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<div class="text-bold text-default margin-top-3 col-xs-12 margin-bottom-5">Confidence at Every Turn.</div><div class="col-xs-12"><ul><li>139-Point Inspection by Factory-Trained Technicians</li><li>90-Day/4,000-Mile (whichever comes first) Comprehensive Warranty¹</li><li>Nationwide Dealer Network for Service and Accessories</li><li>Complimentary 24/7 Roadside Assistance²</li><li>CARFAX® Vehicle History Report³</li><li>11,000 FordPass™ Rewards Points⁴ to Use Toward Your First Maintenance Visit</li></ul>Exceptional Coverage Comes Standard.</div><div class="margin-top-4 text-size-200 text-subdued col-xs-12"><div class="padding-bottom-4">Disclaimer</div><div class="text-size-100">1 See your dealer for warranty coverage details.2 See your dealer for coverage details. Roadside Assistance is included for certain owners and available to everyone for a per-service fee. Ford reserves the right to change program details without obligations.3 CARFAX® is a registered trademark of CARFAX® Inc. 4 FordPass App, compatible with select smartphone platforms, is available via a download. Message and data rates may apply.</div></div>

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Frankie Rogers is a senior editor for Kelley Blue Book and focuses on the production of content. She edits and formats content, creates monthly deals lists, is a media asset curator, and photographs cars for various articles and inclusion in KBB’s image library. Her 16+ years at Kelley Blue Book have included roles as a Blue Book copy editor, press vehicle wrangler, and VIN analyst. In her spare time, she can be found tinkering with her 1970 Chevrolet Camaro, trying out new recipes in her cast iron pans, and spoiling her two cats, Grayson and Thaddeus.

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Russ Heaps, Author at Kelley Blue Book

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Russ Heaps has produced automotive content for newspapers, magazines, and websites since 1987. Knight-Ridder recognized his contributions in founding and supplying content for the stand-alone auto section in the Boca Raton News with a Knight-Ridder Excellence award nomination in 1990. He began contributing advice and other automotive-related content to Cox Automotive as a contractor in 2010. Cox Automotive brought Russ on board as Senior Editor, Advice for Kelley Blue Book in 2022. Previously, he contributed financial and automotive content for Bankrate.com. He was also managing editor for Auto World and NOPI Street Performance Compact magazines for four years. His work has appeared in the Washington Times, the Miami Herald, the Palm Beach Post, and a host of other newspapers on a syndicated basis. 
Russ also has a deep background in travel as the supervising producer for the syndicated television series Discover America where he also wrote scripts and field-produced episodes. Additionally, he authored travel stories for AAA of the Carolinas Magazine.
He graduated Wittenberg University with a degree in Political Science. His passions are friends, cars, bourbon, and the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Russ Heaps

Compact Car

Compact Car Articles - Kelley Blue Book

2026MAZDA MAZDA3

2026MAZDA MAZDA3 Archives - Kelley Blue Book

hatchback

hatchback Archives - Kelley Blue Book

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sedan Archives - Kelley Blue Book

$23,500 - $28,499

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2-Line Blurb

140-Character Blurb

The Mazda3 is a sporty, stylish, and upscale compact car that’s available as a sedan or a hatchback.

Cons

<ul>
<li>No hybrid option</li>
<li>Small interior</li>
<li>Subpar resale value</li>
</ul>

