This week I was sporting the 2026 Mazda 3 GS AWD, and it was vaguely familiar, coming out of the 2026 Mazda CX30 GT Kuro 2 weeks before.
The interior feels small, as if you as the driver are seated side-by-side with your passenger. A fit just right for a medium sized, middle-age woman of my build, which did tighten based on the jacket I was wearing.
The backseat does not allow for a lot of legroom, and that is with my driver seat positioned to my comfort. I found it not more different than what you find on an airplane.
And although there are seatbelts for three, if you want room and your personal bubble respected, you might only want to consider two passengers at most.
As for the interior design, there is not much to speak to, with its less is more simple approach. At the centre is a discreet and smaller infotainment system. The air vents and climate controls felt standard in plastic, much like the centre consul control with leather mounted gearshift. The double stitching on the faux leather, allows for some visual interest against the glossy, plastic, cosmetic dividers.
This Mazda is known for its precision. As per how, it is explained best on their website. “Engineered for confident control and responsive handling, it delivers up to 320 lb-ft of torque and 250 horsepower, with available Skyactiv-G 2.5 T Dynamic Pressure Turbo engine. Its I-Activ AWD uses 27 sensors to monitor driving conditions 200 times per second for enhanced stability and control. The G-Vectoring Control Plus subtly adjusts the vehicle’s weight in turns, improving traction and making every drive feel more controlled”.
A friend owns the same vehicle, in an earlier model commented that the turn radius was wide, and she had trouble navigating it as such. I on the other hand, didn’t have any issue, especially when compared to the girth of the SUVs I normally test drive, this was a non-issue.
Due to its more compact size, I found it easy to handle and one of the easiest to park, especially with the visually clear reverse camera with its guiding lines. Although, I missed the beeps warning me of my proximity to walls or barriers.
As of the way it drove, off the line its bark is larger than its bite. The amount of effort and the sound from the engine, made it appear like the vehicle was struggling to survive, putting more energy than it had to repel itself forward. However, once it gets going, there is a lot of gusto.
The Mazda 3 GS was mobile and speedy, although rough over pot hills, as I could feel all the bumps on the road, every rumble. This was to the point that I was worried about the undercarriage. Luckily the brakes are pretty responsive and easily to slow the vehicle down as necessary.
A few weeks later I had the 2026 Mazda 3 Sport GT Turbo at my disposal. While both it and the GS AWD represent the top tier version of the vehicle, the major differences come down to a massive jump in horsepower, upgraded premium luxury features, and distinct seating materials.
The performance gap between the two are substantial. The GS AWD is powered by a naturally aspirated 2.5L engine producing 186 hp and 186 lb-ft of torque. And features Mazda’s i-Activ AWD for better traction in rain and snow. Whereas the Sport GT Turbo is powered by a 2.5L Dynamic Pressure Turbo engine that pumps out up to 250 hp and 320 lb-ft of torque on premium fuel. It also comes standard with AWD, but offers a much more aggressive, responsive throttle.
The Sport version also receives distinctive badging and black accents. There is a 10.25 center display with wireless Apple Carplay, Android Auto, and Mazda Connected Services. Expect an enhanced suite of driver assist features likes 360 view monitor, adaptive cruise control, and smart brake support. And look forward to Bose 12 Speaker Premium Audio, plus heated steering wheel and front seats on the GT trim.
