Mazda3 still, but barely, keeps the manual alive in 2026

The starting MSRP on the Mazda3 is unchanged from last year at $25,250, but the only version with a manual transmission costs Miata money.

*The 2026 Mazda3 Sport can be had with an automatic or manual transmission. – CNW Group/Mazda Canada Inc.*

In a bit of good news for compact car buyers, the Mazda3 is not increasing in price for the 2026 model year.

The starting manufacturer’s suggested retail price on the 2026 Mazda3 sedan remains $25,250 and $26,000 on the Mazda3 Sport hatchback, Mazda Canada announced. The MSRP doesn’t include freight and PDE charges of $2,095. There may be other additional dealer fees as well.

For 2026, the car is available in sedan and hatchback versions, in front-wheel-drive and all-wheel-drive configurations as well as a GT Turbo version with a more powerful engine.

The car, like in recent model years, also saves the manual, but barely.

The six-speed manual transmission is only available on the hatchback version and only on one trim, the Mazda3 GT Sport. This is unchanged from 2025. This option has an MSRP of $34,800, which is basically Miata (MX-5) money. Mazda hasn’t announced 2026 MX-5 pricing, but the 2025 model has a starting MSRP of $35,450, and considering Mazda Canada has maintained a $3,000 discount on the little convertible for much of the year, the Miata can be had for less money than the Mazda3 GT Sport.

Powertrains

Most versions of the Mazda3 are powered by Skyactiv-G 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine with 191 hp and 186 lb.-ft. of torque mated to six-speed automatic transmission. Front-wheel drive is standard but certain trims have i-Activ all-wheel drive available.

The GT Turbo gets a turbocharged 2.5-litre engine with 250 hp and 320 lb.-ft. of torque when using premium fuel. The car can also run on regular octane fuel, but with slightly lower power figures. The turbo only comes with an automatic transmission and all-wheel drive.

Trims

For 2026, the Mazda3 sedan and Mazda3 Sport hatchback can be had in GX, GS, GS Luxury, GT and GT Turbo trims.

Standard content on the GX includes Mazda’s i-Activsense suite of advanced safety features, an 8.8-inch infotainment screen with wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, push-button start, remote keyless entry, electronic parking brake, black cloth heated front seats, heated exterior mirrors abd automatic climate control. On the outside, the GX gets LED automatic headlights, LED combination taillights, and 16-inch silver metallic alloy wheels. The sedan has a matte black front grille, and the hatchback has a gloss black grille. Mazda Connected Services is included for one year.

The GS adds a 10.25-inch display with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, wireless phone charging, dual-zone climate control with rear vents, rain-sensing wipers, heated body-colour mirrors, rear centre armrest with cup holders and a heated leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob. The car rides on 18-inch silver alloy wheels.

The GS Luxury Package adds black leatherette seats, power glass moonroof, 10-way power driver’s seat with lumbar support and memory, auto-dimming rear-view mirror, Advanced Keyless Entry and exterior mirrors with reverse tilt-down and memory function. The GS Luxury cars can be equipped with all-wheel drive.

The GT models get a 12-speaker Bose premium audio system with aluminum speaker grilles, SiriusXM satellite radio with three-month trial subscription, 360 View Monitor with front and rear parking sensors, cruising and traffic support, traffic sign recognition, smart brake support with rear and rear crossing, active driving display, adaptive front-lighting system, front wiper de-icer, black leather seats and a frameless auto-dimming mirror with HomeLink.

The GT Turbo has the GT’s features plus the more powerful engine and standard all-wheel drive, as well as 18-inch black alloy wheels, jet black mirrors, larger dual exhaust outlets and Turbo badging.

Mazda3 sedan and Mazda3 Sport hatchback — *Mazda’s compact car is available as the Mazda3 sedan and and Mazda3 Sport hatchback. – CNW Group/Mazda Canada Inc.*

Canadian prices

The starting MSRPs for the 2026 Mazda3 sedan are as follows:

GX FWD – $25,250
GS FWD – $27,850
GS Luxury Package FWD – $30,050
GS Luxury Package AWD – $32,050
GT FWD – $34,050
GT AWD – $36,050
GT Turbo AWD – $38,450

The starting MSRPs for the 2026 Mazda3 Sport hatchback are as follows:

GX FWD – $26,000
GS FWD – $28,600
GS Luxury Package FWD – $30,800
GS Luxury Package AWD – $32,800
GT FWD – $34,800
GT FWD (manual) – $34,800
GT AWD – $36,800
GT Turbo AWD – $39,200

The MSRP doesn’t include fees and levies, which may vary by location.

For full model details, visit the Mazda Canada website.