Believe it or not, there was once a time when Mazda manufactured cork materials rather than cars. That’s right, one of the leading manufacturers of automobiles once made cork insulation and materials for ships. Lucky for the rest of us, they shifted gears and have since become a brand that generates automotive excitement. I’ve always been impressed with what Mazda brings, and the 2026 Mazda3 is no exception.
The next time you plan on hitting up your local Mazda dealer, you might want to consider what the Mazda3 offers. Competing directly against the Honda Civic, the sedan and hatchback exhibit the style and substance that all drivers crave. The vehicle’s exterior design has curves in all the right places, and its interior exhibits style and sophistication. Drivers have two powertrain choices, one offering remarkable fuel economy and another exquisite performance to match its design. Technological innovation has always been Mazda’s strong suit, and the features that maintain connectivity and provide safe travels are just as impressive.
Let’s break down the performance, interior, and technology that the Mazda3 brings to the table in 2026. Everyone needs a vehicle to get around town, but Mazda can facilitate travel while making you look good at the same time.
Agile and Exciting Performance
Each driver has their own preferences when examining a vehicle they want to buy. Some might argue that price is the first thing to consider, while others might attest that looking sharp takes precedence. I insist that performance is the make-or-break aspect. The modern driver doesn’t want something too slow, nor do they want something so quick that it guzzles fuel with reckless abandon. Luckily, the 2026 Mazda3 has two options for you to choose from. Whether you’re looking for a little boost in your commute or a means to save money between trips to the pump, Mazda has you covered.
The base engine of the Mazda3 is a SKYACTIV-G 2.5L I-4 engine that pairs with a six-speed automatic transmission, with a six-speed manual option available in the hatchback. The base engine is by no means a slowpoke, producing 186 hp and 186 lb-ft of torque, plenty in the way of performance that never gets boring behind the wheel. The base engine thrives on providing excellent fuel economy. FWD models of the Mazda3 hatchback achieve 26 MPG in the city and 34 MPG on the highway for a combined MPG of 29. Equipping the base engine with available AWD barely hinders fuel economy. AWD versions achieve that same highway MPG, allowing 25 MPG in the city for a combined MPG of 28. The sedan gets slightly better mileage, while the manual transmission gets slightly less, but all versions of the Mazda3 deliver similarly excellent fuel economy, especially for a car that’s not a hybrid.
Mazda has always been adept at performance. Just ask anyone who fondly remembers the RX-7’s heyday in the 1980s, or the Miata since the 1990s. Drivers who want more exhilaration behind the wheel can opt for the 2.5L Turbo Premium Plus trim, which, as its name suggests, has a more potent powertrain. The trim-exclusive engine takes the form of a turbocharged SKYACTIV-G 2.5L I-4. Producing 250 hp and 320 lb-ft of torque, the engine spares nothing regarding excitement. While a manual transmission is not available, paddle shifters, which are only available with this engine, help you select the correct gear yourself. Matched exclusively with AWD, it’s what you need for complete domination of the road.
Behind the Wheel
Like other sedans and hatchbacks in its class, the Mazda3 provides seating for five. How comfortable you want to be on the road ahead depends on what trim you choose, but each has features to ensure a pleasurable commute. Most trims feature dual-zone climate control, ensuring that drivers and passengers can travel at a comfortable temperature.
Seating and upholstery vary by trim. Some trims get leatherette-trimmed seats, while the top-tier version gets an upgrade to perforated leather trim. Most trims have heated seats, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, and gear selector.
Younger drivers, in particular, love having access to tech-savvy features and their favorite apps, accessed through the infotainment screen. Most trims come with an 8.8-inch screen with voice recognition and a one-year subscription to Mazda Connected Services. All trims integrate with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, but only the Carbon Edition trim and up offer wireless phone charging. Upper trims get a more immersive infotainment experience, access to SiriusXM, and a windshield-projected full-color Active Driving Display to help you keep your eyes on the road. The top-tier trim gets a larger 10.25-inch display screen for a more visual experience.
Much like the powertrains that appeal to different drivers, the Mazda3 has two different stereo systems with a discernible level of audio excitement. Most trims come with an eight-speaker system. A Bose system with twelve speakers, accompanied by Centerpoint and Audiopilot technology, is available on the top two trims.
The main difference, of course, is between the sedan and hatchback body styles. Some drivers like a traditional sedan, while others prefer the practicality of a hatchback. The interior dimensions are almost identical in both models except for cargo capacity. The sedan offers 13.2 cu.ft. of cargo space with the back seats in place, while the hatchback expands this to 20.1 cu.ft. You won’t miss out on anything, whichever version of the Mazda3 you choose.
Staying Safe on the Road
Every 2026 Mazda3 has blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert, which are imperative for maintaining visibility. Families who live in highly populated residential areas can’t do without these crucial items. Lane-keep assist and lane departure warning are also included to help you maintain a proper position in your lane. Reaction time is also crucial to a safe driving experience. All trims have Mazda’s radar cruise control with stop-and-go technology (sometimes referred to as adaptive cruise control), which alters vehicle speed in accordance with traffic patterns to help you follow at a safe distance.
To ensure you stay alert behind the wheel, driver attention assist monitors steering patterns and issues a warning when fatigue might be setting in. Upper trims have more advanced safety technologies. These include traffic sign recognition, front and rear parking sensors, and a 360-degree monitoring system.
The Final Verdict on the 2026 Mazda3
At the risk of sounding negative, sedans and hatchbacks sometimes feel like endangered species. There are still plenty of makes and models on the road, but more and more drivers are abandoning them in favor of scaled-down SUVs. If you ask me, the Mazda3 injects much-needed excitement into the vehicle class.
The Mazda3 balances performance and economy by offering drivers two unique powertrains that accommodate both needs. An exciting exterior design and comfortable interior loaded with amenities are enough to satisfy any driver, regardless of what they might be looking for. In an age where brands bury safety features into high-priced trims, Mazda is making more of them standard, ensuring that all drivers get the right amount of protection and oversight, regardless of how much they spend on a vehicle. The 2026 Mazda3 meets all the needs of a modern driver.
