Used Mazda CX-3 for sale: everything you need to know

It takes a lot to stand out in the compact SUV class, but the Mazda CX-3, sold in the UK between 2015 and 2021, managed to find its own spot in the market with its classy styling inside and out, and it was better to drive than most of the alternatives too.

Mazda went its own way with the engines too, largely avoiding the trend for turbocharging small engines, and fitting larger, non-turbocharged units instead - something it did to maximise real-world economy rather than numbers that look good in a brochure but aren’t so easy to hit in the real world.

Almost every manufacturer offers a car in this class at the moment so you’re spoiled for choice if the CX-3 doesn’t quite suit your needs. The Nissan Juke is a big seller in this segment, as is the Renault Captur and more recently, the Ford Puma, while the likes of Citroen, Peugeot, Kia, Hyundai and several more all offer alternatives too.

Should you buy a Mazda CX-3?

In global terms Mazda is pretty tiny for a car company, but it often punches above its weight when it comes to the quality of its cars. One example of this is the Mazda MX-5, a relatively affordable sports car in a market almost devoid of them, but the Mazda CX-3 sold between 2015 and 2021 shows that Mazda can make impressive products in more popular segments too.

It’s not quite as spacious as some rivals, and couldn’t quite match the value for money of others. But the CX-3 is attractive inside and out, was well built, and one of the better cars in its class to drive, with sporty handling that doesn’t compromise on ride quality either.

Another Mazda characteristic is doing things a little differently from most brands, and the CX-3 ticks that box too. Rather than a lineup of 1-litre or 1.2-litre turbocharged petrol engines like many rivals, the CX-3 offered 2-litre, naturally-aspirated petrol engines (plus a couple of diesels over the years). Mazda called it ‘right-sizing’ in contrast to the ‘down-sizing’ of other companies, the aim being good real-world economy rather than unattainable brochure figures, and it works too - you should be able to match the official high-30s and low 40s mpg figures pretty easily.

There’s good front passenger space, but the CX-3 isn’t quite as accommodating in the rear as some other cars in this class, and the boot is only average for models this size. It’s comfortable, refined, and well-equipped though.

The big players in this class are the Nissan Juke, Peugeot 2008, Renault Captur, and lately, the Ford Puma. The Ford is probably the sportiest-feeling car in this class while the Peugeot and Renault get closest to matching the Mazda’s inviting cabin feel. But you’re really spoiled for choice in this segment - other alternatives include the Hyundai Kona, Kia Stonic, Volkswagen T-Cross, Skoda Kamiq, SEAT Arona, Citroen C3 Aircross, and Honda HR-V, and that’s not an exhaustive list.

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What’s the best used Mazda CX-3 model to buy?

With a relatively small choice of engines and trim levels we’d recommend keeping it simple. While the 121PS 2-litre petrol in front wheel drive form won’t worry any hot hatchbacks for straight line performance, it loses little to the more powerful AWD version and is more economical, which makes it a sensible buy unless you really need the extra driven wheels.

As for equipment, we’d trade up to at least SE-L specification for a few extra toys, and the later versions of this trim (SE-L Nav and SE-L Nav+) are better equipped still, so if you’re able to stretch to a newer CX-3, these are the ones to go for. Do keep an eye out for a good deal on a Sport Nav+ though, particularly if the first owner opted for the classy stone leather trim.

Used Mazda CX-3 fuel economy and performance

• Mazda CX-3 2.0 Skyactiv-G 2WD: A 2-litre engine seems pretty healthy for a car in this class but Mazda often does without turbocharging, so the 121PS output in front-wheel drive models is more what you’d expect from a smaller turbocharged engine. With a 6-speed manual Mazda claimed 0-62mph in 9 seconds and 9.9 seconds for the 6-speed automatic. Combined economy was 42.8mpg for the manual, 39.2mpg for the auto.
• Mazda CX-3 2.0 Skyactiv-G AWD: Opt for all-wheel drive and the same 2-litre petrol engine developed 150PS. Once again available with manual or automatic gearboxes, the former could accelerate from 0-62mph in 8.8 seconds, and the latter 9.7 seconds, with 38.2mpg and 34.9mpg economy respectively.
• Mazda CX-3 1.8 Skyactiv-D 2WD: The diesel CX-3 came in front wheel drive and manual form only, making 115PS and getting from 0-62mph in 9.9 seconds. The official combined economy figure was 54.3mpg.

What used Mazda CX-3 trim levels are available?

The Mazda CX-3 trim level lineup was fairly straightforward throughout the car’s time on sale in the UK, broadly following an SE, SE-L, and Sport structure. Later versions added navigation to the infotainment system and therefore the ‘Nav’ suffix (just like you’ll find on other Mazdas), and Mazda later added the ‘+’ suffix too, as it added extra equipment, which are the models you’ll see below. As a result some used models may have less kit than those listed here, but most essential equipment has been included since the start.

• The Mazda CX-3 SE Nav+ came with plenty of equipment from the off, including 16-inch alloy wheels, heated and power folding door mirrors, air conditioning, cruise control with a speed limiter, a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment display, and built-in navigation.
• The Mazda CX-3 SE-L Nav+ added LED foglights, auto headlights and wipers, climate control, heated front seats, rear privacy glass, rear parking sensors, and lane departure warning.
• The Mazda CX-3 Sport Nav+ upgraded to 18-inch alloy wheels, adaptive LED headlights, cloth and leatherette-trimmed seats, keyless entry, a reversing camera, a heated leather steering wheel, and 7-speaker Bose audio. Mazda kept its options lists simple but buyers could also specify full leather trim, and a safety pack with features like blind spot monitoring and city brake alert.

Used Mazda CX-3 dimensions and boot size

The Mazda CX-3’s dimensions are:

• Length: 4275mm
• Width: 1765mm (without mirrors)
• Height: 1535mm

The Mazda CX-3’s boot size is:

• 350 litres (AWD 287 litres)
• 1260 litres with the rear seats folded (to roof, AWD 1197 litres)

Used Mazda CX-3 road tax

If you’re looking at a Mazda CX-3 registered prior to April 2017, then its VED or ‘road tax’ bill will depend on the model’s official CO2 emissions. After this date, the system moves to a fixed annual rate of tax, which currently stands at £180 per year for all petrol and diesel vehicles.

How much is it to insure a Mazda CX-3?

Early 1.5-litre diesels are among the cheapest CX-3s to insure, starting in insurance group 15 for a car in SE spec, with the 2-litre petrol just above them in group 17. A later 2-litre petrol in SE Nav+ trim is group 18, but things don’t go up much from there - an AWD 2-litre in Sport Nav+ trim is also group 18. These numbers are slightly higher than you’ll get from a Nissan Juke of equivalent age, which went from around group 11 to 17 depending on engine and trim level (excluding performance models, which have no equivalent in the CX-3 range).

Read our full Mazda CX-3 review