The first obvious quality of the 2026 Mazda Mazda3 compact hatchback is its striking, racy design. Venturing inside, the Mazda3 cabin makes a big impression with premium-level materials and construction.
Next, based on my love of common sense, I’ll add the Mazda3 interior’s layout, for having controls that are easy to find in the first place, and then easy to use when found. Many current car interiors have oddball controls in oddball locations. They seem designed for a scavenger hunt instead of driving.
Eye candy and entertainment aren’t features I seek in a car. Mazda3’s conventional gear shift lever with nearby gear indicators arranged logically in a vertical list is a cause for celebration.
Mazda3’s performance and driving characteristics match its interior and exterior qualities inch for inch.
The Mazda3 is available in sedan or hatchback styling, with a variety of engines, transmissions, trims, and drivetrain configurations depending on model.
I drove the 2026 Mazda Mazda3 2.5 T Premium Plus Hatchback with all-wheel drive. It’s the top-tier model among the six hatchback grades, whose pricing starts at $25,550 plus destination charge.
A 2.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine provides 227 horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque. It’s paired with a six-speed automatic transmission. The combo does a terrific job of making the Mazda3 tons of fun to drive on twisty backroads of Snohomish County, winding two-lane highways in the Cascades, and the I-5 freeway. Comfort and stability are maintained all the while, and Mazda’s i-Activ all-wheel-drive system sweetens the confidence. Front seats are well-bolstered on the side and back, boosting comfort on long rides and adding security during animated driving maneuvers.
Inside the Mazda3, good use is made of the limited room available in a compact car. Front-seat legroom is generous; rear-seat legroom is tolerable. Bins, cubbies and trays in the Mazda3 hatchback are designed and arranged to offer plenty of options for stowing assorted smaller items.
Cargo area space measures 20.1 cubic feet when rear seats are upright, and 47.1 cubic feet when they’re folded. The seats have a versatile 60-40 split, and are easy to deal with. I did wish the cargo area floor was level with the rear bumper rather than 6 inches deeper. Fifty-pound bags of wild bird seed are easier to unload when they can be pulled out without lifting.
2026 Mazda Mazda3 Hatchback
Base Price: $37,890
Price as Driven: $40,775
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