Power, Ride, and Handling

Driving Impressions

The 2026 Mazda3 is powered by a 186-horsepower 4-cylinder engine matched with a 6-speed automatic transmission and front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive. The Mazda3 has outstanding driving dynamics, no matter how it’s optioned. It’s comfortable in daily city and highway driving, but entertaining when asked to do more. Most compact cars benefit from nimble handling, but the Mazda3’s chassis and suspension design deliver responsiveness and agility without sacrificing suppleness or poise. This ability to accommodate the demands of a wide range of driving styles makes the Mazda3 special.
The available 250-hp turbo engine (using 93 octane gas) that comes with the Turbo Premium Plus trim turns up the adrenaline significantly. It boasts more horsepower than the Honda Civic Si and more torque than the Hyundai Elantra N. This turbo engine quietly makes the Mazda3 one of the most exciting cars in its class.
All-wheel drive is an uncommon option in this class, and it greatly improves the Mazda3’s all-weather versatility for drivers in snowy climates. We wish it were more widely available than just in the Carbon Edition and Turbo Premium Plus models, but we&#8217;re happy that it’s available at all.
<h3>Fuel Economy</h3>
The Mazda3 returns up to 27 city/37 highway/30 combined mpg with the sedan body, while the hatchback gets up to 26 city/34 highway/29 combined mpg. The base engine with all-wheel drive gets up to 26 city/34 highway/29 combined mpg, while the turbo engine returns up to 23 city/32 highway/27 combined mpg.
These fuel economy ratings are about average for a compact car. However, it’s worth noting that the Honda Civic, <a href="https://www.kbb.com/toyota/corolla/">Toyota Corolla</a>, and Hyundai Elantra all have hybrid variants available, and the Mazda3 doesn’t.

Two Body Styles

Exterior

The big decision is whether to choose the sedan or hatchback version of the Mazda3. We&#8217;re partial to the hatchback, which has a shorter overall length (that means more garage space) while offering more cargo space. However, we wouldn’t blame you for choosing the handsome, more conventionally styled sedan.

FAQs

Our Favorite Features and Tech

Favorite Features

Mazda Connect infotainment systems 
Two different infotainment systems are available in the Mazda3, and we like both. The standard 8.8-inch screen uses a multifunction command knob, while the 10.25-inch screen on the turbo models upgrades with touchscreen capabilities when using wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay.
Available i-Activ AWD 
All-wheel drive is an uncommon option in this class, and we’re happy to see it available on the Mazda3. It’s ideal for drivers who want the all-weather traction of all-wheel drive but don’t want an SUV.
Exciting turbo engine 
The available 250-hp turbocharged engine turns the Mazda3 into a veritable sport compact. It adds to the driving excitement without sacrificing its daily practicality or fuel economy (too much).
i-Activsense safety features 
The standard safety tech suite in the Mazda3 includes driver assistance features such as automatic emergency braking, full-speed adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, and automatic high beams. Additional optional features include blind-spot monitoring and an adaptive front lighting system.
Two body styles 
The Mazda3 offers two distinct body styles. The sedan is more affordable, but the stylish hatchback adds greater versatility with more cargo space.
Carbon trims 
The Carbon Edition and Carbon Turbo models enhance the Mazda3’s sporty aesthetics with special paint colors, black wheels, gloss black exterior trim, and unique interior touches like red contrast stitching in the Carbon Turbo trim.

Upscale Interior

Interior

Mazda, punching above its weight class in terms of interior quality, even applies to its most affordable model. The Mazda3’s cabin feels like something from a more expensive car, from its smart design to its high-quality materials. This is especially true in the upper trims, which unlock premium features like leather seats, Bose 12-speaker audio, wireless charging, and a 10.25-inch infotainment screen.
Sedan or hatchback, rear legroom is the same at 35.1 inches. That’s just okay for the compact car class. The Hyundai Elantra and Kia K4, for example, have 38 inches, and the Honda Civic boasts 37.4 inches. The Mazda3 sedan’s trunk has 13.2 cubic feet of space, which is also a bit small for this class. For reference, the Honda Civic’s trunk has 14.8 cubic feet of room.
Naturally, the hatchback has more cargo space than the sedan. It has 20.1 cubic feet of room behind the rear seats, which is still a little small compared to the 24.5 cubic-foot cargo hold in the Honda Civic hatchback. The key advantage of the Mazda3 hatchback over the sedan is its 47.1 cubic feet of maximum cargo space with the rear seats folded down.

Is the YMM a Good Vehicle?

Is the YMM Reliable?

KBB Editors' Overview

When shopping for a compact car, it might be tempting to go with one of the more popular options that everybody buys. While the Mazda3 might not have the sales numbers of some of its more mainstream competitors, it’s worth serious consideration. We love the versatility in its model range. It’s available with a hatchback or sedan body, an automatic or manual transmission, and there’s a lively turbo engine available, making it one of the most exciting compacts in its class. That means there’s something in the Mazda3 lineup for just about anyone in the market for a small, affordable, and practical car.
We’ve spent hundreds of hours driving and evaluating this generation of <a href="https://www.kbb.com/cars/best-compact-cars/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">compact cars</a>, including the Mazda3.

