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Independent review & score by Carivo
| Seating Capacity | 5 passengers |
|---|---|
| Body Style | Sedan |
| Base Price | $18,723–$24,735 |
Source: EPA FuelEconomy.gov & manufacturer data. Figures reflect base trim; actual specs vary by trim level.
The 2017 Mazda Mazda3 is a sedan that earns a Carivo score of 7.8/10 — rated Recommended. Its strongest dimension is Reliability at 8.3/10, while Performance at 7.0/10 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. The reliability picture is solid rather than spectacular: 8.3/10, which puts it comfortably above the class median. Safety lands at 8.0/10 — solid, though some rivals offer more advanced driver-assist features as standard. Confirm official results for your trim at nhtsa.gov/ratings.
With 7.0/10 for performance, this is a car tuned for daily driving rather than excitement — perfectly capable on the commute, unremarkable on a back road. At 7.7/10 for technology, the infotainment and driver-assist package does its job without setting benchmarks — check which features cost extra on lower trims.
Priced from $18,723–$24,735, 23 MPG, seating 5, the Mazda Mazda3 sits in the budget-friendly tier of the sedan market. At 7.7/10 for value, it delivers fair pricing for what's on offer, though the best alternatives in this price range score slightly higher. At 9 years old, resale value, parts availability, and whether a successor model has improved on its weak points are all worth investigating before committing.
Verdict: Nothing about the 2017 Mazda Mazda3 will scare a sensible buyer off. It scores consistently across the board, and it does what a good sedan should — quietly and competently.
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 2017 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 $18,723 starting price undercuts the segment's median of $27,664 by about 32%.
Rankings are recalculated as new vehicles and scores are added. See the full Sedan ranking →
Across the Mazda3 model years we've scored, the 2017 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 (this review) | 7.8/10 | $18,723 | |
| 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 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. |
|---|---|
| Back over prevention / sensing system / camera 14/07/2023 · 23V487000 | Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2014-2018 Mazda3 and 2016-2021 CX-3 vehicles. The rearview camera image may not display properly by showing a flickering or distorted image. |
Source: NHTSA recall database, fetched at page build time.
Explore the full lineup of Mazda models scored by Carivo — ranked by overall score across reliability, safety, value, performance, and technology.