The 2026 Mazda3 is a compact car that’s fun to drive. It’s versatile, affordable, and offers an upscale feel. It gives shoppers plenty of options: manual or automatic transmission, a turbo engine, and hatchback or sedan body styles. Both body styles have distinct styling and accommodate different needs.
Here’s how to know which body style is right for you.
The Mazda3 Sedan
A sedan is a popular choice for a family car because it can seat four to five people, has four doors, and can range from economical to luxurious. Sedans often emphasize practicality over cargo space. They’re lower to the ground than SUVs and are typically compact, making them easy to drive in populated areas.
Compact cars are known for their agility, and the Mazda3 sedan delivers it in spades, making it comfortable for city or highway driving. For added excitement, the Turbo Premium Plus trim offers 250 horsepower (with premium fuel) compared to the 186 hp found on the other trims. The top two Mazda3 trims are available with all-wheel drive (AWD), making it easier for those living in snowy climates to drive a sedan.
When it comes to fuel economy, the Mazda3 gets 27 city/37 highway/30 combined mpg. The turbo engine version sees a slight drop in efficiency at 23 city/32 highway/27 combined mpg.
In terms of size, the sedan measures 183.5 inches in length (about 15 feet). Headroom ranges from 36 to 38 inches of space, depending on whether you’re sitting in the front or back row. Leg room ranges from 35 to 42 inches, and cargo volume is 13.2 cubic feet.
The Mazda3 Hatchback
Unlike a sedan, which has a trunk, a hatchback features a rear door at the back that opens directly into the cargo area. It still seats four to five and comes in three- or five-door options, with the hatch counting as a door.
The Mazda3 hatchback is available in one more trim level than the sedan version, the 2.5 S Premium Edition. Fuel economy also differs slightly, with the hatchback getting 26 city/34 highway/29 combined mpg.
The hatchback is not as long either, measuring 175.6 inches (over 14.5 feet). What it lacks in length, it makes up for in cargo space. The Mazda3 hatchback offers 20.1 cubic feet of cargo space.
What’s the Price Difference?
The 2026 Mazda3 sedan has five trim levels to choose from, with prices starting at $25,885, which is comparable to other popular sedans. The hatchback, however, starts a little higher, at $26,885. That price gap continues into the higher trim levels, with the 2.5 Turbo Premium Plus starting at $38,770 for the sedan and $39,920 for the hatchback.
Commonalities
While there are differences in length and cargo space, the interiors of both cars are very similar. Head and legroom are the same, and both come with advanced tech and comfort features that vary by trim level.
More importantly, both share some serious safety credentials and come equipped with an array of standard safety features. Both versions of the Mazda3 earned the Top Safety Pick+ designation from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) and received a 5-Star overall safety rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).
Which Body Style Works for You?
With so many commonalities and excellent ratings, choosing the right body style comes down to space and taste. The hatchback is shorter, so it will fit in a garage more easily, freeing up surrounding space. The hatchback also offers more cargo space if you need extra storage.
In terms of looks, the sedan has a more conventional appearance. The hatchback, however, has a sportier edge. The 2.5 S Premium trim that’s available only on the hatchback could be a selling point if you’re in the market for a manual transmission in an upscale car.
If it’s all about the budget, the sedan is cheaper while still looking sleek and maintaining its performance.
Either way, our experts agree that the Mazda3 is worth the money.
