How Reliable is Mazda?

Mazda Motor Corporation is based out of Japan and, while some auto companies produce several different brands under their ownership umbrella, Mazda only offers the Mazda brand. The Mazda lineup includes nine models: four crossovers/SUVs, one sedan, one hatchback, two sports cars and one electric vehicle.

Mazda is a competitor of Toyota, Honda, Hyundai and Kia, and the brand is known for being affordable, safe and also offering several fuel efficient models. How reliable is Mazda? The reliability of each car could be determined by several factors. Here’s what to know about the dependability and reliability of each vehicle in the brand’s lineup.

The Most Dependable Mazda Model

One resource that consumers can access to better understand a vehicle’s reliability or dependability is data provided via J.D. Power’s Dependability Awards. Every year, J.D. Power names one vehicle in each segment/class as the most dependable. Winners are determined by scores received from thousands of owners.

Vehicles are given a composite dependability score and are assessed in three areas: Quality & Reliability, Driving Experience and Resale Value. All vehicles are three years old when they are assessed, and car owners consider any issues with their car in the past 12 months.

For the 2022 Dependability Awards, only one Mazda model was named the most dependable in its class/segment. The 2019 Mazda MX-5 Miata was named the most dependable compact sporty car. It received a composite dependability score of 84. In the area of Reliability & Dependability, owners gave it a score of 86. For Driving Experience, the Miata received a 77. However, it received an 89 in the area of Resale Value.

Is Mazda a Reliable Car? Here are Scores for Other Models

Understanding the dependability of new models could be a bit difficult. How a vehicle responds to wear and tear over time could be indicative of its dependability, durability and reliability. Unfortunately, car owners will need to assess issues over time, which is likely why the J.D. Power waits until a vehicle is three years old to gather owner data on models.

The dependability and reliability of older models might be different than newer models. Auto manufacturers could have improved the design or mechanics of the car and changes could enhance dependability over time.

However, car shoppers could review data on older models via J.D. Power to identify trends related to durability. How did each 2019 Mazda model score for dependability? Here’s the dependability data for each 2019 model.

2019 Mazda CX-3 (Small SUV)

The 2019 Mazda CX-3 ranked fifth out of 15 small SUVs that were assessed for dependability. The CX-3 received a total dependability score of 80. For Quality & Reliability, owners gave it an 83. In the area of Driving Experience, the 2019 CX-3 received a 73. It scored a 78 for Resale Value.

2019 Mazda CX-5 (Compact SUV)

The 2019 Mazda CX-5 ranked fifth for dependability when compared against 13 other compact SUVs. The CX-5 received a total dependability score of 81. In the area of Quality & Reliability, owners gave the CX-5 a score of 81. For Driving Experience, it received an 82. Owners gave it a score of 79 for Resale Value.

2019 Mazda CX-9 (Midsize SUV)

A total of 21 midsize SUVs were assessed for dependability, and the 2019 CX-9 ranked 14th. The CX-9 received a composite dependability score of 81. In the area of Quality & Reliability, it scored a 77. Car owners gave it a score of 83 for Driving Experience and an 85 for Resale Value.

In total, only four 2019 Mazda models were assessed for the 2022 Dependability Awards. However, buyers looking at these specific models could review the data to better understand the reliability and dependability; consumers also can review data related to previous model years, too.

Is Mazda Reliable? Consumer Reports Named the Brand as the Most Reliable

While the Dependability Awards are based on the assessments of owners, Consumer Reports also asked owners to weigh in on the reliability of automobiles. According to MotorBiscuit, Consumer Reports noted that both the MX-5 Miata and the CX-5 were both reliable models.

In addition, Torque News reported that Mazda bumped both Lexus and Toyota to earn the top spot for reliability by Consumer Reports.

