Best of the 2021 Mazda Model Lineup

2021 Mazda Lineup + Our Picks For The Best Mazda Models

Mazda, for years, has been an als0-ran against Toyota and Honda, but the automaker has stepped up its game considerably in recent times.

Its interiors are among the best of any vehicles in their respective price points, and almost all of the company’s cars and crossovers offer a level of driving engagement and excitement not seen elsewhere.

The 2021 Mazda lineup can almost be viewed as a transitional phase, as the CX-3 model has been simplified and the automaker is focusing on building out its other vehicle lines.

Mazda regularly appears in our “best of” lists, including:

• Best small cars for 2021
• Best midsized cars for 2021
• Best CUV’s for 2021
• Best Cars Between $30k and $50k for 2021

Let’s take a look at Mazda’s 2021 model year vehicles on offer here in North America and get into some details about each.

2021 Mazda CX-30

The CX-30 is a recent addition to the Mazda lineup, having debuted just a couple of years ago, but it’s already made a mark with an upscale interior and engaging driving experience.

2021 Mazda CX-30 Trims

The 2021 Mazda CX-30 comes in the following trims:

• S – $21,900
• Select – $23,900
• Preferred – $26,300
• Premium – $28,550

2021 Mazda CX-30 Performance Figures

• 2021 Mazda CX-30 0-60 mph – 7.8 seconds

2021 Mazda CX-30 Engine and Powertrain

• 2021 Mazda CX-30 – 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with 186 hp and 186 lb-ft of torque

2021 Mazda CX-30 Fuel Economy

• 2021 Mazda CX-30 FWD – 25/33/28 mpg city/hwy/combined
• 2021 Mazda CX-30 AWD – 24/31/26 mpg city/hwy/combined

2021 Mazda CX-30 Competitors

Despite plenty of competition, the Mazda CX-30 holds its own against:

• 2021 Chevrolet Trax
• 2021 Ford Ecosport
• 2021 Honda HR-V
• 2021Hyundai Venue
• 2021 Subaru Crosstrek

2021 Mazda CX-3

The CX-3 is a long-running model in the Mazda lineup. It will be sold in a single trim for 2021.

2021 Mazda CX-3 Trims

The Mazda CX-3 Sport will be sold with either front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive.

• CX-3 Sport FWD – $20,640
• CX-3 Sport AWD – $22,040

2021 Mazda CX-3 Engine and Powertrain

• 2021 Mazda CX-3 – 2.0-liter four-cylinder producing 148 horsepower and 146 lb-ft of torque

2021 CX-3 Performance Figures

• Performance figures for the 2021 Mazda CX-3 are yet to be released.

2021 Mazda CX-3 Fuel Economy

• 2021 Mazda CX-3 FWD – 29/34/31 mpg city/hwy/combined
• 2021 Mazda CX-3 AWD – 27/32/29 mpg city/hwy/combined

2021 Mazda CX-3 Competitors

Competitors to the CX-3 include:

• 2021 Buick Encore
• 2021 Honda HR-V
• 2021 Jeep Renegade
• 2021 Hyundai Kona

2021 Mazda CX-5

Upscale interiors and sharp style headline the CX-5 lineup.

2021 Mazda CX-5 Trims

The 2021 Mazda CX-5 comes in three configurations:

• CX-5 Sport – $25,270
• CX-5 Touring – $27,010
• CX-5 Carbon Edition – $28,855

2021 Mazda CX-5 Engine and Powertrain

• 2021 CX-5 Sport, Touring, and Carbon Edition – 2.5-liter four-cylinder making 187 hp and 186 lb-ft of torque
• 2021 CX-5 Carbon Edition Turbo – Turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder making 227 hp and 250 lb-ft of torque

2021 Mazda CX-5 Performance Figures

Performance numbers for the 2021 CX-5 have not yet been released.

2021 Mazda CX-5 Fuel Economy

The CX-5 returns decent fuel economy numbers in spite of its size.

• 2021 Mazda CX-5 – 25/31/28 mpg city/hwy/combined
• 2021 Mazda CX-5 AWD – 24/30/26 mpg
• 2021 Mazda CX-5 Turbo – 23/28/25 mpg
• 2021 Mazda CX-5 Turbo AWD – 22/27/24 mpg

2020 Mazda CX-5 Competitors

• 2021 Honda CR-V
• 2021 Hyundai Tucson
• 2021 Kia Sportage
• 2021 Subaru Forester
• 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan

2021 Mazda CX-9

Mazda’s largest crossovers is notable for its lively driving experience.

2021 Mazda CX-9 Trims

 

• Sport – $33,960
• Touring – $35,750
• Carbon Edition – $41,080
• Grand Touring – $41,940
• Signature – $46,605

2021 Mazda CX-9 Engine & Powertrain

The 2021 Mazda CX-9 line is powered by a single 2.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine. It’s rated at 250 hp and 320 lb-ft of torque.

2021 Mazda CX-9 Performance Figures

The Mazda CX-9 is capable of making the run to 60 mph from a standstill in 7.1 seconds.

2021 Mazda CX-9 Fuel Economy

The CX-9’s fuel economy is on par with other crossovers in its class.

