The 2026 Mazda3 may be the most fun-to-drive car in the compact car segment. That reputation rests on two truths – its G-Vectoring Control system uses a technology borrowed from luxury cars to tighten up handling, and it’s available with a choice of two engines.
Most trim levels are equipped with a 2.5-liter, 186-horsepower 4-cylinder engine. That’s a power figure typical for this class of car, and more than enough for the average driver. With that powerplant, the Mazda3 is a lot of fun to drive.
The Turbo Premium Plus edition, however, gets a turbocharged 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine making 250 hp. It’s one of the most potent powertrains available on a car in this class, and for some shoppers, it’s a primary reason to consider the Mazda3.
Here’s how to know which is right for you.
What’s the Price Difference?
In model year 2026, you can pay as little as $25,785 for a Mazda3. That will get you the base sedan 2.5 S. A hatchback version of the same trim level costs $26,785 and offers added cargo space.
Mazda pairs its turbocharged engine only with its most well-equipped trim. A more complex engine naturally costs more. However, it also necessitates stepping up to a more luxuriously equipped car. It’s found only on the Turbo Premium Plus model, which starts at $37,975 in sedan form and $39,125 as a hatchback.
The higher sticker price comes with added luxuries beyond the more powerful engine, including perforated leather-trimmed sport seats, a 12-speaker sound system rather than an 8-speaker setup, and a heated steering wheel. That may be worth it for some buyers.
Which Is More Efficient?
Beyond engine choice, the Mazda3 comes in either front- or all-wheel drive (FWD or AWD). Most trim levels come standard with a 6-speed automatic transmission. However, hatchback buyers have the option of a 6-speed manual transmission in the 2.5 S Premium trim level.
The EPA rates each powertrain differently. With the 186-horsepower engine, ratings vary from 28 mpg to 30 mpg in combined city/highway driving.
With the turbocharged model, fuel economy ratings range from 26 mpg to 27 mpg.
Even the extremes of that scale, however, don’t translate to much cost. The EPA estimates that the driver of the most efficient Mazda3 – a sedan with the non-turbocharged engine in FWD – will spend $1,500 per year on gasoline. A driver of the least-efficient – a turbocharged hatchback with AWD – will pay just $250 more.
Which Is Faster?
The 2.5-liter turbocharged engine available in the Mazda3 Turbo Premium Plus is the most powerful engine available on a mainstream compact car in 2026.
A few automakers sell dedicated track editions of their compact cars, like the Honda Civic Type R or the Hyundai Elantra N, that offer more engine power. But we’d argue that those belong in a separate class.
If you want a comfortable family sedan for an affordable price, and you want one that can shoot down a highway on-ramp at high-adrenaline speed, the 250 hp available to Mazda3 buyers is the quickest thing you’ll find.
The 186-hp non-turbo engine is respectably in the middle of its class.
Which Mazda3 Engine Is Better?
The key to deciding which engine is right for you is in knowing why you want a Mazda3.
Is there a driving enthusiast in you? Are you looking for a near-luxury car and willing to pay for it? If you answered yes to either of those, you might find the added horsepower worth the added price.
However, it’s worth noting that when reviewers praise the Mazda3’s performance, they tend to focus on its handling. The G-Vectoring Control system subtly brakes each wheel separately to point the car into a turn and minimize body roll. It’s a technology commonly found in luxury cars but rare at this price point, and it makes taking a Mazda3 down a winding road feel fantastic at any speed.
So, you don’t need the more powerful engine to enjoy the car’s athleticism.
Buy the turbo model if your budget is higher and creature comforts like a heated steering wheel and more speakers are important to you. But know that you don’t need to buy that one to get the fun of a Mazda.
The less-powerful, lower-priced engine will be the better choice for many buyers. It saves you thousands while still giving you the fun car you want.
