Mazda Mazda3 Sedan vs. Mercedes-Benz C-Class
iSeeCars' unbiased and data-driven comparison of the Mazda Mazda3 Sedan and Mercedes-Benz C-Class 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 Mazda3 Sedan and the Mercedes-Benz C-Class.
In comparing the Mazda Mazda3 Sedan's and the Mercedes-Benz C-Class's specifications and ratings, the Mazda Mazda3 Sedan has the advantage in the areas of new vehicle base pricing, typical lower range of pricing for one- to five-year-old used cars, and fuel efficiency, reliability, resale value and overall quality score. The Mercedes-Benz C-Class has the advantage in the areas of interior volume and base engine power. Based on this comparison of the Mazda Mazda3 Sedan's and the Mercedes-Benz C-Class's specifications and ratings, the Mazda Mazda3 Sedan is a better car than the Mercedes-Benz C-Class.
Pricing: A used 2025 Mazda Mazda3 Sedan ranges from $22,542 to $29,876 while a used 2025 Mercedes-Benz C-Class is priced between $41,991 to $59,895. For a new model, the Mazda Mazda3 Sedan's price is between $25,372 and $33,509, with the Mercedes-Benz C-Class priced between $50,050 and $69,405.
Resale/Retained Value: Looking at the 5-year depreciation rate for both models, the Mazda Mazda3 Sedan loses 38.2 percent of its value and the Mercedes-Benz C-Class loses 52.5 percent of its value. This means the Mazda Mazda3 Sedan retains 14.3 percentage points more of its value and has the advantage of higher resale value versus the Mercedes-Benz C-Class.
Quality Rating: The iSeeCars Overall Quality rating for the Mazda Mazda3 Sedan is 8.8 out of 10 while the Mercedes-Benz C-Class' quality rating is 8.4 out of 10. This results in the Mazda Mazda3 Sedan being ranked 3 out of 29 Best Small Cars and the Mercedes-Benz C-Class being ranked 3 out of 35 Best Luxury Small Cars.
Reliability Rating: iSeeCars’ Reliability Rating for the Mazda Mazda3 Sedan is 7.9 out of 10. For the Mercedes-Benz C-Class the reliability rating is 7.5 out of 10. This gives the Mazda Mazda3 Sedan a slight advantage in reliability compared to the Mercedes-Benz C-Class.
Engine Power and Fuel Efficiency Comparison: For engine performance, the Mazda Mazda3 Sedan’s base engine makes 191 horsepower, and the Mercedes-Benz C-Class base engine makes 255 horsepower. The Mazda3 Sedan is rated to deliver an average of 31 miles per gallon, with a highway range of 488 miles. The C-Class is rated to deliver an average of 29 miles per gallon, with a highway range of 609 miles.This gives the Mazda Mazda3 Sedan the advantage in fuel efficiency and the Mercedes-Benz C-Class the advantage in maximum range. The Mazda3 Sedan uses regular unleaded, and the C-Class uses premium unleaded.
Passenger Space Comparison: While both models are compact cars, the Mercedes-Benz C-Class has the advantage of offering more interior volume, reflected in more front head room, front shoulder room, rear head room, rear shoulder room and rear leg room. The Mazda Mazda3 Sedan has the advantage in the areas of front leg room cargo space.
Safety Ratings: When comparing crash test ratings from NHTSA, both the Mazda Mazda3 Sedan and the Mercedes-Benz C-Class have the same average safety rating of 5 out of 5 Stars.
