2026 Mazda Mazda3 vs 2026 Tesla Model 3
The Mazda Mazda3 wins clearly, 85.7 to 69.9, on tech & comfort, safety, price. The Tesla Model 3 is ahead on fuel & range.
2026 Mazda Mazda3
The 2026 Mazda Mazda3 is sold in the U.S. as a gas midsize sedan with 7 EPA-rated configurations. The most efficient version, the 3 4-Door 2WD, is EPA-rated at …
2026 Tesla Model 3
The 2026 Tesla Model 3 is sold in the U.S. as an electric midsize sedan with 5 EPA-rated configurations. Its longest-range version, the Model 3 Premium RWD, is …
2026 Mazda Mazda3
Clear winThe Mazda Mazda3 wins clearly, 85.7 to 69.9, on tech & comfort, safety, price. The Tesla Model 3 is ahead on fuel & range.
| Category · weight | 2026 Mazda Mazda3overall 85.7 | 2026 Tesla Model 3overall 69.9 | ||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pricew 4 | 100 | 66.6 | ||||||||||||
Base MSRP of the trim (or the model's lowest trim). Lower is better. | ||||||||||||||
| Fuel & rangew 3 | 23.5 | 100 | ||||||||||||
EPA annual fuel cost and combined mpg / MPGe; EV range when both are electric. | ||||||||||||||
| Safetyw 4 | 100 | 58 | ||||||||||||
NHTSA 5-Star rating, WhichTrim Safety Signal (open recalls by severity), owner complaints, standard driver-assist features (from the press kit, or from what the manufacturer filed with NHTSA where there is none). Open park-outside / do-not-drive advisories cost 25 points. | ||||||||||||||
| Space & cargow 2 | 100 | 100 | ||||||||||||
Seats, cargo volume behind the 1st and 2nd rows, rear legroom. | ||||||||||||||
| Performancenot compared | No data | No data | ||||||||||||
| Tech & comfortw 3 | 100 | 40 | ||||||||||||
Standard (1) and optional (0.5) infotainment, convenience, climate and interior features from the manufacturer's press kit. | ||||||||||||||
| Warrantynot compared | No data | No data | ||||||||||||
| Overall | 85.7 | 69.9 | ||||||||||||
Trim vs trim · 5 of 7 categories compared
Mazda Mazda3: base trim 2.5 S Sedan FWD · Tesla Model 3: base trim Model 3 Rear-Wheel Drive RWD. Pick a trim in the tool to compare any other trim.
Where the gap is
the biggest differences, from the scorecard's own numbersWhere the 2026 Mazda Mazda3 wins
- It has drawn fewer owner complaints (1 against 30 filed with NHTSA).
- It lists 28 standard driver-assist features against 3.
- It lists more comfort and tech equipment (45 points against 18 on the press-kit count, standard = 1, optional = ½).
Where the 2026 Tesla Model 3 answers
- It is rated 139 combined against 30 (EPA mpg or MPGe).
- It costs $1,700 a year less to fuel on the EPA's estimate ($550 against $2,250).
What they share
- 5 seats.
Ranked by how far apart the two score on each measure, so a price gap and a horsepower gap are compared on the same scale. Every figure is on this page.
Specifications side by side
48 specs · manufacturer press kits| Spec | Mazda Mazda32.5 S Sedan FWD | Tesla Model 3Model 3 Rear-Wheel Drive RWD |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | ||
| Base MSRP (excludes destination) | $24,650 | $36,990 |
| Engine Basics | ||
| Aspiration | naturally aspirated | — |
| Cylinder count | 4 | — |
| Engine displacement | 2,488 cc | — |
| Engine type (full description) | SKYACTIV-G 2.5 DOHC 16-valve 4-cylinder | Electric Motor |
| Fuel injection system | gdi mpi | — |
| Valve configuration | 4 valves per cylinder, Variable-Valve Timing | — |
| Engine Output | ||
| Horsepower | 186 hp | — |
| Torque | 186 lb-ft | — |
| Fuel Economy | ||
| MPG (city) | 27 mpg | — |
| MPG (combined) | 30 mpg | — |
| MPG (highway) | 36 mpg | — |
| Transmission | ||
| Final drive ratio | 3.626 | — |
| Transmission speeds | 6 | — |
| Transmission type | SKYACTIV-DRIVE 6-speed AT | Single-Speed |
| Dimensions Exterior | ||
| Ground clearance | 5.5 in | 5.4 in |
| Overall height | 56.9 in | 56.7 in |
| Overall length | 184 in | 186 in |
| Overall width | 70.7 in | 76.1 in |
| Wheelbase | 107 in | — |
| Cargo | ||
| Cargo volume behind 2nd row | — | 24 cu-ft |
| Total interior volume | 92.8 cu-ft | — |
