2026 Toyota Corolla vs. Mazda Mazda3

2026 Corolla
Corolla
2026 Mazda3
Mazda3

Overview

Features

2026 Corolla

2026Mazda3

Base MSRP

$22,925

$24,550

Cargo Space

13.1

13.2

Engine

2.0L inline 4-cylinder

2.5L SKYACTIV-G® inline 4-cylinder

Folding Rear Seats

60/40 split

60/40 split

Headroom (front/rear)

38.3 / 37.1

38.0 / 37.3

Horsepower

169

186

Leg Room (front/rear)

42.0 / 34.8

42.3 / 35.1

Seats

5

5

In our Toyota Corolla vs. Mazda Mazda3 comparison, we examine how these compact sedans measure up.

 

The 2026 Toyota Corolla LE has a starting MSRP of $22,925, while the 2026 Mazda Mazda3 2.5 S has a starting MSRP of $24,550. The 2026 Toyota Corolla LE has an EPA-estimated 35 mpg combined fuel economy rating, while the 2026 Mazda Mazda3 2.5 S has an EPA-estimated 30 mpg combined fuel economy rating. The 2026 Toyota Corolla LE and the 2026 Mazda Mazda3 2.5 S both have a seating capacity of five.

 

The 2026 Toyota Corolla LE has 38.3 in. front headroom and 37.1 in rear headroom, while the 2026 Mazda Mazda3 2.5 S has 38.0 in. front headroom and 37.3 in. rear headroom.

Pricing

Features

2026 Corolla

2026Mazda3

Base MSRP

$22,925

$24,550

Delivery

$1,195

$1,235

The 2026 Toyota Corolla LE has a starting MSRP of $22,925, while the 2026 Mazda Mazda3 2.5 S has a starting MSRP of $24,550.

Engine

Features

2026 Corolla

2026Mazda3

Horsepower

169

186

Engine

2.0L inline 4-cylinder

2.5L SKYACTIV-G® inline 4-cylinder

Compressor

Not Available

Not Available

The 2026 Toyota Corolla LE has 2.0L inline 4-cylinder engine. The 2026 Mazda Mazda3 2.5 S has 2.5L SKYACTIV-G® inline 4-cylinder engine. The 2026 Toyota Corolla LE has 169 horsepower, while the 2026 Mazda Mazda3 2.5 S has 186 horsepower.

Fuel Economy

Features

2026 Corolla

2026Mazda3

City Fuel Economy (MPG)

32

27

Highway Fuel Economy (MPG)

41

36

Estimated Combined Fuel Economy (mpg)

35

30

The 2026 Toyota Corolla LE has EPA-estimated mpg ratings of 32/41/35 (city/hwy/comb), while the 2026 Mazda Mazda3 2.5 S has EPA-estimated mpg ratings of 27/36/30 (city/hwy/comb).

Transmission

Features

2026 Corolla

2026Mazda3

Drive

FWD

FWD

Transmission Speeds

Variable

6

Both the 2026 Toyota Corolla LE and the 2026 Mazda Mazda3 2.5 S have FWD drive.

Safety and Driver Assist

Features

2026 Corolla

2026Mazda3

Blind spot warning sensor

Standard

Standard

Collision warning system activates at low speed

Front

Front

Collision warning system includes automatic braking

Yes

Yes

Cornering brake control

Not Available

Not Available

Cross-traffic alert (front / rear)

Not Available / Standard

Not Available / Standard

Day Time Running Lights

Standard

Standard

Electronic traction control

Standard

Standard

Front airbags (driver / passenger)

Standard / Standard

Standard / Standard

Hill holder

Standard

Standard

Knee airbags (driver / passenger)

Standard / Not Available

Standard / Standard

LATCH system

Standard

Standard

Lane departure warning

Standard

Standard

Lane departure warning activates steering

Yes

Yes

Low tire pressure warning

Standard

Standard

Power steering

Standard

Standard

Rear parking distance sensors

Standard Camera

Standard Rear View Camera Camera

Side airbags (front / rear / third row)

Standard / Standard / Not Available

Standard / Standard / Not Available

Side curtain airbags (front only / front and rear / all three rows)

Not Available / Standard / Not Available

Not Available / Standard / Not Available

Side parking distance sensors

Not Available

Not Available

Stability control

Standard

Standard

Both the 2026 Toyota Corolla LE and the 2026 Mazda Mazda3 2.5 S have standard driver front airbags and standard passenger front airbags. Both the 2026 Toyota Corolla LE and the 2026 Mazda Mazda3 2.5 S have standard front and rear side airbags. Both the 2026 Toyota Corolla LE and the 2026 Mazda Mazda3 2.5 S have standard front and rear side curtain airbags.