Optional Equipment

Pricing - Dynamic

The 2026 Mazda3 starts at $25,785 for the sedan. The hatchback starts $1k higher. The top Turbo Premium Plus model begins at $37,975.
<table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="width: 50%;">Mazda3 2.5 S</td>
<td style="width: 50%;">$25,785</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width: 50%;">Mazda3 2.5 S Select Sport</td>
<td style="width: 50%;">$26,675</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width: 50%;">Mazda3 2.5 S Preferred</td>
<td style="width: 50%;">$28,325</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width: 50%;">Mazda3 2.5 S Carbon Edition</td>
<td style="width: 50%;">$31,445</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width: 50%;">Mazda3 2.5 S Premium</td>
<td style="width: 50%;">$32,595</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width: 50%;">Mazda3 2.5 Turbo Premium Plus</td>
<td style="width: 50%;">$37,975</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>

Pricing - Static

Pricing for the Mazda3 is pretty much in line with the rest of the compact car segment, priced very close to the <a href="https://www.kbb.com/honda/civic/">Honda Civic</a>. Slightly more affordable options in this class include the <a href="https://www.kbb.com/hyundai/elantra/">Hyundai Elantra</a> and <a href="https://www.kbb.com/kia/k4/">Kia K4</a>.
Before buying a Mazda3, check the Kelley Blue Book Fair Purchase Price to know what you should really pay. Mazda3 resale value is below average for the segment. Recouping more money when selling a vehicle can mean a bigger down payment and lower monthly payments on the next one.

Pros

<ul>
<li>Fun to drive</li>
<li>Available all-wheel drive (AWD)</li>
<li>Nice upper trims</li>
</ul>

Quick New

<ul>
<li>Standard 8-speaker audio</li>
</ul>

Safety

Standard Equipment

Trims

Engine and Transmission

Under the Hood

Most Mazda3 models are powered by a 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine rated at 186 hp and 186 lb-ft of torque. A more energetic turbo engine is available, making 250 hp and 320 lb-ft of torque when fed premium gas (regular works too, but you need premium to unlock its full performance potential).
Front-wheel drive is the standard setup. All-wheel drive is available, and it’s standard on turbocharged models. Most models come with a 6-speed automatic transmission, though the Mazda3 is a rarity these days, offering enthusiasts a 6-speed manual transmission specifically on the S Premium hatchback model.
<h3>3-Year/36,000-Mile Warranty</h3>
The Mazda3 is backed by a 3-year/36,000-mile basic warranty and a 5-year/60,000-mile powertrain warranty. That coverage is typical for the segment.
<h3>Safety</h3>
The Mazda3 earned the Top Safety Pick+ (TSP+) designation from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (<a href="https://www.iihs.org/ratings/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">IIHS</a>). It also received a 5-Star overall safety rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (<a href="https://www.nhtsa.gov/ratings" target="_blank" rel="noopener">NHTSA</a>) — its highest award. The Mazda3 is well-equipped with standard safety features, including full-speed adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, automatic high beams, and driver attention alert.

What's new for

For the 2026 model year, the Mazda Harmonic Acoustics 8-speaker audio system now comes standard, while a Bose 12-speaker system remains optional.

Featured Article

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2026 Mazda Mazda3 Expert Review - Kelley Blue Book

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Matt Degen is an author specializing in reviewing cars with the goal of helping you find the best one for your needs. Prior to joining Kelley Blue Book in 2012, he was a writer and editor for over a decade at The Orange County Register newspaper. There he covered automobiles, music and food -- all things Matt is passionate about. He holds degrees in Communications and Culinary Arts. When not evaluating vehicles, he is cooking on his YouTube channel.

Matt Degen

2026Toyota Corolla Hatchback

2026Toyota Corolla Hatchback Archives - Kelley Blue Book

The frugal Toyota Corolla Hatchback is a practical, efficient, and affordable way to get around.

