2026 Mazda3 sedan review: The driver's choice

Mitchell Weitzman

8 minutes ago

6 min read

A terrific driving compact that still comes up little short

2026 Mazda3 sedan review and photos by The Road Beat

2026 Mazda3 sedan review by The Road Beat

As superlative as the Mazda3 is to drive, it probably isn't the first choice for many shoppers looking for an economical sedan. After a week behind the wheel of this 2.5 S Carbon Edition Sedan with AWD flavor of Mazda3, several reasons became apparent, albeit with varying degrees of justification. Anyone who chooses Mazda's 3 has made a bona fide great decision on a great car, but for the majority of drivers, there are probably better all-around options.

Picks

Standing out as the defining feature of the Mazda3—and really any Mazda—continues to be the driving experience. Every little part of the mechanical equation seems to work together for the greater good. If you've ever driven a bog-standard Corolla, the Mazda will feel akin to a Le Mans racer. Okay, it's no 787B with its brap-brap-brap four-rotor, but it's all relative. You get the point.

Sublime steering is but just the first ingredient. From the first turn of the wheel, you start to understand that this is more than just another econobox. There's real weight and a natural progression in steering effort, with even some feedback coming through the wheel that tells you about the road surface and what the tires are doing. Where other cars feel like toys, the Mazda feels real and substantial—not just using an Xbox controller on Forza.

2026 Mazda3 Carbon Edition interior and review | The Road Beat

As I said, steering is just one vital ingredient, even if it's the most inspiring. Pulling and operating the six-speed automatic's gearstick has a satisfying sense of connectivity, too, and never feels flimsy. The automatic's 'tiptronic' manual mode is properly arranged, with upshifts requiring a pull backwards and downshifts a nudge forwards, just like a sequential 'box on real race cars. The shifts are not quick being a basic torque converter auto, but it responds cleanly to manual inputs and can make B-roads that little bit more involving. Further, the throttle and brake pedals are intuitive, making it easy to modulate inputs. This is a car where all the points of interaction come together in a soothing, unexpected harmony.

None of this is merely for show, either. Take the Mazda3 down a backroad, and its zoom-zoom DNA is very much alive, with inspiring handling and character from the chassis and optional AWD system. It's not the outright grip that impresses so much as how natural the package feels as you throw it from corner to corner, reveling in its neutral balance and willingness to charge towards apexes. Comparing this to an E46 or E90 BMW really isn't hyperbole; the Mazda isn't that far off. Like those esteemed Germans, the Mazda3 doesn't make you say, "wow, that was fast," as much as, "wow, that felt good."

2026 Mazda3 Carbon Edition red leather seats

This was my first time experiencing Mazda's entry-level 2.5-liter engine rather than the hotter turbocharged option, but even without forced induction, it's a smooth, balanced engine with enough motivation for daily driving. The sound isn't bad for a four-cylinder, either, even as the revs rise. Even in base form, it blows the doors off what a Corolla offers as standard with its 186 peak peak horsepower and equal 186 lb-ft.

I also love the soft materials throughout the interior, which give the cabin a properly upscale vibe. Red leather seats definitely command visual attention, but the car simply feels more premium than rivals in both observation and operation. Physical buttons and knobs handle climate and volume, while the clickwheel controller behind the gearstick means you don't have to awkwardly reach forward and distract yourself with a

touchscreen.

2026 Mazda3 Carbon Edition Polymetal gray metallic exterior rear three quarter

Yes, some will hate the rotary clickwheel, but I find it refreshing and it allows more attention on driving thanks to the muscle memory it encourages. There's something to be said for not having to stare at a screen while your fingers flail around like you're trying to conjure a genie out of a lamp. There is a learning curve to their system, but the payoff is an easier way of living for me.

The back seat offers decent legroom and comfort for a compact car, while the front seats are well-positioned and comfortable, with a moderate amount of support. The biggest surprise, though, is the trunk. For such a small sedan, the boot is frankly massive at 13 cubic feet of available space.

