Head-to-head
2026 Mazda Mazda3 vs 2026 Toyota Camry
The Mazda Mazda3 wins clearly, 92.6 to 85, on safety, tech & comfort, price. The Toyota Camry is ahead on fuel & range and space & cargo.
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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 …
vs
C2026 Toyota Camry
The 2026 Toyota Camry is sold in the U.S. as a hybrid midsize sedan with 5 EPA-rated configurations. The most efficient version, the Camry HEV FF LE, is EPA-rat…
Verdict · default weights
2026 Mazda Mazda3
Clear winThe Mazda Mazda3 wins clearly, 92.6 to 85, on safety, tech & comfort, price. The Toyota Camry is ahead on fuel & range and space & cargo.
Fuel & range 2026 Toyota Camry leads by 41.9
Safety 2026 Mazda Mazda3 leads by 24.8
Tech & comfort 2026 Mazda Mazda3 leads by 32.2
| Category · weight | 2026 Mazda Mazda3overall 92.6 | 2026 Toyota Camryoverall 85 | |||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pricew 4 | 100 | 84.7 | |||||||||||||||
Base MSRP of the trim (or the model's lowest trim). Lower is better. | |||||||||||||||||
| Fuel & rangew 3 | 58.1 | 100 | |||||||||||||||
EPA annual fuel cost and combined mpg / MPGe; EV range when both are electric. | |||||||||||||||||
| Safetyw 4 | 100 | 75.2 | |||||||||||||||
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 | 96.2 | 100 | |||||||||||||||
Seats, cargo volume behind the 1st and 2nd rows, rear legroom. | |||||||||||||||||
| Performancew 2 | 100 | 93.6 | |||||||||||||||
Horsepower, torque and horsepower per ton. | |||||||||||||||||
| Tech & comfortw 3 | 100 | 67.8 | |||||||||||||||
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 | 92.6 | 85 | |||||||||||||||
Trim vs trim · 6 of 7 categories compared
Mazda Mazda3: base trim 2.5 S Sedan FWD · Toyota Camry: base trim LE FWD. Pick a trim in the tool to compare any other trim.
Change what matters to you →Scores are 0–100 per category from the data on this page. The weights are yours to set.
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 145 filed with NHTSA).
- It has the cleaner recall record (Safety Signal 100 against 74).
- It lists more comfort and tech equipment (45 points against 30.5 on the press-kit count, standard = 1, optional = ½).
Where the 2026 Toyota Camry answers
- It costs $950 a year less to fuel on the EPA's estimate ($1,300 against $2,250).
- It is rated 51 combined against 30 (EPA mpg or MPGe).
What they share
- 5 NHTSA stars.
- 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.
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Specifications side by side
49 specs · manufacturer press kits| Spec | Mazda Mazda32.5 S Sedan FWD | Toyota CamryLE FWD |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | ||
| Base MSRP (excludes destination) | $24,650 | $29,100 |
| Engine Basics | ||
| Aspiration | naturally aspirated | — |
| Cylinder count | 4 | 4 |
| Engine displacement | 2,488 cc | 2,487 cc |
| Engine type (full description) | SKYACTIV-G 2.5 DOHC 16-valve 4-cylinder | 2.5-liter 4-cylinder alloy block with aluminum alloy head |
| Fuel injection system | gdi mpi | — |
| Valve configuration | 4 valves per cylinder, Variable-Valve Timing | DOHC 16-Valve |
| Engine Output | ||
| Horsepower | 186 hp | 184 hp |
| Torque | 186 lb-ft | 163 lb-ft |
| Fuel Economy | ||
| MPG (city) | 27 mpg | 53 mpg |
| MPG (combined) | 30 mpg | 51 mpg |
| MPG (highway) | 36 mpg | 50 mpg |
| Transmission | ||
| Final drive ratio | 3.626 | — |
| Transmission speeds | 6 | — |
| Transmission type | SKYACTIV-DRIVE 6-speed AT | Electronically Controlled Continuously Variable Transmission |
| Dimensions Exterior | ||
| Ground clearance | 5.5 in | 5.4 in |
| Overall height | 56.9 in | 56.9 in |
| Overall length | 184 in | 194 in |
| Overall width | 70.7 in | 72.4 in |
| Wheelbase | 107 in | 111 in |
| Cargo | ||
| Cargo volume behind 2nd row | — | 15.1 cu-ft |
| Total interior volume | 92.8 cu-ft | 99.9 cu-ft |
| Seating | ||
| Passenger seating capacity | 5 | 5 |
| Headroom | ||
