Mazda is an automaker that’s had some success in America, but while the company isn’t in any trouble, its sales numbers are significantly lower than many of its rivals. That’s happening despite the fact that Mazda actually builds some great cars, and many  Mazda vehicles are highly competitive with their segment rivals.

Here’s a look at the Mazda compact car that’s practically a hidden gem when compared to the most popular options in the compact car segment.

Here’s how Mazda stacks up to its rivals in terms of car sales in America

GoodCarBadCar wrote about the auto industry’s sales numbers from January to July, and in terms of the compact car segment, the usual suspects continue to dominate. The Toyota Corolla is at the very top, as it’s already sold just about 119,000 units this year. The Honda Civic isn’t far behind, as it’s sold about 111,000 units so far in 2023.

The Hyundai Elantra may not be in first or second place, but it’s selling very well as the automaker’s already moved over 86,000 units this year. That being said, while the Corolla is at the top, its year isn’t going as well as its main rivals. The Toyota’s year-over-year sales numbers represent a 12% drop from last year. 

In comparison, the Civic’s sales numbers are a nearly 40% increase from the same time period last year. It’s a similar story for the Elantra, as its sales grew by 42% year-over-year. On the other hand, Mazda fans will have to scroll far down to see exactly how many units the Mazda3 has sold.

The Mazda3 is a very capable compact car that car shoppers should consider

In the first seven months of the year, the Japanese automaker has only sold 18,000 units of the Mazda 3. Although that’s a 13% increase from last year, it’s an extremely small number of units compared to not just its rivals, but to other segments. Luxury cars like the Lexus ES and sports cars like the Ford Mustang are selling more units than the Mazda3.

That’s unfortunate since the Mazda3 is a great vehicle overall. Its sales numbers are a tenth of the Corolla’s, but the Mazda3 has a lot of great features, especially under the hood. The 2023 model year comes with a brand-new standard engine that makes 191 hp, and this helped make the driving experience more satisfying for owners.

It starts at about $22,500, and that’s a very competitive price tag for the segment. It’s not the cheapest compact car, but it’s far from the most expensive. Its interior is also nice and balanced, and like most other Mazdas, it has a nicer interior than many of its rivals do. Plus, Mazda offers a hatchback version of the car, and that option makes it more practical by adding more cargo capacity.

There are a few reasons why the Mazda 3 might be such a hidden gem

On the outside, it’s difficult to say why the Mazda3 has been selling so poorly compared to its rivals. It’s possible that Mazda was hit by supply chain issues and that hampered production, but most automakers have fixed those problems by now. There are a few possible explanations for this. The sedan segment, in general, isn’t doing well.

The drivers who want a sedan seem to gravitate towards the same brands that have some well-known sedans, such as Toyota and Honda. This is likely due to how popular and well-known those brands are. Mazda, on the other hand, isn’t a well-known brand, and since fewer people are buying sedans, it’d make sense that few people would consider a relatively unknown car like the Mazda3.