Used Mazda 3 for sale: everything you need to know
The Mazda 3 is known for providing family hatchback buyers with a leftfield option in this ultra-competitive market. Over two decades, it has built a reputation for offering an exciting driving experience, along with an increasingly premium image. Overall, it’s an attractive used option to consider over the default Volkswagen Golf.
There are no shortage of other rivals for the Mazda 3, however, including the Kia Ceed, the reliable Hyundai i30 and ever popular Ford Focus.
Should you buy a Mazda 3?
The Mazda 3 is a great family hatchback for those who want luxury, good looks and an enjoyable driving experience, but without turning to the usual premium brands. In terms of image, the Mazda 3 may not quite match certain German cars, but that won’t concern drivers who like to think outside the box.
‘Boxy’ is certainly a word that doesn’t apply to the Mazda 3. Rarely are family hatchbacks this handsome, with bold flowing lines and a stylish front grille. It will make you look back over your shoulder whenever you park up. Even the entry-level SE-L avoids looking like a bargain basement model.
The same theme continues inside, where the Mazda 3 is finished with high-quality materials throughout. It lacks the show-off chintz of some premium brands but, again, this is not necessarily a bad thing. Everything feels built to last, with the generous standard technology all working to make life easier.
Compared to other family hatchbacks, the Mazda 3’s swoopy styling does restrict interior space somewhat. Headroom in the rear feels a little bit tight for taller adults, although those in the front will have no complaints about space. Luggage capacity in the boot is a little below the class average, but the Mazda 3 still remains a viable option for families.
What really sets the Mazda 3 apart is how it drives. It channels the spirit of the MX-5 sports car, with sharp steering and a direct manual gearbox. Matching a Ford Focus for driver involvement, it is not far behind a Volkswagen Golf for ride comfort either.
The Mazda 3 is a highly rated family hatchback for those who want something a little out of the ordinary. It offers a premium experience without being ostentatious, and is genuinely fun to drive. Don’t forget those curvaceous good looks, too.
A Mazda 3 for you? We've got 1000s of used cars for sale to suit all budgets and needs.
What's the best used Mazda 3 model to buy?
Most buyers will want the extra power of the Skyactiv-X petrol engine, particularly as Mazda claims it can return diesel-like economy (and the diesel was axed within a year of this generation's launch). The cheaper Skyactiv-G is fine if you’re on a budget and don’t need the extra power, but it does feel lacking compared to turbocharged contemporaries.
All models of the Mazda 3 are well-equipped - the entry-level Mazda 3 SE-L really doesn’t feel like a basic car. You won’t find any blanking spaces on the dash or steel wheels here. The SE-L Lux adds some desirable features like a reversing camera and heated seats but won’t cost the earth on the used market. Trim levels with the word ‘Sport’ in their name are - surprisingly - sportier, but the flashier 18-inch alloy wheels come at the expense of ride quality.
Used Mazda 3 fuel economy and performance
The Mazda 3 hatchback is offered with a choice of two petrol engines. Depending on the trim level chosen, either a six-speed manual gearbox or a six-speed automatic is available. Mild-hybrid technology is fitted to both engines to save fuel.
Mazda 3 2.0 e-Skyactiv G: Mazda has ignored the trend for small turbocharged engines, instead equipping the entry-level Mazda 3 with a 2.0-litre four-cylinder unit. It produces 122hp, and serves up a 0-62mph time of just over 10 seconds with the standard manual gearbox. Cylinder deactivation helps save petrol, boosting the average fuel economy to 51.4mpg.
Mazda 3 2.0 e-Skyactiv X: For more performance, Mazda offers its 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine with 186PS. The extra power shortens the 0-62mph sprint time to less than nine seconds, but there is no trade-off in terms of fuel economy. In fact, Mazda’s Skyactiv X technology improves efficiency, with an average of up to 54.3mpg possible.
Mazda 3 1.8d 116: The 116PS output of this engine is quite modest compared to most rival diesels of a similar capacity. It's smooth and refined, but maybe not as swift as you might want given 0-62mph takes 10.3 seconds. Combined fuel economy of 55.4mpg is decent, while 133g/km are unremarkable.
What used Mazda 3 trim levels are available?
The Mazda 3 is offered with a choice of five trim levels, with two different engines. Standard equipment across the range is generous and, aside from paint colour and upholstery finishes, there are no optional extras available.
Mazda 3 SE-L: Kicking off the Mazda 3 range is a model with all the standard equipment drivers will probably need. From LED headlights to rear parking sensors and even a head-up display, the SE-L is truly packed with features. Only smaller 16-inch alloy wheels give the game away that this is a more basic car.
Mazda 3 SE-L Lux: Building on the SE-L’s comprehensive list of kit, the SE-L Lux adds front and rear parking sensors, along with a reversing camera. Dual-zone climate control is a bonus for the interior, as are heated seats and keyless entry.
Mazda 3 Sport: This mid-level Mazda 3 ups the alloy wheel size to 18 inches and adds rear privacy glass. It also features adaptive LED headlights, a frameless auto-dimming rear view mirror and chrome trim additions inside. Versions with an automatic gearbox also feature paddle shifters.
Mazda 3 Sport Lux: The Sport Lux model delivers more assertive styling for the Mazda 3, with a set of 18-inch alloy wheels and gloss-black exterior trim. Adaptive LED headlights, LED tail lights and tinted privacy glass sharpen up the styling.
Mazda 3 GT Sport: The popular GT Sport trim pushes the Mazda 3 into premium-brand territory, coming equipped with leather upholstery and a heated steering wheel. A 12-speaker Bose surround-sound audio system is the star of the show, though.
Mazda 3 GT Sport Tech: Demonstrating just how generously equipped other models in the range are, the top Mazda 3 only has a handful of extra items added. These chiefly comprise safety tech, such as a 360-degree parking camera and automatic braking systems.
Used Mazda 3 dimensions and boot size
The Mazda 3’s exterior dimensions are:
Length: 4,460mm
Width: 2,028mm
Height: 1,435mm
Ground clearance: 150mm
The Mazda 3’s boot space is:
Used Mazda 3 road tax
Whichever model of this Mazda 3 generation takes your fancy, and there's a lot to like about it, all will cost you the same £180 per year in road tax.
How much is it to insure a Mazda 3?
Compared to other family hatchbacks, the Mazda is rated in relatively high insurance groups. This is due to the focus on larger engines, along with the level of standard equipment fitted. Cars in SE-L trim start from insurance group 15 (out of 50) for the 122hp version, with the 186hp engine in group 21. The flagship GT Sport Tech model ranges from group 17 to 23.
Read our full Mazda 3 review
