Model comparison
INFINITI Q50 vs Mazda Mazda3
Depreciation, used prices, ownership costs and model-year data compared
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Mazda Mazda3 Depreciation & Resale Value
Buying a 2018 model instead of new saves roughly $4,655 off the original sticker.
The Mazda3 is a compact car sold as a sedan and hatchback with an emphasis on handling and interior quality.
Market context: The cohort includes the 2019 move to a new generation and preserves both body styles.
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Compare the Mazda Mazda3 with its closest rivals
Open a side-by-side comparison of five-year value retention, depreciation by model year, used asking prices, repair costs, MPG and safety data.
At a glance
Key takeaways
Biggest drop
2019→2018
+17.6% in one year
Smart-buy year
2018
~$15,435 median
Depreciation by Model Year
| Model year | Depreciation from MSRP |
|---|---|
| 2019 | 16.7% |
| 2018 | 34.3% |
| 2017 | 39.7% |
| 2016 | 46.0% |
| 2015 | 53.7% |
Based on 660 real used-car listings. Each listing's price is adjusted to a standard 12,000 mi/year for its age and compared to the vehicle's original MSRP; figures reflect a 5% asking-to-sale estimate.
Resale Value by Age
Estimated value of a typical Mazda Mazda3 as it ages, from a ~$23,800 new price.
| Age | Retained | Est. value | Lost that year | Total lost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 yr | 97% | $22,960 | −$840 | −$840 |
| 2 yrs | 87% | $20,788 | −$2,172 | −$3,012 |
| 3 yrs | 79% | $18,820 | −$1,968 | −$4,980 |
| 4 yrs | 72% | $17,039 | −$1,781 | −$6,761 |
| 5 yrs | 65% | $15,427 | −$1,612 | −$8,373 |
| 6 yrs | 59% | $13,967 | −$1,460 | −$9,833 |
| 7 yrs | 53% | $12,645 | −$1,322 | −$11,155 |
| 8 yrs | 48% | $11,448 | −$1,197 | −$12,352 |
Interactive tool
What's your Mazda3 worth?
Estimate a used Mazda3's value from its year and mileage, using our depreciation model.
Estimated value
$11,450
about typical mileage
At 96,000 miles (about typical for a 8-year-old car, ~96,000 mi). Estimate only — actual value depends on condition, trim, options, and local demand.
Should You Buy a Used Mazda Mazda3?
If you're shopping for a Mazda Mazda3, it's an average bet for resale. The smartest pick is a 2018 (around $15,435) — it sits just past the steepest depreciation, so the first owner already absorbed the biggest loss. Favor the Touring trim for the best resale, and always pull a vehicle-history report before buying.
Pros
- Proven longevity — examples regularly list past 150,000 miles and still sell for around $9,450.
- The Touring trim holds its value best if resale matters to you.
Watch-outs
- The steepest single-year drop hits between 2019 and 2018 — buying brand-new costs you that loss.
What Affects Mazda Mazda3 Resale Value
The steepest single-year drop happens between the 2019 and 2018 model years, when depreciation jumps 17.6% points. That makes the 2018 Mazda3 a value sweet spot — the previous owner absorbs the worst of the drop, and you still get a relatively recent car.
Not all trims age alike — the Touring retains the most value (~34.7% depreciation) and the s Touring the least (~58.8%), a gap worth thousands when you resell.
Which Mazda Mazda3 Trims Hold Value Best
Share of original MSRP retained, averaged across model years.
Touring
65.3% kept· 155 listings
Sport
65.3% kept· 80 listings
Touring 2.5
61.7% kept· 13 listings
Grand Touring
60.8% kept· 84 listings
i Sport
52.8% kept· 115 listings
i Touring
51.2% kept· 106 listings
i Grand Touring
46.1% kept· 53 listings
How Long Does the Mazda Mazda3 Last?
Mileage profile across 663 listings.
Over 100k mi
43.4%
Over 150k mi
9.2%
Highest mileage
269,313 mi
Price at 120k+ mi
$9,450
Roughly 43.4% of listed Mazda Mazda3s have already crossed 100,000 miles, and 9.2% are past 150,000 — a sign these go the distance with maintenance.
Smartest Year to Buy
The 2018 Mazda Mazda3 sits just past the steepest depreciation drop, with a typical asking price around $15,435 — about $4,655 off its original MSRP.
View 2018 details →Price & Depreciation by Year
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best year to buy a used Mazda Mazda3?
The 2018 Mazda3 is the value sweet spot: it sits just past the model's steepest one-year depreciation drop, so the first owner has already absorbed the biggest loss. Expect to pay around $15,435 for a typical example, and the Touring trim will hold its value best from there. As always, a well-maintained, accident-free example with average mileage for its age is worth paying a little more for than a cheap car with a questionable history. Whatever year you settle on, budget for a pre-purchase inspection — at a couple hundred dollars, it's the cheapest insurance against an expensive surprise down the road.
Which Mazda Mazda3 trim holds its value best?
The Touring retains the most value, depreciating about 34.7% on average across model years in our data. Trim choice can swing resale by thousands of dollars over a few years, because desirable trims stay in demand on the used market while stripped-down or niche trims sell at a discount. It's also worth comparing the trim premium new versus used — a pricier trim sometimes depreciates enough to become the smarter used buy. If you expect to resell, the Touring is the safer bet; if you're keeping the car long-term, buy the trim with the features you actually want and worry less about resale.
Methodology
Depreciation is computed from 660 real used-car listings. Each listing's asking price is normalized to a standard 12,000 miles per year for the vehicle's age, adjusted by a 5% asking-to-sale estimate, and compared against the original base MSRP for that VIN's trim. Headline 1/3/5-year figures reflect a smoothed retention curve fitted across all model years (the typical trajectory); individual years in the table above can run above or below it with market conditions. Full methodology. Updated August 2026.