Mazda’s Safety Ratings

Mazda doesn’t rank at the bottom of any segment for reliability/dependability. The brand is noted to be a reliable option for consumers. In addition, Mazda models also might appeal to buyers for their affordability and safety ratings, too.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) honors the safest vehicles each year with a Top Safety Pick+ rating/award. Six Mazda models received this honor for 2022 or 2023. The safest Mazda models are:

• 2022-2023 Mazda 3 4-door hatchback
• 2022-2023 Mazda 3 4-door sedan
• 2022-2023 Mazda CX-30 4-door SUV
• 2022-2023 Mazda CX-5 4-door SUV
• 2023 Mazda CX-50 4-door SUV
• 2022-2023 Mazda CX-9 4-door SUV

What is the Most Affordable Mazda Model?

Buyers who are focused on a tight budget might focus only on the price of the model. Mazda is one of the more affordable brands on the market, and the 2023 Mazda3 sedan is the least expensive model offered by the brand.

The 2023 Mazda3 sedan has a starting MSRP of $22,550. It features a 191-horsepower engine and can get an estimated 28 MPG in the city and 37 MPG on the highway. The Mazda3 also is offered in hatchback body style, although the price jumps to $23,550.

The most affordable Mazda SUV is the 2023 Mazda CX-30. It has a starting MSRP of $22,950 and offers space for five. The 2022 CX-30 received a five-star safety rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS (the 2023 model also received this IIHS honor). The CX-30 can get an estimated 26 MPG in the city and 33 MPG on the highway.

Is Mazda a Popular Brand?

The most popular vehicles in America are pickup trucks. The Ford F-Series has remained the best-selling vehicle in the country for more than four decades. Car and Driver ranked the best-selling vehicles for 2022; the Chevrolet Silverado was the second most popular vehicle for 2022, and the Ram Pickup truck was the third best-selling vehicle.  The F-Series remained in the top spot.

Only one Mazda model made the list of 25 popular vehicles. The Mazda CX-5 was the 21st most popular vehicle (more than 150K were sold). The 2022 CX-5 had a starting price of $26,250, but the new 2023 CX-5 starts at $26,700. In addition, the 2023 CX-5 has earned both a 5-star safety rating from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS. The 2022 model received a Top Safety Pick+, too.

The Electric Mazda Model

Electric vehicles are becoming more popular among consumers. The sixth most popular (or best-selling) vehicle of 2022 was the Tesla Model Y. In addition, the Tesla Model 3 was the 15th best-selling vehicle of 2022.

Mazda’s lineup includes one electric vehicle, and it’s only available in California. The MX-30 EV has a starting MSRP of $34,110. However, the range of the model might be a bit lacking for those with longer commutes; the MX-30 EV has an estimated range of only 100 miles.

What is the Best Mazda Model?

Mazda models are affordable, safe and reliable. Some also offer good fuel efficiency, ensuring that car owners save money at the pump.

Mazda’s lineup is limited to less than a dozen models. Buyers can choose from different trims for each model, but the base options for each model are fairly affordable.

Mazda’s lowest priced model in its lineup is the 2023 Mazda3 sedan which has a starting MSRP of $22,550. The most expensive model in the lineup is the 2023 Mazda CX-9, which starts at $38,750. The CX-9 is a three-row SUV that has space for up to seven.

Buyers also could choose to shop used or pre-owned Mazda models to find price points that meet their budget needs. Prices can vary for used inventory based on the model, age, condition and mileage.

Used inventory also could be an ideal option to find discontinued Mazda models. Mazda used to produce a minivan model called the Mazda MPV—the 2006 model was the final year for the MPV. Hotcars compiled a list of discontinued Mazda models; the Protégé, Sentia and other models might be available on the used market.

Car shoppers can use Carzing to find new or used Mazda models. Search by model, and then set parameters based on price or other criteria. Carzing also gives buyers the option to sort their results to see the best cars at the top of their page.

Once buyers find the Mazda model they want to purchase, they can use Carzing to get pre-qualified for financing. Buyers can review all the loan options for which they might qualify; they can find the loan with the lowest monthly payment, lowest APR or the best terms.

Take the details of the financing to the dealership to get approved and, hopefully, drive out of the dealership in a new or used Mazda.