2026 Mazda3 Review

Compact crossovers might get most of the attention these days, but their sedan counterparts are still out there fighting the good fight for buyers on a budget.

Typically more efficient than their taller, heavier siblings, these small commuters also offer better handling and are often more comfortable to drive, too. In the case of the 2026 Mazda3, the availability of all-wheel drive narrows the divide even more. However, it’s facing a fierce field of small sedans that offers a variety of technologies this Mazda can’t quite match.

Styling 7.5/10

The Mazda3 holds steady with no major changes to its design for 2026. For fans of the sedan’s classic looks, this is a net positive, although this tester’s Polymetal Grey Metallic paint ($300) washed out some of the details and creases in its sheet metal. On the plus side, its standard 16-inch wheels help keep tire costs down while still looking great — a nice sop to affordability in a world where 18-, 19-, and 20-inch options aren’t uncommon, even at the entry-level.

The interior is more of a mixed bag, coming across as conservative compared to many of its rivals in this mid-grade GS trim. The mix of leatherette and plastic is pleasant enough, but it could have used a splash more color or chrome. The rotary dial for its 10.25-inch infotainment system is a throwback in an era of large, easy-to-use touchscreens (more on that shortly), and its analog gauges are complemented by a small, black-and-white LCD display in the instrument cluster that wouldn’t look out of place in a car dating back a decade ago.

Power 8/10

With or without all-wheel drive, the Mazda3 GS is powered by a 2.5L four-cylinder engine that’s good for 186 hp and 186 lb-ft of torque. Those numbers might not seem impressive at first, but they’re ahead of other entry-level compact cars. Meanwhile, a six-speed automatic transmission is the only one available.

Driving Feel 8/10

The Mazda3 weighs a little more than 1,450 kg (3,197 lb), which is a great match for its 186-hp engine. Acceleration is brisk, and it was put to good use passing slower traffic on two-lane mountain roads at the end of ski season.

Another area where the Mazda3 shines is when the asphalt begins to bend. Although not a sport sedan, it remains confident and composed from one corner to the next. It also keeps its cool tackling the kind of potholes and frost heaves that appear with spring’s thaw, absorbing bumps without any bounce or boom.

In the case of this all-wheel drive-equipped tester, it was still possible to spin the front tires on gravel surfaces with a heavy foot on the throttle. Still, the Mazda3 never felt off-balance, and even manually downshifting using the steering wheel paddles failed to upset traction.

Features 7/10

The GS trim sits right in the middle of the order sheet, and seen from that perspective its feature list is fairly comprehensive. There’s a dab of luxury (heated steering wheel, heated seats, dual-zone automatic climate control), modern necessities (LED headlights, automatic wipers), and wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. Adaptive cruise control is also present and accounted for.

Opting for all-wheel drive ($4,200) means getting the Luxury package that’s a $2,200 upgrade on the front-wheel-drive Mazda3 GS. It comes with stuff like leatherette upholstery, a sunroof, a power-adjustable driver’s seat with memory settings, and keyless entry.

Safety 6/10

In addition to adaptive cruise control, there’s forward collision warning and automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert, and lane departure warning and keeping assistance feature. The latter worked very well, even in the presence of faded and lane markings, although it has a tendency to bounce hard from one side of the designated lane of travel to the other.

Practicality 7/10

The Mazda3 is a true four-passenger compact sedan. You won’t have any qualms about asking adults to spend time in the back. The trunk space (374 L) is adequate, and you can fold the rear seat flat if you need to transport larger items (almost tripling available cargo volume in the process). There’s a hatchback version of the Mazda3, if cargo space is a priority.

Comfort 7/10

In addition to its smooth ride, the cabin is quiet even when facing inclement weather like wind and rain. However, the climate controls needed plenty of adjustment during this early springtime test.

User Friendliness 4/10

The infotainment system feels like it’s caught out of time, especially in terms of how you’re forced to interact with it. In the GS, the console-mounted rotary controller is complemented by a limited touchscreen capability. That means it’s dial-only when driving, which is frustrating when trying to parse Android Auto or Apple CarPlay, both of which were designed specifically for touch use, and not much better when dealing with Mazda’s software.

When stopped, the car activates the screen’s touch capabilities, but it’s positioned far enough away from the driver that you’re likely reaching at an uncomfortable angle to get anything done. Throw in the limited information presented by its single-colour gauge cluster display, and the technology here truly dates the car, especially when compared to the larger, easier to use, and more vibrant offerings found throughout the rest of the segment.

Fuel Economy 8/10

The Mazda3 GS’s official fuel economy estimates with all-wheel drive are 9.1 L/100 km in city driving and 6.8 on the highway for a combined figure of 8.1. A 130-km test loop (that featured city, highway, and rural elements) proved that the all-wheel drive edition could easily beat its advertised figures, with an indicated average of 6.7 — a solid figure for a non-hybrid compact.

Value 7/10

The 2026 Mazda3 starts at $27,345 before tax but including freight ($2,095), while the GS trim rings in at $29,945. The Luxury package adds $2,200 to that price, while all-wheel drive is worth $4,200 but comes with everything in that optional add-on.

That’s in the same neighbourhood of the Toyota Corolla Hybrid with all-wheel drive, and a bit cheaper than a comparably-equipped Honda Civic that’s front-wheel drive-only.

The Verdict

The 2026 Mazda3 is a good all-around commuter, and it’s offered at an affordable price. Mazda has made sure to prioritize handling in this compact, but not at the expense of comfort, and its fuel economy beats that of many small crossovers while offering a better ride to go with its all-wheel traction. Its old school infotainment system can be frustrating to use, however, and its relatively modest safety gear and somewhat plain interior tech might warrant looking elsewhere.