Mazdas have a reputation for quality and performance at an affordable price point. While the vehicles featured here may be on the small side, they’re quite big on features, finesse, and fun. If you’re looking for a compact or subcompact Mazda, the good news is that you have plenty of great options—the bad news is that it may be a bit tough to decide which one you like best.

Read on to get the skinny on all the small cars currently offered by Mazda—and a passing glance at the other ones as well. We’ll also tell you how to save big on your

Mazda insurance cost

. Let’s get started!

RECOMMENDED

Compare auto insurance policies

No spam or unwanted phone calls · No long forms

ZIP Code

Find insurance savings

2022 Mazda compact and subcompact car models

There are just over half a dozen different models of Mazda that are currently available, and the majority of them fall into the compact or subcompact classification. Let’s take a look!

2022 Mazda 3 ($22,215–$34,515 MSRP)

Car and Driver had high praise for the 2022 Mazda 3, giving it a 9/10 and deeming it good for buyers “with champagne taste and a sparkling cider budget”. Its fun-to-drive character and premium features for a competitive price earned it a spot on their Editors’ Choice list. Edmunds rated it a lower 7.7/10, but also placed it #2 out of 4 for small hatchbacks.

Overall, the compact Mazda 3 is handsomely-appointed and has a feel that’s far more upscale than the price tag would suggest. While priced similarly to rivals like the

Honda Civic

and the

Toyota Corolla

, you’ll get features and the vibe of a luxury model.

There are eight trim levels to choose from. As an added bonus, the choice of body styles and powertrains make it easy to tailor a Mazda 3 to match your needs.

Strengths of the Mazda 3 include:

Available in sedan or hatchback versions

Available all-wheel drive

Crisp handling and peppy driving demeanor

Premium interior feel

IIHS Top Safety Pick + for 2022

Weak spots include:

Hatchback model has some large blind spots

Base level trim lacks some desirable features

Upgraded turbo engine is fun but expensive

MORE:

How to build a custom Mazda 3

2022 Mazda CX-30 ($23,775–$35,975 MSRP)

The 2022 Mazda CX-30 was also beloved by Car and Driver, which ranked it number one among its rivals in the subcompact SUV arena. It earned a near-perfect 9.5/10, and like its sibling the Mazda 3, also made the Editors’ Choice list. Edmunds was not quite as enthusiastic but gave it 7.9/10 and ranked it third on their list.

Both critics praised the agile handling, upscale feel, and generous standard features of the CX-30. All-wheel drive is standard, and there are eight trim levels to choose from here as well.

Strengths of the Mazda CX-30 include:

Refined ride quality, nimble handling

Generous safety features standard

Upscale interior and quality materials

IIHS Top Safety Pick + for 2022

Weak spots include:

Base engine is a tad sluggish

Automatic transmission can be a bit clumsy when shifting

MORE:

Are Mazdas expensive to maintain?

2022 Mazda CX-5 ($27,525–$40,275 MSRP)

The 2022 Mazda CX-5 is a little larger than the previous two, but equally as adored by Car and Driver. They rated this compact SUV at 9.5/10, and it was also made an Editors’ Choice for 2022. Anyone else noticing a trend?

Edmunds’ review was also positive, but once again not quite as overflowing with praise. Edmunds gave the 2022 Mazda CX-5 an 8.1/10 and ranked it third out of 14 among small SUVs.

Car and Driver loved the CX-5’s beauty, athleticism, and refinement, and deemed it “a master class in making a mainstream SUV feel like it belongs in high society”. You’ll find a little less cargo and rear legroom here than in some rivals, but reviewers seemed to think it was well worth the trade-off in terms of overall value and performance.

Strengths of the Mazda CX-5 include:

IIHS Top Safety Pick + for 2022

Standard all-wheel drive

Upscale and enjoyable in both appearance and driving experience

Optional turbocharged engine provides plenty of pep

Weak spots include:

Less cargo and passenger space than some competitors

Can only tow 2,000 pounds

Base engine could use more get up and go

2023 Mazda CX-50 ($28,825-$43,575 MSRP)

The latest addition to the Mazda family is the Mazda CX-50, which is new for the 2023 model year. This compact SUV is just slightly larger than the CX-5 but offers a bit more of a rugged style as opposed to the quiet refinement found in other models.

Initial reviews are just as enthusiastic as its siblings, with Car and Driver giving the CX-50 a 9.5/10 and Edmunds an 8.1/10. Both placed it in the number one spot when it came to compact SUVs.

The accolades sound familiar here as well: an SUV that looks, feels, and drives a cut above its class. The IIHS also rates the CX-50 as a 2022 Top Safety Pick +, which we assume is because it was produced in 2022, but just not sold under that year.

Strengths of the Mazda CX-50 include:

Fun and engaging to drive

Decent off-road capability for its class

Upscale design

Weak spots include:

Average cargo capacity

Less headroom than the CX-5

2022 Mazda MX-5 Miata/Miata RF ($28,715–$39,125 MSRP)

The sassy smallest member of the Mazda family is the Mazda MX-5 and MX-5 RF. These sporty two-seater convertibles are certainly not the most practical cars around, but they’re a blast to drive. The main difference between the two is that the RF has a retractable hard top, while the other version is cloth—so we’re lumping them together.

Car and Driver found the 2022 MX-5 Miata a delight to drive, delivering driving thrills at an accessible price. They rated the 2022 Miata a 9/10 and gave it a spot on their 2022 Editors’ Choice list. It garnered a 7.9/10 from Edmunds, who ranked it at number two out of four for convertibles.

Unlike the other cars on this list, you’re not going to find much in the way of day-to-day practicality, but that’s not why one buys a Miata.

Strengths of the Mazda MX-5 include:

Engaging, smooth ride

Fuel-efficient for a sports car

Affordable sportiness with the top down

Weak spots include:

Cramped passenger space

Small truck space

Can get loud at highway speeds

MORE:

Car loans for Mazda 2022

Other Mazda models

There are only two other Mazda models that aren’t covered here, so we’ll give them a shout-out just for the sake of completion.

Mazda CX-9: This is Mazda’s largest SUV model and offers three rows of seating.

Mazda MX-30 EV: Currently only available in California, this PHEV is Mazda’s first foray into the world of electric vehicles. It’s slated for a national release in spring 2023.

What is Mazda’s smallest car?

The littlest member of the Mazda family is also the spiciest—the Mazda MX-5 is hands down the smallest of the bunch.

Mazda MX-5 wheelbase: 90.9 inches

Mazda MX-5 length: 154.1 inches

Mazda MX-5 max cargo capacity: 4.6 cubic feet

MORE:

Are Mazdas good cars?

How to save on Mazda insurance

No matter what size Mazda you get, you can expect to save big on your

car insurance

when you shop with

Jerry

, the comparison shopping super app. As a licensed insurance broker, Jerry partners with more than 55 of the best car insurance providers around to find the perfect policy for you.

Download the app and give it a try—on average, Jerry users save more than $800 a year on their car insurance costs!

“After I bought my new car, the insurance companies tried charging me $315/month.
Jerry
, on the other hand, found me full coverage for only $220/month. Thank you!” —Mari E.

Find out if you can reduce your monthly car payments in minutes

* checking your rate won’t affect your credit score

Check your rate

* checking your rate won’t affect your credit score

Reduce your monthly car payments in minutes?

Find out if Jerry can reduce your payments by an average of $150/month

Check your rate!