| Seating | ||
| Passenger seating capacity | 5 | 5 |
| Headroom | ||
| Front headroom | 38 in | — |
| Third-row headroom | 37.3 in | — |
| Legroom | ||
| Front legroom | 42.3 in | — |
| Third-row legroom | 35.1 in | — |
| Weights | ||
| Curb weight (maximum) | 3,111 lbs | — |
| Curb weight (minimum) | 3,111 lbs | 3,759 lbs |
| Suspension | ||
| Front suspension type | Independent, MacPherson strut | — |
| Rear suspension type | Torsion Beam Axle | — |
| Steering | ||
| Steering type | Rack-and-pinion | — |
| Turning radius (curb-to-curb) | 17.4 ft | — |
| Brakes | ||
| Front brake diameter | 280 mm | — |
| Front brake type | ventilated disc | — |
| Parking brake type | epb | — |
| Rear brake diameter | 265 mm | — |
| Rear brake type | solid disc | — |
| Wheels | ||
| Wheel diameter | 16 in | — |
| Wheel material | alloy | — |
| Wheel width | 6.5 in | — |
| Tires | ||
| Tire size | 205/60R16 M+S | — |
| Fuel System | ||
| Fuel tank capacity | 13.2 gal | — |
| Minimum recommended octane | 87 | — |
| Connected Services | ||
| Connected services brand | Mazda Connected Services | — |
| Connected services trial (standard tier) | 12 months | — |
| Shoulder Room | ||
| Front shoulder room | 55.7 in | — |
| Third-row shoulder room | 53.5 in | — |
Green marks the better value where the direction is unambiguous (more room, more power, lower price). Blank rows are specs the press kit does not publish.
Equipment, feature by feature
126 features · differences first, then sharedSafety31 differ · 31 listed
| Feature | Mazda Mazda32.5 S Sedan FWD | Tesla Model 3Model 3 Rear-Wheel Drive RWD |
|---|---|---|
| Mazda Radar Cruise Control (MRCC) with stop and go function | std | — |
| Rear Cross Traffic Alert | std | — |
| Smart Brake Support with pedestrian, bicycles or motorcycles detection (SBS) | std | — |
| Advanced dual front air bags | std | — |
| Lane Departure Warning System | std | — |
| Lane Keep Assist | std | — |
| Rearview camera | std | — |
| Side impact air curtains (front and rear) with roll-over protection | std | — |
| Side-impact air bags - front & rear | std | — |
| Driver Attention Alert | std | — |
| 3-point safety belts for all seating positions | std | — |
| 8 exterior cameras | — | std |
| Anti-lock Brake System (ABS) with Electronic Brakeforce Distribution (EBD) and Brake Assist | std | — |
| Blind Spot Monitoring | std | — |
| Child safety rear door locks | std | — |
| Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) and Traction Control System (TCS) | std | — |
| Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) and Traction Control System (TCS) | std | — |
| Electronic Parking Brake (EPB) | std | — |
| Front & Rear safety-belt pretensioners with force limiters | std | — |
| Full Self-Driving (Supervised) capable | — | std |
| Headlights - high beam control (HBC) | std | — |
| Hill Launch Assist and Auto Hold | std | — |
| Knee air bags (Driver and Passenger side) | std | — |
| LATCH rear seat child safety seat anchors & upper tether anchors | std | — |
| Rear Seat Alert | std | — |
| Seat belt warning/reminder for driver, front passenger and rear passengers | std | — |
| Side impact air curtains (front and rear) with roll-over protection | std | — |
| Traffic-aware cruise control | — | std |
| Vehicle Exit Warning | std | — |
| Engine immobilizer anti-theft system | std | — |
| Tire pressure monitoring system - individual- (TPMS) | std | — |
Infotainment16 differ · 17 listed
| Feature | Mazda Mazda32.5 S Sedan FWD | Tesla Model 3Model 3 Rear-Wheel Drive RWD |
|---|---|---|
| 2 wireless phone chargers | — | std |
| 8-speaker audio system with Mazda Harmonic Acoustics | std | — |
| 15.4" First-row touchscreen | — | std |
| 3 USB-C ports | — | std |
| 7 Speaker audio system | — | std |
| 8.8" full-color center display | std | — |
| AM/FM/Radio | std | — |
| Apple CarPlay™ / Android Auto™ integration | std | — |
| Basic Vehicle Warranty: 4 years or 50,000 mi, whichever comes first | — | std |
| Bluetooth® hands-free phone and audio capability | std | — |
