2020 Mazda 3 Review

Name: 2020 Mazda 3
Brand: Mazda

Price Range: $13,411 - $22,998

Average

7.6

out of 10

edmunds TESTED

The 2020 Mazda 3 offers a premium interior, great road manners and appealing fuel economy. You could say it's a bargain premium sedan. But it could use improved infotainment system functionality and a more potent engine.

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Average price: $20,911

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Appraise My 2020 Mazda 3

Mazda 3 model years

Mazda 3 for Sale

Mazda 3 types

Sedan
Hatchback

Pros

Premium interior design and materials
Sharp handling makes it fun to drive
Excellent audio quality from both available audio systems

Cons

Mediocre legroom in the back seat
Less cargo capacity than other small sedans
No manual transmission offered

What's new

A full suite of advanced driver safety features is now standard
Part of the fourth Mazda 3 generation introduced for 2019

Overview

Written by automotive expert Cameron Rogers

Updated: 4/13/2020

Just about any small sedan on the market these days offers plenty of value, efficiency and safety. If all you need is basic transportation, you can pretty much just pick a name out of a hat and be satisfied. But what if you want something that's a little special? That's where the 2020 Mazda 3 comes in.

Continue reading Edmunds Expert Rating below

For sale near Ashburn, VA

33 listings

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2020 Mazda 3
Select Sedan
$13,411
fair price
$394 below market
- 107,178 miles
- 25 City / 33 Hwy MPG
- 9 mi away
- AWD/4WD
- Back-up camera
- Bluetooth
- Keyless Entry/Start
- Upgraded Headlights
Close
Located in Chantilly, VA
At Precise Automotive Group, We're making car buying easier and more convenient than ever! Enjoy FREE & FAST Shipping on all vehicles straight to your...
Features and Specs:
28 Combined MPG (25 City/33 Highway)
Listing Information:
VIN:
3MZBPBCM1LM131905
Stock:
P1905_1
Certified Pre-Owned:
No
Listed since:
06-30-2026
Price Drop
2020 Mazda 3
Preferred Sedan
$17,290
fair price
$706 above market
- 96,386 miles
- 25 City / 33 Hwy MPG
- 95 mi away
- Home delivery*
- AWD/4WD
- Back-up camera
- Bluetooth
- Keyless Entry/Start
- Upgraded Headlights
Close
Located in Richmond, VA
At Carvana, we go miles beyond the extra mile. That's why we provide you with a convenient, fast, and hassle-free car buying experience that puts you ...
Features and Specs:
28 Combined MPG (25 City/33 Highway)
Listing Information:
VIN:
3MZBPBDM5LM126253
Stock:
3006447575
Certified Pre-Owned:
No
Listed since:
08-25-2026

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For starters, the 3 is attractively styled inside and out. It looks sophisticated and upscale, and many of the interior materials and controls have a premium feel and vibe to them. Own a Mazda 3 and your friends will probably think you spent more than you did. You also get uncommonly sporty and engaging handling, which makes the 3 fun to drive whether you're just commuting to work or taking a scenic road trip.

There are a few minor downsides. The 3 sedan comes up short on rear passenger and cargo space, for instance, and visibility to the rear is hampered by a high rear trunklid and thick roof pillars. But odds are most owners will be just fine with what 3 provides. It remains an Edmunds favorite and we're confident you'll feel the same.

What's it like to live with the Mazda 3?

The Mazda 3 has been one of our favorite small cars for years now, and several examples have graced our long-term fleet over the last decade. When we first sat in the driver's seat of the redesigned model, we knew we wanted to test one. Read our long-term test of the 2020 Mazda 3 to learn more about what it's like to live with day to day over the course of 20,000 miles.

Edmunds Expert Rating

edmunds TESTED

by the Edmunds Experts

Average

7.6

out of 10

We drove the 2020 Mazda 3 on our test track and on real roads. Our Edmunds team conducts rigorous independent vehicle testing, driving 500,000 miles a year.

Performance

8/10

How does the 3 drive? Mazda has always prioritized excellent driving characteristics, and this Mazda 3 is no different. When the road stops being straight, the Mazda 3 delivers handling that is comfortable and confidence-inspiring. It feels balanced, changes directions readily and stays controlled around turns. The steering is quick and precise too.

A more powerful engine wouldn't hurt, but that's easy to say because the chassis feels up to it. The non-turbocharged four-cylinder is eager and delivers smooth power from the onset, but it really gets going from the middle of the rev range. Merging onto freeways isn't a problem. In Edmunds testing, our test car covered 0-60 mph in a reasonably quick 8.3 seconds.

