2021 Mazda CX-3 Review

Name: 2021 Mazda CX-3 Review
Brand: Mazda

Price: $19,998

2019 Mazda CX-3 Grand Touring 4dr SUV Exterior Shown

2019 Mazda CX-3 Grand Touring 4dr SUV Front Badge

Mazda has gone to great lengths to give the 2021 CX-3 a premium look and feel that's beyond the norm. It has first-rate steering, praiseworthy handling and ride quality, and a cabin that looks grown-up. Though the CX-3 is shy on cargo and rear-seat space, its style and value might just make up for that.

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Price & Payment

54 cars

$18,415 avg. price

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Mazda CX-3 model years

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2021 Mazda CX-3 Review

by the Edmunds Experts

What's new

Forward collision warning system can now detect pedestrians at night
Part of the first CX-3 generation introduced for 2016

Cost to Drive^{Cost to drive estimates for the 2021 Mazda CX-3 Sport 4dr SUV (2.0L 4cyl 6A) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $3.02 per gallon for regular unleaded in Minnesota.}

Monthly estimates based on costs in Minnesota

$121/mo

$156/mo

Avg. Compact SUV

Calculate my fuel costs

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Reliability Ratings by RepairPal

4.5/5Excellent

#2 out of 8 among Subcompact SUVs

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 CX-3 from 2008-2022.}

$370/yr

vs. $435/yr
for Average Subcompact SUV

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).}

0.47x/yr

vs. 0.69x/yr
for Average Subcompact SUV

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).}

7.9%

vs. 10.7%
for Average Subcompact SUV

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.}

Mazda CX-3 Reviews

Owner Reviews

4.3

34 reviews

5(70%)

4(12%)

3(3%)

2(9%)

1(6%)

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Most Helpful Owner Reviews

Best compact SUV by a mile

Jim, 10/17/2018

2019 Mazda CX-3 Touring 4dr SUV AWD (2.0L 4cyl 6A)

The Mazda CX-3 handles better than any other car in its class. I test drove five other vehicles including the Mini, and the Mazda was easily the most fun to drive. My fuel economy to date has been excellent, better than expected. Seat comfort is very important to me for long trips, and once again the CX-3 provides very supportive and comfy seats that come very close to my old Volvo. Love …

Miata In CRV Wrapper

Oden Hoffer, 06/14/2019

2019 Mazda CX-3 Grand Touring 4dr SUV AWD (2.0L 4cyl 6A)

If I had to choose one car for all around purpose, light duty, good gas mileage and over all performance, this car may be the one. I like the color and the fact that it's small, easily cleans and shines well. People have gone out of their way to approach me and praise the paint color. Passengers have complimented me on the ride. More importantly, I find it a comfortable and …

What a fun to drive, safe little crossover

JTS, 12/08/2018

2019 Mazda CX-3 Grand Touring 4dr SUV AWD (2.0L 4cyl 6A)

I've owned my CX3 for several months now and I find myself enjoying the drive more and more. Sure its small but you should know that in research. Test drive it. The car fits my family needs just fine. I'm 6' 2", my wife if 5' 4" and I have a 3.5 year old. A front facing car seat provide comfortable space for my wife and daughter. That was going to be the deal breaker. I wanted a …

Happy with my choice!

Kelsey, 01/15/2019

2019 Mazda CX-3 Touring 4dr SUV AWD (2.0L 4cyl 6A)

I chose this car because of the price (especially 0% apr), AWD and comfort while driving. I dont have kids nor much use for my back seat, so the small backseat area doesnt affect me at all, and with the seats down there can be plenty of storage space. I haven't had any problems yet with the rain or snow, and feel much safer driving in those conditions than I did in my Prius! My one …

We have a limited number of reviews for the 2021 Mazda CX-3, so we've included reviews for other years of the CX-3 since its last redesign.

See all 34 reviews of the Mazda CX-3

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2021 CX-3 Highlights

Base MSRP Excludes Destination Fee	$20,790
Engine Type	Gas
Combined MPG	31 MPG
Cost to Drive	$121/month
Seating	5 seats
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place	17.8 cu.ft.
Drivetrain	front wheel drive
Warranty	3 years / 36,000 miles

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Safety

Our experts like the CX-3 models:

Blind-Spot Monitoring: Warns if a vehicle is lurking in your blind spot and beeps if you signal a lane change in that direction.
Smart Brake Support: Warns if a front collision is imminent and applies the brakes automatically if the driver does not respond in time.
Lane Departure Warning: Alerts the driver if the vehicle begins to drift out of its lane without signaling.

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
Rollover4 / 5
Dynamic Test ResultNo Tip
Risk Of Rollover13.8%

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

2021 Mazda CX-3 Review

Price & Payment

2021 Mazda CX-3 Review

What's new

Cost to Drive^{Cost to drive estimates for the 2021 Mazda CX-3 Sport 4dr SUV (2.0L 4cyl 6A) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $3.02 per gallon for regular unleaded in Minnesota.}

Reliability Ratings by RepairPal

Cost

Frequency

Severity

Mazda CX-3 Reviews

Owner Reviews

Most Helpful Owner Reviews

Trending topics

Best compact SUV by a mile

Miata In CRV Wrapper

What a fun to drive, safe little crossover

Happy with my choice!

2021 CX-3 Highlights

Safety

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2021 Mazda CX-3 Review

Price & Payment

2021 Mazda CX-3 Review

What's new

Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2021 Mazda CX-3 Sport 4dr SUV (2.0L 4cyl 6A) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $3.02 per gallon for regular unleaded in Minnesota.

Reliability Ratings by RepairPal

Cost

Frequency

Severity

Mazda CX-3 Reviews

Owner Reviews

Most Helpful Owner Reviews

Best compact SUV by a mile

Miata In CRV Wrapper

What a fun to drive, safe little crossover

Happy with my choice!

2021 CX-3 Highlights

Safety

Related Used 2021 Mazda CX-3 info

Vehicle reviews of used models

Shop similar models

Shop used vehicles in your area

Popular new car reviews and ratings

Research other models of Mazda

Research similar vehicles

Other models

Join Edmunds

Cost to Drive^{Cost to drive estimates for the 2021 Mazda CX-3 Sport 4dr SUV (2.0L 4cyl 6A) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $3.02 per gallon for regular unleaded in Minnesota.}