used 2021 Mazda Mazda3 Sedan is priced between $16,984 to $25,431.
Resale/Retained Value: Looking at the 5-year depreciation rate for both models, the Mazda CX-3 loses 32.1 percent of its value and the Mazda Mazda3 Sedan loses 33.3 percent of its value. This means the Mazda CX-3 retains 1.2 percentage points more of its value and has the advantage of higher resale value versus the Mazda Mazda3 Sedan.
Quality Rating: The iSeeCars Overall Quality rating for the Mazda CX-3 is 8.2 out of 10 while the Mazda Mazda3 Sedan's quality rating is 8.9 out of 10. This results in the Mazda CX-3 being ranked 2 out of 20 Best Subcompact SUVs and the Mazda Mazda3 Sedan being ranked 7 out of 43 Best Small Cars.
Reliability Rating: iSeeCars’ Reliability Rating for the Mazda CX-3 is 6.1 out of 10. For the Mazda Mazda3 Sedan the reliability rating is 8.2 out of 10. This gives the Mazda Mazda3 Sedan an advantage in reliability compared to the Mazda CX-3.
Engine Power and Fuel Efficiency Comparison: For engine performance, the Mazda CX-3’s base engine makes 148 horsepower, and the Mazda Mazda3 Sedan base engine makes 155 horsepower. Both the CX-3 and the Mazda3 Sedan are rated to deliver an average of 31 miles per gallon, with highway ranges of 432 and 475 miles respectively. Both models use regular unleaded.
Passenger Space Comparison: The Mazda CX-3, a crossover/subcompact SUV, has the advantage of offering more interior volume, reflected in more front head room and cargo space. The Mazda Mazda3 Sedan, a compact car, has the advantage in the areas of front shoulder room, front leg room, rear shoulder room and rear leg room. The Mazda CX-3 and Mazda Mazda3 Sedan are comparable in regards to rear head room.
Safety Ratings: When comparing crash test ratings from NHTSA, both the Mazda CX-3 and the Mazda Mazda3 Sedan have the same average safety rating of 5 out of 5 Stars.
New Car Pricing
Asking Price:
-
Starting MSRP:
$20,790
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Subcompact SUVs)
$22,058
Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Subcompact SUVs)
$18,750 - $29,100
New Car Pricing
Asking Price:
-
Starting MSRP:
$20,650
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Compact Cars)
$21,197
Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Compact Cars)
$15,295 - $28,695
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
$20,352
Price Range:
$17,524 - $22,997
Category Avg Price:
(Subcompact SUVs)
$21,068
Category Avg Price Range:
(Subcompact SUVs)
$17,501 - $28,440
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
43
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
40,635
# Good or Great Deals:
10
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
$20,624
Price Range:
$16,984 - $25,431
Category Avg Price:
(Compact Cars)
$21,394
Category Avg Price Range:
(Compact Cars)
$13,751 - $30,996
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
# Good or Great Deals:
Mazda CX-3 Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
8.2 / 10
Reliability:
6.1 / 10
Retained Value:
8.5 / 10
Safety:
10.0 / 10
Mazda Mazda3 Sedan Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
8.9 / 10
Reliability:
8.2 / 10
Retained Value:
8.4 / 10
Safety:
10.0 / 10
iSeeCars Reliability Insights for Mazda CX-3
Remaining Life Expectancy (years):
10.4
Typical Category Remaining Life Expectancy:
(Subcompact SUVs)
9.2
Category Remaining Life Expectancy Range:
(Subcompact SUVs)
7.3 - 11
Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:
15.6%
iSeeCars Reliability Insights for Mazda Mazda3 Sedan
Remaining Life Expectancy (years):
7.1
Typical Category Remaining Life Expectancy:
(Compact Cars)
7.8
Category Remaining Life Expectancy Range:
(Compact Cars)
7.1 - 10.6
Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:
7.9%
Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls
Expected Lifetime Recalls:
2.4
Typical Category Recalls:
(Subcompact SUVs)
2.6
Category Range for Recalls:
(Subcompact SUVs)
0.5 - 10
Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls
Expected Lifetime Recalls:
2.5
Typical Category Recalls:
(Compact Cars)
3
Category Range for Recalls:
(Compact Cars)
1.3 - 16.8
Mazda CX-3 Rankings
Ranking
2 out of / 20Ranking
2 out of / 13Ranking
2 out of / 10Ranking
5 out of / 20Ranking
6 out of / 20Ranking
8 out of / 67Ranking
12 out of / 67Ranking
15 out of / 20Ranking
15 out of / 20Ranking
17 out of / 20Ranking
18 out of / 20Ranking
19 out of / 20Ranking
26 out of / 67Ranking
37 out of / 67Ranking
59 out of / 67Ranking
62 out of / 67Ranking
62 out of / 67Ranking
63 out of / 67Ranking
63 out of / 67Mazda Mazda3 Sedan Rankings
Ranking
1 out of / 5Ranking
4 out of / 43Ranking
4 out of / 13Ranking
6 out of / 43Ranking
6 out of / 43Ranking
7 out of / 43Ranking
8 out of / 43Ranking
10 out of / 13Ranking
13 out of / 24Ranking
15 out of / 43Ranking
16 out of / 43Ranking
27 out of / 43Ranking
27 out of / 43Ranking
40 out of / 43Available Body Styles
SUV
Available Body Styles
Sedan
Available Drivetrain Options
Gasoline
Available Drivetrain Options
Gasoline
Mazda CX-3 Trim Levels
Sport
Mazda Mazda3 Sedan Trim Levels
2.0, 2.5 S, 2.5 Turbo, Preferred, Premium, Premium Plus, Select
Warranty Information
Warranty, Bumper-to-Bumper:
3 years / 36000 miles
Warranty, Powertrain:
5 years / 60000 miles
Warranty, Roadside Assistance:
3 years / 36000 miles
Warranty Information
Warranty, Bumper-to-Bumper:
3 years / 36000 miles
Warranty, Powertrain:
5 years / 60000 miles
Warranty, Roadside Assistance:
3 years / 36000 miles
Safety Ratings
NHTSA Safety Rating (last 5 year average):
5 out of 5 Stars
2025 NHTSA Overall Rating:
4 out of 5 Stars
2025 NHTSA Front Crash Overall Rating:
5 out of 5 Stars
2025 NHTSA Side Crash Overall Rating:
5 out of 5 Stars
2025 NHTSA Rollover Rating:
4 out of 5 Stars
IIHS Safety Rating:
Not yet available
Safety Ratings
NHTSA Safety Rating (last 5 year average):
5 out of 5 Stars
2025 NHTSA Overall Rating:
5 out of 5 Stars
2025 NHTSA Front Crash Overall Rating:
5 out of 5 Stars
2025 NHTSA Side Crash Overall Rating:
5 out of 5 Stars
2025 NHTSA Rollover Rating:
5 out of 5 Stars
IIHS Safety Rating:
Not yet available
Base Drivetrain Specs
Horsepower:
148 hp @ 6000 rpm
Torque:
146 foot-lbs @ 2800 rpm
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.052 hp per pound
Towing capacity:
Not yet available
Base Drivetrain Specs
Horsepower:
155 hp @ 6000 rpm
Torque:
150 foot-lbs @ 4000 rpm
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.050 hp per pound
Towing capacity:
Not yet available
Engine Specifications
Engine Size:
2 liters
Engine Configuration:
Inline
Number of Cylinders:
4
Transmission:
Automatic
Standard/Optional Drivetrain Type:
FWD / AWD
EPA Fuel Economy
(City/Highway/Combined MPG):
29 / 34 / 31
Range (city/hwy):
368 / 432 miles
Recommended Fuel Type:
Regular Unleaded
Engine Specifications
Engine Size:
2 liters
Engine Configuration:
Inline
Number of Cylinders:
4
Transmission:
Automatic
Standard/Optional Drivetrain Type:
FWD / AWD
EPA Fuel Economy
(City/Highway/Combined MPG):
28 / 36 / 31
Range (city/hwy):
370 / 475 miles
Recommended Fuel Type:
Regular Unleaded
Standard/Optional Features
Adaptive Cruise Control:
Standard
Alloy wheels:
Standard
Android Auto:
Standard
Apple CarPlay:
Standard
Bench Seats:
Standard
Bluetooth:
Standard
Internet Radio:
Standard
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Keyless Ignition:
Standard
Power outlet:
Standard
Roadside assistance:
Standard
Voice Recognition:
Standard
