Many people are looking to spend less on a new car, which means they are probably not shopping among 2026’s most expensive luxury vehicles. Instead, they may be looking at more affordable brands like Mazda, which is offering the 2026 Mazda3 sedan at a starting price of $24,650. At this price, the base model Mazda3 is the most affordable car in the company’s current lineup.
This is a five-passenger sedan that comes standard with a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine producing 186 hp and 186 lb-ft of torque. It also features a six-speed automatic transmission, adaptive cruise control, and front-wheel drive. Inside, the Mazda3 includes Mazda’s standard sound system along with an 8.8-inch infotainment display featuring Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Alexa functionality. You can also access a subscription-based Wi-Fi hotspot through the MyMazda app. Standard safety features include an attention monitor, rear-seat alert, lane departure warning, lane-keep assist, and a rear cross-traffic alert.
The 2026 Mazda3 sedan is more than just Mazda’s most cost-efficient model. It has earned high marks in respected industry reviews, including Consumer Reports. The publication named the Mazda3 one of its 84 Recommended Sedans, noting the car’s quiet cabin, braking performance, and overall reliability. The Mazda3 was also selected for the 2026 Editors’ Choice list from Car and Driver, which highlighted the sedan’s interior and efficient performance.
Inside the Mazda3’s various trim levels
There are some more affordable options within the Mazda3 sedan lineup, and four additional variants come with extra features. The Select Sport trim adds dual-zone climate control, leatherette seating, keyless entry, and larger wheels. The Preferred trim includes a moonroof, heated front seats, and a power driver’s seat with lumbar support. The Carbon Edition comes standard with all-wheel drive (AWD), and the Premium Plus sits at the top with a 250 hp turbocharged engine, standard AWD, a Bose sound system, and various advanced tech features.
However, moving up to the higher trim levels also means moving up in price. The Select Sport starts at $25,540, the Preferred starts at $27,290, and the Carbon Edition starts at $29,815. The Premium Plus, the most fully loaded variant in the Mazda3 sedan lineup, starts at $36,940. So if you go with the most affordable base model under $25,000, you will be sacrificing some of the perks that come with the higher trims.
The Mazda3 is performing well so far in 2026, according to the company’s latest North American Operations Sales Report. A total of 4,121 sedans and hatchbacks were sold in May, with the sedan itself accounting for 2,781 of those sales. This marked the Mazda3’s best performance in five years, with year-to-date totals reaching 16,665 units sold. This shows that while Mazda buyers tend to focus more on SUVs like the CX-50, the Mazda3 remains a strong seller.
