11:49 14-01-2026

Mazda ranks lowest for interior storage, owners say

Consumer Reports finds Mazda last for interior storage across 2023–2026 models. Owners cite few pockets, shallow cupholders; Mazda3, CX-5 and CX-90 score poorly.

When shoppers choose a car, they look beyond reliability and pay close attention to how the cabin handles everyday stuff. The ease of stowing personal items shapes both driving comfort and the overall impression a vehicle leaves. That’s why the layout of pockets, cubbies, and small-item storage has become a real point of comparison for buyers.

According to research from Consumer Reports, Mazda received the lowest score among major automakers specifically for interior storage organization. Owners consistently reported a shortage of places to keep things inside various Mazda models across classes and model years. The trunk, the study noted, was not part of the assessment.

The analysis covered a broad set of Mazda vehicles built from 2023 through 2025, and it also included new-generation 2026 model-year cars. Owners weighed in based on their real-world experience with how usable their cabins felt day to day.

The results were telling: respondents pointed to a lack of conveniently placed small-item pockets, cupholders that are too shallow for larger cups or bottles, and compact cubbies that make it tricky to stash bulkier essentials such as small bags or documents.

Popular nameplates drew especially low marks, including the Mazda3, CX-90, and CX-5. Even newer entries, such as the 2026 Mazda CX-70, showed only a modest step forward.

Experts link the outcome to a distinctly Japanese approach to interior design. Mazda’s Kodo, or “Soul of Motion,” philosophy favors a clean, minimalist aesthetic, with surfaces and lines focused on elegance and simplicity. That restraint, however, tends to limit both the number and placement of practical compartments and nooks that would make daily use easier. The philosophy delivers visual calm and cohesion, yet in routine errands and commutes the absence of extra stash points is hard to ignore.

Even with these ergonomic compromises, Mazda continues to win buyers with its athletic proportions, dependable hardware, and handsome styling. Many drivers are willing to accept a bit of cabin inconvenience in exchange for the brand’s strong handling and reliability—an unmistakable trade-off that, for now, seems to define the appeal of these cars.