The regular Corolla Hatchback has 169 horsepower, a good middle ground between the base Civic Hatchback’s 158 hp and the Mazda3’s 191 horses. We’ve found that it’s zippy enough around town and can still cruise comfortably on the highway. It’s a big improvement over the weaker base engine in previous model years. If the driver wants to be more involved, paddle shifters are standard. Overall, the Corolla Hatchback’s ride is compliant, the seats are comfortable, and we’re absolutely fine with how it drives.
Although we review it separately, it’s worth noting that the enthusiast-focused GR Corolla features a turbocharged 3-cylinder engine producing 300 hp sent through a 6-speed manual transmission and has all-wheel drive. This model is a formidable hot hatchback with real track-ready performance.
<h3>Fuel Economy</h3>
The SE version of the 2026 Corolla Hatchback achieves an impressive 32 city/41 highway/35 combined mpg. That beats the competition, with the Civic coming closest at 34 mpg combined. The FX Edition and XSE run to 33 mpg combined. The hot GR Corolla gets 24 mpg combined.

Sporty Exterior

The Corolla Hatchback has a noticeably sportier look than its sedan stablemate, especially in XSE trim. LED headlights and alloy wheels are standard, making every Corolla Hatchback look stylish. The FX Edition comes with retro white-finished 18-inch alloys and a rear wing.

Toyota Safety Sense 3.0 
<a href="https://www.kbb.com/toyota/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Toyota</a> deserves a lot of credit for making so many safety features standard, even in affordable cars like the Corolla Hatchback. The company’s Safety Sense 3.0 array includes forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assistance, and automatic high beams.
Toyota Audio Multimedia 
This feature-rich infotainment system comes loaded with connectivity features like wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, making it easy to connect a smartphone.
FX Edition 
The FX Edition is a welcome addition to the Corolla Hatchback lineup for 2026. It’s a retro nod to the FX16 from the &#8217;80s and brings stylish white wheels, a rear wing, and sport touring seats with orange interior stitching, all while keeping the price affordable.
Contrasting roof 
The Corolla Hatchback is available with a Midnight Black Metallic roof, in contrast to one of the bold paint options, such as Inferno (orange) or Blue Crush.
Standard automatic climate control 
This simple feature goes a long way to enhancing comfort in the Corolla Hatchback, and we appreciate its inclusion in such an affordable car.
XSE trim 
Springing for the XSE trim brings many upgrades while keeping the price reasonable. These include LED fog lights, 18-inch alloy wheels, heated front seats, good-quality simulated leather seating surfaces, and an 8-speaker/800-watt JBL audio system.

Practical Interior

We like the design and quality of the Corolla Hatchback’s interior. The standard front sport seats have enough bolstering to provide a snug feel without sacrificing comfort. The 8-inch infotainment screen is a bit small by today&#8217;s standards. Still, we appreciate that the system has wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay as standard, along with simple and user-friendly controls.
A hatchback cabin is all about practicality and versatility, taking passengers and cargo in various permutations. The Toyota Corolla does this fairly well, although some rivals do it better. Rear legroom, for example, measures 29.9 inches. That’s tight, especially when the Honda Civic Hatchback provides 37.4 inches.
We hear you say that maybe that’s the trade-off for excellent cargo space. Behind the Corolla Hatchback’s rear seats, the luggage area is 17.8 cubic feet, while the equivalent Civic has 24.5. Toyota does offer an option where cargo space expands to 23 cubic feet by opting for the tire repair kit instead of a spare tire.
For reference, the Corolla sedan has more rear legroom and less cargo space than the Corolla Hatchback.

The Toyota Corolla Hatchback is one of the most practical and affordable vehicles available from a brand that’s famous for these two virtues. Let&#8217;s start with its strengths on paper: It starts at around $25K, gets up to 35 mpg in mixed driving, and has one of the best resale values in its class. On top of those practical benefits, it has a peppy engine, modern tech like wireless smartphone connectivity, and more premium options than you might expect, like a JBL audio system. The <a href="https://www.kbb.com/toyota/corolla/">Corolla sedan</a>, <a href="https://www.kbb.com/toyota/corolla-hybrid/">Corolla Hybrid</a>, and <a href="https://www.kbb.com/toyota/gr-corolla/">GR Corolla</a> are all reviewed separately.
We’ve spent hundreds of hours driving and evaluating this generation of <a href="https://www.kbb.com/cars/best-compact-cars/">compact cars</a>, including the Toyota Corolla Hatchback.

