2026 Mazda Mazda 3 Expert Review
Reviewed by Bob Hernandez
The sharply styled 2026 Mazda 3 handles great and is available with a turbocharged engine, but the small car skips outright sportiness for a more refined driving experience. Available as a sleek sedan or versatile hatchback, it pairs premium features with engaging performance.
Compact car competitors include the Honda Civic, Toyota Corolla, and Nissan Sentra.
What’s New
The Mazda 3 returns this year with one update: the base sound system now consists of eight instead of six speakers. Redesigned for 2019, Mazda has delivered small updates every model year to keep the compact competitive.
What We Think
Even the base trim 2026 Mazda 3 feels upscale. Sleek bodywork, high-quality materials, and excellent build quality set it apart from mainstream rivals. Mazda clearly has Acura and Lexus in its sights, not just Honda and Toyota.
Turbocharged models offer strong, satisfying thrust, but non-turbo versions can feel underpowered. Across the lineup, though, handling is sharp, braking is confident, and cabin refinement is impressive. An available manual gearbox adds welcome driver engagement.
That said, the 3 isn’t exactly sporty. The rear torsion beam suspension can feel stiff, the non-turbo AWD hatch suffers from low-speed transmission roughness, and rear-seat space trails the competition. Fuel economy is middling, and pricing skews higher than most compact sedans and hatches.
For those chasing everyday comfort with a dash of luxury, the Mazda 3 shines. But for pure practicality or budget-friendly performance, the Honda Civic or Hyundai Elantra might be a better fit.
Top-Ranked Competitors:
MotorTrend Tested
The 2026 Mazda 3’s base powertrain features a 2.5-liter non-turbocharged four-cylinder engine that produces 191 hp and 186 lb-ft of torque. Most come with a six-speed automatic transmission, but a six-speed manual is also available, though only with the FWD S Premium hatchback. In MotorTrend testing, this model sprinted to 60 mph in 7.3 seconds.
The upgrade is a turbo inline-four engine of the same size that churns out 227 hp and 310 lb-ft of torque on 87-octane gas, or up to 250 hp and 320 lb-ft on 93-octane. A six-speed automatic and AWD are standard with these variants, and equipped thusly the Mazda 3 accelerated to 60 mph in just 5.9 seconds.
In comparison, gas-only versions of the Toyota Corolla come with a smaller 2.0-liter naturally aspirated engine that makes only 169 hp and 151 lb-ft of torque. These models hit 60 mph in a slower 8.2 seconds.
MPGs and Range
Mazda 3 FWD variants with the non-turbo engine—specifically sedans—deliver the best fuel economy in the lineup. They get 27/37 mpg city/highway and as much as 409 miles of driving range. With AWD, those numbers slip to 26/35 mpg and 381 miles.
In the FWD hatchback, fuel economy is similar between versions with the automatic (27/35 mpg) and manual (26/36 mpg) transmissions, with both returning an estimated 396 miles of range. With AWD, the 3 returns 26/33 mpg and is rated for up to 368 miles of range.
Turbo models only come with AWD, getting 23 mpg city and either 31 mpg highway with the hatch or 32 mpg highway with the sedan. Range is 330 miles for the hatchback or 343 miles for the sedan.
With its smaller engine, the gas Corolla gets decidedly better fuel economy. Except for the high-performance GR trim, Corolla models come with FWD and return 32/41 mpg city/highway. The heavier XSE version of the hatchback does a little worse, getting 30/38 mpg.
Safety Ratings and Features
This Mazda 3 is a 2025 Top Safety Pick+, IIHS’ highest distinction. That goes for both the sedan and hatchback. Both versions also receive NHTSA’s top honor, a five-star overall safety rating. Standard driver-assist safety features include:
- Adaptive cruise control
- Automatic emergency braking
- Lane keeping
- A driver-focus monitor
- Blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert
- Automatic high beams
Cargo Space and Interior Room
Going with the hatchback adds almost another 7 cubic feet of cargo capacity. Rear legroom and cargo space compare favorably to the Corolla, but the Honda Civic leads the segment.
Technology
Infotainment
Base models feature an 8.8-inch central display, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and two front USB ports. A 10.3-inch infotainment touchscreen and wireless phone charging are offered on higher trims.
Sound System
The six-speaker Mazda Harmonic Acoustics audio has been retired and now the base setup is the eight-speaker arrangement that used to be the midgrade system. A 12-speaker Bose upgrade is still on offer.
Available Upgrades
Higher trims unlock heated powered front seats and wireless phone mirroring. Models above the base trim pick up a rear center console with cupholders, front seatback pockets, and an overhead sunglasses holder.
Value
Standard Features
Every Mazda 3 comes with good safety credentials and a decently spacious cabin. It’s offered as a sedan or hatchback, and with FWD or AWD. The turbo model is quick, too.
Recommended Trim
We’d take the AWD grip, the turbo’s punch, and the hatchback’s extra space, making the Mazda 3 Carbon Turbo the perfect fit.
