Saturn ION vs Mazda MAZDA3
Overview | |
Years produced2004-Present | Years produced2003-2007 |
MSRP$24,550 | MSRP$12,890 |
Listings9607 | Listings76 |
Ratings & Reviews | |
User Reviews | User Reviews |
Expert reviews6.5 out of 10 | Expert reviews |
Pros
Cons
| |
Reviews SummaryCompact sedans are some of the most affordable vehicles today, which often leads to cheaper interiors, disappointing performance, and uninspired styling. The 2026 Mazda 3 bucks that trend with a cabin that could easily be mistaken for entry-level luxury fare, a spirited driving experience, and head-turning style. The current-generation Mazda 3 debuted as a 2019 model, but despite its age few updates are expected for 2026. Verdict: The Mazda 3 proves that small cars don’t have to be boring. | |
Reviews Summary | |
No video found | No video found |
Popular Features & Specs | |
Engine2.5L 186 hp I4 | Engine2.2L 145 hp I4 |
Drive TrainFWD | Drive TrainFWD |
Seating Capacity5 | Seating Capacity5 |
Horsepower186 hp @ 6000 rpm | Horsepower145 hp @ 5600 rpm |
MPG City27 | MPG City21 |
MPG Highway36 | MPG Highway29 |
Engine | |
Engine Name2.5L 186 hp I4 | Engine Name2.2L 145 hp I4 |
Torque186 lb-ft @ 4000 rpm | Torque150 lb-ft @ 4200 rpm |
Horsepower186 hp @ 6000 rpm | Horsepower145 hp @ 5600 rpm |
DrivetrainFWD | DrivetrainFWD |
Fuel Economy | |
MPG City27 | MPG City21 |
MPG Highway36 | MPG Highway29 |
Interior | |
Seating Capacity5 | Seating Capacity5 |
Key Features | |
Sunroof/Moonroof | Sunroof/MoonroofOptional |
Safety | |
Front Crash Overall5 | Front Crash Overall |
Side Crash Overall5 | Side Crash Overall |
Dimensions & Capacity | |
Cargo Space13.2 cu ft | Cargo Space14.7 cu ft |
Curb Weight3111 lbs | Curb Weight2752 lbs |
Height56.9 in | Height57.4 in |
Length183.5 in | Length184.5 in |
Width70.7 in | Width67.2 in |
Wheelbase107.3 in | Wheelbase103.2 in |
Maximum Payload970 lbs | Maximum Payload |
Number of doors4 | Number of doors4 |
Maximum Towing Capacity | Maximum Towing Capacity1000 lbs |
Standard Towing Capacity | Standard Towing Capacity1000 lbs |
Overview | ||
Years produced | 2004-Present | 2003-2007 |
MSRP | $24,550 | $12,890 |
Listings | ||
Ratings & Reviews | ||
User reviews | ||
Expert reviews | 6.5 out of 10Read full review | |
Pros & cons | Pros
Cons
| |
Summary | Compact sedans are some of the most affordable vehicles today, which often leads to cheaper interiors, disappointing performance, and uninspired styling. The 2026 Mazda 3 bucks that trend with a cabin that could easily be mistaken for entry-level luxury fare, a spirited driving experience, and head-turning style. The current-generation Mazda 3 debuted as a 2019 model, but despite its age few updates are expected for 2026. Verdict: The Mazda 3 proves that small cars don’t have to be boring. | |
Video | No video found | No video found |
Popular Features & Specs | ||
Engine | 2.5L 186 hp I4 | 2.2L 145 hp I4 |
Drive Train | FWD | FWD |
Seating Capacity | 5 | 5 |
Horsepower | 186 hp @ 6000 rpm | 145 hp @ 5600 rpm |
MPG City | 27 | 21 |
MPG Highway | 36 | 29 |
Engine | ||
Engine Name | 2.5L 186 hp I4 | 2.2L 145 hp I4 |
Torque | 186 lb-ft @ 4000 rpm | 150 lb-ft @ 4200 rpm |
Horsepower | 186 hp @ 6000 rpm | 145 hp @ 5600 rpm |
Drivetrain | FWD | FWD |
Fuel Economy | ||
MPG City | 27 | 21 |
MPG Highway | 36 | 29 |
Interior | ||
Seating Capacity | 5 | 5 |
Key Features | ||
Sunroof/Moonroof | Optional | |
Safety | ||
Front Crash Overall | 5 | |
Side Crash Overall | 5 | |
Dimensions & Capacity | ||
Cargo Space | 13.2 cu ft | 14.7 cu ft |
Curb Weight | 3111 lbs | 2752 lbs |
Height | 56.9 in | 57.4 in |
Length | 183.5 in | 184.5 in |
Width | 70.7 in | 67.2 in |
Wheelbase | 107.3 in | 103.2 in |
Maximum Payload | 970 lbs | |
Number of doors | 4 | 4 |
Maximum Towing Capacity | 1000 lbs | |
Standard Towing Capacity | 1000 lbs | |

By: CarGurus + AI
At CarGurus, our team of experienced automotive writers remain at the heart of our content operation, conducting hands-on car tests and writing insightful guides that are backed by years of industry experience. To complement this, we are harnessing AI to make our content offering more diverse and more helpful to shoppers than ever. To achieve this, our AI systems are based exclusively on CarGurus content, ratings and data, so that what we produce is both unique to CarGurus, and uniquely helpful to car shoppers.









































