Honda Civic vs Mazda Mazda3
Compact cars · head to head, 2010–2027
The Honda Civic and Mazda Mazda3 were both sold for 18 model years (2010–2027). Among the Civic's own years, its best bet is 2020; years to avoid: 2022–2023; the newest year rated a good buy is 2025. Among the Mazda3's own years, its best bet is 2017; no year to avoid; the newest year rated a good buy is 2025.
Honda Civic
Car · 2010–2027
- Best bet 2020
- Newest good buy 2025
- Avoid 2022–2023
- Be careful 2024
Mazda Mazda3
Hatchback · 2010–2027
- Best bet 2017
- Newest good buy 2025
- Avoid none
- Be careful 2019
How to read this: each model's verdicts compare that model's own years with each other (serious owner complaints per car on the road against that model's usual year, using New York registrations). They are not a reliability ranking of one model against the other, so a good-buy Civic year says nothing about whether it beats a Mazda3. (How we judge.)
Year by year, side by side
| Year | Honda Civic | Mazda Mazda3 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2027 | Not rated | Not rated | Side by side |
| 2026 | TOO NEWOnly 1.1 years of owner reports | TOO NEWOnly 1.1 years of owner reports | Side by side |
| 2025 | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 1.5× usual, mostly steering and collision avoidance | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 1.0× usual | Side by side |
| 2024 | CAREFULSerious complaints 1.3× usual, mostly steering and collision avoidance | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 0.5× usual | Side by side |
| 2023 | AVOIDSerious complaints 3.0× usual, mostly steering and collision avoidance | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 0.5× usual | Side by side |
| 2022 | AVOIDSerious complaints 5.6× usual, mostly steering and collision avoidance | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 1.0× usual | Side by side |
| 2021 | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 0.9× usual | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 1.2× usual | Side by side |
| 2020 | BEST BUYSerious complaints 0.7× usual | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 1.0× usual | Side by side |
| 2019 | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 1.0× usual | CAREFULSerious complaints 1.9× usual, mostly brakes and engine | Side by side |
| 2018 | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 1.0× usual | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 0.3× usual | Side by side |
| 2017 | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 0.7× usual | BEST BUYSerious complaints 0.3× usual | Side by side |
| 2016 | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 1.1× usual | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 0.4× usual | Side by side |
| 2015 | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 0.5× usual | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 0.5× usual | Side by side |
| 2014 | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 0.4× usual | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 0.6× usual | Side by side |
| 2013 | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 0.3× usual | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 0.5× usual | Side by side |
| 2012 | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 0.4× usual | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 0.7× usual | Side by side |
| 2011 | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 0.4× usual | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 0.6× usual | Side by side |
| 2010 | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 0.4× usual | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 1.1× usual | Side by side |
Each chip rates that year against the same model's other years. Tap a chip for the year's details; "Side by side" compares both models that year, trim by trim.
Compare any year, trim by trim
2026: the newest shared year with full data, at a glance
Newer years (up to 2027) have thinner price and equipment data for one or both models, so this table uses 2026. Use "Compare any year" above for the others.
| 2026 Honda Civic | 2026 Mazda Mazda3 | |
|---|---|---|
| Our verdict (vs the model's own years) | TOO NEW | TOO NEW |
| Starting price (MSRP range) | — | $24,650 to $38,090 base price by trim, 11 trims |
| Engines and horsepower | 1.5L 4-cyl turbo, 200 hp 2.0L 4-cyl, 141–315 hp 2.0L 4-cyl hybrid, 141–315 hp 2.0L 4-cyl turbo, 141–315 hp manual available | 2.5L 4-cyl 2.5L 4-cyl turbo manual available |
| Fuel economy (EPA combined) | 24–49 mpg | 26–30 mpg |
| Seats | — | 5 |
| Third row | — | No |
| Cargo behind last row | — | — |
| NHTSA crash rating | 5 of 5 stars | 5 of 5 stars |
| Recalls · owner complaints (NHTSA) | 0 · 29 | 0 · 1 |
Sources: OpenSpec and the makers' equipment guides, NHTSA vPIC, EPA and NHTSA ratings. Cargo, towing and bed length rows appear when we have them. "—": not in our data. Compare every 2026 trim →
Key features: base trim vs top trim
| Civic Sport Hatchback first listed | Civic Type R last listed | Mazda3 Sedan 2.5 S lowest price, $24,650 | Mazda3 Hatchback 2.5 Turbo Premium Plus highest price, $38,090 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wireless Apple CarPlay | No | Standard | Wired only | Standard |
| Adaptive cruise control | Standard | Standard | Standard | Standard |
| Blind-spot warning | Standard | Standard | Standard | Standard |
| Heated front seats | No | No | — | Standard |
| Ventilated front seats | No | No | — | — |
| Sunroof or moonroof | No | No | — | Standard |
| 360-degree camera | No | No | — | Standard |
| Power liftgate or tailgate | No | No | — | — |
| Remote start | Standard | No | — | Standard |
"Standard" and "Optional" are for that trim as the 2026 data lists it (a package or option adds an "Optional" item); "—": not verified in our sources, never a guess. The cheapest and most expensive trim of each model; every trim is on the model's 2026 page (Civic, Mazda3).