The 2026 Toyota Corolla Hatchback starts at $25,375 for the base SE trim. The range-topping XSE model begins at $28,370.
<table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="width: 50%;">Corolla Hatchback SE</td>
<td style="width: 50%;">$25,375</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width: 50%;">Corolla Hatchback FX Edition</td>
<td style="width: 50%;">$27,975</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width: 50%;">Corolla Hatchback XSE</td>
<td style="width: 50%;">$28,370</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>

The Toyota Corolla Hatchback is one of the most affordable compact hatchbacks on the market. The hatchback versions of the <a href="https://www.kbb.com/honda/civic/">Honda Civic</a> and <a href="https://www.kbb.com/mazda/mazda3/?bodystyle=hatchback">Mazda3</a> are both a little pricier.
Before buying a Corolla Hatchback, check the Kelley Blue Book Fair Purchase Price to know what you should really pay. Toyota Corolla Hatchback resale value is among the best in its segment. Recouping more money when selling a vehicle can mean a bigger down payment and lower monthly payments on the next one.

<ul>
<li>Practical interior</li>
<li>Good fuel economy</li>
<li>Great resale value</li>
</ul>

<ul>
<li>FX Edition</li>
<li>Standard blind-spot monitoring</li>
</ul>

The Corolla Hatchback employs a 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine, making a perfectly respectable 169 hp and 151 lb-ft of torque. This goes solely to the front wheels through a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT). The much sportier GR Corolla packs a turbocharged 1.6-liter 3-cylinder engine generating a remarkable 300 hp and 273 lb-ft of torque. This powertrain is completed by a 6-speed manual transmission and all-wheel drive.
<h3>3-Year/36,000-Mile Warranty</h3>
Toyota’s new-vehicle warranty lasts three years or 36,000 miles, whichever happens first. Powertrains are covered for five years or 60,000 miles. This is typical for the class. Toyota also includes two years or 25,000 miles of free scheduled maintenance, plus two years of roadside assistance with unlimited mileage.
<h3>Safety Ratings</h3>
The Corolla Hatchback has mixed results in the current battery of crash tests at the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (<a href="https://www.iihs.org/ratings" target="_blank" rel="noopener">IIHS</a>). However, it earned a maximum 5-Star overall score from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (<a href="https://www.nhtsa.gov/ratings" target="_blank" rel="noopener">NHTSA</a>).

The stylish FX Edition that was added to the Toyota Corolla sedan in 2025 comes to the hatchback’s lineup for 2026 in lieu of the now-discontinued Nightshade Edition. It builds on the SE trim with 18-inch alloy wheels with a stylish white finish, a sporty rear wing, sport touring seats, and orange interior stitching. It’s an homage to the old Toyota Corolla FX16 that you may remember from the 1980s.

2026 Toyota Corolla Hatchback Expert Review - Kelley Blue Book

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2026Mercedes-Benz Mercedes-Maybach SL

2026Mercedes-Benz Mercedes-Maybach SL Archives - Kelley Blue Book

convertible

convertible Archives - Kelley Blue Book

luxury

luxury Archives - Kelley Blue Book

$73,500 &amp; up

$73,500 &amp; up Archives - Kelley Blue Book

The 2026 Mercedes-Maybach SL brings ultimate plushness to the company’s much-lauded roadster.

If a Maybach SL owner is the lucky recipient of a trust fund, well here’s the thrust fund. This SL 680 enjoys a forceful 577-horsepower V8 humming away under the hood and it’s capable of accelerating from standstill to 60 mph in an estimated four seconds flat. That’s only half a second slower than the high-performance AMG SL 63, which has the same engine and is around 400 pounds lighter. The Bentley Continental GTC is faster by almost a second, but it does have 771 hp on its team. The 416-hp Lexus LC 500 Convertible does the dash in a more-than-respectable 4.6 seconds. Think of the Maybach SL as a grand tourer and the AMG SL as the more sporty iteration.
Because this is the poshest SL there’s ever been, standard features also include an adaptive suspension with active hydraulic body roll stabilization, as well as rear-wheel steering to enhance agility and maneuverability. Driving modes are Comfort, Maybach, Sport, and Individual (a slot for drivers to make their own combination of steering, throttle, transmission, and suspension settings).
<h3>Fuel Economy</h3>
We’ll update this section when official information comes through, not that this will be a big issue for a Maybach SL owner. For a ballpark figure, the SL 63 achieves 16 mpg in combined city/highway driving. To compare, the LC 500 returns 18 mpg combined.

