Mazda Resale Value: These Models Lose the Least After Five Years
While Mazda's total sales volume in the US is smaller than heavyweights like Toyota or Honda, it has steadily been growing its market share over the past decade, and we wanted to see if this increased demand translated into lower depreciation for used models as well.
It's not all that surprising that Mazda has seen an increase in sales over the years. It has carved out a niche as the more premium alternative to rivals like Toyota, while delivering handling and driving dynamics at least on par with Honda's offerings. This mix has worked well across its entire product lineup, and avoiding constant changes has helped its older models stay fresh and, as we found in a recent comparison, it's helped reliability, too.
A strong reputation for quality and reliability has a direct impact on the secondary market, and to get a more accurate picture to how this translates into used car prices, we looked for the five Mazda models with the best resale values over a five-year period using historical data from AutoTempest. Our average pricing data comes from actual vehicle sales over the past year. New price figures and vehicle specs were from the manufacturer.
Mazda MX-5 Miata
- Fourth Generation (ND): 2016–Present
- Average Used Price (5 Years Old): $25,352
- 2021 New Price (Inc. Dest Charges): $27,800 – $36,095
- Retained Value: 79.3%
The MX-5 Miata is the Porsche 911 of affordable roadsters. It's the best-selling roadster globally, and it does very well on the used car market, too. Thanks to an extremely long production run, the MX-5 also offers solid reliability and even the older models look fresh and contemporary. Its depreciation has been remarkably low, far outperforming most new cars on the market over the past five years.
The RF trim offers a retractable hardtop, and regular updates have made the newer models that much sharper to drive, but any fourth generation MX-5 will put a big smile on your face on every trip. The 2019 models got Apple CarPlay and a power bump from 155 to 181-hp, while the 2021 models we are looking at here got wireless Apple CarPlay as a standard feature on higher trims.
Mazda3 (Hatchback/Sedan)
- Fourth Generation: 2019–Present
- Average Used Price (5 Years Old): $19,729
- 2021 New Price (Inc. Dest Charges): $21,625 – $34,825
- Retained Value: 69.9%
The Mazda3 has been around since 2019, yet it still looks as fresh as they day it was launched, especially the hatchback, with its swoopy lines and sporty rear end styling. A long production run, reliable underpinnings and minimal visual changes all help keep used values high, and the Mazda3 is the perfect example of a recipe done right the first time.
For 2021, Mazda added an optional turbocharged engine to the lineup and combined with AWD it made for a great all-weather performance car. Most Mazda3s were fitted with either a 2.0 or 2.5-liter naturally aspirated four-cylinder engine, which provide adequate performance with decent fuel economy. Combined with those stunning looks, luxury-esque interior, and an enjoyable driving experience, these models are still highly regarded on the used car market.
Mazda CX-5
- Second Generation: 2017–2025
- Average Used Price (5 Years Old): $22,711
- 2021 New Price (Inc. Dest Charges): $26,545 – $38,680
- Retained Value: 69.7%
The CX-5 is Mazda's best seller. While a new model has just been introduced for 2026, the outgoing generation is still a solid buy, and has proven very popular on the secondhand market over the years. Very well-sorted underpinnings give it above average reliability, and the quality of the interior on higher trims rivals much pricier luxury brands.
Aside from the quiet ride and upmarket cabin, the CX-5 is also great to drive, something that's not always a given at this end of the market. So, if you're after a cost-effective family car, then the second-generation CX-5 is hard to beat.
Mazda CX-30
- First Generation: 2020–Present
- Average Used Price (5 Years Old): $20,029
- 2021 New Price (Inc. Dest Charges): $23,225 – $35,225
- Retained Value: 68.5%
Slotting just above the CX-3, the CX-30 was a great step up from its sibling and other small hatchbacks and crossovers when it weas launched in 2020. Offering that same mix of upmarket materials, and great driving dynamics of its larger CX-5 sibling, the CX-30 has been a popular model for years. While a 2.5-liter inline-four is standard, a turbocharged version producing 250-hp was also available, turning this practical little SUV into a fun and practical performer. Its values are just as impressive, with the average CX-30 depreciating just over 30% over five years.
Mazda CX-9
- Second Generation: 2016–2023
- Average Used Price (5 Years Old): $24,394
- 2021 New Price (Inc. Dest Charges): $35,335 – $47,980
- Retained Value: 58.6%
The CX-9 was Mazda's flagship three-row SUV until it was recently replaced by the CX-90, but it remains a great value used buy. Introduced in 2016, the CX-9 embodied many of the traits that have made Mazda's smaller models so popular; namely a highly quality interior, and sporty driving dynamics. In addition, it came with plenty of standard kit and that extra row of seats gave it an edge over its smaller stablemates.
The turbocharged four-cylinder engine was shared across several other Mazda models, as was the six-speed automatic transmission. So, it offers solid reliability, too, something its CX-90 replacement is still struggling with as the platform matures.
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This story was originally published May 7, 2026 at 9:00 AM.