Ford Focus vs Mazda 3
Side-by-side comparison from manufacturer specifications, NHTSA safety data, and live dealer listings.
Vehicles
Vehicles
2026 Mazda 3
Overview
| Spec | Ford FocusS | Mazda 32.5 S |
|---|---|---|
| Selected trim | S | 2.5 S |
| Body style | Sedan | Sedan |
| Drivetrain | front wheel drive | front wheel drive |
| Fuel type | regular unleaded | regular unleaded |
| Transmission | 5-speed manual | 6-speed shiftable automatic |
| Engine type | gas | gas |
| Model year | 2018 | 2026 |
Pricing & market
| Spec | Ford FocusS | Mazda 32.5 S |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $17,950 (best) | $24,550 |
| Lowest listing price | $6,423 (best) | — |
| Median listing price | $9,856 (best) | — |
| Highest listing price | $15,717 (best) | — |
| For sale now | 4 (best) | 0 |
Fuel economy & range
| Spec | Ford FocusS | Mazda 32.5 S |
|---|---|---|
| Combined MPG | 28 MPG | 30 MPG (best) |
| City MPG | 25 MPG | 27 MPG (best) |
| Highway MPG | 34 MPG | 36 MPG (best) |
| Fuel tank | 12.4 gal | 13.2 gal (best) |
Performance
| Spec | Ford FocusS | Mazda 32.5 S |
|---|---|---|
| Horsepower | 160 hp | 186 hp (best) |
| Torque | 146 lb-ft | 186 lb-ft (best) |
| Engine size | 2 L | 2.5 L (best) |
| Cylinders | I4 | I4 |
Size & capability
| Spec | Ford FocusS | Mazda 32.5 S |
|---|---|---|
| Seating | 5 seats | 5 seats |
| Doors | 4 | 4 |
| Cargo volume | 13.2 cu ft | 13.2 cu ft |
| Curb weight | 2,928 lbs (best) | 3,111 lbs |
| Ground clearance | — | 5.5 in (best) |
| Wheelbase | 104.3 in | 107.3 in (best) |
| Length | 178.7 in | 183.5 in (best) |
| Width | 71.8 in (best) | 70.7 in |
| Height | 57.8 in (best) | 56.9 in |
Safety & recalls
| Spec | Ford FocusS | Mazda 32.5 S |
|---|---|---|
| NHTSA overall | 5 / 5 ★ (best) | — |
| Frontal crash (driver) | 5 / 5 ★ (best) | — |
| Frontal crash (passenger) | 4 / 5 ★ (best) | — |
| Side crash (driver) | 5 / 5 ★ (best) | — |
| Side crash (passenger) | 5 / 5 ★ (best) | — |
| Side pole | 5 / 5 ★ (best) | — |
| Rollover | 4 / 5 ★ (best) | — |
| Open recalls (YMM scope) | 7 | None reported (best) |
Highlighted values indicate the better figure for that spec when a clear winner exists. Specs reflect the selected trim for each vehicle. Drag a vehicle header to reorder columns. MSRP and specifications are manufacturer data; listing prices and inventory come from live dealer listings. Safety ratings are from NHTSA.
Trim overview
All available trims with MSRP. The trim selected above is highlighted; comparison specs use that selection.
| Trim | Ford Focus | Mazda 3 |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | S $17,950 MSRP(Currently comparing) | 2.5 S $24,550 MSRP(Currently comparing) |
| 2 | SE $19,245 MSRP | 2.5 S $25,550 MSRP |
| 3 | SE $20,540 MSRP | 2.5 S Select Sport $25,440 MSRP |
| 4 | SEL $21,870 MSRP | 2.5 S Select Sport $26,740 MSRP |
| 5 | SEL $22,070 MSRP | 2.5 S Preferred $27,090 MSRP |
| 6 | Titanium $24,270 MSRP | 2.5 S Preferred $28,440 MSRP |
| 7 | Titanium $24,470 MSRP | 2.5 S Carbon Edition $30,210 MSRP |
| 8 | ST $25,170 MSRP | 2.5 S Carbon Edition $31,360 MSRP |
| 9 | Electric $29,120 MSRP | 2.5 S Premium $31,450 MSRP |
| 10 | RS $41,120 MSRP | 2.5 Turbo Premium Plus $36,740 MSRP |
| 11 | — | 2.5 Turbo Premium Plus $37,890 MSRP |
Live inventory
Ford Focus4 for sale
See all
Used2010 Ford Focus
SE
INGOT SILVER METALLIC•Charcoal Black116,768 mi$7,031Fred Anderson Toyota of Charleston
Charleston, SC
Used2018 Ford Focus
SEL
Hot Pepper Red Metallic Tinted Clearcoat•Black60,243 mi$12,681Bruce Titus Port Orchard Ford
Port Orchard, WA
Used2014 Ford Focus
Titanium
Tuxedo Black Metallic•Charcoal Black127,404 mi$6,423Jack Hanania Audi Orange Park
Jacksonville, FL
Used2016 Ford Focus
ST
Shadow Black•Black47,964 mi$15,717Lynnes Hyundai Bloomfield
Bloomfield, NJ
Ford Focus vs Mazda 3 FAQ
- Which is better: 2018 Ford Focus or 2026 Mazda 3?
- It depends on priorities. OpenDealer compares 2018 Ford Focus vs 2026 Mazda 3 on MSRP, fuel economy, horsepower, seating, towing, NHTSA safety ratings, and live market prices so you can weigh the tradeoffs.
- Which costs less: 2018 Ford Focus or 2026 Mazda 3?
- Based on starting MSRP, the 2018 Ford Focus starts lower at $17,950. Live Ford Focus listings start at $6,423.
- Which has better startingMsrp: 2018 Ford Focus or 2026 Mazda 3?
- The 2018 Ford Focus leads on startingMsrp in this comparison (17,950).
- Which has better combinedMpg: 2018 Ford Focus or 2026 Mazda 3?
- The 2018 Ford Focus leads on combinedMpg in this comparison (34).
- Which has better electricRangeMi: 2018 Ford Focus or 2026 Mazda 3?
- The 2018 Ford Focus leads on electricRangeMi in this comparison (115).
- Which has better horsepower: 2018 Ford Focus or 2026 Mazda 3?
- The 2018 Ford Focus leads on horsepower in this comparison (350).
- How do the NHTSA safety ratings compare for 2018 Ford Focus vs 2026 Mazda 3?
- NHTSA overall crash-test ratings in this comparison: Ford Focus (5/5 NHTSA overall).