See Edmunds pricing data
Has Your Car's Value Changed?
Used car values are constantly changing. Edmunds lets you track your vehicle's value over time so you can decide when to sell or trade in.
Adept at all things: The 2018 Mazda 3
John, 11/15/2020
2018 Mazda 3 Touring 4dr Hatchback (2.5L 4cyl 6M)
8 of 8 people found this review helpful
After owning this car for a year I have found that it is a spunky car with adequate power, comfortable seats, a decent ride and really agile handling. This is a driver’s car and if you cannot appreciate steering feel, controlled body motions and lively acceleration, this car is not for you. This car feels tied down in everyday driving and upon pushing the car to its limits handles flawlessly, with direct steering and predictable amounts of rear end rotation. The powertrain is weak when compared with hot hatches like the VW GTI but in normal driving, especially with a stick shift, power is readily available. Keeping up with traffic is easy as the engine produces most of its power around 3,500 rpm which means unlike a Honda, you don't have to reach into the upper level of the power band to survive a daily commute. The interior seating is comfortable, although the back seat is tight and headroom is lacking. The trunk is small, especially in hatchback form but with the backseats folded this car can carry a lot of cargo. The fuel economy is a bit low for the class especially when comparing a manual transmission version to an automatic transmission in a rival car, however the power delivery and handling competence make it worth it, for an engaged driver. 45mpg on the highway is attainable at 55mph and 38 is attainable at 65mph which is less impressive than some other competitors, but still very high. The ride is sporty and therefore does not shield bumps as well as one may expect but this car is not harsh by any means. The infotainment system is aggravating even with Apple Carplay, and requires a lot of scrolling around to get to different choices, which is something that will only bother you when you are stuck in rush hour traffic and getting frustrated anyway. This car is also loud on the highway, especially because the final drive ratio on the 6 speed manual is high, which means at 75mph the engine is turning at 3,000 rpm. While this low final drive ratio makes the car have lots of passing power it also makes the car loud, which makes for an annoying combination when driving in the rain as the radio volume must be raised substantially. Overall if you are looking for a car that is an appliance and just drives in traffic well and is a good commuter, this is not the car: get a Corolla, Elantra or Civic. This car makes entrance ramps thrilling, opens roads adventurous and surprises a couple people in VW GTIs when they have to wind the piss out of their engine to overtake you when lanes merge.
- Safety
- Technology
- Performance
- Interior
- Comfort
- Reliability
- Value
Rented for four weeks
Deedee, 07/08/2018
2018 Mazda 3 Sport 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl 6M)
7 of 7 people found this review helpful
Out of the dozen cars I rented over the years I found this to be a Car I am interested in buying now. It was enjoyable to drive, good on gas and comfortable.
- Performance
- Interior
- Comfort
2018 Mazda 3 for sale near you
3 of 22 listings
- Touring SedanMSRP: N/A32 mi away
- Grand Touring 4dr HatchbackMSRP: $7,90023 mi away
- Grand Touring SedanMSRP: $17,42535 mi away
See all 22 listings
Great Hatchback
scott eisner, 12/21/2018
updated 08/01/2022
2018 Mazda 3 Grand Touring 4dr Hatchback (2.5L 4cyl 6A)
10 of 11 people found this review helpful
Great combination of sportiness, utility, comfort and economy. High quality throughout. Updated, 6/19. Still really enjoying this car. 12/26/20: swapped oem Dunlops for Michelin Pilots a/s 3's. Huge handling and ride improvement. Overall, still really enjoying this car.
- Safety
- Technology
- Performance
- Interior
- Comfort
- Reliability
- Value
Love my first car
Jin Ju, 07/21/2019
2018 Mazda 3 Touring 4dr Sedan (2.5L 4cyl 6A)
6 of 6 people found this review helpful
I knew for a fact Mazda has been growing in popularity these recent years, so I leased my first car as the 2018 Mazda 3 Touring. I get compliments on its look, and how smooth the ride is. Interior is simple, but highly functional. Compared to the 2018 Acura ILX, I personally found the interior of the Mazda more up to date. Leather seats are comfortable, and I am so pleased with the many additional safety features including blind spot warnings and it’s smart brake system. Huge bonus, it’s Bose speakers are amazing! It definitely makes a difference in sound quality, and now when I am riding in a different car, their music usually sounds dull. I love my Mazda3!
- Safety
- Technology
- Performance
- Interior
- Comfort
- Reliability
- Value
Pound for pound the compact car Champion!
Raymond J, 01/06/2018
2018 Mazda 3 Touring 4dr Hatchback (2.5L 4cyl 6M)
9 of 10 people found this review helpful
Know this...Mazda makes great automobiles! Purchased my Mazda 3 hatch, on December 30, 2017. The last sale of the year, and I received a great deal with a lot of extras. The car does everything very well, and I plan to have a blast driving to and from work every weekday. If you want a drivers car...Mazda 3 is it!
- Safety
- Technology
- Performance
- Interior
- Comfort
- Reliability
- Value