• 2021 Mazda CX-9 FWD – 22/28/24 mpg city/hwy/combined
• 2021 Mazda CX-9 AWD – 20/26/23 mpg

2021 Mazda CX-9 Competitors

There is no shortage of crossovers in the CX-9’s segment to vie for the crown. The award-winning Kia Telluride and Hyundai Palisade loom large in the class as well.

• Honda Pilot
• Toyota Highlander
• Subaru Ascent
• Kia Telluride
• Hyundai Palisade

2021 Mazda Mazda3

Mazda updated its lively little car for the 2021 model year with a solid engine lineup, new tech, and updates to the all-wheel drive system

2021 Mazda Mazda3 Trims

• 2.0 Sedan – $20,500
• 2.5 S Sedan – $21,500
• Select – $22,700
• Preferred (Hatchback als0) – $24,350
• Premium (Hatchback also) – $26,850
• 2.5 Turbo (Hatchback also) – $29,900
• 2.5 Turbo Premium Plus (Hatchback also) – $32,450

2021 Mazda Mazda3 Engine & Powertrain

The 2021 Mazda3 Sedan and Hatchback are powered by one of two engines:

• 2.0-liter four-cylinder that makes 155 hp and 150 lb-ft of torque
• Turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder that produces 186 hp and 186 lb-ft of torque
• Six-speed automatic transmission is standard
• Front-wheel drive is standard. All-wheel drive is available.

2021 Mazda Mazda3 Performance Figures

With the standard 2.0-liter engine, the Mazda3 is capable of making the run from 0 to 60 mph in 8 seconds.

2021 Mazda Mazda3 Fuel Economy

The Mazda3 has a wide range of fuel economy ratings, depending on the model and drivetrain layout.

• 2021 Mazda Mazda3 FWD – 27-31 mpg combined
• 2021 Mazda Mazda3 AWD – 26-28 mpg combined

2021 Mazda Mazda3 Competitors

Cars, in general, have become less popular as SUVs and crossovers are all the rage, but there’s still some stiff competition to be had.

• Honda Civic
• Toyota Corolla
• Volkswagen Jetta
• Hyundai Elantra

2021 Mazda Mazda6

The Mazda 6 is a world-class car with distinctive styling and a wonderfully exciting driving feel.

2021 Mazda Mazda6 Trims

• Sport – $24,325
• Touring – $26,925
• Grand Touring – $30,025
• Carbon Edition – $32,800
• Grand Touring Reserve – $32,525
• Signature – $35,750

2021 Mazda Mazda6 Engine & Powertrain

The 2021 Mazda6 is powered by a 2.5-liter four-cylinder, but in Grand Touring and Signature trims it gets a turbocharger.

• Sport, Touring, Select – 2.5-liter four-cylinder that makes 187 horsepower and 186 pound-feet of torque
• Grand Touring and Above – Turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder making 250 hp and 320 lb-ft of torque

All models get a six-speed automatic transmission.

2021 Mazda Mazda Performance Figures

Performance figures for the 2021 Mazda6 have not yet been released.

2021 Mazda Mazda3 Fuel Economy

The Mazda6’s fuel economy ratings fall along the lines of powertrain choices.

• 2021 Mazda Mazda6 2.5 – 26/35/29 mpg city/hwy/combined
• 2021 Mazda Mazda6 2.5 Turbo – 23/31/26 mpg city/hwy/combined

2021 Mazda Mazda6 Competitors

Competition doesn’t get much more intense than the vehicles that the Mazda6 faces off against.

• Honda Accord
• Toyota Camry
• Volkswagen Passat
• Hyundai Sonata

2021 Mazda MX-5 Miata

When in doubt, the answer is always Miata. Mazda’s legendary little roadster is bigger than its original dimensions, but remains one of the most fun affordable cars on the road today.

2021 Mazda Miata Trims

• Sport – $TBD
• Club – $TBD
• Grand Touring – $TBD

2021 Mazda Miata Engine & Powertrain

The 2021 Mazda Miata lineup is powered by a single four-cylinder engine. It produces 181 horsepower to the rear wheels through either a six-speed automatic or six-speed manual gearbox

2021 Mazda CX-9 Performance Figures

The Mazda Miata is capable of making the run to 60 mph from a standstill in 5.7 seconds.

2021 Mazda CX-9 Fuel Economy

The Miata’s two transmission choices make a difference in the estimated fuel economy figures.

• 2021 Mazda Miata Automatic – 26/35/30 mpg city/hwy/combined
• 2021 Mazda Miata Manual – 26/34/29 mpg

2021 Mazda Miata Competitors

Because of its size and sporty personality, there aren’t many direct competitors within the Miata’s exact price range.

• Fiat 124 Spider
• BMW Z4
• Toyota 86/Subaru BRZ

Best of the 2021 Mazda Lineup

There’s not a bad seat in the house when it comes to Mazda, so making the decision on which model is the best is a difficult one. That said, the Mazda3 has been so improved in the last few years that it’s almost unrecognizable against previous versions of the car. It’s an even more compelling choice now, as it’s offered in both a hatchback and a sedan and can be had with all-wheel drive. On top of that, the Mazda3 is an engaging car to drive, and has a personality that far outshines its power numbers and its size.