| Front headroom | 38 in | 38.3 in |
| Third-row headroom | 37.3 in | 37.6 in |
| Legroom | ||
| Front legroom | 42.3 in | 42.1 in |
| Third-row legroom | 35.1 in | 38 in |
| Weights | ||
| Curb weight (maximum) | 3,111 lbs | 3,450 lbs |
| Curb weight (minimum) | 3,111 lbs | 3,450 lbs |
| Suspension | ||
| Front suspension type | Independent, MacPherson strut | Independent MacPherson strut with stabilizer bar |
| Rear suspension type | Torsion Beam Axle | Multi-link with stabilizer bar |
| Steering | ||
| Steering type | Rack-and-pinion | Electric Power Steering rack-and-pinion with electric power-assist |
| Turning radius (curb-to-curb) | 17.4 ft | 37.4 ft |
| Brakes | ||
| Front brake diameter | 280 mm | 305 mm |
| Front brake type | ventilated disc | ventilated disc |
| Parking brake type | epb | Electric Parking Brake |
| Rear brake diameter | 265 mm | 281 mm |
| Rear brake type | solid disc | solid disc |
| Wheels | ||
| Wheel diameter | 16 in | 16 in |
| Wheel material | alloy | forged alloy |
| Wheel width | 6.5 in | 6.5 in |
| Tires | ||
| Tire size | 205/60R16 M+S | P205/65 R16 |
| Fuel System | ||
| Fuel tank capacity | 13.2 gal | 13 gal |
| Minimum recommended octane | 87 | 87 |
| Connected Services | ||
| Connected services brand | Mazda Connected Services | Toyota Safety Connect / Service Connect / Remote Connect / Drive Connect / Wi-Fi Connect |
| Connected services trial (premium tier) | — | 12 months |
| Connected services trial (standard tier) | 12 months | 60 months |
| Shoulder Room | ||
| Front shoulder room | 55.7 in | 57.7 in |
| Third-row shoulder room | 53.5 in | 55.7 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
161 features · differences first, then sharedSafety38 differ · 44 listed
| Feature | Mazda Mazda32.5 S Sedan FWD | Toyota CamryLE FWD |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | — |
| Automatic High Beams | — | std |
| Backup camera with dynamic gridlines | — | std |
| Brake Hold | — | std |
| Child safety rear door locks | std | — |
| Child-protector rear door locks and power window lockout control | — | std |
| Collision sensors: deactivate high-voltage traction battery | — | std |
| Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) and Traction Control System (TCS) | std | — |
| Eight airbags | — | std |
| Electric Parking Brake | — | std |
| Electronic Parking Brake (EPB) | std | — |
| Front & Rear safety-belt pretensioners with force limiters | std | — |
| Full-Speed Range Dynamic Radar Cruise Control | — | std |
| Headlights - high beam control (HBC) | std | — |
| Knee air bags (Driver and Passenger side) | std | — |
| Lane Departure Alert with Steering Assist | — | std |
| Lane Tracing Assist | — | std |
| LATCH (lower Anchors and Tethers for CHildren) includes lower anchors on outboard rear seats and tether anchors on all rear seats | — | std |
| LATCH rear seat child safety seat anchors & upper tether anchors | std | — |
| Pre-Collision System with Pedestrian Detection | — | std |
| Proactive Driving Assist | — | std |
| Rear Seat Alert | std | — |
| Rear-Seat Reminder | — | std |
| Road Sign Assist | — | 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 | — |
| Toyota Safety Sense™ 3.0 | — | std |
| Vehicle Exit Warning | std | — |
| Anti-lock Brake System (ABS) | std | std |
| Blind Spot Monitor with Rear Cross-Traffic Alert and Safe Exit Alert | std | std |
| Hill Start Assist Control | std | std |
| Star Safety System™ — includes Enhanced Vehicle Stability Control, Traction Control, Anti-lock Brake System, Electronic Brake-force Distribution, Brake Assist and Smart Stop Technology® | std | std |
| Anti-theft system with alarm and engine immobilizer | std | std |
| Tire Pressure Monitor System with direct pressure readout and individual tire location alert | std | std |
Infotainment19 differ · 20 listed
| Feature | Mazda Mazda32.5 S Sedan FWD | Toyota CamryLE FWD |
|---|---|---|
| 8-speaker audio system with Mazda Harmonic Acoustics | std | — |
