Pulse Reviews and Analysis
Best Mazda Models in 2027
Curated by Kory White · Fractional CRO, CRO SyndicateBest Mazda Models in 2027
Mazda has spent the last several years moving steadily upmarket, and its 2027 lineup blends affordable, sharp-driving crossovers with a genuinely premium large-SUV family and the only affordable rear-drive sports car left on the market. Every Mazda shares a focus on driving feel and interior quality that punches above its price.
To rank the 10 best current Mazda models for 2027, this list includes the key variants — like the road-focused CX-5 versus the rugged CX-50, and the Miata soft-top versus the RF hardtop — that define the range, each with real MSRPs and specs.
Direct Answer
The best overall Mazda for 2027 is the 2027 Mazda CX-50, starting around $31,000, a handsome compact SUV that adds light off-road capability and an available hybrid powertrain to Mazda's class-leading driving feel. The best value is the 2027 Mazda3, starting near $25,000, a premium-feeling compact car (sedan or hatchback) that drives and looks far above its price.
Enthusiasts should head straight for the MX-5 Miata, still the definitive affordable roadster, while buyers wanting a true three-row near-luxury SUV should look at the inline-six CX-90.
1. 2027 Mazda CX-50 🏆 BEST OVERALL
The CX-50 is the most complete Mazda for the widest range of buyers. Built on Mazda's compact platform with a wider, more rugged body than the CX-5, it offers a 2.5L four (187 hp) or a 2.5L turbo (256 hp on premium fuel), plus a hybrid version using Toyota's proven hybrid system for roughly 38 mpg combined.
Standard all-wheel drive, an off-road drive mode, all-terrain tire availability, and genuine trail capability set it apart from the road-focused CX-5. The cabin is quiet, well-built, and upscale, with an available panoramic moonroof. Starting MSRP is around $31,000.
It tops the list for blending Mazda's signature handling with newfound off-road versatility and an efficient hybrid option, making it the easiest Mazda to recommend to almost anyone.
2. 2027 Mazda CX-5
The long-running CX-5 remains Mazda's best-selling and most balanced compact SUV. The current generation pairs a 2.5L four (187 hp) or 2.5L turbo (up to 256 hp) with standard all-wheel drive and one of the most engaging chassis in the entire segment — it genuinely rewards a back road.
The interior punches well above its price with available Nappa leather, real wood trim, and a hushed cabin. Where the CX-50 leans rugged, the CX-5 stays road-focused and is slightly more efficient and easier to park as a result. Starting MSRP is about $30,000.
It is the safe, sharp-driving default for compact-SUV shoppers who don't need off-road pretensions and just want the best-driving option in the class.
3. 2027 Mazda CX-90
The CX-90 is Mazda's flagship three-row SUV and its strongest push into premium territory. Built on a rear-biased platform for better balance, it offers a 3.3L turbo inline-six making up to 340 hp and 369 lb-ft, plus a plug-in hybrid with around 26 miles of electric range.
It seats up to eight, tows up to 5,000 lbs, and delivers a hushed, near-luxury cabin with available Nappa leather, real wood, and a 12.3-inch screen. The straight-six gives it a smoothness and character missing from rivals' turbo fours. Starting MSRP is roughly $40,000.
For families who want a three-row SUV that drives like a sport sedan and feels like a luxury product, the CX-90 is the best in Mazda's range.
4. 2027 Mazda3 💎 BEST VALUE
The Mazda3 is the value standout — a compact car that feels like a luxury product for mainstream money. Available as a sedan or hatchback, it offers a 2.5L four (191 hp) or a 2.5L turbo (up to 250 hp) with available all-wheel drive, a genuine rarity in the compact-car class.
The interior is genuinely premium, with tight materials, a driver-focused layout, and a clean, restrained design that shames pricier rivals. Sharp steering and a composed chassis make it a joy on a winding road, and reliability is strong. Starting MSRP is around $25,000.
Nothing else near this price feels as upscale or drives as well, which makes the Mazda3 the clear value champion of the lineup and a smart buy for anyone who still wants a car over a crossover.
5. 2027 Mazda CX-30
The CX-30 is the subcompact crossover slotted above the Mazda3 in ride height while sharing much of its premium character. It uses the same 2.5L four (191 hp) or 2.5L turbo (250 hp) engines, offers available all-wheel drive, and delivers a quiet, high-quality cabin in a small, city-friendly footprint that is easy to park and live with.
It is one of the better-driving vehicles in the subcompact-SUV class and feels more expensive than it is inside. Starting MSRP is about $26,000. The CX-30 is the pick for buyers who want a slightly taller, more versatile Mazda3 with a higher seating position, without jumping up to the larger and pricier CX-5.
6. 2027 Mazda MX-5 Miata
The MX-5 Miata is the soul of the brand and the best affordable sports car on sale anywhere. The lightweight roadster (around 2,350 lbs) uses a 2.0L four making 181 hp, sends power to the rear wheels through a slick six-speed manual (or an automatic), and rewards drivers like almost nothing else at its price.
A soft top folds in seconds with one hand, even from the driver's seat. The current car adds modern safety tech and infotainment without ruining the purity or adding much weight. Starting MSRP is around $30,000.
For pure driving joy per dollar, nothing in Mazda's lineup — or most of the broader market — beats it, which is why it remains an enthusiast benchmark decades on.
