Mazda May Replace Its Decade-Old Small Cars With a Single New Model

Aging Nameplates That Refuse to Fully Fade

Scan Mazda’s global lineup today, and two models jump out – not because they break the brand’s design rules, but because they’re simply showing their age. The Mazda2 and CX-3 have been around since 2014, meaning they’ve lasted more than a decade. That’s a long stretch for any modern car.

Even with all those years behind them, both models have stuck around. The Mazda2 left the U.S. a while back, with the CX-3 stepping in as its unofficial replacement. But the CX-3 didn’t stick around long either, leaving the American market in 2022. Elsewhere, though, both kept going. Mazda even gave the Mazda2 a light update last year, keeping it in play where small, budget-friendly cars still count.

But it looks like that long run is finally winding down. Reports out of Japan point to both models reaching the end, with Mazda already lining up what comes next.

Dealer Documents Reveal the End

According to dealer documents revealed in Japan, Mazda will cease the CX-3’s production in March 2026. The Mazda2 will last a little longer, with production scheduled to close out in June. Orders for both models are apparently being limited, with dealers instructed to stop taking new reservations once production allocations are filled.

Mazda hasn’t said anything official yet, but this kind of dealer memo usually means the decision is set. It’s also how Mazda tends to retire models – quietly, one market at a time, instead of making a big global announcement.

The timing here matters. Mazda looks like it’s making room in the lineup, not just swapping out old models for new ones. Instead of launching separate replacements for the Mazda2 and CX-3, the Hiroshima-based company might be streamlining its entry-level lineup.

One Replacement, Not Two

That’s where the Vision X-Compact concept enters the picture. Mazda showed it off at the Japan Mobility Show, and it hints at a new small car that splits the difference between a hatchback and a crossover. It’s got the upright look buyers want now, but it stays low to the ground and keeps things compact.

If Mazda does merge the Mazda2 and CX-3 into one, the Vision X-Compact is a logical place to start. It lets Mazda keep a small, affordable option in the lineup without spreading itself thin across two old models.  I personally love its non-cookie-cutter look, and hopefully Mazda keeps its pizzazz if it reaches production.

Again, nothing’s official at this point, but the timing, the dealer info, and the new concept all seem to line up. Whether the next model is more hatchback or crossover is still anyone’s guess. Then again, with the CX-30 already blurring the lines, Mazda might not bother picking sides.