Cameron Rogers has worked in the automotive industry since 2013. He has tested and reviewed hundreds of vehicles over the course of his career. As a manager of written content, he writes and edits the reviews that help consumers find their perfect car. Favorite cars that he's driven during his tenure at Edmunds include the 991-era Porsche 911 Turbo S, Rolls-Royce Ghost and several generations of Honda Odyssey (really).
Pros
Sporty and confidence-inspiring performance
Some high-end features are unique to this class
Top crash test scores
Interior quality exceeds expectations
Cons
Ride quality can be a little stiff with optional 18-inch wheels
Cargo capacity ranks below the class leaders
Road and wind noise is noticeable at highway speeds
Less interior storage than rivals
What's new
The Touring 2.5 trim has been dropped since the 2.5-liter engine is now standard on the Touring level
Sport models gain a forward collision warning and mitigation system
LED headlights are now standard on the Grand Touring
Some options packages have been renamed, combined or dropped throughout the lineup
Part of the third Mazda 3 generation introduced for 2014
The 2018 Mazda 3 isn't the quickest car in its class, but it is the best to drive. The Mazda 3 doesn't have the biggest cargo capacity in its class either, but it will certainly hold a whole lot of stuff. This is a clear case of the raw numbers not telling the entire story.
Inside and out, the Mazda 3 is attractive, and plenty of elements give it a more upmarket appeal. On the road, it's not just competent; it's actually entertaining and sporty to drive. Even if you're not into performance, this translates to a feeling that the car will respond to emergency maneuvers with confidence and ease.
In the competitive budget-conscious compact sedan and hatchback class, the 2018 Mazda 3 is a rarity for exceeding expectations and delivering far more than its price would suggest. We bore this out in a yearlong test of this car's current generation as well as subsequent evaluation of newer variants. You'd be remiss not to have it on your short list.
Notably, we picked the 2018 Mazda 3 as one of Edmunds' Best Used Cars.
Edmunds' Expert Rating
7.9 / 10
Trim tested
Each vehicle typically comes in multiple versions that are fundamentally similar. The ratings in this review are based on our full test of the Mazda 3 Sedan Grand Touring (2.5L inline-4 | 6-speed manual | FWD).
Since this test was conducted in 2017, the current Mazda 3 has received no significant revisions. Our findings remain broadly applicable to this year's Mazda 3.
Scorecard
Overall
7.9 / 10
Driving
8.0
Comfort
7.5
Interior
8.0
Utility
6.5
Technology
7.5
Driving
8.0
Mazda built its reputation on making driver's cars, and the 3 offers an excellent driving experience and rewarding handling dynamics. Some competitors offer more acceleration, and while the 3's transmission is well-behaved, it sometimes reacts more slowly than certain more modern units.
Acceleration
The 3's eager four-cylinder engine responds willingly, with linear delivery. The car feels like it has plenty to give, even at half throttle, and power builds naturally through the rev range. While our as-tested 0-60 mph time of 7.7 seconds won't set any records, the car feels brisk.
Braking
7.0
The brake pedal is solid and responsive, and the car is very stable, even during emergency braking. The brakes are easy to modulate and never feel grabby. The 60-0 mph emergency braking distance we measured of 121 feet isn't class-leading, but the brakes inspire confidence.
Steering
7.5
There's more steering feedback than in many competitors, and resistance builds nicely and naturally. The steering is quick and precise in turns, but the on-center feel is a little off. There is a small amount of play in the center where you don't get resistance and the wheel won't try to recenter.
Handling
8.0
This car definitely punches above its weight class when it comes to handling, making the Mazda rewarding to drive on twisting roads and through city streets. It changes direction with aplomb and communicates its intentions clearly, which inspires confidence.
Drivability
8.5
The transmission is well-behaved and downshifts when you need it without hunting around. Coupled with a responsive throttle, the 3 drives smoothly in almost all situations. The reaction from the paddle shifters is too slow to make them useful in spirited driving.
Comfort
7.5
Mazda has done a good job balancing ride comfort with performance. The front seats are nicely molded and padded — aside from the too-aggressive headrests. While sound insulation has been improved over older models, the Mazda 3's cabin is noisier on the highway than some competitors.
