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Independent review & score by Carivo
| Seating Capacity | 5 passengers |
|---|---|
| Body Style | Sedan |
| Base Price | $13,735–$17,696 |
Source: EPA FuelEconomy.gov & manufacturer data. Figures reflect base trim; actual specs vary by trim level.
Our scoring places the 2013 Mazda Mazda3 at 7.3/10 overall, which translates to a Good rating for this sedan. Its strongest dimension is Reliability at 8.0/10, while Performance at 6.3/10 is where it trails the competition most noticeably. It's a capable but unexceptional sedan — stronger alternatives exist if you're willing to shop the segment carefully.
Reliability and safety are the two dimensions that matter most for long-term ownership costs. We score reliability at 8.0/10 — better than most direct rivals, if short of the segment's best. The safety score of 7.5/10 is solid mid-pack territory. If advanced driver aids matter to you, compare standard equipment carefully and verify ratings at nhtsa.gov.
Performance at 6.3/10 is a genuine liability and a score that should factor heavily into any buying decision. The powertrain and chassis dynamics trail class rivals by a meaningful margin — don't overlook it. Tech rates a reasonable 7.1/10: the essentials are covered and well executed, but rivals at the same price often include more as standard.
Priced from $13,735–$17,696, 17 MPG, seating 5, the Mazda Mazda3 sits in the budget-friendly tier of the sedan market. The 7.3/10 value score says the pricing is fair rather than generous; cross-shop the segment before signing anything. At 13 years old, resale value, parts availability, and whether a successor model has improved on its weak points are all worth investigating before committing.
Our take: The 2013 Mazda Mazda3 is a passable sedan but not a standout one. Weaknesses in performance hold it back from being a strong recommendation. It may suit buyers with specific needs it serves well, but we'd encourage comparing at least two or three higher-scored alternatives before deciding.
Carivo scores are our own editorial assessment, informed by NHTSA safety and recall records, EPA fuel-economy figures, and manufacturer-published specifications. Scores are reviewed periodically and updated when new data becomes available. See our full methodology →
The 2013 Mazda Mazda3 ranks #802 of 1310 sedans in the Carivo database — better than 39% of the segment. Its 7.3/10 overall score is 0.2 points below the segment average of 7.5/10. Its $13,735 starting price undercuts the segment's median of $27,664 by about 50%.
Rankings are recalculated as new vehicles and scores are added. See the full Sedan ranking →
Across the Mazda3 model years we've scored, the 2013 holds its position — we didn't find an older year that delivers similar scores for meaningfully less money.
| Year | Score | Starting price (MSRP when new) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 8.1/10 | $24,411 | Read review → |
| 2024 | 8.1/10 | $23,700 | Read review → |
| 2023 | 8.1/10 | $22,989 | Read review → |
| 2022 | 8.1/10 | $22,278 | Read review → |
| 2021 | 8.0/10 | $21,567 | Read review → |
| 2020 | 7.9/10 | $20,856 | Read review → |
| 2019 | 7.9/10 | $20,145 | Read review → |
| 2018 | 7.8/10 | $19,434 | Read review → |
| 2017 | 7.8/10 | $18,723 | Read review → |
| 2016 | 7.8/10 | $18,012 | Read review → |
| 2015 | 7.6/10 | $17,301 | Read review → |
| 2014 | 7.2/10 | $14,349 | Read review → |
The following recall campaign has been filed with NHTSA for this model and year. Recall repairs are performed free of charge by franchised dealers; check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
| Structure / Body / Hatchback/liftgate 06/09/2016 · 16V644000 | Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain model year 2010-2013 Mazda3 and Mazdaspeed3 vehicles manufactured November 18, 2008, to June 8, 2013, 2012-2015 Mazda5 vehicles manufactured October 26, 2010, to June 22, 2015, 2016 CX-3 vehicles… |
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Source: NHTSA recall database, fetched at page build time.
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