| 6-speaker audio system | — | std |
| 8-in. Toyota Audio Multimedia touchscreen with USB-A media port, hands-free phone capability and music streaming via Bluetooth® wireless technology, SiriusXM® 3-month trial subscription. | — | std |
| 8.8" full-color center display | std | — |
| AM/FM/Radio | std | — |
| Apple CarPlay™ / Android Auto™ integration | std | — |
| Bluetooth® hands-free phone and audio capability | std | — |
| Drive Connect — includes Cloud Navigation with Google Points of Interest data, Intelligent Assistant with Hey, Toyota, and Destination Assist. Subscription required after trial. 4G network dependent. | — | std |
| Five USB ports: one USB-A media port and two USB-C charging ports up front, with one USB-A and one USB-C charging port in the rear | — | std |
| MAZDA CONNECT™ Infotainment System | std | — |
| Multi-function Commander control | std | — |
| Qi-compatible wireless charging with charge indicator light | — | std |
| Remote Connect — remotely interact with your vehicle through the Toyota app via your smartwatch. Subscription required after trial. 4G network dependent. | — | std |
| Safety Connect® — includes Emergency Assistance Button, Enhanced Roadside Assistance, Automatic Collision Notification and Stolen Vehicle Locator. Subscription required after trial. 4G network dependent. | — | std |
| Service Connect — receive personalized maintenance updates and vehicle health reports. Subscription required after trial. 4G network dependent. | — | std |
| Steering wheel-mounted audio, phone and cruise controls | std | — |
| USB Type-C Audio Inputs (2 ports) | std | — |
| Wireless Android Auto™ compatibility | — | std |
| Wireless Apple CarPlay® compatibility | — | std |
| Wi-Fi Connect — includes AT&T Wi-Fi hotspot and Integrated Streaming (Apple Music® and Amazon Music) compatibility. Subscription required after trial. 4G network dependent. | std | std |
Convenience11 differ · 11 listed
| Feature | Mazda Mazda32.5 S Sedan FWD | Toyota CamryLE FWD |
|---|---|---|
| Smart Key System on front doors and trunk with Push Button Start, remote keyless entry system and remote illuminated entry | std | opt |
| Cruise control with steering wheel-mounted controls | std | — |
| Illuminated entry system | std | — |
| Multi-function key fob with remote entry system with lock, two-stage unlock, panic, trunk-release functions, Push Button Start with remote illuminated entry | — | std |
| One 12V auxiliary power outlet | — | std |
| Power door locks - speed sensitive with 2-stage unlocking | std | — |
| Power door locks with shift-linked automatic locking feature with anti-lockout feature | — | std |
| Power windows with auto up/down, jam protection in all positions and retained-power features | — | std |
| Power windows with one-touch down/up feature (4) | std | — |
| Push Button Start | — | std |
| Remote keyless entry system | std | — |
Climate2 differ · 2 listed
| Feature | Mazda Mazda32.5 S Sedan FWD | Toyota CamryLE FWD |
|---|---|---|
| Air conditioning - manual | std | — |
| Dual zone automatic climate control with air filter, humidity sensor and rear-seat vents | — | std |
Seating8 differ · 10 listed
| Feature | Mazda Mazda32.5 S Sedan FWD | Toyota CamryLE FWD |
|---|---|---|
| 8-way power-adjustable front driver's seat with power lumbar support | — | opt |
| Heated front seats | — | opt |
| 5-passenger seating capacity | std | — |
| 60/40 split one-touch fold-down and reclining rear seatback | std | — |
| Fabric-trimmed front seats with passenger-side seatback pocket; 6-way manual front driver's and passenger seat | — | std |
| Fabric-trimmed front seats with seatback pockets; 8-way power-adjustable front driver's seat with power lumbar support; 6-way manual passenger front seat | — | opt |
| Headrests - Front (height-adjustable: Driver and Passenger) & rear (removable - 3 passengers) | std | — |
| Seat material - cloth (black) | std | — |
| 6-way manual front driver's and passenger seat | std | std |
