Mazda’s US sales are booming as buyers flock to affordable, fuel-efficient vehicles. The automaker came close to its best October on record, reporting 31,446 sales for the month, with entry-level and flagship models doing most of the heavy lifting.
Only October 2024, when Mazda sold 37,307 vehicles, was stronger. Pent-up demand following the pandemic, matched with easing of supply bottlenecks, helped drive strong sales for many automakers back then.
Cars Back In Vogue, At Least At Mazda
2026 Mazda 3 2.5 S Carbon Edition Sedan front 3/4Mazda
We don’t need to tell you that times are tough. For many Americans, buying a new car is becoming increasingly out of reach as automakers chase the big end of town and affordable options dry up. However, Mazda has largely bucked the trend and still offers some solid options priced around $30,000 and below.
One of these is the Mazda 3 Sedan, which managed 2,606 sales in October, up 183.3% year over year. The handsome compact sedan has been gaining sales throughout the year, with year-to-date figures reaching 23,741 units, up 39% on the same period a year ago. The 3 starts at just $24,650 and returns up to 36 mpg on the highway, making it ideal for buyers on a budget.
Sales of the Mazda 3 Hatchback also rose in October, though by a more modest 78.5%, to 928 units. The hatchback is also up about 70% so far this year, with 12,279 sales through October.
What About Mazda’s SUVs?
Mazda’s largest SUVs, the two-row CX-70 and its three-row CX-90 sibling, also registered strong growth. CX-70 sales jumped 295.9% year over year in October, although volumes remain relatively small, at just 1,358 units. Mazda has decided to drop the nameplate and merge the two-row SUV into the CX-90 lineup for 2027. The CX-90 also performed well, with sales up 114.6% to 4,620 units.
As mainstream midsize SUVs increasingly crest $50,000, the CX-70 and CX-90 continue to offer solid value with starting prices around $40,000, especially the three-row CX-90. However, despite their strong October performances, both midsize SUVs remain down year to date. CX-70 sales through October fell 12.3% to 12,599 units, while CX-90 sales dropped 15.5% to 39,619. Mazda has acknowledged that both SUVs need updates to attract more buyers and is currently working on a refresh, although it hasn’t provided a timeline.
The compact CX-5 was Mazda’s best-selling SUV in October, with 9,689 sales, up 7.9% from a year earlier. Meanwhile, the subcompact CX-30 and compact CX-50 both experienced slight declines, with sales down 0.8% and 1.2%, respectively. This came in a month when Mazda’s total US sales reached 31,446 vehicles, up 25% compared to October 2025.
CarBuzz Insight – Why This Matters
2025 Mazda 3 2.5 Turbo Premium Plus rear logoMazda
Mazda’s US sales have been in a two-year slump, but October’s numbers suggest the tide may be turning. As household budgets tighten and buyers become more price-conscious, the automaker’s mix of handsome, fun-to-drive vehicles that remain relatively affordable looks to be finding its audience again. And with new hybrids on the way, including the long-awaited CX-5 Hybrid, the trend should only improve.
