2016 Mazda CX-3 Overview, Reviews, Ratings & Specs

2021 2020 2019 2018 2017 2016

IIHS Crash Test

Good

Source IIHS.org

MPG (up to)

27 City / 32 HWY

Source FuelEconomy.gov

Horsepower

146

Seats

Positive Owner Reviews

Allison L

Amazing brown 2016 Mazda cx-3.

I overall love this car, the interior is great! The radio is awesome, it has navigation and it is touch screen. The seats are tan with black and it has red lining that is great. The speaker system is Bose and it is great quality. For awhile I had problems with tire pressure but other than that it is a great car.

Wanda B

It is a great buy from price sticker to mileage.

Compact, easy to maneuver. The fold down seats are convenient. It has excellent gas mileage. I would like for the front passenger seat to fold flat.

Sadie B

Perfect compact SUV for singles.

The Mazda cx-5 touring AWD has amazing comfort. It is the perfect compact SUV. I am able to put down the backseat and fit large purchases as well as comfortably fit camping gear. I use the technology features everyday with Bluetooth audio, Sirius XM, etc. I have only had one issue with the car being it is brakes but it was a very easy fix.

Rachel R

All wheel drive that can really handle the most with the very least gas mileage.

My Mazda was a perfect fit for the kind of driving I needed to do to get to school, to work, and just around town. I wanted to have the convenience of a 4-door vehicle, but the size that takes on tight city streets easily. It also featured great storage features, with the seats that collapse in the back to create a larger trunk space, which I have used on many occasions to move house, manage furniture, and other feats. It is an AWD vehicle and it gets much better mileage than other cars I have driven, so it is kind to my wallet when I do have to pump for gas. It has a Bluetooth capability that has helped me stay connected to music, calls, and has two USB ports that keep my devices charged. It is not without faults, however, since there is no center console for storage, and I have had to take it in for issues pertaining to the ac and other electronic features. Other than that, this car has been a dream and I love the way it feels to drive it.

Tatiana A

The car has all wheel drive.

Like the size of my car, that it is easy to use, comfortable, reliable, and gets decent gas mileage. I do not like the front design of the car that much, but otherwise do not have much about it that I do not like.

Sylvia M

It is a great car overall. Would recommend!

I love my Mazda. The only problem with the car would be the loudness inside the vehicle when driving on loud highways. The car is extremely comfortable with easy-to-clean, leather seats. The front seats even have an adjustable heater which is especially useful for a more cozy ride during the winter months! It is a very reliable car that rides very smoothly. It is very safe with alerts for seat belts and alerts when a car is nearby. It also has auto headlights that move with your car during a turn so you can see clearly throughout the whole turn while driving at night.

Stephanie H

An excellent vehicle for long commutes and trips due to it's comfort and gas mileage.

I love my Maza! Save for a nail bursting my tire, I've had no problems with my vehicle thus far. It's speedy for hopping on the highway, and maintains decent gas mileage. Plenty of room on the inside, even being a smaller model and me a bigger girl. Fairly comfortable as well, and though mostly standard, excellent operating features.

Anna G

Great handling, great gas mileage. Well thought out design

Great handling car. Very good on gas. Nice styling. Comfortable interior. Easy to use interface

Negative Owner Reviews

Laurie C

Run, do not walk from this model.

This car has been intentionally built to be low budget. I am surprised it includes electric windows. The seats have to be adjusted manually. There are many blind spots. The horn is so quiet that it is actually dangerous. I truly dislike this car and rue the day we bought it. I never feel safe in it.

Glen

A/C Problems, BEWARE!!!

Thought this car was the best thing ever, until the A/C unit went out. They will fail at some point, and Mazda wasn't very forthwith on letting consumers know. Now looking at almost a $2k repair bill for their faulty part.

Chantell G

Love the color. Just cheaply. Made.

It is too small..It is cheaply made. I like the color. . I do not like the navigation system very hard and complicated to understand. When entering the address is there so many steps to enter the address. The size is very compact the back is spacious. I feel like the navigation system could be a little more modern and not as complicated.

Tish H

Over 5 feet tall? Don't buy a Mazda.

My 2016 Mazda 3 hatchback is an automatic, great on gas mileage, and great for zipping through the city. The only thing I really dislike is its size. Not much leg room, no matter what seat your in.

Michael J

The Mazda from hell. And heaven sent

It's a nice car drives smooth it's a little ugly though. Takes turns very well' I feel like I should have got a Volkswagen golf. There faster handle better and look sleek. I don't know what else about my Mazda. I only bought the car because it was convenient, the dealership gave me a deal.

Jessica C

My Mazda is meh, I do not hate it but I definitely do not love it.

It runs perfectly fine but I need more space and power/performance in a car. I like the upgraded technology (Bluetooth and cruise control) compared to my 1997 SUV but I would rather have room for my possessions and passengers and more oomph on the road.

Sydney M

Although small, cx-3s have good gas mileage.

Mazda cx-3s are very light weight. I have had problems with mine easily hydroplaning with only a little bit of rain/water. There also is not a lot of space. The cx-3s are not ideal for road trips because of the little amount of space and comfort. The cx-3 does have really great gas mileage and it has helped me out tremendously. It only takes me about $20 to fill my car up.

Ashley M

Sturdy car. Great mileage. Lots of space.