Curated Exterior

Red or white paint &#8212; those are the standard, no-cost choices. With a black roof. Plus a black hood with the option of multiple Maybach badges &#8212; the marque’s equivalent of a Louis Vuitton design. But add $9,900 to the budget, and it opens the door to dozens of Mercedes&#8217; exclusive Manufaktur colors in a wide variety of hues. A Maybach grille treatment and substantial 21-inch alloy wheels are standard. Speaking of wheels, we like the multi-spoke design in particular &#8212; they’re a $5,000 option, but what buyer is going to balk at that?

Massaging seats 
If you can’t be cosseted in a Maybach, even if it’s a 2-seater, then what’s the point? These are also heated and ventilated, and come with more cushioning than their AMG counterparts (which we’ve found to be extremely comfortable). The steering wheel is heated as well.
Burmester audio 
We’re huge fans of this setup, having experienced it in other Mercedes-Benz vehicles. A 17-speaker/1,220-watt surround-sound system is standard in the Maybach SL.
Airscarf 
A Mercedes-Benz innovation that has blessed several of its soft-top cars over the years. This standard feature in the Maybach SL emits warm air from vents in the seats near your neck. We like how you could still have the roof down on those crisp, clear winter days.
Magic Vision Control 
Admittedly, this sounds a lot more impressive than it really is, but we still like how the windshield washer fluid comes out of the wipers instead of just spraying everywhere from a set of jets. This is another Mercedes-Benz innovation.
Powered roof 
With three layers to keep the cabin suitably hushed and insulated, the roof will deploy at speeds of up to 37 mph and take about 15 seconds to complete its operation.
Biometric authentication 
Using a fingerprint sensor, the Maybach SL can recognize various drivers and load pre-saved settings like a favorite radio station. It will even recognize voices.

White Space

Every Maybach SL interior is adorned in white Nappa leather (having been tanned using a sustainable process). There are plenty of Maybach emblems embossed into various surfaces, along with model-specific stitching patterns, while the seats are emblazoned with the word Maybach in upper-case letters. Unlike the AMG SL, there are no rear seats here, but a storage shelf instead.
Like the AMG SL, this model has an 11.9-inch infotainment touchscreen with excellent graphics and user-friendly features, while the angle of the screen is adjustable to reduce glare.
Cargo space is probably more of an afterthought than a priority, but here’s the gist. With the roof up, it measures 8.5 cubic feet. Subtract a cubic foot with the roof down.

The full name is the Mercedes-Maybach SL 680 Monogram Series. There’s only one model in this so-called series, but it is pretty darn fabulous.
Whenever the Maybach name is involved, that means a <a href="https://www.kbb.com/mercedes-benz/">Mercedes-Benz</a> vehicle taken to the company’s uppermost level of luxuriousness, complemented by special exterior styling details.
However, whereas the other Maybach models (the S-Class flagship sedan and GLS SUV) imply being driven around by a chauffeur, the SL is a 2-seater with a retractable soft-top. Sitting next to a chauffeur in this car would feel a bit awkward, unless you were Lady Chatterley.

The 2026 Mercedes-Maybach SL has a starting sticker price of $226,150.
<table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="width: 50%;">Mercedes-Maybach SL 680 Monogram Series</td>
<td style="width: 50%;">$226,150</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
&nbsp;

If money is no object, then feel free to consider the <a href="https://www.kbb.com/bentley/continental-gtc/">Bentley Continental GTC</a>, starting about $100K above the Maybach SL. We always see Maybach vehicles as something of a bargain when put up against the Bentleys and Rolls-Royces of this world. If money is maybe kind of an object, then there’s the still-wonderful <a href="https://www.kbb.com/lexus/lc/">Lexus LC</a> 500 Convertible, which is less than half the price of a Maybach SL.

