2014 Mazda3 Review: Dependable, Comfortable & Upscale Compact Car

The 2014 Mazda3 lasts around 250,000 miles with only minor brake and touchscreen issues. At $10,425 to $14,575, it’s a great value for a reliable compact car with a high-quality interior.

Is the 2014 Mazda3 a Good Used Car?

• Overall Rating 8/10 – 2014 is a great year for the Mazda3, a combination of dependable motors and good safety features, it earns a high overall rating. Owner reviews praise the efficient engines, stereo system, and luxury materials.
• Interior, Comfort & Cargo 8/10 – Interior materials are a step above other compact cars, seats are comfortable for long trips, although it has less cargo space than average.
• Reliability 8/10 – There are no widespread mechanical problems on the 2014 Mazda3. We recommend avoiding Mazda3 models from 2010, which have issues. Buyers should go with a 2011–2020, which are all better.
• Performance 6/10 – Both of the 4-cylinder engine options are lacking the power found on some of the other popular compact cars from 2014.
• Safety 9/10 – The Mazda3 gets a perfect 5-star overall rating in all government crash tests. Optional safety features include collision warning, blind spot monitoring, a rearview camera, and collision mitigation with automatic braking.
• Gas Mileage 8/10 – Fuel economy is excellent at up to 34 MPG, giving 445 miles of range from the 13.2 gallon tank. Gas prices are $58 cheaper than average, at $143 per month.
• Value 8/10 – A combination of low prices and average ownership costs make the Mazda3 a great long term value if you can find one with under 100,000 miles.

What Do Critics Say About the Mazda3?

• Consumer Reports says the Mazda3 combines sportiness and efficiency with good owner satisfaction scores.
• Edmunds rates the Mazda3 4.4/5, praising the responsive steering, although they don’t like the noisy engine.
• Kelley Blue Book users give the Mazda3 a 4.5/5 enjoying the new technology features, but owners don’t like the small rear seats.

What Common Problems Does the 2014 Mazda3 Have?

The common problems found on the 2014 Mazda3 include premature brake wear, touchscreen failures, and rusting on the underbody. Overall, these problems are minor compared to other compact cars from 2014 with average repair costs.

Premature brake wear is a complaint from owners at around 35,000 miles. Stock brake pads tend to wear out quicker than on some other cars. Replacing the pads costs around $150, although if you need new rotors that’s an additional $400. Some aftermarket pads and rotors last longer than the stock parts as well.

Touchscreen failures are reported by some owners in the first 50,000 miles. First the touch screen features stop working, then the screen stops turning on entirely. Changing out the screen for a new one costs $800 to $1,200 depending on local labor rates.

Underbody rust is another issue according to owners in the first 25,000 miles. There are a lot of steel components used on the drivetrain of the Mazda3 which rust out if they’re exposed to a lot of snow and salt. Some owners get an undercoating done to help prevent rust from forming in the first place for about $500.

There are 3 recalls, and nearly all of them are serious compared to other compact cars from 2014. The most urgent recall is for a fuel leak which could result in a fire. Mazda will replace the fuel tank on affected models. Other recalls cover the alternator, which can wear out, along with the parking brake actuators which corrode.

How Long Will the 2014 Mazda3 Last?

A well-maintained 2014 Mazda3 should last around 250,000 miles, which is only slightly shorter than the highly-rated Toyota Corolla. Regular annual maintenance costs are similar to other compact cars, according to data from Repair Pal, at $440 per year.

Since many used 2014 Mazda3 models will have over 100,000 miles buyers should be prepared to replace items including the water pump for $550, horn relay costing around $60, and the power seat motor which costs about $350.

How Is the Technology?

Entertainment technology is good in the Mazda3 with an available 7-inch touchscreen stereo system. The safety technology is excellent with optional blind spot monitoring, rearview camera, lane departure warning, adaptive cruise control, and automatic braking at low speeds.

Is the 2014 Mazda3 a Good Value?

Yes, the 2014 Mazda3 is a good value since they have relatively low ownership costs. Blue book prices range from $10,425 to $14,575, making it more expensive than a Honda Civic or VW Jetta. When new, the price range was $16,945 to $24,595. Depreciation is similar to average, losing about 10% of its current value per year.

What are the Different Models of the Mazda3?

There are six models of the Mazda3 offered for 2014 from the base 3i SV sedan all the way up to the more luxurious 3s Grand Touring.

3i SV is the entry-level model with:

• 16-inch Steel Wheels
• Cloth Seating
• Power Windows & Locks
• 4-Speaker AM/FM Stereo with USB & 3.5mm AUX

3i Sport is a step up, adding:

• Cruise Control
• Folding Rear Seat
• Bluetooth Connectivity & CD Player

3i Touring is next in the lineup with:

• 16-Inch Alloy Wheels
• Keyless Ignition
• Rear Spoiler
• Leather Steering Wheel
• Blind Spot Monitoring System

3i Grand Touring adds features such as:

• Leatherette Seating
• Heated Front Seats
• Power Driver’s Seat
• Rearview Camera
• 7-Inch Touchscreen Display
• 9-Speaker Bose Stereo

3s Touring has a larger engine and adds:

• 18-inch Alloy Wheels
• Paddle Shifters
• Bi-Xenon Headlights
• LED Tail Lights

3s Grand Touring is the flagship model and has:

• Premium Leather Seating
• Sunroof
• Automatic High Beams
• Adaptive Cruise Control
• Pre-Collision Braking

What Engines Come In the Mazda3?

• The base engine is an average 2.0L 4-cylinder which makes 155 horsepower and gets up to 34 MPG.
• An available upgrade is the stronger 2.5L 4-cylinder which generates 184 horsepower and gets up to 32 MPG. Performance is slower than average, taking 8.1 seconds to go from 0-60 MPH.

What Colors Does the Mazda3 Come In?

How Comfortable Is the Mazda3?

The 2014 Mazda3 is very comfortable with higher quality materials than other compact cars available in the same price range. There’s room for up to 5 people, and the seats are supportive, yet soft.

Passenger room is great in both the sedan and hatchback models with enough leg room to fit taller adults in the back seats.

How Much Storage Space Does the Mazda3 Have?

Cargo space is lower than average in the sedan with enough room for 3-4 suitcases. The hatchback has a decent amount of space with room for 5-6 suitcases behind the seats, and over 10 with the seats folded flat.

What Are the Differences Between Years?

The third generation of the Mazda3 was introduced in 2014, which was replaced by the fourth generation in 2019.

2012: New 2.0L 4-cylinder engine added, and minor exterior styling changes.

2013: Larger navigation screen, and USB audio input added.

2014: Fully redesigned for third generation with new engines and electronics.

2015: Manual transmission added to 2.5L engine.

2016: SV model discontinued, rearview camera added as standard.

2017: Minor front & rear bumper updates, new steering wheel, updated dashboard.

How Does the Mazda3 Compare to the Competition?

The Mazda3 ranks among the best compact cars from 2014, offering dependable engines and a more upscale interior than its competitors.

The Mazda6 is another sedan built by Mazda which costs about $1,000 more. Passenger room is better in the Mazda6 since it’s a larger sedan, but the Mazda3 has more responsive steering. We recommend the Mazda3 for most people since ownership costs are slightly lower.

The Honda Civic is another competitor in the same price range. Performance is better in the Honda Civic, but the Mazda3 has a much nicer interior for the money. We recommend the Honda Civic since ownership costs are slightly lower, but you can’t go wrong with either long-lasting compact car.

Do Owners Recommend the Mazda3?