Germany’s car-check watchdog has crunched the reliability numbers and once again, Tesla finds itself parked at the very bottom of the heap. The 2026 TÜV-Report, covering annual roadworthiness inspections of approximately 9.5 million vehicles between July 2024 and June 2025, found that Tesla EVs occupied the two bottom spots in the league table.

The Model 3, which was the worst-ranked car for the two previous years was found to have a defect rate of 13.1 percent, meaning one in every 7.6 cars in the two-to-three-year-old ages group failed the Hauptuntersuchung safety check.

Why Is The Model Y So Troubled?

But the Model Y was even worse. It had a defect rate of 17.3 percent, versus 3.5 percent for a Mini Cooper SE, making it the worst TÜV has seen in this age group in a decade. The biggest defect culprits were the axle assembly, suspension, brakes and lighting.

Related: Tesla Is Now The World’s Most Avoided EV Brand And It’s Probably Musk’s Fault

Pulling back to look at the bigger picture covering cars of all ages reveals that 21.5 percent, or one in five cars failed the inspection due to a “significant” or “dangerous” defect, an increase of 0.9 percent on last year, ADAC reported. And the proportion with minor defects rose 0.8 percent to 12.3 percent.

Other reliability villains include the BMW 5-series and 6-series in both the 4-5-year-old and 8-9-year-old age groups, the Dacia Duster in the 6-7 and 10-11 age groups and the Renault Clio among 12-13-year-old cars.

Electric Cars Defect Rate, 2-3 Years Old

Pop the Champagne for VW

But with every list of losers there has to be a list of winners, and for cars that have passed their fourth birthday, this one is headed by Volkswagen.

The VW Golf wagon and T-Roc scored well in the 4-7-year-old categories and the automaker’s Touareg was top of the oldies. The Mazda CX-3 and Mercedes B-Class were also commended.

Looking at the 2-3-year-old group, Fiat’s 500e toped the small car category, proving to Tesla that EVs can be reliable, the Mazda 2 and BMW 1-series were the top-rated small car and compact, and the C-class took the mid-range award (if you’re reading from the US, those classifications will look kinda messed up).

The T-Roc popped up again to take best SUV, and the B-class bagged most reliable nearly-new minivan.

Rate of Serious Inspection Defects

One big change in this year’s study is the introduction of an award for long-term quality, handed out to brands whose vehicles, aged 10+ exhibit the lowest average defect rate for safety-related faults and stand for quality, durability, and good service.

Mercedes took gold with an 18.5 percent defect rate – almost matching that of a 2-3-year-old Model Y – Audi was second with 19.2 percent and Toyota snuck onto the podium’s last step with a 22 percent defect rate.

Winners By Segment, 2-3 Years Old

Winners In Other Age Groups

Mazda’s EV push got off to a rough start as the MX-30 only survived two years in America. It was offered exclusively in California, and the company only sold 324 units in 2022.

More of an oddity than anything else, the 2023 model started at $34,110 and featured a tiny 35.5 kWh battery pack that provided 100 miles (161 km) of range. Besides being more expensive than competitors while offering less range, the MX-30 had suicide rear doors and an electric motor developing 143 hp (107 kW / 145 PS).

More: 2026 Mazda CX-5 Grows Up And Gets A Hybrid Option

Following the failure of the MX-30, Mazda leaned on Chinese partners for the EZ-6 and EZ-60. While those are fine for certain markets, the company needed to create a ‘proper’ EV.

We’re now getting our first look at it as a mule was recently spied undergoing testing near the company’s research and development center in Irvine, California. As you can see, the model wears a heavily modified body sourced from the CX-70 or CX-90.

The front end is disguised, but features a fully enclosed grille as well as blocked off air curtains. We can also see a relatively small central intake.

Baldauf

Bigger changes occur aft of the A-pillar as the mule has a shorter wheelbase than the CX-90 as well as a significantly shorter rear overhang. The model also has third-quarter glass that is reminiscent of the CX-80. While it’s hard to judge the crossover’s size by pictures alone, spy photographers said it was about as big as the CX-50.

Speaking of size, the upcoming EV is narrower than the body suggests. A closer inspection reveals the wheels are tucked in considerably, and this means the upcoming production model will have shorter tracks than the CX-90. We can also see aerodynamic rims as well as a possible charging port hidden beneath a rear bumper flap.

