2026 Mazda3 announced…

[numazdaown]

2026 Mazda3: Pricing and Packaging

Mazda3 receives small packaging upgrades and improved standard equipment for 2026. Mazda Harmonic Acoustics eight-speaker stereo system now standard, with Bose still available 2026 Mazda3 has a...

news.mazdausa.com

 

[Antoine]

Thanks for the heads up!

Looks like lots of updates and refinements as opposed to a major overhaul. Still a nice update providing more tech, safety features, refreshed design as well as more comfort and connectivity.

 

[TheMAN]

Seems like that's a facelift model to wring 2 more years out of the generation.

 

[GTEyes]

Thanks for the heads up!

Looks like lots of updates and refinements as opposed to a major overhaul. Still a nice update providing more tech, safety features, refreshed design as well as more comfort and connectivity.

Are you seeing something I am not?

That release seems to only say they've brought back the upgraded stereo as standard..the picture looks exactly the same as the current model...that would be awesome if there was a styling refresh.

 

[Antoine]

Are you seeing something I am not?

That release seems to only say they've brought back the upgraded stereo as standard..the picture looks exactly the same as the current model...that would be awesome if there was a styling refresh.

I think I am! I had come across related info that mentioned more substantial changes but it appears it’s quite the opposite! Actually I recall seeing something about very minor changes but thought that can’t be true…It appears it is!

I dig the current Mazda3 (especially the exterior design, love the sedan look) but at the same time Mazda needs to keep things fresh in order to survive and thrive…Would have much preferred what I initially thought lol

 

[7eregrine]

Very good news when every model years sees another sedan/coupe sunset.
RIP S60 and RC350 for 2026.

 

[GTEyes]

I think I am! I had come across related info that mentioned more substantial changes but it appears it’s quite the opposite! Actually I recall seeing something about very minor changes but thought that can’t be true…It appears it is!

I dig the current Mazda3 (especially the exterior design, love the sedan look) but at the same time Mazda needs to keep things fresh in order to survive and thrive…Would have much preferred what I initially thought lol

You had me excited for a minute!
I also dig the sedan, I think the latest Mazda3 sedan is quite close to that cool sedan concept they showed years ago (Vision Coupe?). If they gave it ventilated seats I'd be seriously considering it.

 

[khoney]

Bring back the Mazdaspeed3! My 2007 is getting tired. I even bought it back from salvage after a rear-end collision and had it repaired, and last week some a-hole loosened my lug nuts and I lost the front driver's side wheel on a busy road. Thankfully nobody was hurt or killed. But I jacked her up from the rear with a floor jack, threw the wheel back on (after I found it after searching for 10 minutes), and she was good as before! I love my Speed3, in case you hadn't noticed!

 

[numazdaown]

Yet another tease by Mazda with no spec deck for the trims to be found yet it says they will be available by the end of the year. Would have been nice if they proofread it since it looks like they furbared the date above the table...

 

[numazdaown]

And the spec deck is out!

https://news.mazdausa.com/download/2026+Mazda3+Spec+Deck.pdf

 

[SoxFan63]

My hunch is that there hasn't been a major overhaul because Mazda is planning on ending the 3 with this generation in 2026 or 2027 the latest. They barely sell 25-30k a year. A number of companies have completely ditched sedans and went 100% SUV. I fear Mazda is next.

 

[Antoine]

My hunch is that there hasn't been a major overhaul because Mazda is planning on ending the 3 with this generation in 2026 or 2027 the latest. They barely sell 25-30k a year. A number of companies have completely ditched sedans and went 100% SUV. I fear Mazda is next.

Based on global sales for 2024, it appears the Mazda3 is hanging in there with a sales ranking of 3rd (behind the CX-5 and CX-30). That's not bad when you think about it considering this gen has been out for a while and it's still holding up somewhat against the CX models.

I saw some speculation somewhere about this new upcoming Mazda concept (or possibly another one) showcasing the next Mazda3...

News - New Mazda Concept to Premier at Japan Mobility Show!

As is usually the case, Mazda does a good job of keeping plans under wraps until release.

 

[Freedom55]

Based on global sales for 2024, it appears the Mazda3 is hanging in there with a sales ranking of 3rd (behind the CX-5 and CX-30). That's not bad when you think about it considering this gen has been out for a while and it's still holding up somewhat against the CX models.

I saw some speculation somewhere about this new upcoming Mazda concept (or possibly another one) showcasing the next Mazda3...

News - New Mazda Concept to Premier at Japan Mobility Show!

As is usually the case, Mazda does a good job of keeping plans under wraps until release.

Hello Antoine always nice to read your posts I wouldn't be surprised if Mazda decides to to build the CX-5 instead of the 3 in their US plant like most of its competitors. I don't know if that would mean the 3 would be discontinued in the US/North America market or perhaps they would build another plant? It's hard to follow manufacturers plans as they change all the time and Mazda's executives must be scratching their heads right now. The 2 and 6 are gone leaving the 3 as the only sedan/hatchback left yet Toyota and Honda (also Hyundai/Kia and Nissan, Subaru, VW) seem to persist with sedans. I feel sorry for those wanting a basic vehicle as besides the Hyundai Venue and Nissan Sentra, all the econoboxes are gone...Even the luxury market is affected as Cadillac announced their CT4 and CT5 are on their last miles at least with their gas engines.

 

[N7turbo]

The CX-5 is a global vehicle for them so I doubt they would change to export it from the U.S. instead of Japan. Just my thinking.

 

[Freedom55]

The CX-5 is a global vehicle for them so I doubt they would change to export it from the U.S. instead of Japan. Just my thinking.

I meant CX-5 still built in Japan for the rest of the world but with an additional plant in the U.S. or use the existing one where they are building the 3. Sorry for the confusion!

 

[Antoine]

Hello Antoine always nice to read your posts I wouldn't be surprised if Mazda decides to to build the CX-5 instead of the 3 in their US plant like most of its competitors. I don't know if that would mean the 3 would be discontinued in the US/North America market or perhaps they would build another plant? It's hard to follow manufacturers plans as they change all the time and Mazda's executives must be scratching their heads right now. The 2 and 6 are gone leaving the 3 as the only sedan/hatchback left yet Toyota and Honda (also Hyundai/Kia and Nissan, Subaru, VW) seem to persist with sedans. I feel sorry for those wanting a basic vehicle as besides the Hyundai Venue and Nissan Sentra, all the econoboxes are gone...Even the luxury market is affected as Cadillac announced their CT4 and CT5 are on their last miles at least with their gas engines.

It appears the majority of Mazda3s sold in North America are made in Mexico with a small portion coming from Japan. Not sure if this is entirely accurate but that what it looks like...Seems like Mazda is really focused on going premium, step by step, especially in Japan so that might also be putting pressure on maintaining more traditional and traditionally affordable models. Where the Mazda3 fits in there, I'm not sure but it's hanging in there sales wise and it's possible they move the Mazda3 more upmarket in the future.

I'd love to see Mazda bring back the Mazdaspeed3...Now they have Mazda Spirit Racing and have finally launched something with that brand and spec in Japan...It's a Miata and one variant is super limited and not inexpensive...It's possible that we do see more MSR variants but I think they're going to keep with the upmarket theme here as well...While I'd love to see the Mazda3 continue and even more a MSR Mazda3, it's difficult to tell at the moment if they'll go that direction...

We should know more in general once we see what these concepts are...