New Car Pricing
Asking Price:
25372 - 33509
Starting MSRP:
24150
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Compact Cars)
28470
Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Compact Cars)
21590 - 47100
New Car Pricing
Asking Price:
50050 - 69405
Starting MSRP:
48450
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Luxury Compact Cars)
49451
Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Luxury Compact Cars)
33000 - 79900
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
24722
Price Range:
22542 - 29876
Category Avg Price:
(Compact Cars)
30314
Category Avg Price Range:
(Compact Cars)
22070 - 52316
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
# Good or Great Deals:
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
49306
Price Range:
41991 - 59895
Category Avg Price:
(Luxury Compact Cars)
51959
Category Avg Price Range:
(Luxury Compact Cars)
34107 - 95081
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
# Good or Great Deals:
5-year Depreciation
Depreciation $:
9364
Depreciation %:
0.3877575
Resale Value $:
14786
Residual Value %:
0.6122425
Typical Category Depreciation %:
(Compact Cars)
0.3979908
Category Depreciation Range:
(Compact Cars)
0.31796157 - 0.42854561
5-year Depreciation
Depreciation $:
25580
Depreciation %:
0.527976
Resale Value $:
22870
Residual Value %:
0.472024
Typical Category Depreciation %:
(Luxury Compact Cars)
0.51356376
Category Depreciation Range:
(Luxury Compact Cars)
0.34749831 - 0.55942423
Mazda Mazda3 Sedan Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
8.8 / 10
Reliability:
7.9 / 10
Retained Value:
8.6 / 10
Safety:
10.0 / 10
Mercedes-Benz C-Class Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
8.4 / 10
Reliability:
7.5 / 10
Retained Value:
7.6 / 10
Safety:
10.0 / 10
iSeeCars Reliability Insights for Mazda Mazda3 Sedan
Avg Life Expectancy (years):
15.3
Typical Category Life Expectancy:
(Compact Cars)
12.4
Category Life Expectancy Range:
(Compact Cars)
8.8 - 16.2
Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:
0.152
iSeeCars Reliability Insights for Mercedes-Benz C-Class
Avg Life Expectancy (years):
12.1
Typical Category Life Expectancy:
(Luxury Compact Cars)
11.0
Category Life Expectancy Range:
(Luxury Compact Cars)
9.5 - 20.1
Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:
0.08
Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls
Expected Lifetime Recalls:
4.2706111340684245
Typical Category Recalls:
(Compact Cars)
2.6
Category Range for Recalls:
(Compact Cars)
1.8 - 28.7
Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls
Expected Lifetime Recalls:
3.7721588118427967
Typical Category Recalls:
(Luxury Compact Cars)
2.2
Category Range for Recalls:
(Luxury Compact Cars)
1.5 - 10.4
Mazda Mazda3 Sedan Rankings
Ranking
1 out of / 19Ranking
1 out of / 9Ranking
2 out of / 29Ranking
2 out of / 9Ranking
3 out of / 29Ranking
3 out of / 29Ranking
3 out of / 7Ranking
4 out of / 29Ranking
7 out of / 29Ranking
8 out of / 19Ranking
11 out of / 29Ranking
13 out of / 29Ranking
14 out of / 29Ranking
21 out of / 29Ranking
27 out of / 29Mercedes-Benz C-Class Rankings
Ranking
1 out of / 35Ranking
1 out of / 35Ranking
1 out of / 35Ranking
1 out of / 1Ranking
3 out of / 35Ranking
4 out of / 35Ranking
7 out of / 35Ranking
7 out of / 35Ranking
8 out of / 30Ranking
9 out of / 35Ranking
13 out of / 35Ranking
17 out of / 30Ranking
28 out of / 35Available Body Styles
Hatchback, Sedan
Available Body Styles
Sedan
Available Drivetrain Options
Gasoline
Available Drivetrain Options
Gasoline, Plug-In Hybrid
Mazda Mazda3 Sedan Trim Levels
2.5 Carbon Turbo, 2.5 S, 2.5 S Carbon Edition, 2.5 S Preferred, 2.5 S Premium, 2.5 S Select Sport, 2.5 Turbo Premium Plus
Mercedes-Benz C-Class Trim Levels
AMG C 43, C 300, C 300 4MATIC
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:
4 years / 50000 miles
Warranty, Powertrain:
4 years / 50000 miles
Warranty, Roadside Assistance:
4 years / 50000 miles
Safety Ratings
NHTSA Safety Rating (last 5 year average):
5 out of 5 Stars
2026 NHTSA Overall Rating:
5 out of 5 Stars
2026 NHTSA Front Crash Overall Rating:
5 out of 5 Stars
2026 NHTSA Side Crash Overall Rating:
5 out of 5 Stars
2026 NHTSA Rollover Rating:
5 out of 5 Stars
IIHS Safety Rating:
Not yet available
Safety Ratings
NHTSA Safety Rating (last 5 year average):
5 out of 5 Stars
2026 NHTSA Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2026 NHTSA Front Crash Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2026 NHTSA Side Crash Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2026 NHTSA Rollover Rating:
Not yet available
IIHS Safety Rating:
