Mazda 3
22 model years from 2005 to 2026, compared on size, efficiency, safety and reliability.

- Model years
- 2005–2026
- Class
- Compact Cars, Midsize Cars
- Latest engines
- 2.5L 4-cyl, 2.5L 4-cyl turbo
- Best MPG
- 27–33 combined, by year
- Latest rating
- Not rated
- Recalls
- 0 campaigns, all years
- Fewest problems
- 2023
- Interest
- 27,296 Wikipedia views / 30 days
The 2026 3 in brief
The 2026 Mazda 3 is a compact car offered with 2 engines (2.5L 4-cyl and 2.5L 4-cyl turbo) and front-wheel drive and 4-wheel drive.
EPA rates its most efficient version at 30 MPG combined (27 city / 36 highway), 3% better than the 2026 compact car average of 29.2 MPG, for an estimated $2,250 a year in fuel.
There are no recalls or owner complaints on file with NHTSA for this model year.
The Mazda 3 has 22 model years in our data, from 2005 to 2026, classed as Compact Cars, Midsize Cars.
Its most efficient year was 2016 at 33 MPG combined; across all years the best version ranged from 27 to 33 MPG.
Buying used? 2024 has the fewest problems in our data.
How the 2005 3 compares
The 2005 Mazda 3 is a compact car offered with 2 engines (2.0L 4-cyl and 2.3L 4-cyl) and front-wheel drive.
EPA rates its most efficient version at 27 MPG combined (24 city / 32 highway), 16% better than the 2005 compact car average of 23.3 MPG, for an estimated $2,500 a year in fuel.
About the Mazda 3
The Mazda3 is a compact car manufactured by Mazda since 2003 over four generations. The body styles have been a 5-door hatchback and 4-door sedan across all generations. It was sold as the Mazda Axela in Japan until 2019. From 2013 until 2019, it was called the Mazda 3 Axela in China.
From the Wikipedia article "Mazda3", licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0.
2026 3 pros & cons
Full 2026 details →What's good
- AWD / 4WD available
Watch out for
No weak spots against similar models in the data.
Best and worst years to buy used
2024 3
0 owner complaints · 0 recalls
None of the 10 model years we compared stands out for complaints or recalls.
NHTSA recalls and complaints for 10 model years since 2015; use it alongside a pre-purchase inspection. How we calculate this →
3 changes by model year
- 2024
- Engine dropped: 2.0L 4-cyl
- 2021
- Engines added: 2.0L 4-cyl and 2.5L 4-cyl turbo
- 2019
- Engine dropped: 2.0L 4-cyl
- All-wheel or four-wheel drive now available
- Best combined MPG down from 32 to 30
- 2012
- Best combined MPG up from 28 to 32
- 2010
- Engine added: 2.5L 4-cyl
- Engine dropped: 2.3L 4-cyl
- 2008
- Engine dropped: 2.3L 4-cyl turbo
- 2007
- Engine added: 2.3L 4-cyl turbo
Years without a measurable change are left out.
Show all 22 model years side by side
| Year | Latest engines | Best MPG / range | Length | Weight | Overall | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 2.5L 4-cyl, 2.5L 4-cyl turbo | 30 MPG | – | – | Not rated | 0 | 0 |
| 2025 | 2.5L 4-cyl, 2.5L 4-cyl turbo | 31 MPG | – | – | Not rated | 0 | 0 |
| 2024 | 2.5L 4-cyl, 2.5L 4-cyl turbo | 31 MPG | – | – | Not rated | 0 | 0 |
| 2023 | 2.0L 4-cyl, 2.5L 4-cyl, 2.5L 4-cyl turbo | 31 MPG | – | – | Not rated | 0 | 0 |
| 2022 | 2.0L 4-cyl, 2.5L 4-cyl, 2.5L 4-cyl turbo | 31 MPG | – | – | Not rated | 0 | 0 |
| 2021 | 2.0L 4-cyl, 2.5L 4-cyl, 2.5L 4-cyl turbo | 31 MPG | – | – | Not rated | 0 | 0 |
| 2020 | 2.5L 4-cyl | 30 MPG | – | – | Not rated | 0 | 0 |
| 2019 | 2.5L 4-cyl | 30 MPG | – | – | Not rated | 0 | 0 |
| 2018 | 2.0L 4-cyl, 2.5L 4-cyl | 32 MPG | – | – | Not rated | 0 | 0 |
| 2017 | 2.0L 4-cyl, 2.5L 4-cyl | 32 MPG | – | – | Not rated | 0 | 0 |
| 2016 | 2.0L 4-cyl, 2.5L 4-cyl | 33 MPG | – | – | Not rated | 0 | 0 |
| 2015 | 2.0L 4-cyl, 2.5L 4-cyl | 33 MPG | – | – | Not rated | 0 | 0 |
| 2014 | 2.0L 4-cyl, 2.5L 4-cyl | 33 MPG | – | – | Not rated | 0 | 0 |
| 2013 | 2.0L 4-cyl, 2.5L 4-cyl | 32 MPG | – | – | Not rated | 0 | 0 |
| 2012 | 2.0L 4-cyl, 2.5L 4-cyl | 32 MPG | – | – | Not rated | 0 | 0 |
| 2011 | 2.0L 4-cyl, 2.5L 4-cyl | 28 MPG | – | – | Not rated | 0 | 0 |
| 2010 | 2.0L 4-cyl, 2.5L 4-cyl | 28 MPG | – | – | Not rated | 0 | 0 |
| 2009 | 2.0L 4-cyl, 2.3L 4-cyl | 27 MPG | – | – | Not rated | 0 | 0 |
| 2008 | 2.0L 4-cyl, 2.3L 4-cyl | 27 MPG | – | – | Not rated | 0 | 0 |
| 2007 | 2.0L 4-cyl, 2.3L 4-cyl, 2.3L 4-cyl turbo | 27 MPG | – | – | Not rated | 0 | 0 |
| 2006 | 2.0L 4-cyl, 2.3L 4-cyl | 27 MPG | – | – | Not rated | 0 | 0 |
| 2005 | 2.0L 4-cyl, 2.3L 4-cyl | 27 MPG | – | – | Not rated | 0 | 0 |
Alternatives to the 2026 3
| Model | Best MPG / range | NHTSA overall | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 Toyota Corolla | 50 MPG | Not rated | 1 |
| 2026 Volkswagen Jetta | 34 MPG | Not rated | 1 |
| 2026 Volkswagen GLI | 29 MPG | Not rated | 0 |
| 2026 Toyota Mirai | – | Not rated | 0 |
Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikipedia, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or Mazda. How we calculate this →