Seat comfort
7.0
The seats are well-molded, and the cushions comfortable even on long drives, although they don't have quite enough bolstering for a car that encourages fast turns. Unfortunately, the headrests are aggressively forward and some drivers may experience back and neck discomfort.
Ride comfort
8.0
The Mazda 3 is textbook "buttoned-down." This car takes you along for every dip and hump as it sticks to the road surface, but it still does a good job of absorbing bumps and harshness. Its mild performance orientation might make it too firm for some, but others will appreciate these characteristics.
Noise & vibration
6.5
The 3 is better insulated than some small cars, but enough noise makes it into the cabin to undermine its premium look a bit. At freeway speeds, road and tire noise is noticeable on all but the smoothest asphalt, and wind noise from the doors is consistent.
Climate control
7.5
The climate controls are easy to use, with big analog buttons and clear displays. Once set, we found we didn't need to fiddle with them. The dual-zone system regulates temperature without blasting harsh hot or cold air, and it kept us comfortable.
Interior
8.0
The Mazda 3's interior is very easy to use and live with. Mazda thoughtfully designed the interior around the driver, though taller people might feel slightly out of place. The steering wheel lacks some reach adjustment, and the dash-mounted head-up display will be awkwardly low for some.
Ease of use
8.5
The important controls are easy to find and operate. The combination of touchscreen and knob makes system navigation easy, and settings are largely intuitively placed. The Mazda's controls and technology are some of the friendliest in the class.
Getting in/getting out
8.0
The Mazda 3 gives you the sporty feeling of sitting low, but it's still quite easy to get into and out of. There's good access all around, thanks to square openings and a roofline that isn't too aggressive as it approaches the rear of the car. Rear legroom is lacking.
Driving position
7.5
Everything important is within easy reach from the driver's seat. Most drivers will find a comfortable position, thanks to the adjustable seat height and tilting steering wheel. Taller folks will wish for more steering-wheel telescope and find the door armrests and the head-up display are placed too low.
Roominess
7.5
Smart layout and design make the front seat feel spacious, with plenty of leg-, headroom and shoulder room, even for drivers over 6 feet. In the back seat, however, legroom shrinks significantly if the driver is tall and headroom might not accommodate adults with tall torsos.
Visibility
7.5
There's plenty of forward visibility, aided by door-mounted mirrors that also offer a good view behind. The rear three-quarter view is impaired by very thick roof pillars that merge into the high rear deck, but that's not unusual for the class, and the mirrors and blind-spot monitoring compensate admirably.
Quality
9.0
Smart design covers up the cost-cutting that's been done. The hard plastics are textured so they don't look cheap, and most touchpoints have been covered with soft-touch or premium-feeling materials. Everything feels solidly built as well, with no rattles or creaks during our testing.
Utility
6.5
While the Mazda 3 sedan offers folding seats, easy-to-find LATCH points, and a number of small-item storage options, it falls behind the class leaders in terms of practicality. A handful of design issues also hurt the usability of some of these features.
Small-item storage
7.0
The front seats get deep, water-bottle-ready door pockets, a cellphone tray and good-sized cupholders. But the center console box is small. Overall, storage is sufficient, but some competitors offer significantly more and with more clever integration.
Cargo space
6.0
At 12.4 cubic feet, the trunk is one of the smallest in class, but it is easy to load and unload items. Folding the rear seats gives you a nice flat cargo space, though that will usually require moving the front seats forward, a drawback for taller drivers. Having the seats down also impinges on front-seat movement.
Child safety seat accommodation
6.5
LATCH anchors are easy to find and clearly marked, with three anchors for outboard and middle positions. Unfortunately, larger, rear-facing car seats will impose on front-passenger space.
Technology
7.5
The Mazda 3 offers an extensive list of technology upgrades. It certainly has one of the best infotainment units in the class (which Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration would only improve). However, some competitors with more recent refreshes have better-executed driver aids.
Audio & navigation
8.5
Audio quality is quite good if you use the USB port, and the system can handle lots of volume without harshness or distortion. Navigation features are robust and straightforward, and it's easy to find points of interest on your route or nearby. The system gives clear directions that are mirrored in the head-up display.
Smartphone integration
7.5
Mazda keeps teasing Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration, but they're not here yet. Still, Bluetooth and the USB interface are easy to use and work well. Text message and email reading works, but response options are limited. Two USB ports and a 110-volt outlet are available up front.
