Buying a used crossover on a budget can feel a bit depressing. As we grow, our lives demand a level of practicality, and this often comes at the cost of fun. However, in the dreariness that is the subcompact crossover segment, there is one used model that grabbed my attention from the moment I took it out on the road.
While the Japanese brand has been doing a lot to change things, Mazda has historically flown under the radar. This model proves that they’ve been delivering excellent quality, comfortable interiors, and heart warming driving dynamics for a long time now, and all at a price that is impossible to argue with.
In order to give you the most up-to-date and accurate information possible, the data used to compile this article was sourced from various manufacturer websites and other authoritative sources, including TopSpeed and the EPA. Used prices were sourced from Edmunds.
A Used Mazda CX-3 Offers Exceptional Value For What It Is
If you’re someone who enjoys driving, making the jump to a crossover might seem like a pretty sad choice to have to make. There’s no denying the practicality that some extra ride height and a big trunk deliver. Even if you’re on a tight budget, there is a used model that impressed me with its ability to fit in to our SUV-dominated world without dulling the enjoyment of sitting behind the wheel.
The CX-3 Is Packed With Character
Since Mazda launched the CX-30, the smaller and more affordable CX-3 has definitely been forgotten about. However, we think that the little crossover offers fantastic value for money on the used market, and it has a quirky nature to it that makes it impossible not to love. It hearkens back to a more engaging era of driving, without skimping on modern features.
Don’t get me wrong, it isn’t a crossover that is going to please everyone. It is fairly small on the inside, at least compared to other options in its class, and it doesn’t do the best job of absorbing bumps in the road. It panders to a very particular buyer, one that wants the car they use on their daily commute to still be joyful. For that kind of person, it is a car that you will wake up excited to drive.
$16,570
$17,550
Grand Touring
$19,391
The CX-3 had a relatively short run in the U.S., running from 2016 to 2021. In 2020,Mazda introduced the CX-30, a larger model based on the Mazda 3, to replace the little subcompact crossover. For the 2020 and 2021 model years, Mazda reduced the CX-3 lineup to only the Sport to avoid any overlap with the CX-30. This is why we’d take a look at the 2019 model, giving you the option of going for the Touring or Grand Touring trims while still benefiting from the latest interior updates.
While the CX-30 is a great choice for used buyers, the CX-3 gives you a lot of similar equipment at a discount, as long as you don’t mind the slightly smaller quarters. For comparison, a 2020 CX-3 lists for an average price of $18,081, while 2020 CX-30s will easily cost you over $20,000. The dynamic between the two cars is also very different, with the CX-3 being based on the Mazda 2’s platform instead of the Mazda 3.
The prices of used models demonstrate how well these crossovers hold their value over time, considering the starting MSRP of a 2019 model was between $21,435 and $28,190 depending on trim. To me, this is because it has aged incredibly gracefully, with styling inside and out that remains alluring, and a host of standard modern tech features.
Mazda’s Focus On Spirited Driving Dynamics Shines Through in the CX-3
This is really what caught my attention. While looking at other used crossovers in this price point, I found myself bored senseless. Most of the Mazda’s core rivals are designed to get you from A to B and nothing else. From the moment I was behind the wheel of the CX-3 and started it up, it set itself apart.
148 HP
146 LB-FT
FWD or AWD
0-60 MPH
Top Speed
122 MPH
Every CX-3, from the 2016 to the 2021 model, comes with a naturally aspirated four-cylinder engine under the hood. It isn’t the most powerful engine out there, but it still feels plenty peppy when you put your foot down. It comes standard with front-wheel drive, with all-wheel drive being optional. A six-speed automatic is your only option in the States, which is a shame because the six-speed manual in the model I tested only added to its driver-focused personality. Top trims do offer paddle shifters and a sport mode, though, which boosts engagement.
I’m not claiming that the CX-3 is speedy hot hatchback on stilts. At the end of the day, it’s a crossover that is meant to get you to and from wherever you need to go on your day-to-day outings. What I am claiming, though, is that your daily commute doesn’t have to be a tragically dull affair. This Mazda is a car that brings a smile to your face. I love how rev-happy it is, and how its lively chassis and finely tuned suspension make it a blast to drive through twisty sections of road.