Haven had any problems with the car at all. Got I an minor accident and still runs fine. The body of the car is even okay, just a minor ding in the car that can be easily fixed. The storage in the back of the car has come in handy and carrying heavy objects doesnt affect the gas. Great gas mileage. Enough space in back seat for a toddler seat and comfortable leg room in the front seat. All around good car.

Mazda CX-3 Models

Models also known as Trim Levels, are used to identify a vehicle's level of equipment or special features.

Sport

146 HP 29 MPG 5 Seats

Touring

146 HP 29 MPG 5 Seats

Grand Touring

146 HP 29 MPG 5 Seats

Photos may not match model

2016 Mazda CX-3 Owner Reviews

4.27

164 Reviews

Write Review

5 stars

43%

4 stars

45%

3 stars

2 stars

1 star

Becca E on June 11, 2021

Mazda pros and cons: to purchase or not to purchase.

Great car, it is great with mileage, sound system could be better, Bluetooth sometimes disconnects randomly, drives very well and has a great interior, very reliable, the tire traction is great, cruise control can be difficult to set while driving, headlights do not turn on or off automatically.

Betsy P on May 27, 2021

Mazda 3 sport review of issues experienced by owner.

Minor problems with the door handles, windows, and hydraulics on the hatchback have been experienced. The automatic window mechanism failed to work. The hydraulic lifts on the hatchback wore out and did not hold the hatch open, causing it to fall and hit the operator on the head.

View All Reviews (164)

Pros from Owners

Meredith L.

Small car, with great fuel economy, that fits into small parking places but also holds a lot. Cargo space is small but usually it's just me in the car so I can carry everything I need. It drives like an SUV but small like a car. AWD is great in the winter. Also it is a cute car.

Cons from Owners

Meredith L.

Small cargo space. Not a lot of room in back seats/cargo area. Small fuel tank-I have to fill up my gas tank very frequently. I fit very well in my car, but larger and tall friends do not always feel as comfortable in my car.

Ranks #17 Compact SUV by Owners

The 2016 Mazda CX-3 has an average owner rating of 4.38 out of 5 which ranks it #17 of 26 other Compact SUVs.

Tie

2016 MINI Countryman

4.7

Tie

2016 Subaru Crosstrek

4.7

Tie

2016 Mazda CX-3

4.27

Ranks #2 Compact SUV by Fuel Economy

The 2016 Mazda CX-3 has a combined MPG of 32 which ranks it #2 of 26 other Compact SUVs.

2016 Subaru Crosstrek

34 MPG

Tie

2016 Honda HR-V

32 MPG

Tie

2016 Mazda CX-3

32 MPG

Is The 2016 Mazda CX-3 A Good Car?

Yes, it is very comfortable notably because the seats are high up. It is easy to take long trips in and the car generally has very little issues- we have barely had to take it to the mechanic. It has... Read More

Lily S.

Yes, I love my Mazda because it comes with auxiliary capabilities, heated leather seats, and ac/heat.

Dailyn J.

Wonderful. Great handling and very comfortable. As long as you take care of it, it'll take care of you.

Ryan M.

Yes! it is an amazing vehicle. The interior is sleek. The body style looks like a Mercedes. The engine is very powerful and quick.

Bonner W.

How Reliable Is The 2016 Mazda CX-3?

Yes the Mazda is very reliable, in all the years we have had it we have never experienced an issue with it. We have taken very long drives with the Mazda, over 10 hours in all kinds of weather... Read More

Lily S.

My Mazda is very reliable, it is good on gas and gets me anywhere I need to go.. It is the best car in my opinion.

Dailyn J.

Very reliable. Besides the problems with one of the tires continuing to lose air the car has kept up rather well the only problem was an o2 sensor go out.

Ryan M.

Yes it is very reliable and no there are no problems with the vehicle. The engine is quick and reliable. It is a get up and go style car.

Jo J.

Is The 2016 Mazda CX-3 A Good Value?

I am not sure how much it costs because it was a gift but I do know that is it very good value. It does not use up a lot of gas and never has problems.

Lily S.

It is a very good value I believe for what it comes with, definitely worth the price new or used... I love it.

Dailyn J.

23,000. I honestly think it is the right price for the car and could even charge a little more but I am glad it was not more than 23,000.

Ryan M.

The Mazda cx 3 cost me 23,000 total with taxes and warranty. It is a very good value for the luxury of this style of car. I got the Grand Touring.

Stephanie M.

Frequently Asked Questions

Problem with air conditioner in 2016 Mazda CX 3. Was there a recall or alert about condenser? Car has only 19,000 miles.

Answer: As the driver of a Mazda CX3, You may have found Yourself in the situation of having a car that no longer puts out cool air from the air conditioning system. As a result, You are understandably concerned about...

What are some of the 2016 Mazda CX 3 air conditioning problems?

Answer: The 2016 Mazda CX3 air conditioning problems are faulty evaporator or odor from vents. You will come across a few annoying noises from the air conditioner. Loose mounting bolts will become a nuisance. A bad...

What's the 2016 mazda cx 3 oil type?

Answer: For best results, Mazda recommends using a full synthetic motor oil of the Ow-20 viscosity grade. They also strongly recommend purchasing our oils from a reputable manufacturer such as Castrol or Motorcraft....

See all Frequently Asked Questions

Answers are provided by third parties. We do not guarantee accuracy of responses

Safety & Reliability

NHTSA Crash Test

(Not Rated)

*National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

IIHS Crash Test

Moderate Overlap Front

Side

Roof Strength

Driver-side Overlap Front

*Insurance Institute for Highway Safety