Not yet available
Base Drivetrain Specs
Horsepower:
191 hp @ 6000 rpm
Torque:
186 foot-lbs @ 4000 rpm
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.061 hp per pound
Base Drivetrain Specs
Horsepower:
255 hp @ 5800 rpm
Torque:
295 foot-lbs @ 2000 rpm
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.067 hp per pound
Engine Specifications
Engine Size:
2.5 liters
Engine Configuration:
Inline
Number of Cylinders:
4
Transmission:
Automatic
Standard/Optional Drivetrain Type:
FWD / AWD
EPA Fuel Economy
(City/Highway/Combined MPG):
27 / 37 / 31
Range (city/hwy):
356 / 488 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:
RWD / AWD
EPA Fuel Economy
(City/Highway/Combined MPG):
25 / 35 / 29
Range (city/hwy):
435 / 609 miles
Recommended Fuel Type:
Premium 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
Wifi:
Standard
Heated Seats
Available
Heated Steering Wheel:
Available
Leather Upholstery:
Available
Navigation System:
Available
Paddle Shifters:
Available
Parking Sensors:
Available
Satellite radio:
Available
Sunroof/Moonroof:
Available
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
Available
Air Suspension:
N/A
Automatic Parking:
N/A
Captain's seat:
N/A
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
N/A
Front Bench Seats:
N/A
Massage Seats:
N/A
Panoramic Sunroof/Moonroof
N/A
Power Lift Gate:
N/A
Quad Seats:
N/A
Roof Rack:
N/A
Trailer Hitch:
N/A
Standard/Optional Features
Adaptive Cruise Control:
Available
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
Wifi:
Standard
Heated Seats
Standard
Heated Steering Wheel:
Available
Leather Upholstery:
Standard
Navigation System:
Available
Paddle Shifters:
Standard
Parking Sensors:
Standard
Satellite radio:
Standard
Sunroof/Moonroof:
Standard
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
Standard
Air Suspension:
N/A
Automatic Parking:
Standard
Captain's seat:
N/A
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
Available
Front Bench Seats:
N/A
Massage Seats:
N/A
Panoramic Sunroof/Moonroof
N/A
Power Lift Gate:
Standard
Quad Seats:
N/A
Roof Rack:
N/A
Trailer Hitch:
N/A
Safety Features
Backup camera:
Standard
Blind Spot Monitoring:
Standard
Driver Attention Monitoring:
Standard
Forward Collision Warning:
Standard
Lane Departure Warning:
Standard
Lane Keeping Assist:
Standard
Pedestrian Detection:
Standard
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:
Standard
Rear Seat Reminder:
Standard
360-Degree Camera:
Available
Safety Features
Backup camera:
Standard
Blind Spot Monitoring:
Standard
Driver Attention Monitoring:
Standard
Forward Collision Warning:
Standard
Lane Departure Warning:
N/A
Lane Keeping Assist:
N/A
Pedestrian Detection:
Standard
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:
N/A
Rear Seat Reminder:
N/A
360-Degree Camera:
Available
Interior Dimensions
Front Head Room:
38 inches
Front Leg Room:
42.3 inches
Front Shoulder Room:
55.7 inches
Rear Head Room:
37.3 inches
Rear Leg Room:
35.1 inches
Rear Shoulder Room:
53.5 inches
Cargo Space:
13.2 cubic feet
Overall Interior Volume:
92.8 cubic feet
Interior Dimensions
Front Head Room:
40 inches
Front Leg Room:
41.7 inches
Front Shoulder Room:
56.3 inches
Rear Head Room:
37.5 inches
Rear Leg Room:
36 inches
Rear Shoulder Room:
55.6 inches
Cargo Space:
11.6 cubic feet
Overall Interior Volume:
93.0 cubic feet
Exterior Dimensions
Curb Weight:
3124 lbs
Width:
70.7 inches
Height:
56.9 inches
Length:
183.5 inches
Wheelbase:
107.3 inches
Ground Clearance:
5.5 inches
Exterior Dimensions
Curb Weight:
3825 lbs
Width:
80 inches
Height:
56.6 inches
Length:
187 inches
Wheelbase:
112.8 inches
Ground Clearance:
3.8 inches
Standard Wheel/Tire Information
Wheel Size:
16.0 x 6.5 inches
Wheel Type:
painted aluminum alloy
Tire Size:
P205/60R16
Standard Wheel/Tire Information
Wheel Size:
18.0 x 7.5 inches
Wheel Type:
aluminum alloy
Tire Size:
225/45R18
Exterior Colors
Black
Jet Black Mica
Blue
Deep Crystal Blue Mica
White
Snowflake White Pearl Mica
Gray
Not available
Red
Not available
Silver
Not available
Exterior Colors
Black
Black / Obsidian Black Metallic
Blue
Starling Blue Metallic / Twilight Blue Metallic
White
MANUFAKTUR Moonlight White Metallic / Polar White
Gray
Graphite Grey Metallic / MANUFAKTUR Alpine Grey / MANUFAKTUR Graphite Grey Magno / Selenite Grey Metallic
Red
MANUFAKTUR Patagonia Red Metallic
Silver
Cirrus Silver Metallic / Mojave Silver Metallic
Interior Colors
Black
Black
Beige
Not available
Brown
Not available
Gray
Not available
Red
Not available
Interior Colors
Black
Black
Beige
Macchiato Beige
Brown
Sienna Brown / Sienna Brown/Black
Gray
Neva Grey
Red
Power Red/Black
