It’s not often that a legacy automaker will cancel the production of a model that’s performing well. Sadly, that is not the case for the Mazda 2, the automaker’s second-best-selling nameplate in the Japanese market. It’s reported that roughly 23,400 Mazda 2s were sold in 2025 alone, and yet Mazda decided to cancel it.
The current-gen Mazda 2 hit the market a little over a decade ago, just a year prior to the current Mazda CX-3 generation entering the fold. Until now, both models have been sold side by side in Japanese Mazda dealerships. Now, both models are set to be discontinued, but the Mazda 2 is slated to exit first. The largest question in our minds is simply, “Why?”
The Mazda 2 Sold 23,400 Units Last Year – So Why Is Mazda Killing It?
2026 Mazda 2 Hybrid finished in white with black interiorMazdaMazda CX-3Mazda
It was quite a different world when the current-gen Mazda 2 debuted in 2014, and the same could be said of the current Mazda CX-3’s 2015 debut. At this point in time, both have served Mazda for over a decade with relatively minor upgrades made along the way. No doubt, these two were rather inexpensive to maintain in Mazda’s production-model lineup, because it seems as though they were both low-investment, high-volume nameplates.
However, all of that is slated to change. According to rumors coming from inside Mazda’s corporate structure, the CX-3 was slated to leave production earlier this year, and the Mazda 2’s end date was supposedly anywhere between June and August of this year. As far as anyone can tell, both alleged target dates were hit, and both models have successfully left production.
While Japanese domestic production has ended for both the Mazda 2 and the CX-3, they’ll still be produced and sold in other markets. In fact, both are still for sale in Japan until dealer inventory runs dry. Both Thailand and Mexico will carry the torch forward, as both countries reportedly have healthy markets for both models. But why remove them from Japan? One of the chief theories is age mixed with Mazda’s desire to move in a different direction.
How Mazda’s Push Into Luxury Left Its Bestselling Budget Cars Behind
2024 Mazda CX-90 driving front 3/4Mazda
Take a look at Mazda’s current lineup here in the States, and you’ll start to see what we mean. The Mazda 2 and CX-3 are both small, affordable models designed to give the masses modern, utilitarian transportation, and nothing more. Stateside, the small, affordable Mazda is largely gone, replaced by larger and more luxurious nameplates. The CX-60, CX-70, and flagship CX-90 all come to mind.
Speaking of the CX-90, it offers quite a lot of opulence – as well as tech – for a brand that once brought us the 1971 1200 2-Door Sedan, which cost just $1,798 – roughly $13,800 today – when it was new. It offers a standard turbocharged inline-six engine, up to 340 horsepower, a plug-in-hybrid option, along with a slew of standard interior amenities and features. It even comes with a unique, traditional Japanese stitching pattern called “Kakenui.”
2024 Mazda CX-90 interior steering wheelMazda
Bearing all that in mind, it’s not unreasonable to posit that Mazda does, in fact, want to be taken a bit more seriously than it had been in the past. Of course, Mazda itself hasn’t given any concrete statements to confirm or deny the above, but based on its decision to axe both its second-best-selling model and another popular one in its home country, it certainly makes one wonder if it’s the truth.
Now, those who value Mazda’s distinctive designs and features, but don’t necessarily have the budget for a CX-90, will have to look elsewhere to find something comparable at a lower price point. But Mazda may have a calculated answer to that concern – one that’s been hiding in plain sight since last year’s Japan Mobility Show.
The Vision-X Compact Hints At What Mazda Could Do Next
Mazda Vision X CompactMazda
Last year, Mazda unveiled its Vision-X Compact concept at the Japan Mobility Show. It drew generally positive reactions, although some critics cast doubts on the car’s heavy reliance on AI tech. However, regardless of skeptics, the concept may very well be a glimpse into what sort of small-car future Mazda envisions. The Vision-X itself is quite small, even by compact standards. It measures just 150.6 inches long — less than 13 feet — and 70.7 inches wide.
Other sources allegedly close to Mazda’s decision-making have reported that a next-generation small SUV may be in the works, no doubt partially aimed at the market left behind by the now-discontinued CX-3. Not to mention, it could also fill the void left by the little Mazda 2, as well. Whispers of a model name for the supposed new model, CX-20, have filled some circles. Additionally, the rumored CX-20 would likely be built in Thailand.
None of that is confirmed by Mazda yet, except for the revealing of the Vision-X Compact concept and its length and width measurements, obviously. Apart from that, we’re working with semi-believable rumors as to where Mazda wants to bring its small-model production strategy next. Should the brand move forward with a Mazda 2-like model based on the Vision-X Compact and/or the rumored Mazda CX-20, only then will we be able to look back and say we called it.
The Unanswered Question: Can Mazda Replace What It’s Killing?
Mazda Vision X CompactMazda
Mazda’s decision to discontinue the 2 in Japan has left many buyers without a direct replacement, creating a gap in the market and potentially alienating a significant portion of its customer base. The CX-3 did roughly the same. Being a multinational, large-scale automaker, Mazda will understand this, and will likely bring something to the market to help fill the gap.
Should Mazda decide to bring forth an all-new, compact SUV, the potential to kill two birds with one stone certainly exists. Both the Mazda 2 and the CX-3 were small, after all. However, because both were relatively affordable, the new model would probably stay within a similar price bracket. Well, hopefully.
2026 Mazda 2 Hybrid finished in white with black interiorMazda
We don’t know anything definitive about the potential upcoming small SUV, but the hole left in the market by the departure of two strong models is likely too big to ignore, and Mazda likely planned for this anyway. In the brand’s bid to move more upscale, a new small SUV would potentially carry better quality at a higher price. As always, only time will tell.
Base Trim Engine
2.0L Inline-4 Gas
Base Trim Transmission
6-Speed Automatic
Base Trim Drivetrain
Front-Wheel Drive
Base Trim Horsepower
148 hp
Base Trim Torque
146 lb-ft @ 2800 rpm
Fuel Economy
29/34 MPG
Infotainment & Features
7 /10
Sources: Mazda, Jalopnik.com.