7. 2027 Mazda MX-5 Miata RF
The Miata RF is the retractable-fastback variant, swapping the soft top for a power-folding hardtop with distinctive flying-buttress styling that stays in place behind the cabin when lowered. It uses the same 181-hp 2.0L four and rear-drive chassis as the soft-top, adding a slightly quieter cabin with the roof up and a more dramatic, coupe-like look.
It weighs marginally more but loses none of the fundamental fun or balance. Starting MSRP is around $36,000. The RF is for buyers who want the full Miata experience with a hardtop's security, better refinement on the highway, and a more upscale appearance for not much extra money.
8. 2027 Mazda CX-70
The CX-70 is essentially a two-row version of the CX-90, aimed at buyers who want the large premium SUV without a third row. It shares the 3.3L turbo inline-six (up to 340 hp) and plug-in hybrid options, the rear-biased platform, and the same upscale cabin, but trades the third row for more cargo space and a roomier, lounge-like second row.
Towing reaches 5,000 lbs, and the driving manners are as composed as the CX-90's. Starting MSRP is about $41,000. The CX-70 is for empty-nesters, couples, and dog owners who want CX-90 refinement, power, and prestige but prioritize cargo room and rear-seat comfort over outright seating capacity.
9. 2027 Mazda CX-90 PHEV
The CX-90 PHEV deserves its own mention as the most efficient way into Mazda's three-row flagship. It combines a 2.5L four with an electric motor for a combined 323 hp, offers roughly 26 miles of electric range, and can run short commutes on battery alone before the gas engine kicks in seamlessly.
It keeps the eight-seat capacity, premium cabin, and 3,500-lb towing of the standard CX-90. Starting MSRP is near $48,000 before federal or state incentives. It is the pick for three-row families who want to electrify part of their daily driving and cut fuel costs while keeping the inline-six CX-90's smooth character available on longer road trips.
10. 2027 Mazda CX-50 Hybrid
The CX-50 Hybrid is the efficiency leader among Mazda's compact crossovers, using Toyota's proven hybrid system to return roughly 38 mpg combined — far better than the turbo gas trims and competitive with the best hybrids in the class. It keeps standard all-wheel drive and the CX-50's rugged styling and light trail capability, making it ideal for buyers who want both efficiency and the ability to handle a dirt road or a snowy trailhead.
Power is a combined 219 hp, smooth and more than adequate for daily use. Starting MSRP is around $35,000. The CX-50 Hybrid is the smart pick for high-mileage commuters and outdoorsy drivers who want a frugal Mazda that still feels capable.
How to Choose
Mazda's range is easy to navigate once you fix the body style. Want a car? The Mazda3 (sedan or hatch) is premium-feeling, affordable, and available with all-wheel drive.
Want a sports car? The MX-5 Miata soft-top or RF hardtop are the only choices and both are superb, differing mainly in roof type, refinement, and price. For crossovers, climb the ladder by size: CX-30 (subcompact), then the compact pair — CX-5 for road manners and easy parking or CX-50 for ruggedness and a hybrid option — then the large premium SUVs, CX-70 (two rows, more cargo) and CX-90 (three rows, up to eight seats).
If efficiency matters most, the CX-50 Hybrid and CX-90 PHEV are the standouts. Mazda's whole lineup shares sharp handling and upscale cabins, so you are really choosing size, roof, and powertrain rather than compromising on driving feel.
FAQ
What is the best Mazda model in 2027? The 2027 Mazda CX-50 is the best overall, combining Mazda's sharp handling with light off-road capability and an available hybrid, starting around $31,000. The Mazda3 at roughly $25,000 is the best value in the lineup.
Does Mazda make a hybrid in 2027? Yes. The CX-50 Hybrid uses Toyota's hybrid system for about 38 mpg combined, and the CX-90 PHEV and CX-70 PHEV are plug-in hybrids with roughly 26 miles of electric range before the gas engine engages.
What is the difference between the Mazda CX-5 and CX-50? The CX-5 is road-focused, slightly more efficient, and easier to park, while the CX-50 has a wider, more rugged body, an off-road drive mode, real trail capability, and an available hybrid. Both are compact SUVs with similar engines and pricing.
Is the Mazda MX-5 Miata still made in 2027? Yes. The MX-5 Miata continues as a soft-top and as the hardtop RF, both using a 181-hp 2.0L four with rear-wheel drive and an available six-speed manual, starting around $30,000.
Bottom Line
Mazda's 2027 lineup proves you don't need a luxury badge to get a premium-feeling car. The CX-50 is the best all-rounder, the Mazda3 is the value pick, the CX-90 anchors the upscale three-row push with its smooth inline-six, and the MX-5 Miata remains the affordable-sports-car benchmark.
Choose your body style first, then pick the variant — road or rugged, soft top or hardtop, gas or hybrid — and every Mazda rewards you with handling and interior quality that consistently punch above their price points.
Sources
- Mazda USA official model lineup and pricing — mazdausa.com
- Mazda North America media specifications for CX-50, CX-90, and MX-5 — insidemazda.mazdausa.com
- Car and Driver Mazda model reviews and testing — caranddriver.com
- Edmunds Mazda pricing and trim breakdowns — edmunds.com
- MotorTrend Mazda CX-90 and MX-5 road tests — motortrend.com
- Kelley Blue Book Mazda values and MSRP data — kbb.com
- EPA fuel economy and hybrid range estimates — fueleconomy.gov