Comfort

7.5/10

How comfortable is the 3? Mazda has succeeded in delivering a sporty premium experience without sacrificing comfort. Credit goes to the supportive front seats and quiet cabin at highway speeds. It's not perfect, however: Our test car's air-conditioning system didn't seem sufficiently powerful, and some of our expert drivers found the seat's head restraint too intrusive.

The Mazda 3 is meant to be a sporty sedan, so it has a well-controlled suspension that limits body motion. While this makes for a comparatively stiffer ride, the suspension is still compliant and absorbs bumps and pavement irregularities quite well.

Interior

7.5/10

How’s the interior? Front passengers will enjoy their space, but taller drivers might wish the steering wheel telescoped out more. Rear legroom and headroom are below average, so the rear seating area can feel snug if the front occupants slide their seats back. That space, as well as rearward visibility, seems to have been sacrificed in the name of sleek styling.

While the Mazda 3 display screen lacks touchscreen functionality, the single-knob controller is intuitive. This controller-based interface is one of the best around. Nothing is complicated in this car. The controls and buttons are easy to see and understand. The setup doesn't take long to get used to, and once you do, a glance is all it takes to verify and select a function.

Technology

7/10

How’s the tech? The audio system sounds great, and the 8.8-inch infotainment screen looks vibrant and works well with both Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. And while we do like the single-knob controller, the lack of full-time touchscreen functionality ultimately limits what the system can do.

Mazda's suite of advanced driver safety features is standard on all models. Most of the aids work pretty well. But we have noticed that in heavy traffic situations the adaptive cruise control can stop abruptly even when it's not strictly necessary.

Storage

7/10

How’s the storage? The Mazda 3 sedan's trunk is a little smaller than average for this class of vehicle. It does offer a wide loading area and the trunk is deep, but the wheelwells intrude and pinch down the width from each side. It's still useful, and the 60/40-split rear seatbacks fold down. Storage inside the cabin for small items is a little lacking.

The 3 isn't the best choice if you have small children. The child safety seat LATCH anchors are easy to find and clearly marked in each of the outboard rear seat positions. But larger rear-facing car seats are more apt to encroach on front passenger space because the Mazda 3 isn't as generous in rear legroom as its main rivals.

Fuel Economy

7/10

How’s the fuel economy? The EPA estimates the Mazda 3 sedan will get 30 mpg in combined city/highway driving with front-wheel drive or 28 mpg with all-wheel drive. Both figures are subpar compared to rivals' ratings. However, we recorded 31.5 mpg on our mixed-driving evaluation route in our all-wheel-drive 3 sedan, which is better than expected. We have seen Mazdas fare well in real-world conditions before, so this may not be a fluke.

Value

7.5/10

Is the 3 a good value? The value of the Mazda 3 lies in its premium look and feel. The interior panel gaps are tight, the controls don't feel flimsy, quality materials line the interior, and everything matches up. The chrome accent that adorns the dash is a nice touch, and with the elimination of the touchscreen, no fingerprints accumulate around the screen area. You might pay a little more to get a Mazda 3 compared to other rivals but it's worth it.

Wildcard

9/10

When driving the Mazda 3, the phrase "handles like a Mazda" comes to mind. It means that it's engaging, handles well, and is as fun to drive as its stablemates. Place the transmission in Sport mode, leave it there, then go out into a fun, twisty road and you'll develop an ear-to-ear grin in no time. Consumers who want a sporty, luxurious automobile but don't want to pay outrageous luxury marque prices will find the Mazda 3 very appealing.

2020 Mazda 3 trim level differences

The 2020 Mazda 3 sedan is offered in four trim levels (also referred to as packages). The Base comes with a decent level of standard features plus a full suite of advanced safety features. Stepping up to the Select adds some niceties and smartphone integration, while the Preferred and Premium versions up the luxury and tech quotient. The hatchback version is reviewed separately. Compare the 2020 Mazda 3 trim levels in-depth.

Which 3 trim does Edmunds recommend?

We suggest stepping up to at least the Select package since it comes with a good number of useful features without costing a whole lot more. It's also eligible for all-wheel drive. The Preferred and Premium trim levels add more features and refinement, but if that's what you're seeking, the larger Mazda 6 may be a better choice.

Cost to Drive

Monthly estimates based on costs in Virginia

$176/mo

$235/mo

Avg. Midsize Car

Calculate my fuel costs

Reliability

The 2020 Mazda 3 has a 3 years / 36,000 miles basic warranty and 2 recalls. RepairPal gives it a reliability rating of 4 out of 5, ranks it #15 out of 46 among Compact Cars. Below you’ll find our owner reviews.