| 6-way manual passenger front seat | std | std |
Interior30 differ · 31 listed
| Feature | Mazda Mazda32.5 S Sedan FWD | Toyota CamryLE FWD |
|---|---|---|
| Leather-trimmed heated tilt/telescopic steering wheel | — | opt |
| Auto-dimming day/night rearview mirror with HomeLink® universal transceiver | — | opt |
| 7-in. digital gauge cluster — with selectable gauge display screens and fuel economy, Driver Assist, vehicle/trip information and warning messages | — | std |
| 7-inch LCD meter display | std | — |
| Ambient temperature | std | — |
| Assist handles - (4) | std | — |
| Cargo area light | std | — |
| Coat hooks (2) Rear | std | — |
| Covered center console, armrest and storage | — | std |
| Digital clock | std | — |
| Fuel gauge | std | — |
| Gear selector - urethane | std | — |
| Leather-trimmed heated tilt/telescopic steering wheel | — | opt |
| 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 | — |
| Tilt/telescopic steering wheel | — | std |
| Two front and two rear cup holders; two front door and two rear bottle holders | — | std |
| Steering wheel - tilt & telescopic | std | — |
| Dual sun visors with sliding extensions and illuminated vanity mirrors | — | std |
| Floor mats - carpeted | std | — |
| Overhead console with sunglasses storage | — | std |
| Trip computer - Odometer, Trip meter A & B, current and average fuel economy | std | — |
| Rearview mirror with manual day/night mode | std | std |
Exterior31 differ · 33 listed
| Feature | Mazda Mazda32.5 S Sedan FWD | Toyota CamryLE FWD |
|---|---|---|
| Power tilt/slide moonroof | — | opt |
| 16 x 6.5J inch aluminum alloy wheels with Silver Metallic Finish | std | — |
| 16-in. 10-spoke silver-painted alloy wheels | — | std |
| 205/60 R16 all-season tires | std | — |
| Acoustic noise-reducing front windshield | — | std |
| Bi-LED projector low- and high-beam headlights, Automatic High Beams and auto on/off | — | std |
| Black front side air curtains | — | std |
| Black horizontal bar front grille | — | std |
| Black rear lower diffuser | — | std |
| Black window trim | — | std |
| Brake light - center high-mount | std | — |
| Chrome-finished rear "CAMRY" lettering | — | std |
| Color-keyed outside door handles | — | std |
| Color-keyed outside door handles with touch-sensor lock/unlock feature | — | opt |
| Dual exhaust outlets | std | — |
| Front grille - matte finish | std | — |
| Headlights - auto On/Off feature | std | — |
| Headlights - LED | std | — |
| Heated power outside mirrors with integrated turn signals and blind spot warning indicators | — | std |
| LED combination taillights with bulb turn signal and reverse light | — | std |
| License plate lamp (LED) | std | — |
| Rear combination lights | std | — |
| Rear hatch spoiler - black (Premium Plus Unique - PIO) [Hatchback only] | std | — |
| Rear window defogger and outside mirror heater function with timer | — | std |
| Side garnish - black | std | — |
| Side mirrors - body-color, dual power remote with LED turn signal indicators | std | — |
| Single exhaust | — | std |
| Washer-linked intermittent windshield wipers | — | std |
| Windshield wipers - rear intermittent with washer | std | — |
| Windshield wipers - variable-intermittent | std | — |
| Rear window defogger with timer | std | — |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | std | std |
| Spare Tire/Wheel Temporary | std | std |
Powertrain5 differ · 5 listed
| Feature | Mazda Mazda32.5 S Sedan FWD | Toyota CamryLE FWD |
|---|---|---|
| Front Wheel Drive | std | — |
| Predictive Fuel-Efficient Drive | — | 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 | — |
Chassis4 differ · 4 listed
| Feature | Mazda Mazda32.5 S Sedan FWD | Toyota CamryLE FWD |
|---|---|---|
| Front Suspension - MacPherson strut with stabilizer bar | 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 | Toyota CamryLE FWD |
|---|---|---|
| Cargo Cover | std | — |
Highlighted rows are where the two differ. Wording is the manufacturer's own.
