24 March 19th-March 25th, 2026 phoenixnewtimes.com PHOENIX NEW TIMES | NEWS | FEATURE | FOOD & DRINK | ARTS & CULTURE | MUSIC | CONCERTS | CANNABIS | Questions? Feedback? Email me at [email protected] • Follow me on RATING (out of 5 McFly’s) 2026 MAZDA3 SEDAN CARBON: THE LITTLE SEDAN THAT SHOWS UP TO IMPRESS 2026 MAZDA3 SEDAN CARBON The 2026 Mazda3 Sedan The 2026 Mazda3 Sedan Carbon is basically the automotive Carbon is basically the automotive equivalent of that person who equivalent of that person who wears a clean, black leather jacket wears a clean, black leather jacket in a room full of hoodies. Effortless in a room full of hoodies. Effortless style without snootiness. With a style without snootiness. With a starting price around $29,000– starting price around $29,000– $33,000 (depending on options), $33,000 (depending on options), Mazda gives you a compact sedan Mazda gives you a compact sedan that feels way more expensive that feels way more expensive than the sticker. It’s powered by a than the sticker. It’s powered by a lively Skyactiv engine that delivers lively Skyactiv engine that delivers smooth, eager power and nimble smooth, eager power and nimble handling, not “I’m an angry sports handling, not “I’m an angry sports car” explosive, but more like “I car” explosive, but more like “I know how to have fun on purpose.” know how to have fun on purpose.” If you’ve got a corner or a back road If you’ve got a corner or a back road nearby, the 3 will find it and flirt with nearby, the 3 will find it and flirt with it politely yet confidently. it politely yet confidently. Inside, the Carbon trim brings Inside, the Carbon trim brings thoughtful touches that elevate thoughtful touches that elevate the vibe: dark, premium materials, the vibe: dark, premium materials, modern tech, and an interior that modern tech, and an interior that feels intentional, not slapped feels intentional, not slapped together. The seats are supportive, together. The seats are supportive, the controls are intuitive, and the the controls are intuitive, and the whole cabin has a quiet confidence, whole cabin has a quiet confidence, like it’s been to design school and like it’s been to design school and came back with a degree in cool came back with a degree in cool without being gaudy. Fuel economy without being gaudy. Fuel economy stays solid enough for daily life, so stays solid enough for daily life, so you’re not sacrificing practicality for you’re not sacrificing practicality for personality (25/34 MPG). personality (25/34 MPG). On the road, the Mazda3 feels On the road, the Mazda3 feels composed, agile, and honest. It composed, agile, and honest. It doesn’t try to pretend it’s a rocket doesn’t try to pretend it’s a rocket ship, but it feels connected to what ship, but it feels connected to what you’re doing behind the wheel. you’re doing behind the wheel. Steering is precise, ride quality is Steering is precise, ride quality is comfortable without being floaty, comfortable without being floaty, and it has just enough pep to keep and it has just enough pep to keep you engaged without exhausting you engaged without exhausting you. The 2026 Mazda3 Sedan you. The 2026 Mazda3 Sedan Carbon isn’t trying to be everything Carbon isn’t trying to be everything to everyone; it’s just very to everyone; it’s just very specifically great at being stylish, specifically great at being stylish, fun, and thoughtful. fun, and thoughtful. And honestly? We like a sedan that And honestly? We like a sedan that looks good and handles like it has looks good and handles like it has opinions. opinions. Comfort: Value: Fuel Economy: Looks: The Drive: Safety & Security: Overall: Sound System: Bells & Whistles:
