The 2026 Mazda3 Turbo Premium Plus is the top trim of the latest iteration in the fourth generation of Mazda’s sporty compact sedan. Even the top trim starts at just under $37,000, making it one of the few new cars you can buy for less than $40,000.
I drove the 2026 Mazda3 Turbo Premium Plus to see if it deserves its placement on the Car and Driver Editors’ Choice list for 2026. The Mazda3 is also a 2026 TOP SAFETY PICK+ recipient from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.
The 2026 Mazda3 is notable for its standard features, affordable pricing, and practicality. Here’s what we learned from a week of real-world testing.
What Makes the 2026 Mazda3 Stand Out?
The 2026 Mazda3 stands out from rivals because of its unique exterior and interior designs. It also has a strong value proposition — starting below $25,000 for a base model — which puts it at the top of ranking lists.
During a week of testing, the Mazda3’s interior and cargo area felt very spacious for daily driving, especially for a compact car. The Turbo Premium Plus trim features a large infotainment screen with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay connectivity. The vehicle offers a smooth, comfortable ride and excellent gas mileage.
How Does the 2026 Mazda3 Drive?
The 2026 Mazda3 offers a smooth, comfortable ride with quick enough acceleration to keep daily driving fun. It’s surprisingly powerful for a compact car, and its agility is impressive despite Mazda’s decision to make the fourth-generation model slightly lower and longer than its predecessors.
The Mazda3 comes standard with a SkyActiv-G 2.5-liter turbo engine offering up to 250 horsepower and 320 lb-ft of torque. The compact car achieves about 25 mpg city and 34 mpg highway. Our all-wheel-drive test vehicle drove over 300 miles on a single tank.
Will the 2026 Mazda3 Fit Your Lifestyle?
Mazda enlarged the Mazda3 when it redesigned the vehicle in 2019. The 2026 version is 183.5 inches long and 70.7 inches wide (without mirrors). The sedan offers 13.2 cubic feet of cargo space — sufficient for luggage and grocery hauls. Our Turbo Premium Plus test vehicle also included a moonroof.
Is the 2026 Mazda3 Worth It?
The 2026 Mazda3 starts at $24,650 before taxes and fees. It’s available in five trims, from the base 2.5 S to the top-of-the-line 2.5 Turbo Premium Plus. Our test vehicle starts at $36,940 and includes a Bose premium audio system with 12 speakers, a 360-degree view monitor, and remote start via the MyMazda app.
If saving money is the priority, the 2.5 S base trim at $24,640 is hard to beat. The 2.5 S Preferred trim at $27,290 offers the best balance of price and features, including a power sliding-glass moonroof, 8-way power driver’s seat with two-position memory, and heated front seats.
The Mazda3 competes in the compact segment with the Honda Civic, Toyota Corolla, Kia Forte, Volkswagen Golf, and Hyundai Elantra.
Who Should Buy the 2026 Mazda3?
The Mazda3 is a good fit for anyone seeking an affordable compact car that delivers real value. It comes standard with an 8.8-inch touchscreen infotainment system and safety features including Smart Brake Support, Blind Spot Monitoring, and Lane-Keep Assist.
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
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