Kia Spectra vs Mazda MAZDA3
Overview | |
Years produced2000-2009 | Years produced2004-Present |
MSRP$13,550 | MSRP$24,550 |
Listings74 | Listings9643 |
Ratings & Reviews | |
User Reviews | User Reviews |
Expert reviews | Expert reviews6.5 out of 10 |
Pros
Cons
| |
Reviews Summary | |
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. | |
No video found | No video found |
Popular Features & Specs | |
Engine2.0L 138 hp I4 | Engine2.5L 186 hp I4 |
Drive TrainFWD | Drive TrainFWD |
Seating Capacity5 | Seating Capacity5 |
Horsepower138 hp @ 6000 rpm | Horsepower186 hp @ 6000 rpm |
MPG City24 | MPG City27 |
MPG Highway32 | MPG Highway36 |
Engine | |
Engine Name2.0L 138 hp I4 | Engine Name2.5L 186 hp I4 |
Torque136 lb-ft @ 4500 rpm | Torque186 lb-ft @ 4000 rpm |
Horsepower138 hp @ 6000 rpm | Horsepower186 hp @ 6000 rpm |
DrivetrainFWD | DrivetrainFWD |
Fuel Economy | |
MPG City24 | MPG City27 |
MPG Highway32 | MPG Highway36 |
Interior | |
Seating Capacity5 | Seating Capacity5 |
Safety | |
Front Crash Overall | Front Crash Overall5 |
Side Crash Overall | Side Crash Overall5 |
Dimensions & Capacity | |
Cargo Space12.2 cu ft | Cargo Space13.2 cu ft |
Curb Weight2701 lbs | Curb Weight3111 lbs |
Height57.9 in | Height56.9 in |
Length177.2 in | Length183.5 in |
Width68.3 in | Width70.7 in |
Wheelbase102.8 in | Wheelbase107.3 in |
Maximum Payload | Maximum Payload970 lbs |
Number of doors4 | Number of doors4 |
Overview | ||
Years produced | 2000-2009 | 2004-Present |
MSRP | $13,550 | $24,550 |
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 | 2.0L 138 hp I4 | 2.5L 186 hp I4 |
Drive Train | FWD | FWD |
Seating Capacity | 5 | 5 |
Horsepower | 138 hp @ 6000 rpm | 186 hp @ 6000 rpm |
MPG City | 24 | 27 |
MPG Highway | 32 | 36 |
Engine | ||
Engine Name | 2.0L 138 hp I4 | 2.5L 186 hp I4 |
Torque | 136 lb-ft @ 4500 rpm | 186 lb-ft @ 4000 rpm |
Horsepower | 138 hp @ 6000 rpm | 186 hp @ 6000 rpm |
Drivetrain | FWD | FWD |
Fuel Economy | ||
MPG City | 24 | 27 |
MPG Highway | 32 | 36 |
Interior | ||
Seating Capacity | 5 | 5 |
Safety | ||
Front Crash Overall | 5 | |
Side Crash Overall | 5 | |
Dimensions & Capacity | ||
Cargo Space | 12.2 cu ft | 13.2 cu ft |
Curb Weight | 2701 lbs | 3111 lbs |
Height | 57.9 in | 56.9 in |
Length | 177.2 in | 183.5 in |
Width | 68.3 in | 70.7 in |
Wheelbase | 102.8 in | 107.3 in |
Maximum Payload | 970 lbs | |
Number of doors | 4 | 4 |

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.







































