The compact Mazda 3 has been around for almost 20 years now and shows no signs of stopping. This compact and fun car has enjoyed lasting popularity with the public and critics alike—both the 2020 and 2021 model years of the Mazda 3 were named a Car and Driver’s Editors’ Choice, with a 9/10 score for both years.

Shopping used is a great way to save money on a car, and if you’re looking for a used Mazda 3 you might be wondering how the two years compare. Here to give you a hand with just that is

Jerry

, the

reliable car insurance super app

. We’ll take a look at the differences and similarities between the two models so you can make an informed choice, and then we’ll tell you how you can quickly and easily lower your

Mazda 3 insurance costs

2020 Mazda 3 vs. 2021 Mazda 3: what’s the difference?

The Mazda 3 is a sporty yet compact car that comes in both a sedan and a hatchback version. As the manufacturer's only offering that isn’t an SUV or a sports car, the Mazda 3 competes with industry stalwarts like the

Honda Civic

Toyota Corolla

, and

Nissan Sentra

Did the Mazda 3 change much between 2020 and 2021? On the surface, not so much. But 2021 brought two new engine choices and the addition of several trim levels, so there were more options to be had in 2021.

Want to know the deets? Let’s take a look!

Pricing

The Mazda 3 was available as a sedan or a hatchback for both 2020 and 2021. There were only four trim levels for each body style in 2020, but 2021 brought a lot more choices.

Here’s a breakdown of the pricing of each body style:

Hatchback Model	2020 MSRP	2021 MSRP
Mazda 3 Hatchback 2.5 S	N/A	$23,645
Mazda 3 Hatchback Base	$21,500	N/A
Mazda 3 Hatchback Select	$22,700	$24,845
Mazda 3 Hatchback Preferred	$24,200	$26,495
Mazda 3 Hatchback Premium	$26,500	$28,995
Mazda 3 Hatchback 2.5 Turbo	N/A	$32,045
Mazda 3 Hatchback 2.5 Turbo Premium Plus	N/A	$34,895

Sedan Model	2020 MSRP	2021 MSRP
Mazda 3 Sedan 2.0	N/A	$21,645
Mazda 3 Sedan 2.0 S	N/A	$22,645
Mazda 3 Sedan Base	$22,445	N/A
Mazda 3 Sedan Select	$23,620	$23,845
Mazda 3 Sedan Preferred	$25,120	$25,495
Mazda 3 Sedan Premium	$27,420	$27,995
Mazda 3 Sedan 2.5 Turbo	N/A	$31,045
Mazda 3 Sedan 2.5 Turbo Premium Plus	N/A	$33,595

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The addition of several trim levels complicates an apples-to-apples comparison a bit, but it’s safe to say that the 2021 models were more expensive pretty much across the board. 2021 also brought a few trim levels that crossed the $30,000 + MSRP, which the 2020 model year did not.

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General specs

There was a hatchback and a sedan body style available for each year, and the ever-rarer manual transmission was an option for both years, but only on the hatchback. Both model years are part of the third generation of Mazda 3 that was introduced in 2019. The exterior styling didn’t change all that much over the years.

The most significant difference between the 2020 and 2021 Mazda 3 was the addition of two new engine options for the 2021 year. For 2020, you had but one choice—but in 2021, there was a trio of engines to choose from.

When combined with the increased options for trim levels, buyers in 2021 had a lot more choices as to how to configure their Mazda 3.

	2020 Mazda 3	2021 Mazda 3
Base engine	2.5-liter four-cylinder engine (186 horsepower)	2.0-liter four-cylinder engine (155 horsepower)
Mid-level engine	N/A	2.5-liter four-cylinder engine (186 horsepower)
Top-level engine	N/A	2.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine (250 horsepower)
Transmission	Automatic on sedan, automatic or manual on hatchback	Automatic or manual, varies with engine, drivetrain, and body style
Drivetrain	All-wheel drive available with automatic transmission	Front-wheel drive only for base engine, all-wheel drive available on the other two engines

Fuel economy

Is either of these model years less painful to take to the gas station? Let’s see! The EPA fuel economy ratings for each engine can be found below:

2.0-liter four-cylinder engine (28 city/36 highway/31 combined)

2.5-liter four-cylinder engine (26 city/35 highway/30 combined)

2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with AWD (25 city/33 highway/28 combined)

2.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine with all-wheel drive (23 city/31 highway/26 combined)

Both the 2020 and the 2021 Mazda 3 share the same 2.5-liter engine, so your mpg numbers will be identical. But with the 2021 model year, you do have the option of getting a little better mileage with the 2.0-liter engine or a little bit worse mileage with the turbocharged version.

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Are Mazdas good cars?

Safety ratings

Mazda has a strong reputation for safety and the Mazda 3 more than lives up to the family reputation. Both the 2020 and 2021 Mazda 3 received five stars in every category from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Both years also earned a Top Safety Pick Plus from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), which is the highest ranking they award.

Mazda began including a full suite of driver and safety assistance features on the Mazda 3 in 2020, so both years have standard features, such as:

Automated emergency braking with pedestrian detection

Automated high-beam headlights

Adaptive cruise control

Lane departure warnings with lane-keeping assist

Drowsy driver monitor

Frontal collision mitigation

As far as safety ratings are concerned, both model years are stellar options.

MORE:

Are Mazdas expensive to maintain?

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Styling and interior changes

Besides the added engine and trim options, there aren't a ton of discernible differences between the two years. Both years have well-equipped cabins that feel a lot more expensive than they are.

One other thing that they have in common is that in order to get some of the most desirable features, you have to opt for a higher trim level.

Available features include:

Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity

Head up display

Sunroof

Heated seats

Leather upholstery

12-speaker Bose audio system

Dual-zone climate control

Surround view camera system (2021)

Traffic jam assist (2021)

Heated steering wheel (2021)

Universal garage door opener (2021)

If you like to max out on options and features, then the 2021 model year gives you a few more bells and whistles.

Both years are nicely equipped and offer a level of style that feels much posher than the price tag would suggest.

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Mazda 3 trunk space

2020 Mazda 3 vs. 2021 Mazda 3: which should you buy?

They’re both great cars, so it really depends on what you want! If you don’t feel the need to have a more powerful engine or an ultra-fancy trim level, then the 2020 Mazda 3 is the more cost-effective choice.

But if you crave some extra oomph under the hood and the latest gadgetry, then the 2021 Mazda 3 is the model year for you.

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How to save on Mazda insurance

One of the things that make Mazdas so popular is their value—you get quite a bit more than what you would expect for the price! When you shop for your car insurance with

Jerry

, you’ll likely have the same experience!

As a

licensed insurance broker

, Jerry compares policies from more than 50 of the best car insurance companies in the nation and brings you a selection of the best to choose from.

The average Jerry shopper saves more than $800 a year on their car insurance, which is money you can put towards upgraded coverage—and maybe some fun accessories for your Mazda 3!

“
Jerry
brought my insurance deductible down from $2.5k to $1k without me having to switch companies. I even had a ticket on my record. If it can help me, Jerry will definitely help you save money.” —Maxwell N.

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