2016
Mazda Mazda3

Starts at:
$18,545
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New 2016 Mazda Mazda3
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Consumer rating
Owner reviewed vehicle score
Safety rating
NHTSA tested vehicle score
Consumer rating
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Safety rating
NHTSA tested vehicle score
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Available trims

See the differences side-by-side to compare trims.
  • 4dr Sdn Man i Sport
    Starts at
    $17,845
    29 City / 41 Hwy
    MPG
    5
    Seat capacity
    Regular Unleaded I-4
    Engine
    Front Wheel Drive
    Drivetrain
    See all specs
  • 5dr HB Man i Sport
    Starts at
    $18,545
    29 City / 40 Hwy
    MPG
    5
    Seat capacity
    Regular Unleaded I-4
    Engine
    Front Wheel Drive
    Drivetrain
    See all specs
  • 4dr Sdn Auto i Sport
    Starts at
    $18,895
    30 City / 41 Hwy
    MPG
    5
    Seat capacity
    Regular Unleaded I-4
    Engine
    Front Wheel Drive
    Drivetrain
    See all specs
  • 5dr HB Auto i Sport
    Starts at
    $19,595
    30 City / 40 Hwy
    MPG
    5
    Seat capacity
    Regular Unleaded I-4
    Engine
    Front Wheel Drive
    Drivetrain
    See all specs
  • 4dr Sdn Man i Touring
    Starts at
    $20,045
    29 City / 41 Hwy
    MPG
    5
    Seat capacity
    Regular Unleaded I-4
    Engine
    Front Wheel Drive
    Drivetrain
    See all specs
  • 5dr HB Man i Touring
    Starts at
    $20,745
    29 City / 40 Hwy
    MPG
    5
    Seat capacity
    Regular Unleaded I-4
    Engine
    Front Wheel Drive
    Drivetrain
    See all specs
  • 4dr Sdn Auto i Touring
    Starts at
    $21,095
    30 City / 41 Hwy
    MPG
    5
    Seat capacity
    Regular Unleaded I-4
    Engine
    Front Wheel Drive
    Drivetrain
    See all specs
  • 5dr HB Auto i Touring
    Starts at
    $21,795
    30 City / 40 Hwy
    MPG
    5
    Seat capacity
    Regular Unleaded I-4
    Engine
    Front Wheel Drive
    Drivetrain
    See all specs
  • 4dr Sdn Man i Grand Touring
    Starts at
    $22,545
    29 City / 41 Hwy
    MPG
    5
    Seat capacity
    Regular Unleaded I-4
    Engine
    Front Wheel Drive
    Drivetrain
    See all specs
  • 5dr HB Man i Grand Touring
    Starts at
    $23,245
    29 City / 40 Hwy
    MPG
    5
    Seat capacity
    Regular Unleaded I-4
    Engine
    Front Wheel Drive
    Drivetrain
    See all specs
  • 4dr Sdn Auto i Grand Touring
    Starts at
    $23,595
    30 City / 41 Hwy
    MPG
    5
    Seat capacity
    Regular Unleaded I-4
    Engine
    Front Wheel Drive
    Drivetrain
    See all specs
  • 5dr HB Auto i Grand Touring
    Starts at
    $24,295
    30 City / 40 Hwy
    MPG
    5
    Seat capacity
    Regular Unleaded I-4
    Engine
    Front Wheel Drive
    Drivetrain
    See all specs
  • 4dr Sdn Man s Grand Touring
    Starts at
    $24,745
    25 City / 37 Hwy
    MPG
    5
    Seat capacity
    Regular Unleaded I-4
    Engine
    Front Wheel Drive
    Drivetrain
    See all specs
  • 4dr Sdn Auto s Touring
    Starts at
    $24,795
    28 City / 39 Hwy
    MPG
    5
    Seat capacity
    Regular Unleaded I-4
    Engine
    Front Wheel Drive
    Drivetrain
    See all specs
  • 5dr HB Man s Grand Touring
    Starts at
    $25,445
    26 City / 35 Hwy
    MPG
    5
    Seat capacity
    Regular Unleaded I-4
    Engine
    Front Wheel Drive
    Drivetrain
    See all specs
  • 5dr HB Auto s Touring
    Starts at
    $25,495
    27 City / 37 Hwy
    MPG
    5
    Seat capacity
    Regular Unleaded I-4
    Engine
    Front Wheel Drive
    Drivetrain
    See all specs
  • 4dr Sdn Auto s Grand Touring
    Starts at
    $25,795
    30 City / 40 Hwy
    MPG
    5
    Seat capacity
    Regular Unleaded I-4
    Engine
    Front Wheel Drive
    Drivetrain
    See all specs
  • 5dr HB Auto s Grand Touring
    Starts at
    $26,495
    30 City / 40 Hwy
    MPG
    5
    Seat capacity
    Regular Unleaded I-4
    Engine
    Front Wheel Drive
    Drivetrain
    See all specs