Known fixes and extended coverage
Honda Civic
19 manufacturer programs on file: 19 extended coverage, 0 repair programs.
- Extended coverage As a result, tiny holes may develop in the condenser tube walls that allows the refrigerant to leak out. American Honda is extending the warranty on the A/C condenser to 10 years from the original date of purchase with unlimited miles. (A19-091, 2016–2021 models)
- Extended coverage Today, May 28, 2021, American Honda is announcing a warranty extension for certain 2018-2020 Accord and Accord Hybrid, 2018-2020 Civic, 2017-2021 Civic Hatch, 2017-2021 Civic Type R, 2018-2021 Clarity PHEV, and 2019-2021 Insight vehicles.… (ABOM05282021, 2017–2021 models)
- Extended coverage The majority of the compressors returned were analyzed and proven leak free. (APaS02052020901, 2016–2020 models)
- Extended coverage Due to a new North America regulation which introduces a new refrigerant and oil requirement the compressor shaft seal may leak. American Honda is extending the warranty on the A/C compressor shaft seal from the original 3 years to 10… (A23-039, 2016, 2019–2021 models)
Mazda Mazda3
17 manufacturer programs on file: 10 extended coverage, 7 repair programs.
- Extended coverage CSP13 - CUSTOMER SERVICE PROGRAM - MAZDA CONNECT INFOTAINMENT SYSTEM LIMITED WARRANTY EXTENSION As a result of a Mazda Connect Infotainment Class Action settlement, Mazda Motor Corporation has decided to implement a Customer Service… (CSP13, 2014–2022 models)
- Extended coverage Mazda Motor Corporation has decided to conduct a Special Service Program (SSP) to extend the warranty coverage for a specific repair of the fail-safe thermostat in the coolant control valve on certain CX-5, Mazda3, CX-3, Mazda6 and CX-30… (SSPD8, 2019–2025 models)
- Extended coverage Repairs are not to be made unless there is a confirmed low-pressure fuel pump failure within the coverage period. (CSP12, 2017–2021 models)
- Extended coverage Subject: - Takata Inflator Special Service Program (Extended Warranty) Special Service Program SSPB3: In December 2017 Special Service Program SSPB3 - Takata Inflator Extended Warranty was announced. The extended warranty was a result of… (SSPB3, 2010–2013 models)
From manufacturer bulletins filed with NHTSA, counted per program. A count is how many programs exist, not how good or bad a model is: a maker that extends coverage is paying for a known problem. A dealer can look up whether a car has had the work done or is still covered.
Which should you buy?
- Buying used, years both are rated a good buy: 2010–2018, 2020–2021, 2025. In those years, choose on price, size and features.
- Shopping around 2023: the Mazda3 is rated good buy (serious complaints 0.5× usual), while the Civic is rated avoid (serious complaints 3.0× usual, mostly steering and collision avoidance). Each against its own other years.
- Shopping around 2022: the Mazda3 is rated good buy (serious complaints 1.0× usual), while the Civic is rated avoid (serious complaints 5.6× usual, mostly steering and collision avoidance). Each against its own other years.
- Years to skip: Civic 2022–2023.
- Newest year rated a good buy: Civic 2025; Mazda3 2025.
- Best EPA combined rating in 2026: Civic at 49 mpg (Mazda3: 30), for the most efficient version of each.
- Before you buy either: run the VIN for open recalls and ask the dealer whether the extended-coverage repairs above were done.
Rules applied to the data on this page: no overall winner is declared, because our verdicts compare each model with itself.