AWD isn't commonplace among smaller and cheaper cars unless your name is Subaru, and fortunately the Mazda's system is a proper full-time AWD a proper setup rather than an afterthought for competence in trickier climates.

Nicks

The Mazda3 might sound like a dream come true for the $30K commuter, but a few notable shortcomings could steer buyers away from its excellent handling and driving characteristics.

Considering this car has the base engine and considerably less power than the turbocharged models available from Mazda, its fuel economy is ultimately underwhelming. Highway mileage is fine, but after a week of normal mixed driving, I averaged just 28 MPG. That's disappointing for the class and well behind what Honda and Toyota can offer with their hybrid and even some non-hybrid options.

2026 Mazda3 sedan carbon edition interior dashboard and controls

Back in 2021, I averaged an astounding 35 MPG overall in a Civic Touring with its 1.5-liter turbo engine. Civic Hybrids, Corolla Hybrids, and even Elantra Hybrids can top 40 MPG in the right circumstances. So, if you're buying an affordable car that's easier on the wallet, chances are you'll also want to spend less at the gas pump. Sadly, the Mazda 3, in all its flavors, trails the competition in that department.

Despite my praise for the near-luxury interior, which certainly makes an excellent first impression, I noticed a couple of rattles around the cabin on neighborhood roads, and the door panel had some flex to it each time you pulled the door closed. Even with leather and other high-quality touches, these little details leave me less confident about how well the interior will hold up over time and whether everything is as tightly assembled as it could be. Hondas and Toyotas, for example, usually have zero rattles on the same roads.

Some drivers might also simply hate the clickwheel for the central display. The good news is you can enable touchscreen operation, but it's the the screen's positioning in the dash that makes it awkward to reach and use that way. Clearly, the system wasn't originally designed around touchscreen interaction. It's not inherently a bad system outright, but the operational design won't suit everyone.

I also found that this particular car never automatically loaded my iPhone and CarPlay wirelessly upon startup. Blame the software on a press vehicle if you like, but every single time, I had to scroll into the phone menu and select my phone manually, despite being the only person and phone in the car. The system could also be sluggish at times. Whether it is firmware on the car or phone side, I can't say definitively, but I have not experienced this on any other car let alone other Mazdas.

Polymetal gray mettalic 2026 Mazda3 carbon edition sedan exterior front three quarter

Lastly, the Mazda's sporty, athletic character comes at a cost: choppy ride quality. Even on freshly paved routes, the 3 feels stiffer and harsher than its alternatives as it transmits the presence of even pebbles and hairline cracks in the asphalt to your backside. It's incredibly composed and controlled, but that's the price you sometimes pay for such capable handling. In fact, I'd argue that it rides harder over bumps than some sports cars.

And to clarify, the suspension never crashes over potholes nor is it unsettled over larger bumps; it just rides a little stiffer all of the time even on the modest 18-inch alloys.

Small changes would make this a world conqueror

If Mazda could improve the ride quality, eke out a few extra MPG, and offer an updated infotainment system yet retaining the choice of physical controls—this would easily be one of the best cars in its class and perhaps the ideal small sedan for enthusiasts.

The problem is that Honda has an absolutely excellent Civic. It looks great, drives exceptionally well in its own way, consumes less fuel, and gives a stronger impression of build quality. For someone who wants a compact sedan that does nearly everything well without really any compromises, the Civic makes an awfully compelling case. However, a Civic does not offer AWD.

2026 Mazda3 sedan carbon edition interior review

I love the Mazda 3, but this experience reinforces my belief that the real way to enjoy one is in turbocharged form. It costs more, but the extra power is a better match for the chassis, and the fuel economy penalty is relatively modest on paper (26 vs 28 MPG overall in past testing). That's the version I'd want, and there currently isn't a direct peer offering quite the same combination of performance, refinement, and handling in a premium, compact sedan.