Autoblog and Yahoo may earn commission from links in this article.The Mazda 3 stands out in the compact car segment for its blend of engaging driving dynamics, eye-catching styling and everyday practicality. The current fourth-generation Mazda 3 debuted for the 2019 model year and that should bode well for reliability, but this is a seriously competitive segment filled with rivals like the Honda Civic, Toyota Corolla, Subaru Impreza, Hyundai Elantra, and Volkswagen Jetta. There is no doubt that the Mazda 3 is engaging to drive and offers an interior that looks like it's from one class up, but how does it compare in long-term dependability? We analyzed quality and reliability ratings from J.D. Power along with predicted reliability scores from Consumer Reports to find out.The Mazda 3 Model RangeMazdaView the 3 images of this gallery on the original articleMazda 3 ModelEnginePowerTorque0–60 mphBase MSRP2.5 (FWD/AWD) Manual/Auto2.5-liter 4-cylinder186 hp186 lb-ft7.0-7.5 sec$24,650 sedan$25,650 hatchback2.5 Turbo (AWD) Automatic2.5-liter turbo 4-cylinder250 hp320 lb-ft5.6 sec est$39,940 sedan$38,090 hatchbackThe current Mazda 3 lineup has undergone some changes over its production run, but at its core is a naturally aspirated 2.5-liter inline-four that produces 191 hp. Both a hatchback and sedan body style are on offer, and a turbocharged 250 hp version of this engine is available on upper trims. This is one of the quickest cars in its class and takes on rivals like the Volkswagen Golf GTI and Hyundai Elantra N.AdvertisementAdvertisementA six-speed manual is available on the base hatchback model, while the rest of the Mazda 3 range gets a six-speed automatic. Front-wheel drive (FWD) and all-wheel drive (AWD) layouts are available depending on trim, and standard features across the range include advanced safety tech, Apple CarPlay/Android Auto integration, and an 8.8-inch infotainment touchscreen upgradable to a 10.3-inch version on higher trims.Mazda 3 ReliabilityMazdaView the 3 images of this gallery on the original articleConsumer Reports Predicted Reliability ScoresModel YearCR Predicted Reliability201939/100202037/100202137/100202286/100202358/100202464/100202574/100202662/100As is often the case with a new model range, the Mazda 3 suffered from some poor reliability scores in its first few years of production. Mazda persevered with regular updates and by 2022 the Mazda 3 was one of the most reliable compact cars on the market.AdvertisementAdvertisementIt has retained a decently high level of reliability based on owner feedback since then. The Mazda 3 is currently one of the most reliable Mazda models on sale.J.D. Power Quality & Reliability ScoresMazdaMazda 3 Model YearJ.D. Power Quality and Reliability Score2019n/a202082/100 (Great)2021n/a202281/100 (Great)202374/100 (Average)202477/100 (Average)202577/100 (Average)202677/100 (Average)J.D. Power evaluates automotive dependability through two primary metrics: the Initial Quality Study (IQS), which tracks mechanical and design issues reported by owners during the first 90 days of ownership, and the Vehicle Dependability Study (VDS), which assesses long-term reliability after three years. Its results show a slightly different trend, with earlier model years scoring higher overall. The current 77/100 result is considered average on J.D. Power's measuring scale, and while it still has room for improvement, the consistent results are indicative of a well matured product range.AdvertisementAdvertisementThe three most frequent complaints reported by Mazda 3 owners involve infotainment and electrical glitches, and durability issues with paint and interior trim. The mechanical components have proven to be robust and generally give few issues.2026 Mazda 3 RivalsKristen Brown/AutoblogView the 3 images of this gallery on the original articleMake and ModelCR Predicted ReliabilityJ.D. Power Quality and Reliability ScoreMazda 362/10077/100 (Average)Honda Civic61/10084/100 (Great)Toyota Corolla76/10081/100 (Great)Subaru Impreza80/10083/100 (Great)To get a more rounded view of the Mazda 3's reliability, it needs to be compared to its closest rivals. The Subaru Impreza and Toyota Corolla both score highly with owners in both the Consumer Reports and J.D. Power surveys, while the Honda Civic loses out by one point to the Mazda in the CR scoring, but gets the highest rating of all four vehicles here from J.D. Power.Unfortunately, despite the Mazda 3's long production run and relatively decent reliability scores in isolation, it is relegated to last place here. For reference, the worst performers in this segment are the Volkswagen Jetta (36/100 CR score) and the Kia K4 (59/100 CR Score).Is The Mazda 3 Reliable?Thanks to well-proven underpinnings and a long production run, the Mazda 3 delivers better than industry average reliability scores. While the results from these two reliability surveys suggest that long term reliability has improved or at the very least stabilized, the Mazda 3 cannot match the solid reliability ratings of top performing rivals like the Toyota Corolla and Subaru Impreza.AdvertisementAdvertisementThis doesn't necessarily make the Mazda 3 an unreliable vehicle, but based on real-world owner feedback, you are more likely to experience a problem owning a Mazda 3 than you would if you picked one of the segment leaders.This story was originally published by Autoblog on Sep 7, 2026, where it first appeared in the Features section. Add Autoblog as a Preferred Source by clicking here.