Mazda Ranks Last in Cabin Storage: Consumer Reports 2026 Survey
by AutoExpert | 16 January, 2026
Buying a car means finding something reliable that's also comfortable to actually sit in. Turns out Mazda might not be the best pick for anyone who needs places to stash stuff while driving.
Consumer Reports looked at cabin storage—cup holders, dashboards, center consoles, not trunks—and Mazda landed dead last. This came from their 2025 owner satisfaction ratings based on surveys covering about 380,000 vehicles from recent model years. Overall, Mazda ranked 22nd, but storage dragged them down hard.
Other reviews back this up. One driver complained on Edmunds that the 2025 Mazda3 Hatchback has cup holders that are weirdly narrow and tough to reach, plus tiny compartments that don't fit much. Taller drivers apparently struggle even more. The Mazda3 lags behind similar cars when it comes to useful storage space.
The 2025 Mazda CX-90 has the same problem. A lot of the center console got eaten up by the infotainment system, leaving barely any room for actual stuff. Reviews of the CX-5 mention the same thing—not enough cabin storage compared to other compact SUVs. Someone even griped about the CX-30's glove compartment being basically useless because of how it's designed.
Why Mazda's Like This
Mazda follows this Japanese design concept called "Kodo," which translates to "soul of motion." Basically, they're all about clean, simple interiors without a lot of extra clutter. It looks good and feels streamlined, but it also means fewer spots to put phones, wallets, water bottles, whatever.
There are hints Mazda's rethinking this a bit. The 2026 CX-70 apparently has a deeper center console and some underfloor storage compartments, plus more cargo room than older models.
Even with the storage issue, Mazda still makes solid cars. Consumer Reports generally likes them—affordable, fun to drive, pretty reliable. A bunch of their crossovers, SUVs, and sedans get high marks. The storage thing drags down owner satisfaction scores, but plenty of people seem okay trading that for a sporty, dependable ride.