| Grok voice assistant | — | std |
| MAZDA CONNECT™ Infotainment System | std | — |
| Multi-function Commander control | std | — |
| Over-the-air software updates | — | std |
| Steering wheel-mounted audio, phone and cruise controls | std | — |
| USB Type-C Audio Inputs (2 ports) | std | — |
| Cellular data, Wi-Fi, ultra-wide band and Bluetooth connectivity | std | std |
Convenience7 differ · 7 listed
| Feature | Mazda Mazda32.5 S Sedan FWD | Tesla Model 3Model 3 Rear-Wheel Drive RWD |
|---|---|---|
| Push button start | std | — |
| Cruise control with steering wheel-mounted controls | std | — |
| Hands-free power open on approach | — | std |
| Illuminated entry system | std | — |
| Power door locks - speed sensitive with 2-stage unlocking | std | — |
| Power windows with one-touch down/up feature (4) | std | — |
| Remote keyless entry system | std | — |
Climate2 differ · 2 listed
| Feature | Mazda Mazda32.5 S Sedan FWD | Tesla Model 3Model 3 Rear-Wheel Drive RWD |
|---|---|---|
| Air conditioning - manual | std | — |
| Particulate and odor filter; First-row touchscreen adjust air vents | — | std |
Seating11 differ · 11 listed
| Feature | Mazda Mazda32.5 S Sedan FWD | Tesla Model 3Model 3 Rear-Wheel Drive RWD |
|---|---|---|
| First-row heated seats | — | std |
| 6-way manual adjustable driver's seat with seat lifter | std | — |
| 4-way manual adjustable front passenger seat | std | — |
| 5-passenger seating capacity | std | — |
| 60/40 split one-touch fold-down and reclining rear seatback | std | — |
| First-row power recline | — | std |
| Five-seat interior | — | std |
| Headrests - Front (height-adjustable: Driver and Passenger) & rear (removable - 3 passengers) | std | — |
| Seat material - cloth (black) | std | — |
| Second-row manual-folding seats | — | std |
| Vegan leather with textile inserts | — | std |
Interior25 differ · 25 listed
| Feature | Mazda Mazda32.5 S Sedan FWD | Tesla Model 3Model 3 Rear-Wheel Drive RWD |
|---|---|---|
| Heated steering wheel | — | std |
| 7-inch LCD meter display | std | — |
| Ambient temperature | std | — |
| Assist handles - (4) | std | — |
| Cargo area light | std | — |
| Center console with extended storage | — | std |
| Coat hooks (2) Rear | std | — |
| Digital clock | std | — |
| Fuel gauge | std | — |
| Gear selector - urethane | std | — |
| Manual-adjust heated steering wheel | — | std |
| Map lights (LED) | std | — |
| Multi-Information Display (MID) - Speedometer, Odometer, Trip Meter, Outside Temperature, Distance-To-Empty, Average Fuel Economy, Current fuel economy, i-Activsense display, Compass Display, Door-Ajar/Liftgate-Ajar Warning indication, Message Display | std | — |
| Speedometer | std | — |
| Steering wheel - urethane | std | — |
| Storage - center console armrest with covered storage compartments | std | — |
| Storage - cup holders, (2) front | std | — |
| Storage - glove compartment | std | — |
| Storage, bottle holder, front (2) and rear (2) door panels | std | — |
| Sun visors - dual covered vanity mirrors and extensions | std | — |
| Tachometer | std | — |
| Rearview mirror - manual day/night | std | — |
| Steering wheel - tilt & telescopic | std | — |
| Floor mats - carpeted | std | — |
| Trip computer - Odometer, Trip meter A & B, current and average fuel economy | std | — |
Exterior20 differ · 20 listed
| Feature | Mazda Mazda32.5 S Sedan FWD | Tesla Model 3Model 3 Rear-Wheel Drive RWD |
|---|---|---|
| 16 x 6.5J inch aluminum alloy wheels with Silver Metallic Finish | std | — |
| 205/60 R16 all-season tires | std | — |
| Brake light - center high-mount | std | — |
| Dual exhaust outlets | std | — |
| Front grille - matte finish | std | — |
| Headlights - auto On/Off feature | std | — |
| Headlights - daytime running lights (LED) | std | — |
| Headlights - LED | std | — |
| LED headlights; Auto and adaptive high beams | — | std |
| License plate lamp (LED) | std | — |
| Manual-folding side-view mirrors | — | std |
| Panoramic glass roof | — | std |