Photo & video gallery

2016 Mazda Mazda3 2016 Mazda Mazda3 2016 Mazda Mazda3 2016 Mazda Mazda3 2016 Mazda Mazda3 2016 Mazda Mazda3 2016 Mazda Mazda3 2016 Mazda Mazda3 2016 Mazda Mazda3 2016 Mazda Mazda3 2016 Mazda Mazda3 2016 Mazda Mazda3 2016 Mazda Mazda3 2016 Mazda Mazda3 2016 Mazda Mazda3 2016 Mazda Mazda3 2016 Mazda Mazda3 2016 Mazda Mazda3 2016 Mazda Mazda3 2016 Mazda Mazda3 2016 Mazda Mazda3 2016 Mazda Mazda3

Notable features

Backup camera now standard
Sedan or hatchback
Choice of two four-cylinder engines
Manual or automatic transmission
Forward collision warning available

The good & the bad

The good

Responsive highway passing
Attractive cabin
Seat comfort
Many high-tech options
Fuel efficiency

The bad

Somewhat firm ride
Smallish cabin
Cabin storage, cargo space
Transmission gearing makes for slow starts
Rear seats too low to the floor
See all specifications

Expert 2016 Mazda Mazda3 review

our expert's take
Our expert's take
By Cars.com editors
Full article
our expert's take

Vehicle Overview

The compact five-seat Mazda3 is available as a sedan or four-door hatchback. With either a six-speed manual or six-speed automatic transmission, it is powered by either of a pair of four-cylinder engines with Mazda’s high-efficiency technology, known as SkyActiv. It competes with the Honda Civic, Toyota Corolla and Volkswagen Golf and Jetta, among others.
New for 2016
A backup camera is now standard.
Significant Standard Features

  • 155-horsepower, 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine
  • Six-speed manual transmission
  • Front-wheel drive
  • Dual exhaust tips
  • Cruise control
  • Air conditioning
  • Remote keyless entry
  • Bluetooth streaming audio
  • Tilt/telescoping steering wheel
  • Backup camera
  • Required in every new car: front airbags, antilock brakes and an electronic stability system

Significant Available Features

  • 184-hp, 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine
  • Six-speed automatic transmission
  • Leather upholstery
  • Dual-zone automatic climate control
  • Navigation system with 7-inch screen
  • Bose stereo
  • Blind spot warning system with rear cross-traffic alert
  • Lane departure warning
  • Forward collision warning
  • Auto-braking feature to help avoid low-speed collisions

2016 Mazda Mazda3 review: Our expert's take

Vehicle Overview

The compact five-seat Mazda3 is available as a sedan or four-door hatchback. With either a six-speed manual or six-speed automatic transmission, it is powered by either of a pair of four-cylinder engines with Mazda’s high-efficiency technology, known as SkyActiv. It competes with the Honda Civic, Toyota Corolla and Volkswagen Golf and Jetta, among others.
New for 2016
A backup camera is now standard.
Significant Standard Features

  • 155-horsepower, 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine
  • Six-speed manual transmission
  • Front-wheel drive
  • Dual exhaust tips
  • Cruise control
  • Air conditioning
  • Remote keyless entry
  • Bluetooth streaming audio
  • Tilt/telescoping steering wheel
  • Backup camera
  • Required in every new car: front airbags, antilock brakes and an electronic stability system

Significant Available Features

  • 184-hp, 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine
  • Six-speed automatic transmission
  • Leather upholstery
  • Dual-zone automatic climate control
  • Navigation system with 7-inch screen
  • Bose stereo
  • Blind spot warning system with rear cross-traffic alert
  • Lane departure warning
  • Forward collision warning
  • Auto-braking feature to help avoid low-speed collisions

Available cars near you

See all cars near you

Safety review

Based on the 2016 Mazda Mazda3 base trim
NHTSA crash test and rollover ratings, scored out of 5.
Overall rating
5/5
Combined side rating front seat
5/5
Combined side rating rear seat
5/5
Frontal barrier crash rating driver
5/5
Frontal barrier crash rating passenger
4/5
Overall frontal barrier crash rating
5/5
Overall side crash rating
5/5
Rollover rating
4/5
Side barrier rating
5/5
Side barrier rating driver
5/5
Side barrier rating passenger rear seat
5/5
Side pole rating driver front seat
5/5
10.5%
Risk of rollover
Side barrier rating driver
5/5
Side barrier rating passenger rear seat
5/5
Side pole rating driver front seat
5/5
10.5%
Risk of rollover

