2026 MAZDA MAZDA3

When shopping for a compact car, it might be tempting to go with one of the more popular options that everybody buys. While the Mazda3 might not have the sales numbers of some of its more mainstream competitors, it’s worth serious consideration. We love the versatility in its model range. It’s available with a hatchback or sedan body, an automatic or manual transmission, and there’s a lively turbo engine available, making it one of the most exciting compacts in its class. That means there’s something in the Mazda3 lineup for just about anyone in the market for a small, affordable, and practical car.

We’ve spent hundreds of hours driving and evaluating this generation of compact cars, including the Mazda3.

For the 2026 model year, the Mazda Harmonic Acoustics 8-speaker audio system now comes standard, while a Bose 12-speaker system remains optional.

The 2026 Mazda3 starts at $25,785 for the sedan. The hatchback starts $1k higher. The top Turbo Premium Plus model begins at $37,975.

Pricing for the Mazda3 is pretty much in line with the rest of the compact car segment, priced very close to the Honda Civic. Slightly more affordable options in this class include the Hyundai Elantra and Kia K4.

Before buying a Mazda3, check the Kelley Blue Book Fair Purchase Price to know what you should really pay. Mazda3 resale value is below average for the segment. Recouping more money when selling a vehicle can mean a bigger down payment and lower monthly payments on the next one.

The 2026 Mazda3 is powered by a 186-horsepower 4-cylinder engine matched with a 6-speed automatic transmission and front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive. The Mazda3 has outstanding driving dynamics, no matter how it’s optioned. It’s comfortable in daily city and highway driving, but entertaining when asked to do more. Most compact cars benefit from nimble handling, but the Mazda3’s chassis and suspension design deliver responsiveness and agility without sacrificing suppleness or poise. This ability to accommodate the demands of a wide range of driving styles makes the Mazda3 special.

The available 250-hp turbo engine (using 93 octane gas) that comes with the Turbo Premium Plus trim turns up the adrenaline significantly. It boasts more horsepower than the Honda Civic Si and more torque than the Hyundai Elantra N. This turbo engine quietly makes the Mazda3 one of the most exciting cars in its class.

All-wheel drive is an uncommon option in this class, and it greatly improves the Mazda3’s all-weather versatility for drivers in snowy climates. We wish it were more widely available than just in the Carbon Edition and Turbo Premium Plus models, but we’re happy that it’s available at all.

Fuel Economy

The Mazda3 returns up to 27 city/37 highway/30 combined mpg with the sedan body, while the hatchback gets up to 26 city/34 highway/29 combined mpg. The base engine with all-wheel drive gets up to 26 city/34 highway/29 combined mpg, while the turbo engine returns up to 23 city/32 highway/27 combined mpg.

These fuel economy ratings are about average for a compact car. However, it’s worth noting that the Honda Civic, Toyota Corolla, and Hyundai Elantra all have hybrid variants available, and the Mazda3 doesn’t.

Mazda, punching above its weight class in terms of interior quality, even applies to its most affordable model. The Mazda3’s cabin feels like something from a more expensive car, from its smart design to its high-quality materials. This is especially true in the upper trims, which unlock premium features like leather seats, Bose 12-speaker audio, wireless charging, and a 10.25-inch infotainment screen.

Sedan or hatchback, rear legroom is the same at 35.1 inches. That’s just okay for the compact car class. The Hyundai Elantra and Kia K4, for example, have 38 inches, and the Honda Civic boasts 37.4 inches. The Mazda3 sedan’s trunk has 13.2 cubic feet of space, which is also a bit small for this class. For reference, the Honda Civic’s trunk has 14.8 cubic feet of room.

Naturally, the hatchback has more cargo space than the sedan. It has 20.1 cubic feet of room behind the rear seats, which is still a little small compared to the 24.5 cubic-foot cargo hold in the Honda Civic hatchback. The key advantage of the Mazda3 hatchback over the sedan is its 47.1 cubic feet of maximum cargo space with the rear seats folded down.

The big decision is whether to choose the sedan or hatchback version of the Mazda3. We’re partial to the hatchback, which has a shorter overall length (that means more garage space) while offering more cargo space. However, we wouldn’t blame you for choosing the handsome, more conventionally styled sedan.

Mazda Connect infotainment systems
Two different infotainment systems are available in the Mazda3, and we like both. The standard 8.8-inch screen uses a multifunction command knob, while the 10.25-inch screen on the turbo models upgrades with touchscreen capabilities when using wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay.

Available i-Activ AWD
All-wheel drive is an uncommon option in this class, and we’re happy to see it available on the Mazda3. It’s ideal for drivers who want the all-weather traction of all-wheel drive but don’t want an SUV.

Exciting turbo engine
The available 250-hp turbocharged engine turns the Mazda3 into a veritable sport compact. It adds to the driving excitement without sacrificing its daily practicality or fuel economy (too much).

i-Activsense safety features
The standard safety tech suite in the Mazda3 includes driver assistance features such as automatic emergency braking, full-speed adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, and automatic high beams. Additional optional features include blind-spot monitoring and an adaptive front lighting system.

Two body styles
The Mazda3 offers two distinct body styles. The sedan is more affordable, but the stylish hatchback adds greater versatility with more cargo space.

Carbon trims
The Carbon Edition and Carbon Turbo models enhance the Mazda3’s sporty aesthetics with special paint colors, black wheels, gloss black exterior trim, and unique interior touches like red contrast stitching in the Carbon Turbo trim.

Most Mazda3 models are powered by a 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine rated at 186 hp and 186 lb-ft of torque. A more energetic turbo engine is available, making 250 hp and 320 lb-ft of torque when fed premium gas (regular works too, but you need premium to unlock its full performance potential).

Front-wheel drive is the standard setup. All-wheel drive is available, and it’s standard on turbocharged models. Most models come with a 6-speed automatic transmission, though the Mazda3 is a rarity these days, offering enthusiasts a 6-speed manual transmission specifically on the S Premium hatchback model.

3-Year/36,000-Mile Warranty

The Mazda3 is backed by a 3-year/36,000-mile basic warranty and a 5-year/60,000-mile powertrain warranty. That coverage is typical for the segment.

Safety

The Mazda3 earned the Top Safety Pick+ (TSP+) designation from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). It also received a 5-Star overall safety rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — its highest award. The Mazda3 is well-equipped with standard safety features, including full-speed adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, automatic high beams, and driver attention alert.