Comfort and Convenience

Features

2026 Corolla

2026Mazda3

Adaptive cruise control

Yes

Yes

Automatic high beams

Standard

Standard

Automatic trunk/hatch closing

Not Available

Not Available

Climate control type

Auto

Manual

Climate control zones

1

-

Electronic parking brake

Standard

Standard

Folding Rear Seats

60/40 split

60/40 split

Front seat height adjustment (driver / passenger)

Manual / -

Manual / -

Heated door mirrors (driver / passenger)

Standard / Standard

Not Available / Not Available

Heated front seats (driver / passenger)

Not Available / Not Available

Not Available / Not Available

Intermittent windshield wiper type

Fixed

Variable

Multi-function steering wheel

Standard

Standard

One-touch power windows (driver / passenger / rear)

Standard / Standard / Standard

Standard / Standard / Standard

Smart key

Optional

Standard, Remote keyless entry system

Steering wheel adjustment (height / telescopic / easy entry)

Standard / Standard / Not Available

Standard / Standard / Not Available

The 2026 Toyota Corolla LE has standard heated door mirrors, while the 2026 Mazda Mazda3 2.5 S does not have heated door mirrors. The 2026 Toyota Corolla LE has 1 climate control zone, while the 2026 Mazda Mazda3 2.5 S has no climate control zones. Both the 2026 Toyota Corolla LE and the 2026 Mazda Mazda3 2.5 S have 60/40 split folding rear seat type. 

Infotainment

Features

2026 Corolla

2026Mazda3

Android Auto compatible

Standard

Standard

Apple CarPlay compatible

Standard

Standard

Navigation display

8.00 in. 3D and voice, Optional 3D and voice

Optional 8.80 in. Color 3D and voice

Navigation system

Standard

Optional

Satellite radio

Standard

Not Available

Speakers

6

8

Telematics system

Safety Connect®

MAZDA CONNECT

Voice activation

Standard

Standard

Wireless charging pad

Optional

Not Available

The 2026 Toyota Corolla LE has an optional wireless charging pad, while the 2026 Mazda Mazda3 2.5 S has no wireless charging pad. The 2026 Toyota Corolla LE has an 8.0-in. Toyota Audio Multimedia touchscreen, while the 2026 Mazda Mazda3 2.5 S has an 8.8-in. full-color center display. The 2026 Toyota Corolla LE has a standard navigation system, while the 2026 Mazda Mazda3 2.5 S has an optional navigation system.

Interior

Features

2026 Corolla

2026Mazda3

12V power outlet (front / rear / cargo)

Standard / Not Available / Not Available

Standard / Not Available / Not Available

Armrest (front / rear)

Standard / Standard

Standard / Not Available

Cupholders (front / rear)

Standard / Standard

Standard / Not Available

Front sunroof

Not Available

Not Available

Overhead console storage

Not Available

Not Available

Reading lights (front / rear)

Standard / Not Available

Standard / Not Available

Seats

5

5

Both the 2026 Toyota Corolla LE and the 2026 Mazda Mazda3 2.5 S have a seating capacity of five. Both the 2026 Toyota Corolla LE and the 2026 Mazda Mazda3 2.5 S have standard front 12V power outlets. Both the 2026 Toyota Corolla LE and the 2026 Mazda Mazda3 2.5 S have standard front reading lights.

Warranty

Features

2026 Corolla

2026Mazda3

Roadside assistance (months / miles)

24 / 9999999

36 / 36000

Whole vehicle warranty (months / miles)

36 / 36000

36 / 36000

The 2026 Toyota Corolla LE has 24-month, unlimited mileage roadside assistance, while the 2026 Mazda Mazda3 2.5 S has 36-month/36000-mile roadside assistance. The 2026 Toyota Corolla LE has ToyotaCare, a plan that covers normal factory scheduled maintenance for 24 month/25,000 miles, whichever comes first, while this coverage is not available for the 2026 Mazda Mazda3 2.5 S. Both the 2026 Toyota Corolla LE and the 2026 Mazda Mazda3 2.5 S have 36-month/36,000-mile whole vehicle warranty.

Exterior

Features

2026 Corolla

2026Mazda3

Disc brakes

4

4

Front fog lights

Not Available

Not Available

Front wheels

16x6.5" Steel, Optional 16x6.5" Alloy

16x6.5" Alloy

Headlights

LED

LED

Rear spoiler

Not Available

Optional

Rear tires (standard)

205/55/HR16 All Seasons

205/60/16 All Seasons

Rear wheels

16x6.5" Steel, Optional 16x6.5" Alloy

16x6.5" Alloy

Side mirror indicator lights (driver / passenger)

Not Available / Not Available

Standard / Standard

Spare/Temporary Tire

Standard

Standard

Both the 2026 Toyota Corolla LE and the 2026 Mazda Mazda3 2.5 S have standard spare/temporary tires. Both the 2026 Toyota Corolla LE and the 2026 Mazda Mazda3 2.5 S have LED headlights.

Suspension

Features

2026 Corolla

2026Mazda3

Stabilizer bar (front / rear)

Standard / Standard

Standard / Not Available

The 2026 Toyota Corolla LE has standard front and rear stabilizer bars. The 2026 Mazda Mazda3 2.5 S has a standard front stabilizer bar but does not have a rear stabilizer bar. 

Dimensions

Features

2026 Corolla

2026Mazda3

Cargo Space

13.1

13.2

Curb weight (lbs)

2955

3111

Headroom (front/rear)

38.3 / 37.1

38.0 / 37.3

Leg Room (front/rear)

42.0 / 34.8

42.3 / 35.1

Overall height (in)

56.5

56.9

Overall length (in)

182.5

183.5

Overall width (in)

70.1

70.7

Shoulder Room (front/rear)

54.0 / 51.7

55.7 / 53.5

Wheelbase (in)

106.3

107.3

The 2026 Toyota Corolla LE has 38.3 in. front headroom and 37.1 in. rear headroom, while the 2026 Mazda Mazda3 2.5 S has 38.0 in. front headroom and 37.3 in. rear headroom.

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