Factory warranties

Basic
3 years / 36,000 miles
Corrosion
5 years
Powertrain
5 years / 60,000 miles
Roadside Assistance
3 years / 36,000 miles

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Consumer reviews

95% of drivers recommend this car
4.7 / 5
Based on 120 reviews
Write a review
Comfort 4.5
Interior 4.6
Performance 4.6
Value 4.7
Exterior 4.8
Reliability 4.8

Most recent

  • By Francis
    Owns this car
    May 18, 2024

    I bought the 2016 Mazda 3 with manual transmission brand

    I bought the 2016 Mazda 3 with manual transmission brand new. Since then I've driven 280,000 miles through new York City traffic . I've just change my original clutch at 278000 . Most reliable car ever owned!
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 3.0
    Interior 3.0
    Performance 3.0
    Value 5.0
    Exterior 5.0
    Reliability 5.0
    2 people out of 2 found this review helpful. Did you?
    Yes No
  • By Dale from North Adams, MA
    Owns this car
    November 7, 2022

    Expensive & Frequent Brake Repairs

    I was sold a brand new 2016 Mazda3 off the dealer lot. What I was not sold was the price tag for having my brakes replaced nearly every year. I only have 63,000 miles on this car and have had my brakes entirely depleted to metal on metal at least four times, costing me thousands of dollars to have them replaced over a few years. Do not buy this car if you don’t want to spend a quarter of its value in brake repairs. Not worth it.
    • Purchased a New car
    • Used for Commuting
    • Does not recommend this car
    Comfort 4.0
    Interior 4.0
    Performance 3.0
    Value 3.0
    Exterior 4.0
    Reliability 1.0
    12 people out of 35 found this review helpful. Did you?
    Yes No
  • By taylorheidel from Fort Worth, TX
    Used to own this car
    March 20, 2021

    Saved my life

    I owned the 2016 Mazda 3 i sport since 2017; I got it used from Velocity Mazda in Tyler with ~30,000 miles on it. It had always served me well. The only maintenance I did on it were tire replacements, oil changes, and once the motorized lift gate broke and I was unable to open the trunk for a while. The Mazda dealership fixed it pretty quickly. Recently I was in a 3 car accident in which the pickup behind me slammed me into the pickup in front of me. The safety features of this car allowed the front and back to crumple, but the cab was fully intact. This could have been a fatal wreck if the car was not so well designed. Even my service dog in the back seat came out completely unscathed. The car was roomier than the car I had owned before it, and the media system was easy to navigate, with the control panel being easy to reach and use while driving. I would recommend this car to anyone. The only reason I am not buying another one is that I would like to have more cargo space as my needs in life are changing.
    • Purchased a Used car
    • Used for Commuting
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 4.0
    Interior 5.0
    Performance 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Exterior 5.0
    Reliability 5.0
    30 people out of 30 found this review helpful. Did you?
    Yes No
  • By Maddog from North Providence, Rhode Island
    Used to own this car
    December 23, 2020

    Reliable car and economical

    Great car on gas and performance it was a commuter car for me to work and in and around town. The sad thing is my daughter just totaled it she was okay, it saved her life. Now I'm looking for another one at Tasca Ford
    • Purchased a Used car
    • Used for Commuting
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 5.0
    Interior 5.0
    Performance 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Exterior 5.0
    Reliability 5.0
    11 people out of 11 found this review helpful. Did you?
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  • By NC3921 from East Stroudsburg pa
    Owns this car
    October 22, 2020

    First big purchase

    My first car I purchased through a dealer, low mileage, great on gas, super reliable. Extremely affordable for someone who needs a car to get around!
    • Purchased a Used car
    • Used for Commuting
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 5.0
    Interior 5.0
    Performance 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Exterior 5.0
    Reliability 5.0
    12 people out of 13 found this review helpful. Did you?
    Yes No
  • By ameliajo from Chicago, IL
    Owns this car
    August 20, 2020

    Love this car.

    Bought this car new in 2016 and sold in 2020. Excellent performance, reliable, and fun to drive. Interior design is clean and modern. Digital display with infotainment system was a plus – upgraded to Apple Car play and really enjoyed this feature. Nice exterior styling, well designed update to the Mazda3.
    • Purchased a New car
    • Used for Commuting
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 4.0
    Interior 5.0
    Performance 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Exterior 5.0
    Reliability 5.0
    4 people out of 4 found this review helpful. Did you?
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  • By LonDON from Columbus
    Owns this car
    July 19, 2020

    Quick and Comfy

    I wasn't expecting it to have so much pep in it's step but if you aren't ready it does push you into your seat. Fun to drive.
    • Purchased a Used car
    • Used for Commuting
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 4.0
    Interior 5.0
    Performance 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Exterior 5.0
    Reliability 5.0
    1 person out of 1 found this review helpful. Did you?
    Yes No
  • By Pdg104 from Earlville. Il
    Owns this car
    July 14, 2020

    Great car

    I moved an hour from work so I was looking for a reliable vehicle with good gas mileage. I reviewed cars on line , and started looking for a Mazda 3 with skyactiv motor. Found a 2016 Mazda3 i Touring ar Hopkins Ford in Elgin. Purchased the vehicle and have had it for 2 weeks. Gets good gas mileage around 40mpg. I do mostly highway driving. Vehicle has all the bells and whistles I need. This is the first foreign vehicle I have ever purchased and I have had many. We'll see how it goes. Car had 38,000 on it when I bought it.
    • Purchased a Used car
    • Used for Commuting
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 5.0
    Interior 5.0
    Performance 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Exterior 5.0
    Reliability 5.0
    2 people out of 2 found this review helpful. Did you?
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  • By Never again from Maple Ridge B.C. Canada
    Owns this car
    July 13, 2020

    Not a Toyota

    I've been driving Toyota for 30 years. Mazda is ok but not as good as Toyota. Seat dye faded out using windex/ poor low rev torque/ too many recalls/ radio display confusing & complicated. Service from dealership is dreadful.
    • Purchased a New car
    • Used for Commuting
    • Does not recommend this car
    Comfort 3.0
    Interior 2.0
    Performance 2.0
    Value 3.0
    Exterior 4.0
    Reliability 4.0
    3 people out of 6 found this review helpful. Did you?
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  • By Jen from Chambersburg, PA
    Owns this car
    June 19, 2020

    Very good gas mileage

    This car meets my expectations so far with the exception of the non working parts that are scheduled to be fixed next week. So far so good.
    • Purchased a Used car
    • Used for Commuting
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 5.0
    Interior 5.0
    Performance 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Exterior 5.0
    Reliability 5.0
    2 people out of 3 found this review helpful. Did you?
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  • By John W. from HOUSTON, texas
    Owns this car
    May 10, 2020

    Great little sedan

    Drives great, handles very well, has good acceleration, is a fun drive. Bought it for my daughter after she left college, great first car. She really enjoys it.
    • Purchased a Used car
    • Used for Commuting
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 5.0
    Interior 5.0
    Performance 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Exterior 4.0
    Reliability 5.0
    2 people out of 2 found this review helpful. Did you?
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  • By Tmc from Dunnellon, Florida
    Owns this car
    March 19, 2020

    Great Handling & Gas Mileage

    Love the 2016 Mazda 3, it handles great, and gets such good gas mileage and came with tons of features, great value for all you get with this car. Highly recommend Mazda cars and the Mazda 3!
    • Purchased a New car
    • Used for Commuting
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 5.0
    Interior 5.0
    Performance 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Exterior 5.0
    Reliability 5.0
    1 person out of 1 found this review helpful. Did you?
    Yes No
See all reviews

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FAQ

What trim levels are available for the 2016 Mazda Mazda3?

The 2016 Mazda Mazda3 is available in 5 trim levels:

  • i Grand Touring (4 styles)
  • i Sport (4 styles)
  • i Touring (4 styles)
  • s Grand Touring (4 styles)
  • s Touring (2 styles)

What is the MPG of the 2016 Mazda Mazda3?

The 2016 Mazda Mazda3 offers up to 29 MPG in city driving and 41 MPG on the highway. These figures are based on EPA mileage ratings and are for comparison purposes only. The actual mileage will vary depending on vehicle options, trim level, driving conditions, driving habits, vehicle maintenance, and other factors.

What are some similar vehicles and competitors of the 2016 Mazda Mazda3?

The 2016 Mazda Mazda3 compares to and/or competes against the following vehicles:

Is the 2016 Mazda Mazda3 reliable?

The 2016 Mazda Mazda3 has an average reliability rating of 4.8 out of 5 according to cars.com consumers. Find real-world reliability insights within consumer reviews from 2016 Mazda Mazda3 owners.

Is the 2016 Mazda Mazda3 a good Sedan?

Below are the cars.com consumers ratings for the 2016 Mazda Mazda3. 95.8% of drivers recommend this vehicle.

4.7 / 5
Based on 120 reviews
  • Comfort: 4.5
  • Interior: 4.6
  • Performance: 4.6
  • Value: 4.7
  • Exterior: 4.8
  • Reliability: 4.8

Mazda Mazda3 history

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