Navigation System:
Available
Parking Sensors:
Available
Air Suspension:
N/A
Automatic Parking:
N/A
Captain's seat:
N/A
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
N/A
Front Bench Seats:
N/A
Heated Seats
N/A
Heated Steering Wheel:
N/A
Leather Upholstery:
N/A
Massage Seats:
N/A
Paddle Shifters:
N/A
Panoramic Sunroof/Moonroof
N/A
Power Lift Gate:
N/A
Quad Seats:
N/A
Roof Rack:
N/A
Satellite radio:
N/A
Sunroof/Moonroof:
N/A
Trailer Hitch:
N/A
Wifi:
N/A
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
N/A
Standard/Optional Features
Adaptive Cruise Control:
Standard
Alloy wheels:
Standard
Android Auto:
Standard
Apple CarPlay:
Standard
Bench Seats:
Standard
Bluetooth:
Standard
Internet Radio:
Standard
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Keyless Ignition:
Standard
Power outlet:
Standard
Roadside assistance:
Standard
Voice Recognition:
Standard
Navigation System:
Available
Parking Sensors:
Available
Air Suspension:
N/A
Automatic Parking:
N/A
Captain's seat:
N/A
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
N/A
Front Bench Seats:
N/A
Heated Seats
Available
Heated Steering Wheel:
Available
Leather Upholstery:
Available
Massage Seats:
N/A
Paddle Shifters:
Available
Panoramic Sunroof/Moonroof
N/A
Power Lift Gate:
N/A
Quad Seats:
N/A
Roof Rack:
N/A
Satellite radio:
Available
Sunroof/Moonroof:
Available
Trailer Hitch:
N/A
Wifi:
N/A
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
Available
Safety Features
Backup camera:
Standard
Blind Spot Monitoring:
Standard
Forward Collision Warning:
Standard
Lane Departure Warning:
Standard
Pedestrian Detection:
Standard
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:
Standard
360-Degree Camera:
N/A
Driver Attention Monitoring:
N/A
Lane Keeping Assist:
N/A
Rear Seat Reminder:
N/A
Safety Features
Backup camera:
Standard
Blind Spot Monitoring:
Available
Forward Collision Warning:
Standard
Lane Departure Warning:
Standard
Pedestrian Detection:
Standard
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:
Available
360-Degree Camera:
Available
Driver Attention Monitoring:
Standard
Lane Keeping Assist:
Standard
Rear Seat Reminder:
N/A
Interior Dimensions
Front Head Room:
38.4 inches
Front Leg Room:
41.7 inches
Front Shoulder Room:
53.5 inches
Rear Head Room:
37.2 inches
Rear Leg Room:
35 inches
Rear Shoulder Room:
50.4 inches
Cargo Space:
17.8 cubic feet
Cargo Space, 2nd-row seat folded down:
42.7 cubic feet
Overall Interior Volume:
105.4 cubic feet
Interior Dimensions
Front Head Room:
38 inches
Front Leg Room:
42.3 inches
Front Shoulder Room:
55.7 inches
Rear Head Room:
37.2 inches
Rear Leg Room:
35.1 inches
Rear Shoulder Room:
53.5 inches
Cargo Space:
13.2 cubic feet
Cargo Space, 2nd-row seat folded down:
Not yet available
Overall Interior Volume:
92.8 cubic feet
Exterior Dimensions
Curb Weight:
2851 lbs
Width:
69.6 inches
Height:
60.7 inches
Length:
168.3 inches
Wheelbase:
101.2 inches
Ground Clearance:
6.1 inches
Exterior Dimensions
Curb Weight:
3100 lbs
Width:
70.7 inches
Height:
56.9 inches
Length:
183.5 inches
Wheelbase:
107.3 inches
Ground Clearance:
5.5 inches
Standard Wheel/Tire Information
Wheel Size:
16.0 x 6.0 inches
Wheel Type:
aluminum alloy
Tire Size:
P215/60R16
Standard Wheel/Tire Information
Wheel Size:
16.0 x 6.5 inches
Wheel Type:
aluminum alloy
Tire Size:
P205/60R16
Exterior Colors
Black
Jet Black Mica
Blue
Deep Crystal Blue Mica / Eternal Blue Mica
Gray
Ceramic Metallic / Machine Gray Metallic
Red
Soul Red Crystal Metallic
White
Snowflake White Pearl Mica
Silver
Not available
Exterior Colors
Black
Jet Black Mica
Blue
Not available
Gray
Not available
Red
Not available
White
Not available
Silver
Sonic Silver Metallic
Interior Colors
Black
Black
Interior Colors
Black
Black