Driver aids
6.5
Our tester was equipped with blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane keeping assist and adaptive cruise control. Unfortunately, the adaptive cruise in particular lags behind the competition, with the system disengaging — while the car is still in motion — below 15 mph.
Voice control
8.0
Mazda's voice controls take a laudable stab at understanding the driver, and they work much better than some competitor systems, albeit a little slowly. The system will try to prompt you to get you where you want to go, though it occasionally fails to do anything and leaves you guessing why.
Which 3 does Edmunds recommend?
We're partial to the hatchback for its cargo-carrying flexibility as well as its aesthetic appeal. Among the different trim level choices, the Touring trim presents a good balance of features for the price, plus it gets the more powerful engine. If your budget can stretch, the Grand Touring is a great pick that is eligible for a host of advanced safety features.
Helpful trims summary and side-by-side comparison chart
2018 Mazda 3 models
The five-passenger 2018 Mazda 3 is available as a sedan or four-door hatchback. Both body styles are offered in Sport, Touring or Grand Touring trims.
The Sport trim is powered by a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine (155 horsepower, 150 pound-feet of torque). The Touring and Grand Touring models get a 2.5-liter engine (184 hp, 185 lb-ft). A six-speed manual transmission is standard for all Mazda 3s, with a six-speed automatic available as an option.
Standard Sport trim features for the sedan include 16-inch steel wheels, remote keyless entry, keyless ignition, a 60/40-split folding rear seat, Bluetooth, the Mazda Connect infotainment system with a 7-inch touchscreen, a rearview camera, low-speed forward collision warning and automatic emergency braking, emergency telematics, and a six-speaker stereo with two USB ports. The hatchback adds the upgrades of alloy wheels and a rear spoiler.
The sedan is eligible for the optional Preferred Equipment package that adds alloy wheels, automatic headlights, automatic wipers, heated mirrors, blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert, upgraded upholstery, and a rear seat armrest with cupholders.
The Touring trim includes all of the above, along with 18-inch alloy wheels, keyless entry, dual-zone automatic climate control, simulated leather upholstery, a six-way power driver's seat and heated front seats.
At the top of the range, the Grand Touring model gains LED exterior lights (headlights, foglights and taillights), a sunroof, a digital speedometer, an upgraded instrument panel display, leather upholstery, a nine-speaker Bose surround-sound system and satellite radio. To this, the Premium Equipment package adds adaptive headlights, automatic high beams, a heated steering wheel, paddle shifters (for the automatic transmission), an auto-dimming rearview mirror, a navigation system, lane departure warning and intervention, adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning and braking for higher speeds, and a traffic sign reader.
RepairPal Reliability Ratings are based on the actual cost, frequency, and severity of unscheduled repairs and maintenance on make/model data for select 2008-2022 vehicles. The reliability of a specific vehicle may vary depending on its maintenance and driving history, model year, trim, and features.
Cost
The average total annual cost for unscheduled repairs and maintenance across all model years of the Mazda 3 from 2008-2022.
$386/yr
vs. $416/yr for Average Compact Car
Frequency
The average number of times this model is brought into the shop for unscheduled repairs and maintenance in a single year. RepairPal calculates this metric by tracking millions of unique vehicles over multiple years to determine an average number of visits per year (omitting small routine visits, e.g., oil changes).
1.09x/yr
vs. 1.01x/yr for Average Compact Car
Severity
The probability that a repair will be a major issue, meaning the repair costs 3x the average annual repair cost for all models. This threshold will be higher for vehicles that have higher labor rates and parts costs (such as a premium brand).
9%
vs. 10.4% for Average Compact Car
powered by RepairPal Based on RepairPal reliability data as of 8/23/2023. Ratings are provided by RepairPal and Edmunds is not responsible for their accuracy.
After spending the past number of years driving large SUVs, I finally made the leap back into a smaller, sportier car. I’ve considered other smaller cars over the years, but none really piqued my interest for one reason or another. I wanted a driver’s car but wasn’t really wanting to pay a premium price. I also wanted a practical car but didn’t want to sacrifice performance and pure … fun.
