2016 Mazda Mazda3 – The coolest family car under $18K?

This week the 2016 Mazda3 won an award for being cool and also an award for being a great family car.

Do family car buyers have to buy frumpy, boring vehicles? Apparently not. This past week Parents Magazine named the 2016 Mazda3 its Best Hatchback choice. The magazine had good reason to select the Mazda3 as its top compact and we agree with the selection. What we find intriguing is that the same car was also named the number one most cool car under $18K by KBB. Normally we don’t associate “cool” with the term family car, but why not?

In defense of Parents Magazine’s choice, the Mazda3 is one of the least expensive compact vehicles with active safety systems like forward collision prevention and dynamic headlights. These modern safety options plus the Mazda3’s tops crash test scores on every test have earned it the highest possible safety rating, the IIHS top Safety Pick Plus designation for 2016. Safety should be every family car buyer’s first priority and the Mazda3 checks that box.

Family cars buyers also want value and affordability. Here the Mazda shines as well. With a 41 MPG Highway fuel economy rating, the Mazda3 is a true fuel sipper. Parents also points out that the Mazda 3 is ready for a “…ginormous Costco run” with its easy to load hatch and 60/40 split folding rear seats.

Over at KBB, the editors point out that the Mazda3 has earned a spot in its 10 Coolest Cars Under $18K list every year in its existence (13). They love the Mazda3 and had this to say about it: “Gorgeous and sporty outside as well as inside, the Mazda3 backs it all up with fun-focused driving dynamics.”

Rarely does a single car lend itself well to buyers looking for a cool ride and also to families looking for value and safety. Great job Mazda.