The grand old AMG tradition of hand-assembled engines by a single technician continues in the Maybach SL. The car is propelled by a twin-turbocharged 4.0-liter V8 developing an authoritative 577 horsepower and 590 lb-ft of torque. This goes to a fully variable all-wheel-drive system through a 9-speed automatic transmission.
We cover the <a href="https://www.kbb.com/mercedes-benz/mercedes-amg-sl/">AMG SL</a> lineup in a separate review.
<h3>4-Year/50,000-Mile Warranty</h3>
The new-vehicle warranty offered by Mercedes-Benz lasts four years or 50,000 miles, whichever happens first. This applies to the drivetrain as well. Most European luxury car companies have these same terms. Mercedes-Benz doesn’t offer any free scheduled maintenance.
<h3>Safety</h3>
High-end cars like the SL aren’t usually crash-tested outside of their manufacturer’s own development programs. However, the Maybach SL comes with a plethora of standard safety features such as automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, a 360-degree camera system, parking assistance, adaptive front lighting, and rollover protection. Virtually every Mercedes-Benz advanced safety feature is included.

This is an all-new version of the SL roadster. The other side of this golden coin is the much sportier Mercedes-AMG SL. The Maybach treatment goes in an altogether more opulent direction. Oddly, there’s no regular variant of the SL, one of the most archetypal Mercedes-Benz cars that has been around in some form or another since life was in black-and-white (the first one debuted in 1954).
<h3>On-Sale Date</h3>
The 2026 Mercedes-Benz Mercedes-Maybach SL 680 Monogram Series is on sale now.

2026 Mercedes-Benz Mercedes-Maybach SL Expert Review - Kelley Blue Book

Scott Hinderer is an award-winning copy editor. Before joining Cox Automotive in 2022, he built a 15-year career in print and digital journalism. His diverse résumé brings a broad perspective and commitment to accuracy to Autotrader and Kelley Blue Book that enrich the reader experience. Scott has a Bachelor of Arts in English from Salisbury University.

Scott Hinderer

Coupe

Coupe Articles - Kelley Blue Book

2026Mercedes-Benz CLE

2026Mercedes-Benz CLE Archives - Kelley Blue Book

coupe

coupe Archives - Kelley Blue Book

$53,500 - $63,499

$53,500 - $63,499 Archives - Kelley Blue Book

$63,500 - $73,499

$63,500 - $73,499 Archives - Kelley Blue Book

The 2026 Mercedes-Benz CLE brings luxury and tech in both coupe and soft-top forms.

<ul>
<li>Not especially engaging</li>
</ul>

The 255-horsepower CLE 300 4Matic has plenty of muscle for most situations on public roads. You know, how normal people drive. We also found it agile and easy in that usual, pleasurable, imperturbable Mercedes-Benz way. Sport mode makes the steering a little firmer and the engine a touch more responsive to throttle inputs. That’s fun. The dash from a standstill to 60 mph happens in a respectable 6.2 seconds — almost a second slower than the BMW 430i xDrive Coupe, but the CLE 300 is more about serenity than alacrity. For a faster sprint, the CLE 450 4Matic gathers its 375 hp to stop the clock at 4.2 seconds.
The new Engineering package this year brings an adaptive suspension and rear-wheel steering. The former can create a sportier setting while also offering comfort, while the latter enhances maneuverability and agility. This bundle might be better suited to variants with more power, but still worth test-driving if possible.
<h3>Fuel Economy</h3>
The CLE 300 4Matic Coupe achieves 27 mpg in combined city/highway driving. To compare, a BMW 430i xDrive Coupe gets 30 mpg combined. The CLE 300 Cabriolet manages 26 mpg combined. As does the CLE 450 4Matic, regardless of body style. We’d say that’s not much of a penalty given the difference in power.

Two Elegant Body Styles

Based on the current C-Class platform, but about half an inch longer than the erstwhile E-Class coupe, the CLE straddles the line between compact and midsize. The 2026 CLE is available as either a fixed-roof coupe or a cabriolet (4-seater convertible) model with a power-folding fabric roof.
The riskiest aspect of the styling is how traditional it seems. That’s fine with us, though. The CLE has a typical Mercedes-Benz elegance, and we think all the proportions are judged well. We also love the multi-spoke alloy wheels.