For me, the Mazda 3 is a perfect amalgamation of what I’ve been looking for. It’s sporty yet refined, small but not minute, and practical but not boring in the least. It handles way better than anything in it’s price range. The fuel efficiency rivals some hybrid cars. The interior is flawless. The seats envelope the driver perfectly and lend a feeling of mutual comfort and secure fit.
For the price, the engine is quick enough. Sure, I’d rather be in the 250 HP range, but that would require a compromise in aesthetics or a price increase of at least $15k.
At this point, I’m extremely pleased with my purchase. Do your own research on this car and compare it to others in its price range and above. For pure driving experience and design, you won’t find anything comparable. Highly recommended.
Update Oct 2020: still loving this car. It still drives as great now as the day I bought it. I ending up buying my daughter the CX 30 and she loves her car as well.
Practical and fun are not mutually exclusive
5 out of 5 stars
Michael Gallegos, 07/14/2018
2018 Mazda 3 Sport 4dr Hatchback (2.0L 4cyl 6A)
Just bought a 2018 Mazda 3 Hatchback Sport and I cannot rave more about this car. I absolutely love it. I was looking for something affordable, reliable, and fuel efficient. In other words practicality was my number one concern and the hatchback delivers as promised. It has plenty of cargo space with the rear seats folded down. It supplies all that I mentioned while looking good and … putting a smile on my face. The car has adequate power for merging on the highway and passing. It is also a blast to push through corners/curvy roads. The cars handles extremely well and the powertrain is eager to play while in sport mode. I consistently exceed the EPA estimates for MPG. I'll usually get around 29-31 MPG in the city and 39-42 mpg on hwy (with free flowing traffic going around 65 mph of course). Keep in mind this is all with an automatic. I was going to go for the 6 speed manual but I deal with LA traffic on my daily commute and could no longer bare it with a manual so I opted for the auto. If you're looking for something practical that isn't an appliance I would definitely recommend at least test driving the mazda 3.
Great Car at this Pricepoint
5 out of 5 stars
Matt, 09/25/2018
2018 Mazda 3 Grand Touring 4dr Hatchback (2.5L 4cyl 6A)
Was coming out of a C Class Mercedes and wanted a hatchback for less than 30K. My list of desired attributes was quite long, and the Mazda 3 checked every box save one, which I’ll get too later. The car is built for those who enjoy driving and that can’t be emphasized enough. Just sitting in the drivers seat informs you that everything is engineered with the driver in mind. Out on the … road the engine is responsive, the steering direct, and the suspension is a sheer delight. The interior is beautifully designed and better than most anything at this pricepoint. Further, everything works as designed. The Bose stereo is quite nice and a must have. I got the premium package so every safety feature imaginable is on the vehicle. Most of these I didn’t have on my 2015 Mercedes. The blind spot monitoring is my favorite safety nanny, just disable the audio notifications or it will drive you nuts. After driving over 1600 miles I’m averaging a little over 31 mpg, which is quite nice for a car this sporty. The front seats are very comfortable and fit both me and my wife like a glove. The suspension is firm and with the 18 inch wheels you can feel some bumps. But on balance the ride is superb. My 89 year old mom is quite comfortable In either the front or the back. The only negative with the car is road noise, which has been documented quite well in the professional reviews of the car. I took 2 extended test drives to make sure it was acceptable as a daily driver. On most surfaces it is just not a big deal, and in fact compares favorably with higher priced cars. And understand, I was previously driving a Mercedes. But on concrete surfaces the road noise is definitely transmitted into the cabin. The overall positives of the vehicle far outweigh this one issue though. Drive for yourself and be the judge. For me, it’s a great car to drive and a steal of a deal in the compact class.
Very happy
5 out of 5 stars
Ron, 12/18/2017
2018 Mazda 3 Touring 4dr Hatchback (2.5L 4cyl 6M)
Just the right combination of performance, saftey, space and reliability. Its big enough to carry my gear but small enough to park easily in the city. I cant beleive I am getting well over 30 mpg in a 50/50 highway/local mix. Id buy it again in a heartbeat.
The 2018 Mazda 3 is one of our top picks in the class for its fun-to-drive persona and classy interior. It may come up short in a few categories on paper, but in the real world it's more than capable and definitely worth your attention. In this video, we highlight the key features that matter most. From mpg, interior space and technology to design and comfort - these pros… and cons will help steer you toward a perfect car.
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Scorecard
