Best Japanese Subcompact SUVs for 2023
The best used and new Japanese subcompact SUVs based on a data-driven analysis of each vehicle's reliability, resale value and safety.
The best Japanese subcompact SUV is the Mazda CX-3 based on our analysis of 12 million vehicles to assess their reliability, resale value and safety. Its overall rating of 8.2 out of 10 reflects the CX-3’s reliability, value retention and safety scores. A new Mazda CX-3 costs between $20,790 and $22,190 while a used version costs between $17,301 and $24,998. This Japanese subcompact SUV can seat up to 5 people and is EPA rated to deliver up to 31 miles per gallon in mixed city/highway driving.
The Japanese Subcompact SUV category consists of 8 models priced between $20,790 and $35,400 for new vehicles and between $14,973 and $32,303 for used vehicles. iSeeCars has sufficient vehicle data to rate and rank 5 of these 8 models based on their reliability, value retention and safety scores.
The best Japanese subcompact SUV is the Mazda CX-3 based on our analysis of 12 million vehicles to assess their reliability, resale value and safety. Its overall rating of 8.2 out of 10 reflects the CX-3’s reliability, value retention and safety scores. A new Mazda CX-3 costs between $20,790 and $22,190 while a used version costs between $17,301 and $24,998. This Japanese subcompact SUV can seat up to 5 people and is EPA rated to deliver up to 31 miles per gallon in mixed city/highway driving.
The Japanese Subcompact SUV category consists of 8 models priced between $20,790 and $35,400 for new vehicles and between $14,973 and $32,303 for used vehicles. iSeeCars has sufficient vehicle data to rate and rank 5 of these 8 models based on their reliability, value retention and safety scores.
1. Mazda CX-3
iSEECARS SCORE
iSeeCars Best Car Rankings are calculated based on an analysis of data from over 12 million cars that assesses how long each vehicle lasts and how well it retains its value over time, along with safety data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Association
See how we rank these cars
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Reliability
6.1
/ 10
-
Value Retention
8.4
/ 10
-
Safety
10
/ 10
iSEECARS SCORE
iSeeCars Best Car Rankings are calculated based on an analysis of data from over 12 million cars that assesses how long each vehicle lasts and how well it retains its value over time, along with safety data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Association
See how we rank these cars
-
Reliability
5.6
/ 10
-
Value Retention
8.5
/ 10
-
Safety
10
/ 10
iSEECARS SCORE
iSeeCars Best Car Rankings are calculated based on an analysis of data from over 12 million cars that assesses how long each vehicle lasts and how well it retains its value over time, along with safety data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Association
See how we rank these cars
-
Reliability
5.6
/ 10
-
Value Retention
8.7
/ 10
-
Safety
9.0
/ 10
iSEECARS SCORE
iSeeCars Best Car Rankings are calculated based on an analysis of data from over 12 million cars that assesses how long each vehicle lasts and how well it retains its value over time, along with safety data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Association
See how we rank these cars
-
Reliability
7.2
/ 10
-
Value Retention
7.7
/ 10
-
Safety
8.0
/ 10
iSEECARS SCORE
iSeeCars Best Car Rankings are calculated based on an analysis of data from over 12 million cars that assesses how long each vehicle lasts and how well it retains its value over time, along with safety data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Association
See how we rank these cars
-
Reliability
5.7
/ 10
-
Value Retention
7.4
/ 10
-
Safety
9.0
/ 10
iSEECARS SCORE
iSeeCars Best Car Rankings are calculated based on an analysis of data from over 12 million cars that assesses how long each vehicle lasts and how well it retains its value over time, along with safety data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Association
See how we rank these cars
-
Reliability
Coming soon
-
Value Retention
8.7
/ 10
-
Safety
9.5
/ 10
iSEECARS SCORE
iSeeCars Best Car Rankings are calculated based on an analysis of data from over 12 million cars that assesses how long each vehicle lasts and how well it retains its value over time, along with safety data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Association
See how we rank these cars
-
Reliability
Coming soon
-
Value Retention
8.1
/ 10
-
Safety
9.0
/ 10
iSEECARS SCORE
iSeeCars Best Car Rankings are calculated based on an analysis of data from over 12 million cars that assesses how long each vehicle lasts and how well it retains its value over time, along with safety data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Association
See how we rank these cars
-
Reliability
Coming soon
-
Value Retention
7.4
/ 10
-
Safety
8.0
/ 10
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How We Rank These Cars
iSeeCars Best Japanese Cars are calculated based on the latest research by our data science team and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).
We analyze data from over 12 million new and used vehicles in our Longest-Lasting Cars and 5-Year Depreciation Studies, combined with the NHTSA's Safety Ratings to give you an unbiased guide to the best vehicles in each segment.
After being evaluated, vehicles with the highest average scores earn a spot in the iSeeCars Best Japanese Cars. (No final score is given to vehicles missing a score in any of the categories, but scores for other categories are still shown.)
Vehicles are scored in three categories:
Reliability | 33.3%
The reliability score represents an analysis of iSeeCars' proprietary research on the longest-lasting vehicles.
Value Retention | 33.3%
The value retention score is based on our data science team's statistical analysis and prediction of 5-year depreciation from MSRP to determine which cars hold their value best, using US Bureau of Labor Statistics data to adjust for inflation.
Safety | 33.3%
The safety score is calculated based on the last five years of crash test ratings from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and incorporates the latest Top Safety Pick information from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS).