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Independent review & score by Carivo
| Seating Capacity | 5 passengers |
|---|---|
| Body Style | Sedan |
| Base Price | $18,012–$22,807 |
Source: EPA FuelEconomy.gov & manufacturer data. Figures reflect base trim; actual specs vary by trim level.
Our scoring places the 2016 Mazda Mazda3 at 7.8/10 overall, which translates to a Recommended rating for this sedan. Its strongest dimension is Reliability at 8.3/10, while Performance at 7.1/10 is where it trails the competition most noticeably. It's a solid all-rounder that delivers across most dimensions without obvious deal-breakers.
Reliability and safety are the two dimensions that matter most for long-term ownership costs. We score reliability at 8.3/10 — better than most direct rivals, if short of the segment's best. The safety score of 7.9/10 is solid mid-pack territory. If advanced driver aids matter to you, compare standard equipment carefully and verify ratings at nhtsa.gov.
Performance scores 7.1/10 — competent for everyday use. Acceleration and handling are adequate for commuting and highway driving, though enthusiasts will want to look at higher-rated alternatives. Tech rates a reasonable 7.7/10: the essentials are covered and well executed, but rivals at the same price often include more as standard.
Priced from $18,012–$22,807, 22 MPG, seating 5, the Mazda Mazda3 sits in the budget-friendly tier of the sedan market. The 7.7/10 value score says the pricing is fair rather than generous; cross-shop the segment before signing anything. At 10 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 2016 Mazda Mazda3 is a solid, well-rounded sedan that covers the essentials without obvious deal-breakers. For most buyers in this segment, it's a safe, dependable choice.
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 2016 Mazda Mazda3 ranks #347 of 1310 sedans in the Carivo database — better than 74% of the segment. Its 7.8/10 overall score is 0.3 points above the segment average of 7.5/10. Its $18,012 starting price undercuts the segment's median of $27,664 by about 35%.
Rankings are recalculated as new vehicles and scores are added. See the full Sedan ranking → · Best Sedans under $25k →
Across the Mazda3 model years we've scored, the 2016 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 (this review) | 7.8/10 | $18,012 | |
| 2015 | 7.6/10 | $17,301 | Read review → |
| 2014 | 7.2/10 | $14,349 | Read review → |
The following recall campaigns have 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.
| Visibility / Windshield wiper/washer 04/04/2019 · 19V272000 | Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2016-2018 Mazda3 vehicles. A defective windshield wiper relay may cause the windshield wipers to become inoperative, reducing the driver's visibility. |
|---|---|
| Fuel system, gasoline / Storage / Tank assembly 22/09/2016 · 16V684000 | Mazda Motors North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain model year 2014-2016 Mazda3 vehicles manufactured January 4, 2014, to September 18, 2015. The fuel tank of the affected vehicles may have been improperly handled during manufacturing and,… |
| Fuel system, gasoline / Storage 23/09/2016 · 16V685000 | Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain model year 2016 Mazda3 vehicles manufactured September 24, 2015, to October 16, 2015. During manufacturing, the fuel tanks for the affected vehicles may have deformed, resulting in a fuel leak… |
| Parking brake 22/06/2017 · 17V393000 | Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2014-2015 Mazda6 and 2014-2016 Mazda3 vehicles. Water could possibly enter the brake caliper causing the parking brake actuator shaft to corrode and possibly bind. |
| Fuel system, gasoline / Storage / Tank assembly 02/10/2015 · 15V621000 | Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain model year 2015-2016 Mazda3 vehicles manufactured May 21, 2015, to August 25, 2015. The affected vehicles are equipped with a fuel tank with a shut-off valve that can allow fuel to enter into… |
Showing 5 of 6 campaigns — see the full list on NHTSA's site.
We rate the 2016 Mazda Mazda3's reliability 8.3/10 — one of the stronger records in its class. It has 6 NHTSA recall campaigns on record for this model year (details in the recalls section above — repairs are free at dealers).
6 NHTSA recall campaigns matched this model and year as of our latest check. Verify your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
It scores 7.8/10 overall, ranking #347 of 1310 sedans in our database (better than 74% of the segment). A solid choice for most buyers — compare it against the segment leaders before deciding.
The 2016 Mazda Mazda3 starts at $18,012 and ranges up to $22,807 across trims (MSRP when new). At 22 MPG, expect roughly $2,386/year in fuel at 15,000 miles/year.
Explore the full lineup of Mazda models scored by Carivo — ranked by overall score across reliability, safety, value, performance, and technology.