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Safety record
NHTSA recalls, complaints, NCAPMazda Mazda3
Safety Signal 100 A
NHTSA overall ★★★★★
Frontal / side / rollover ★★★★★ / ★★★★★ / ★★★★★
Recalls 0
Owner complaints 1 · 0 crashes · 0 fires
Most complained about Steering (1)
Top recalls
No recalls on file.
Toyota Camry
Safety Signal 74 C
NHTSA overall ★★★★★
Frontal / side / rollover ★★★★★ / ★★★★★ / ★★★★★
Recalls 3 · 1 critical
Owner complaints 145 · 14 crashes · 0 fires
Most complained about Hybrid Propulsion System (42), Unspecified (26), Power Train (20)
Top recalls
- critical Hybrid Propulsion System 25V869000 · 55,405 vehicles
- high Electrical System 26V511000 · 508,354 vehicles
- moderate Back Over Prevention 25V744000 · 1,024,407 vehicles
Ownership
EPA, manufacturer warranty| Mazda Mazda32.5 S Sedan FWD | Toyota CamryLE FWD | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $24,650 (base trim) | $29,100 (base trim) |
| Price range across trims | $24,650 – $38,090 11 trims | $29,100 – $37,025 10 trims |
| Powertrains | GAS | HEV |
| EPA configuration compared | 3 4-Door 2WD | Camry HEV FF LE |
| Combined mpg / MPGe | 30 | 51 |
| EPA annual fuel cost | $2,250 | $1,300 |
| EV range | — | — |
| Basic warranty | — | 3 yr / 36,000 mi |
| Powertrain warranty | — | 5 yr / 60,000 mi |
| Roadside assistance | — | 2 yr |
Common questions
Source: EPA, NHTSA and manufacturer press kitsWhich is better, the 2026 Mazda Mazda3 or the 2026 Toyota Camry?
The Mazda Mazda3 wins clearly, 92.6 to 85, on safety, tech & comfort, price. The Toyota Camry is ahead on fuel & range and space & cargo. On WhichTrim's default weights the 2026 Mazda Mazda3 scores 92.6 and the 2026 Toyota Camry 85. 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 Toyota Camry?
The 2026 Mazda Mazda3 starts lower — $24,650 against $29,100, a gap of $4,450 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 Toyota Camry?
2026 Mazda Mazda3: 5 NHTSA stars, grade A, 0 recalls. 2026 Toyota Camry: 5 NHTSA stars, grade C, 3 recalls. 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 Toyota Camry?
Where the 2026 Mazda Mazda3 wins: it has drawn fewer owner complaints (1 against 145 filed with NHTSA), has the cleaner recall record (Safety Signal 100 against 74), and lists more comfort and tech equipment (45 points against 30.5 on the press-kit count, standard = 1, optional = ½). Where the 2026 Toyota Camry answers: it costs $950 a year less to fuel on the EPA's estimate ($1,300 against $2,250) and is rated 51 combined against 30 (EPA mpg or MPGe). What they share: 5 NHTSA stars and 5 seats.