Mazda Sets September Sales Record as Mazda3 Sales More Than Double
Mazda just had the best September in its history. Mazda North American Operations reported 34,519 U.S. sales for the month, up 31.9% compared with September 2025. September 2026 had one more selling day than last year, but even on a daily selling rate basis, Mazda sales were up 26.6%.
Nearly every model in the lineup contributed. The Mazda3 more than doubled, the CX-5 jumped almost 38%, and the CX-50 posted its best September ever. However, Mazda still has work to do, because its sales through the first nine months of the year remain down 2.9%.
Mazda3 Sales More Than Double
The Mazda3 had a monster month. Sales climbed 146.9% to 3,704 units, as the sedan rose 167.9% to 2,794 and the hatchback gained 99.1% to 910. Year to date, the Mazda3 is up 42.3% to 32,486 sales, and hatchback sales alone are up 70%.
The MX-5 Miata also had a good month, rising 31.5% to 689 units. Together, Mazda car sales jumped 117% in September and are up 33% for the year. That is an interesting trend at a time when most automakers have walked away from small cars, and it makes the idea of a Mazda3 hot hatch that could challenge the GR Corolla even more appealing.
CX-5 Remains Mazda’s Best Seller
The CX-5 continued to carry the brand. Sales rose 37.8% to 11,345, which works out to roughly one of every three Mazdas sold in September. Even so, the compact SUV is still down 9.5% for the year at 95,762 units, most likely due to the process of switching to an all-new model.
We spent plenty of time with this SUV earlier this year, so check out our 2026 Mazda CX-5 review for how it works as a family vehicle. If you are cross-shopping, our 2026 Toyota RAV4 vs. Mazda CX-5 comparison breaks down how the two stack up.
CX-50 and CX-50 Hybrid Set September Records
The CX-50 posted its best September ever with 9,147 sales, up 3.1%. The CX-50 Hybrid also had its best September, which helps explain why the CX-50 is one of the brightest spots in the lineup this year. Through September, CX-50 sales are up 19.7% to 95,351, putting it within about 400 units of the CX-5.
Meanwhile, the smaller CX-30 rose 13.3% to 3,706 sales. It is still down 27.1% for the year, though. We recently tested the 2026 Mazda CX-30 2.5 Turbo Aire Edition, which packs a lot of power into a small package.
CX-90 and CX-70 Bounce Back
Mazda’s larger SUVs had a strong month, too. The three-row CX-90 rose 49% to 4,632 sales, and the CX-90 MHEV (mild hybrid) had its best September ever. The two-row CX-70 nearly doubled, climbing 96.7% to 1,296 units.
Still, both models are down for the year. CX-90 sales have fallen 21.7% to 34,999, and CX-70 sales are down 21% to 9,686. That slide is a big reason Mazda is reportedly making big changes to its large SUVs.
Mazda Still Has Ground to Make Up in 2026
Through nine months, Mazda has sold 310,268 vehicles in the U.S., down 2.9% from 319,664 at this point last year. Cars are up 33%, while SUVs are down 6.7%. Mazda also sold 6,194 certified pre-owned vehicles in September, up 3.7%.
Elsewhere in North America, Mazda Canada sales fell 19.3% to 6,454 in September, while Mazda Motor de Mexico sales rose 15% to 8,539.
Mazda was not alone in having a strong September. Honda sales jumped 15.9%, Kia set September and third-quarter records, Hyundai set records of its own, and Toyota and Lexus climbed 8.4%.
Mazda U.S. Sales by Model
| Model | Sept. 2026 | Sept. 2025 | Change | YTD 2026 | YTD 2025 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mazda3 Sedan | 2,794 | 1,043 | +167.9% | 21,135 | 16,158 | +30.8% |
| Mazda3 Hatchback | 910 | 457 | +99.1% | 11,351 | 6,679 | +70.0% |
| Mazda3 Total | 3,704 | 1,500 | +146.9% | 32,486 | 22,837 | +42.3% |
| MX-5 Miata | 407 | 321 | +26.8% | 3,909 | 3,822 | +2.3% |
| MX-5 Miata RF | 282 | 203 | +38.9% | 3,689 | 3,477 | +6.1% |
| MX-5 Miata Total | 689 | 524 | +31.5% | 7,598 | 7,299 | +4.1% |
| CX-30 | 3,706 | 3,271 | +13.3% | 34,386 | 47,147 | -27.1% |
| CX-5 | 11,345 | 8,230 | +37.8% | 95,762 | 105,788 | -9.5% |
| CX-50 (incl. Hybrid) | 9,147 | 8,876 | +3.1% | 95,351 | 79,628 | +19.7% |
| CX-70 (all) | 1,296 | 659 | +96.7% | 9,686 | 12,256 | -21.0% |
| CX-90 (all) | 4,632 | 3,109 | +49.0% | 34,999 | 44,709 | -21.7% |
| Cars | 4,393 | 2,024 | +117.0% | 40,084 | 30,136 | +33.0% |
| SUVs | 30,126 | 24,145 | +24.8% | 270,184 | 289,528 | -6.7% |
| Total | 34,519 | 26,169 | +31.9% | 310,268 | 319,664 | -2.9% |
Mazda reports its SUVs as trucks. MX-5 Miata RF figures are reported by Mazda as MXR. Mazda did not break out third-quarter results.