| Rear combination lights | std | — |
| Rear hatch spoiler - black (Premium Plus Unique - PIO) [Hatchback only] | std | — |
| Side garnish - black | std | — |
| Side mirrors - body-color, dual power remote with LED turn signal indicators | std | — |
| Windshield wipers - rear intermittent with washer | std | — |
| Windshield wipers - variable-intermittent | std | — |
| Rear window defogger with timer | std | — |
| T125/70D16 temporary spare tire | std | — |
Powertrain7 differ · 7 listed
| Feature | Mazda Mazda32.5 S Sedan FWD | Tesla Model 3Model 3 Rear-Wheel Drive RWD |
|---|---|---|
| Front Wheel Drive | std | — |
| Battery & Drive Unit Warranty: 8 years or 100,000 mi, whichever comes first | — | std |
| Drive Modes: Chill, Standard | — | std |
| SKYACTIV-G® 2.5 DOHC 16-valve 4-cylinder engine with Cylinder Deactivation | std | — |
| SKYACTIV-VEHICLE DYNAMICS: G-Vectoring Control Plus (GVC Plus) | std | — |
| SKYACTIV®-Drive 6-Speed AT with manual-shift mode and Sport mode | std | — |
| Supercharging Max 225 kW; Pay Per Use | — | std |
Chassis5 differ · 5 listed
| Feature | Mazda Mazda32.5 S Sedan FWD | Tesla Model 3Model 3 Rear-Wheel Drive RWD |
|---|---|---|
| Front Suspension - MacPherson strut with stabilizer bar | std | — |
| Passive shock absorbers | — | std |
| Power-assisted rack-and-pinion steering | std | — |
| Power-assisted ventilated front disc brakes and rear solid disc brakes | std | — |
| Rear Suspension - Torsion Beam | std | — |
Cargo1 differ · 1 listed
| Feature | Mazda Mazda32.5 S Sedan FWD | Tesla Model 3Model 3 Rear-Wheel Drive RWD |
|---|---|---|
| Cargo Cover | std | — |
Highlighted rows are where the two differ. Wording is the manufacturer's own.
Safety record
NHTSA recalls, complaints, NCAPMazda Mazda3
Top recalls
No recalls on file.
Tesla Model 3
Top recalls
- high Seats 25V410000 · 48 vehicles
Ownership
EPA, manufacturer warranty| Mazda Mazda32.5 S Sedan FWD | Tesla Model 3Model 3 Rear-Wheel Drive RWD | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $24,650 (base trim) | $36,990 (base trim) |
| Price range across trims | $24,650 – $38,090 11 trims | $36,990 – $54,990 4 trims |
| Powertrains | GAS | BEV |
| EPA configuration compared | 3 4-Door 2WD | Model 3 Standard RWD |
| Combined mpg / MPGe | 30 | 139 |
| EPA annual fuel cost | $2,250 | $550 |
| EV range | — | 321 mi |
| Basic warranty | — | 4 yr / 50,000 mi |
| Powertrain warranty | — | — |
| Roadside assistance | — | — |
Common questions
Source: EPA, NHTSA and manufacturer press kitsWhich is better, the 2026 Mazda Mazda3 or the 2026 Tesla Model 3?
The Mazda Mazda3 wins clearly, 85.7 to 69.9, on tech & comfort, safety, price. The Tesla Model 3 is ahead on fuel & range. On WhichTrim's default weights the 2026 Mazda Mazda3 scores 85.7 and the 2026 Tesla Model 3 69.9. The weights are yours to change — move what you care about and the verdict recalculates on the page.
Which is cheaper, the 2026 Mazda Mazda3 or the 2026 Tesla Model 3?
The 2026 Mazda Mazda3 starts lower — $24,650 against $36,990, a gap of $12,340 at the trims compared here. Both are manufacturer MSRPs before destination, options and dealer charges.
Which has the better safety record, the 2026 Mazda Mazda3 or the 2026 Tesla Model 3?
2026 Mazda Mazda3: 5 NHTSA stars, grade A, 0 recalls. 2026 Tesla Model 3: no NHTSA rating yet, grade A, 1 recall. Crash ratings come from NHTSA's own tests; the grade is WhichTrim's read of the recall record, and the two can disagree.
What are the biggest differences between the 2026 Mazda Mazda3 and the 2026 Tesla Model 3?
Where the 2026 Mazda Mazda3 wins: it has drawn fewer owner complaints (1 against 30 filed with NHTSA), lists 28 standard driver-assist features against 3, and lists more comfort and tech equipment (45 points against 18 on the press-kit count, standard = 1, optional = ½). Where the 2026 Tesla Model 3 answers: it is rated 139 combined against 30 (EPA mpg or MPGe) and costs $1,700 a year less to fuel on the EPA's estimate ($550 against $2,250). What they share: 5 seats.