Once again, it’s worth mentioning that the CX-3 is somewhat of a niche machine. It is easily the most athletic and engaging small crossover I’ve driven, but this comes at a cost. The suspension tune is firm, which means that you feel most bumps in the road. It also demands your attention a little more than most of its direct rivals.
29 MPG
34 MPG
31 MPG
27 MPG
32 MPG
The EPA estimates for the CX-3 remain pretty standard regardless of which model year you go for. Even by today’s standards, the CX-3 is a pretty thrifty crossover,unless you opt for a hybrid, delivering impressive figures whether you go with front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive. A lot of owners say that it performs better than estimates, something I can vouch for. With a good mix of city and highway driving, I averaged around 33 to 34 miles per gallon in a front-wheel drive model.
Key Safety and Driver Assist Features
The safety features will obviously vary depending on the trim and model year you opt for. Once again, we’ll suggest the 2019 model year or later. It was the last model to receive updates, and thus comes with the best suite of standard safety tech. Alongside things like collision detection and mitigation, you also get automatic rain-sensing wipers, automatic high-beams, and the option of adaptive cruise control. None of the CX-3’s driver assists feel particularly intrusive and it’s fairly easy to disable the ones that you don’t want.
The CX-3 also has an exceptional track record when it comes to crash testing. The NHTSA gives the Mazda five stars out of five for safety and every model received a Top Safety Pick award from the IIHS, with the 2021, 2020, and 2017 models getting the Top Safety Pick+ award.
Premium Materials and Great Design Take the Sting Out of the Snug Interior
Perhaps the largest downside to the CX-3 is the amount of space on the inside. Compared to other subcompact crossovers, its back seats and cargo area are among the smallest. However, if it’s enough to service your lifestyle, you’ll still find yourself exceptionally pleased by the quality of the cabin.
Cargo Capacity
17.8 Cubic Feet
If you’re in the front seats of the CX-3, you’re not going to have anything to worry about, with plenty of headroom and legroom making the crossover feel fairly spacious. However, those relegated to the back aren’t going to want to be there for exceptionally long periods of time, making this a more ideal car for those that don’t often give lifts to adults. Cargo capacity is less generous than some rivals, but still plenty serviceable.
I am a larger person, both horizontally and vertically, and one thing I did notice is that the seats take some tinkering before you can get yourself comfortable. Before finding the sweet spot, I found I would walk away from long drives with back pain.
Interior quality is exceptional in Mazda’s small crossover. Everything feels exceptionally sturdy and the quality of materials used throughout the cabin are class-above. If you go with top trims, you can also get yourself niceties, like leather upholstery with suede inserts, heated seats and a heated steering wheel, automatic climate control, and a power-operated moonroof.
Infotainment and Technology
I love the way that Mazda approaches technology in the cabins of their cars, with the CX-3 being a great example of howtech can make cheap cars feel luxurious. A seven-inch infotainment screen is standard, controlled by a rotary knob on the center console. A number of shortcuts sit around the knob to help you navigate the system. I found it extremely easy to use, and it felt much better than leaning forward to control things via touch inputs.
Stick with the 2019, and you have the best options when it comes to interior tech. This includes standard features like an electronic handbrake. Opt for top models and gain access to things like a heads-up display, advanced keyless entry, and a premium seven-speaker Bose sound system, which is a big improvement over the standard stereo.
The Mazda CX-3 Is a Crossover That I Love To Drive
The CX-3 is essentially a perky hatchback with some added ride height. While this might not seem appealing to some, it is exactly the kind of thing that drew me to it in the first place. There is a lot to love about this used little crossover, especially if you want your cheap and cheerful car to actually feel fun.
Something I always look for in a car is character. It has become far too common for mainstream cars to feel completely soulless, devoid of any whimsy. In a world of dull and dreary subcompact crossovers, the CX-3 is something you will look forward to taking for a drive, despite its shortcomings, and that counts for alot in my books.
