Mazda 3 Towing Capacity

You may be able to tow some light loads with your Mazda 3 when properly equipped, but this vehicle is not specifically designed for any towing purposes.
Written by Pat Roache
Reviewed by Jessica Barrett
Mazda does not specify a towing capacity for the 2022 Mazda 3 Sedan—or any past models—because this vehicle is not intended to be used for towing. You may be able to tow some very light loads with a properly equipped Class 1 trailer hitch but do so at your own risk.
Finding the right vehicle for both your daily commute and weekend camping trips can be a difficult task. You might be juggling fuel efficiencies, towing capacities, and more trying to find the perfect car that hits all the marks. Unfortunately, if towing is high on your priority list, the Mazda 3 is not the best choice.
Towing can be delicate work with major consequences if you don’t follow the manufacturer’s warnings and recommended towing capacities.
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How much can the Mazda 3 tow?

The Mazda 3 is not recommended for towing and as such does not have a tested towing capacity from the manufacturer. There are a lot of factors that can affect a car’s towing capacity—or its inability to tow—such as the size of the vehicle, engine type, transmission, and drivetrain.
The size of the Mazda 3 is the biggest factor working against its ability to tow. The Mazda 3 is a sedan with a lighter curb weight than larger SUVs and trucks. Typically, sedans are only designed to carry passengers and light cargo (in the trunk!).
Since the size of the Mazda 3 eliminates the possibility of doing any serious towing, the engine and drivetrain won’t help you much. Those factors will come into play more when examining the towing capacity of SUVs and trucks that were built for hitching and hauling a trailer.
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What Mazda’s are good for towing?

If you want to stick with the Mazda name, look toward the
Mazda CX-30
subcompact SUV. It’s the smallest Mazda you’re likely to find while still being able to tow up to 1,500 pounds. That’s plenty to haul your kayaks to the lake!
The
Mazda CX-3
, another subcompact SUV, and the Mazda CX-5, a standard compact SUV, are tied for the next spot on Mazda’s list of vehicles that can tow. They both have a towing capacity of 2,000 pounds. That’s enough for a small teardrop camper or utility trailer. 
Next, in the midsize SUV category, you’ll be able to tow the most with the
Mazda CX-9
, which has a maximum towing capacity of 3,500 pounds. But be sure to check the weight on whichever trailer you choose to make sure this ute can safely tow it.
Key Takeaway Check out the Mazda CX-30, CX-3, CX-5, or CX-9 to find a Mazda SUV with a towing capacity that meets your needs.

How to calculate the towing capacity you need

Before you start seriously looking at your options, take some time to figure out how much you’ll need to regularly tow. Consider the trailer itself, your cargo/load, any other equipment, and all your vehicle’s passengers.
As a general rule of thumb, you never want to test your vehicle's towing capacity—let alone exceed it. Here are a few common tow loads and their average weights, plus which vehicles can tow them.
Smaller SUVs or FWD cars (1,500 pounds):
  • Canoe or kayak trailer (400 to 800 pounds)
  • Jet ski trailer (600 pounds)
Mid-size SUVs (3,000 pounds):
  • Motorcycle trailer (500 to 2,400 pounds)
  • Small open utility trailer (700 to 2,500 pounds)
  • A-frame camper (1,700 to 2,900 pounds)
Larger SUVs (5,000 pounds or more):
  • Fishing boat trailer (600 to 3,300 pounds)
  • Small travel trailer (2,800 to 3,600 pounds)
  • Tow dolly (600 to 4,000 pounds)
Some large SUVs may even be able to tow larger enclosed utility trailers or travel trailers (up to 8,300 pounds) if they’ve got the right towing capacity. However, once you start to break 7,500 pounds, you might be better off looking at
pickup trucks
to maximize your towing strength.
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How to find affordable car insurance

Once you find the right vehicle for your towing needs, find the right car insurance for it with a little help from
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The Mazda 3 Sedan is notintended for towing. One of Mazda’s SUVs like the CX-9 or CX-5 would make a much better choice if you plan to tow.
Technically, you may be able to fit your Mazda 3 with a compatible Class 1 trailer hitch—but the car’s not built for towing. Tow with your Mazda 3 at your own risk.
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