Artificial Intelligence 
The CLE’s infotainment system (also found in the latest E-Class) can recognize and learn behavior patterns. For example, it can suggest a navigation destination that’s visited regularly or make a phone call that’s usually done at a particular time. It can even go beyond this to create a cold-weather setting (activating the heated front seats when the outside temperature falls below a certain point) or a date night ambience — playing romantic music and selecting rose-colored cabin lighting.
Burmester audio 
Often on the options lists of Mercedes-Benz vehicles, a 710-watt, 17-speaker Burmester surround-sound system is standard in the CLE. To make it especially immersive, there are speakers set into the headrest of the driver’s seat. Dolby Atmos — which really enriches the sound — is also part of the setup. We think that once you’ve heard this in all its glory, you’ll be disappointed by virtually everything else.
Just talk 
Technology develops so quickly. A couple of years ago, just saying “Hey Mercedes” to prompt the digital assistant felt futuristic. Now the system in the CLE knows when there’s a solo driver and is always listening out for instructions. So there’s no need to begin commands with those two words if you’re by yourself.
Apps 
Mercedes-Benz calls the CLE the most intelligent 2-door car to wear its famous star badge. This aptitude includes the ability to download third-party apps like Zoom, TikTok, and the Angry Birds video game — that’s intelligent, right?
Driver Assistance 
This optional bundle helps with things like busy intersections and evasive steering, while moving the front seats closer to the center if a side impact is about to happen. We think this would be a good addition.
Active Parking Assist 
The newest Mercedes-Benz self-parking function performs its tasks more quickly than past iterations.

High-Class Interior

One aspect of the latest C-Class that has migrated into the CLE is the overall cabin design. There’s the same large (11.9-inch) center touchscreen oriented vertically and angled slightly toward the driver, along with a trio of air vents just above it. The driver has a 12.3-inch instrument cluster, and gets to really enjoy the standard surround-sound system because that seat has speakers in its headrest.
We’ve always liked the extending arms in Mercedes-Benz coupes that bring the seat belt into a more reachable position. They’re present and correct in the CLE. There’s plenty of room up front, with comfortable and well-shaped seats. And we appreciate how the CLE even provides soft places for our elbows to land. Naturally, the cabin materials are high-quality, although we can predict that the piano black on the center console of our test car will eventually look less classy with fingermarks and scratches. Choose another option if possible, like the new-for-2026 Black Fine Structure Center Console (see our What’s New section above).
We’ve found outward vision in the coupe to be quite acceptable, although we’re pleased that blind-spot monitoring and parking sensors are standard. We won’t gripe about tight rear legroom, since adults are unlikely to be sitting in the back regularly. Most of the time, that part of the car will be where bags and jackets are kept. The coupe’s 11.2 cubic feet of trunk space is kind of cozy, but fold down the back seats and there’s room for a couple of golf bags. The CLE Cabriolet’s trunk area measures 9.6 cubic feet.
Speaking of the cabriolet, its optional leather upholstery has a special coating to stay cooler in direct sunlight than the regular stuff. We also like how this car’s infotainment touchscreen can tilt to help reduce reflections. And how the neck-warming Airscarf feature is standard, enabling top-down driving during clear winter weather.

It’s OK to wonder what the CLE is exactly. After all, this is only the car’s third model year, and with everything else going on in the world, you might not have had time to keep current with everything produced by <a href="https://www.kbb.com/mercedes-benz/">Mercedes-Benz</a>. You might also have dreamed about owning a C-Class or E-Class coupe or convertible and wondered why they’re no longer around. Here’s your new dream car.
It fills the gap in the Mercedes-Benz portfolio left by the erstwhile C-Class and E-Class coupes and cabriolets (cabriolet is another word for a car with a soft-top, like a convertible). Wearing that famed 3-pointed star does tell us a lot, though. For example, the ride quality is suitably luxurious, while the tech is about as fresh as it gets, including many advanced safety features. The CLE is an elegant car capable of insulating its occupants or inviting them to enjoy the fresh air of a coastal road or a clear, starlit night. Not many cars could be described as romantic, but the CLE should surely be one of them.
We’ve logged hundreds of hours driving and evaluating this generation of luxury coupes and <a href="https://www.kbb.com/cars/best-luxury-convertibles/">convertibles</a>, including the Mercedes-Benz CLE.

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