Reliability Rating by RepairPal

4 out of 5 stars4/5Excellent

#15 out of 46 among Compact Cars

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

$386/yr

vs. $416/yr
for Average Compact Car

Frequency

1.09x/yr

vs. 1.01x/yr
for Average Compact Car

Severity

vs. 10.4%
for Average Compact Car

Recalls

2 recalls found

Checking if a car has a recall is simple. Just type the car's VIN number into the NHTSA website (https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls). If there's an unrepaired recall, you'll see it there.

If a recall shows up, just call your local car dealer. They'll know about the recall and will work with the car maker to fix it for free (if the recall happened within 10 years of the car being first sold).

Recall Number:: 20V346000
Manufacturer Recall Number:: 4420F
Number of vehicles affected:: 24037
Defect Description:: Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2020 CX-30 and Mazda3 vehicles. The front brake caliper mounting bolts may not have been tightened properly during assembly, possibly allowing the calipers to loosen.
Defect Consequence:: Loose brake calipers can reduce braking performance or interfere with wheel rotation, affecting vehicle handling. Either of these scenarios can increase the risk of a crash.
Corrective Action:: Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the front brake caliper bolts, tightening them as necessary. If bolts are missing, the affected brake caliper will be replaced. Repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began July 24, 2020. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500, Option 4. Mazda's number for this recall is 4420F.

Recall Number:: 19V907000
Manufacturer Recall Number:: 4219L
Manufactured from:: 2018-09-25 to 2019-10-23
Number of vehicles affected:: 35390
Defect Description:: Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Mazda3 vehicles. The Smart Brake System (SBS) can falsely detect an obstacle while driving, activating the automatic emergency braking system and suddenly stopping the vehicle.
Defect Consequence:: Stopping the vehicle unexpectedly increases the risk of a crash.
Corrective Action:: Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will update the SBS software. In addition, vehicles with certain production dates will receive an instrument cluster software update or replacement and a replacement owner's manual. These repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began February 14, 2020. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500, Option 4. Mazda's number for this recall is 4219L.

Warranty

3 years / 36,000 miles Basic Warranty

Basic Warranty: 3 years / 36,000 miles
Drivetrain Warranty: 5 years / 60,000 miles
Rust Warranty: 5 years / unlimited miles
Roadside assistance Warranty: 3 years / 36,000 miles

Mazda 3 Reviews

Owner Reviews

3.7

31 reviews

5(45%)

4(19%)

3(9%)

2(11%)

1(16%)

See all 31 reviews of the Mazda 3

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Most Helpful Owner Reviews

2020 Mazda 3 videos

How Reliable is a 2020 Mazda 3 After a Year? Long-Term Road Test — Wrap-up

Edmunds usually aims to put 20,000 miles on a long-term test car to understand the maintenance and wear a customer would experience, but the pandemic had other plans. Instead, our 2020 Mazda 3 long-term test car spent a good amount of time on the sunny streets of Southern California. In this video, we cover what we liked, and what we didn't, during our year of ownership.

2020 3 Features & Specs

Type:

Sedan

Trim:

Base

Est. Market Value	$16,580
Engine Type	Gas
Combined MPG	30 MPG
Cost to Drive	$176/month
Seating	5 seats
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place	13.2 cu.ft.
Drivetrain	front wheel drive
Warranty	3 years / 36,000 miles

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Safety

Our experts like the 3 models:

Smart Brake Support: Warns if you are rapidly approaching a vehicle, pedestrian or bicyclist. Can apply the brakes to reduce the severity of a collision.
Mazda Radar Cruise Control: Maintains a driver-selected distance between the Mazda 3 and the car in front.
Lane Departure Warning System: Alerts the driver if the Mazda 3 begins wandering outside its lane.

NHTSA Overall Rating

The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration offers independent analysis.

Frontal Barrier Crash Rating
Overall5 / 5
Driver5 / 5
Passenger5 / 5
Side Crash Rating
Overall5 / 5
Side Barrier Rating
Overall5 / 5
Driver5 / 5
Passenger5 / 5
Combined Side Barrier & Pole Ratings
Front Seat5 / 5
Back Seat5 / 5
Rollover
Rollover5 / 5
Dynamic Test ResultNo Tip
Risk Of Rollover10.1%

IIHS Rating

The Insurance Institute of Highway Safety uses extensive crash tests to determine car safety.

Small Overlap Front Driver-Side Test
Good
Small Overlap Front Passenger-Side Test
Good
Moderate Overlap Front Test – Original
Good
Moderate Overlap Front Test – Updated
Not Tested
Side Impact Test – Original
Good
Side Impact Test – Updated
Not Tested
Roof Strength Test
Good
Rear Crash Protection / Head Restraint
Good

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