Credit the folks at Mazda for blessing their customer base with an abundance, which in this case pertains to the compact Mazda3.
Available as either a four-door sedan or sleek-looking hatchback, the Mazda3 can be powered by a choice of two engines, equipped with either a front- or all-wheel-drive system, and fitted with a six-speed automatic transmission or, on select hatchback models, a six-speed stick shift.
The more, the merrier, says I.
Mazda’s littlest five-passenger vehicle has long been a favorite of ours, featuring sleek exterior styling (particularly in the case of the hatchback), premium-level cabin design and appointments, nimble handling, amusing turbocharged acceleration and enough cargo capacity to make them useful for out-of-town adventures.
Last redesigned in 2019, the current 2026 iteration of the Mazda3 is largely unchanged from the previous year’s. There are two principal trim levels from which to choose — 2.5 S and 2.5 T — that are differentiated by engine choice, with the former getting a normally aspirated 2.5-liter inline-four (186 horsepower and 186 foot-pounds of torque) and the latter a turbocharged version of that engine (227 horses and 310 foot-pounds of torque, although higher-test fuels can increase output).
Atop all that, Mazda also offers a range of trim packages — Select Sport, Preferred, Carbon Edition, Premium and Premium Plus — that add various creature comforts, interior and exterior detailing, and mechanical enhancements.
S-trimmed samples can be had with either a standard FWD or an optional AWD system. Turbocharged T-trimmed models get AWD as standard equipment. Both are fitted with a six-speed automatic transmission, with six-speed manual offered for the non-turbocharged, Premium-trimmed hatchback variant.
Pricing starts at around $26,000 for entry-level S-trimmed models, which boast a fairly long list of standard equipment, including the base engine, a set of 16-inch alloy wheels, an 8.8-inch infotainment interface with center console-mounted controller, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, cloth upholstery and an eight-speaker sound system.
Regardless of trim, both the sedan and hatchback versions are equipped with an array of safety-sensing systems such as smart cruise control, lane-keeping assist, forward-collision mitigation, blind-spot warning and driver alertness monitoring.
The various trim packages enhance the list of standard goodies, adding such items as the turbocharged engine and AWD, a power-adjustable driver’s seat with memory, heated front seating, a powered sunroof, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, a wireless charging pad, larger wheels and so forth.
Our top-of-the-line 2.5 T Premium Plus tester included nearly everything on Mazda’s wishlist. In addition to the punchy turbo-four engine and AWD system, it featured a dashboard-mounted 10.25-inch infotainment screen, Bose premium audio, auto-dimming rearview and sideview mirrors, a heated steering wheel, leather upholstery, 18-inch alloy wheels, satellite navigation, steering wheel-mounted paddle shifters (although we would have preferred the stick shift, thank you), an enhanced suite of safety-sensing tech, a 360-degree exterior camera array and more.
All that wonderfulness padded the asking price, with the bottom line rising to nearly 40 grand — a number that not so long ago was considered premium-level. But as we’ve bemoaned in this space before, it’s still well below the now-average $50,000 mark for a new vehicle.
That being said, our turbocharged Mazda3 went a long way toward justifying its stickered price, delivering smooth, swift and comfortable daily transportation with enough nimble handling to lump it in the same category as, say, the Volkswagen GLI that we recently tested. Factor in its winter-conquering AWD system, and the Mazda actually noses ahead of its German competitor.
The peppy turbo-four delivered power in a smooth and linear fashion with little in the way of turbo lag. A roughly 5.5-second run to 60 mph was more than quick enough to handle highway passing and merging maneuvers, which along with a responsive chassis made for an enjoyable driving experience.
The imaginatively designed cabin represents another bang-up job from the Japanese automaker. Instrumentation and controls are logically arranged and clearly marked. The infotainment touch screen required a bit of reach, but the console-mounted control knob made its operations a snap.
Adults will find plenty of room in the firm and supportive front seats. Legroom is on the tight side in the rear bench, though, which is not unusual in a smaller four-door. The wide and deep trunk can swallow up to 13 cubic feet of cargo. Properly equipped, the Mazda3 sedan can tow up to 1,000 pounds, while the hatchback is rated for 1,500 pounds.
2026 Mazda3 2.5T Premium Plus AWD sedan
Vehicle type: Four-door, five-passenger compact all-wheel-drive sedan.
Engine and transmission: 2.5-liter turbocharged inline-four (227 horsepower and 310 foot-pounds torque), six-speed automatic.
Base/as-tested prices: $36,740/$39,145.
EPA estimates: 23 mpg city, 32 mpg highway, 27 mpg combined.
The good: One of the more deluxe cabins in the nonpremium segment; punchy and fuel-efficient turbocharged engine option; choice of sedan or hatchback body styles; available all-wheel drive and six-speed manual transmission; quiet and comfortable ride quality; nimble handling; ginormous trunk for a small sedan.
The bad: Gets expensive in upper trim levels; smallish back seat for adults.
Bottom line: The turbocharged four-banger makes the Mazda3 a great choice for budget-minded buyers wanting sporty performance and imaginative styling.
