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

Dakota W on January 10, 2025

I bought a used 2016 Mazda Cx-3 Grand Touring with 120k miles on it. My Hyundai Elantra got totaled and I could only afford a new car with higher mileage. I always knew my next car would be a Mazda. I’ve owned it for 4 months which doesn’t seem like but I’m already so much happier with it than my Hyundai. My Hyundai has less miles on it and it needed a new engine a month after owning it and it was so unreliable. Since I’ve owned this Mazda I’ve had zero problems, super reliable so far. It’s very fun to drive, the acceleration is smooth and quick, turning is smooth. Only small complaints like my horn is VERY QUIET, you can’t even hear the horn if my music is on at all, so it’s a little bit of a safety issue when I can’t use my horn. I would like to have more middle console room as wel but the rest of the interior is spacious. The driver seat can’t be a bit difficult to adjust to your liking as well. Even with higher mileage and being a 2016 I already love how reliable it’s been! That’s the main thing I look for in a car. My next new car will definitely be a Mazda!

passenger on August 28, 2022

This review of the 2016 GS model with upgrades comes on the heels of an over 3200km/1988 mile road trip.When you notice the deficiencies you miss in a daily driver. The car's 146hp engine was felt when trying to pass on the highway as it needed 3000RPM to just move while sounding stressed. To aid in The seats are terrible,where you FEEL the lack of fill as the road trip lengthens.Add no lumbar support. Navigation,OMG,the true test is when you need it away from your home region where you're familiar. Apple CarPlay had to do the heavy lifting throughout the trip since Mazda's infotainment was unreliable,it was incapable of finding cities we needed to navigate to while in another city/province.The nav.was UPDATED to the latest version.Cup holders in the middle console cannot support our ~32oz water bottles (Contigo Westloop,Hydro Flask).The in door storage couldn't hold them either.Not having water bottles secured while on a long road trip,dangerous. 2016,how does a N.Am.vehicle not have water bottle holders that fit 32oz? I am not suggesting Mazda,or any manufacturer needs ones that will hold my 64oz Yeti. Wipers, considering they were replaced within a year with a service on a low mileage vehicle,they streaked to the point where visibility was compromised. Where the CX3 shined,gas mileage. It was within +/- one to two liters of the rated 6.7L/100km when faced with head winds,or steep uphill climbs where some freight trucks had to pull over,or severely reduce speed to not over heat their engine.

D on December 16, 2020

This car has met all my needs so far. Great in the snow with all wheel drive.. Not alot of leg room in the back but otherwise very comfortable.

Tom Manfredini on November 22, 2020

The Mazda CX-3 has been the most reliable and low maintenance I have owned. Great handling and enjoyable to drive with great customer service from dealer.

TJ on November 20, 2020

Coming from an Audi - I was looking for something that would be just as comfortable and easy to live with, but a little more affordable. The AWD system is really quite impressive for what the vehicle is. I live in the Northeastern USA and we have some pretty darn harsh winters and this car has had zero trouble in in-climate weather and sub zero temps. I am 68,000 miles into ownership and it has been consistently reliable. I will say however that build quality is lacking - my left headlight is full of condensation and has already been replaced once. Additionally, as the vehicle ages, interior panels are vibrating upon acceleration which is simply unpleasant. The center armrest... a truly problematic element of this interior. If you are someone who is looking to purchase a pre-owned CX-3, go for a 2019 or newer and dodge the center console disaster bullet. Regardless, this car easily achieves 30MPG on average, is greatly practical, great in the snow, extremely comfortable and value packed. I would buy another Mazda but I am missing Audi ownership so I will probably replace this with an Audi Q5 here in the coming years.

Kirri on September 24, 2020

I bought the car brand new and since then have had nothing but trouble. The car has needed new engine replacement and then a new fuel injection put in. Also both rear seat belts have needed to be replaced and now it needs a new i stop battery which Mazda will not replace under warranty. I have only ever taken the car into the Mazda dealer for services and still they will not give me copies of what has had to be replaced and have nothing to say about the continuous issues this car has had. I would not recommend the CX3. I also know of other people who have had similar problems with this model and just had to cut their losses and sell car for a lot less then previously valued and got another car ( not Mazda) but unfortunately I am not in the position to do that. After speaking to head office Mazda I told them all the problems with car and they really don't care and now the car just came out of warranty if these things keep happening it will start costing me a fortune to fix.

John on June 27, 2020

My only complaint is the tires....have had pressure problems from the start...and $275 cost to replace a single tire seems exorbitant. Other than that...very happy with the car.

Christopher T on February 21, 2020

This subcompact SUV, is just what I was looking for. I traded in my GMC Terrain for this,and love it,no complaints. The (only)complaint is the arm rest. But,it does what its supposed too. It's fast,and just handles like a sports car. I purchased the Grand Touring AWD and its fully loaded. The best in its class. No negative reviews, I checked.

Michaelvgreco on February 6, 2020

I like this car as not only is it fuel efficient, but it rides like a sports vehicle overall especially on the highway. I wish there was more trunk room overall, but I love the interior design and how there is red leather mixed into the dash board overall.

Aston Ryle on January 29, 2020

This car has met all of my needs & expectations for a first car. i absolutely love this purchase and all that came with it.