Baldauf

Little else is known about the model at this point, but Mazda announced plans for the Skyactiv EV Scalable Architecture way back in 2021. At the time, the company referred to it as a dedicated EV platform that would be introduced in 2025 and underpin “various vehicle sizes and body types.”

Mazda was originally planning to introduce several vehicles on the platform between 2025 and 2030. Needless to say, 2025 is almost up, and things have been delayed. It’s now believed the model could debut in 2027 and land stateside the following year.

Mazda has been busy polishing its lineup of straight-six-powered crossovers, pouring attention into its larger and more profitable models. Yet, as the Hiroshima brand shifts focus to electrification and SUVs, the rest of its range has been quietly gathering dust.

Future Cars: Nissan’s 2027 Versa Could Prove Cheap Doesn’t Have To Mean Boring

Apart from the refreshed CX-5 and a few Chinese-sourced EVs, not much has been happening in Mazda’s compact corner. And the silence surrounding a successor to the 3 has been deafening, with no sign of it anywhere in the brand’s future product roadmap.

Reports suggests the compact offering won’t see light beyond 2026, which, if true, is an utter shame for a company that once prided itself on fun-driving sedans and hatchbacks. Has Zoom-Zoom transitioned into the land of doom?

Could China Keep the 3 Alive?

When Mazda axed the long-serving 6 sedan and wagon, many thought it would be replaced by a rear-drive, inline six proposition to compete with BMW M340i and Audi’s S4.

That dream never materialized. Instead, select markets such as Europe and Australia received the Deepal-based Mazda 6e/EZ-6, while North America was left out of the equation.

This begs the question: could the 3 see the same fate and become another Deepal-derived product? After all, it would make sense as Mazda is a small player compared to many of its rivals, leaning into Changan’s portfolio helps keep development costs in check. 

Also: New Mazda 6e Costs Twice As Much In Europe As It Does In China

Adding weight to the theory are recent trademark filings for the Mazda3e in Australia, the UK, and Europe, while the Chongqing-based automaker has also unveiled its smaller L06 sedan under the newly formed China Changan Automobile Group.

While purely speculative at this point, Deepal’s L06 could very well underpin the first-ever Mazda3e. Curious as to what form it could take? Let’s look at what we can expect.

An Electrified Twist

If Mazda takes the same route as the 6e, the 3e would borrow Deepal’s existing hardware. The L06 itself is set to launch in two forms: a range-extended hybrid (EREV) and a fully electric variant.

The EREV pairs a 97 hp 1.5-litre naturally aspirated engine with a 28.39 kWh LFP battery and a 190 kW (255 hp) electric motor on the rear axle. It offers an EV-only range of 180 km (about 112 miles) on the WLTP cycle, while the internal combustion engine’s fuel consumption is rated at 4.38 litres per 100 km, or roughly 54 mpg.

The electric version of the Deepal L06 is equipped with a single rear axle motor that produces 268 hp (200 kW). This variant will offer two battery packs, a 56 kWh battery and a larger 69 kWh pack with a range of 416 miles (670 km).

Interior Smarts

Inside, expect a more premium aesthetic compared to its Deepal donor car, and (annoyingly) the all-screens trend as seen in the new CX-5 and EZ-60 SUVs.

A 3-nanometre automotive-grade cockpit chip will help power the 50-inch AR-HUD (Augmented Reality Head-Up Display, infotainment, and Level 2+ driver assist systems, with the latter benefiting from standard LiDAR fitment.

Read: Mazda’s Global $16,800 Chinese SUV Makes America’s Cheapest Cars Look Overpriced

It has more space, too. Measuring 190 inches (4830 mm) in length, the sedan is notably longer than the current Mazda3 and just a whisker shorter (and wider) than the discontinued 6. This increase repositions it into a larger segment, which will help remedy one of the 3’s most significant shortfalls: tight rear seating.

Kodo Design

Our artistic interpretation of the Mazda 3e retains the automaker’s Kodo design language but keeps the donor car’s glasshouse and doors. The front end is an evolution of the Mazda 6e, with an illuminated front panel flanked by split-tier headlamps and active grille shutters in the lower portion of the bumper.

More: BMW’s New iX4 Could Finally Give The Model Y Something To Worry About

The side profile sports curvaceous sheet metal, semi-flush door handles and a coupe‑like roofline. Love or hate it, the LiDAR unit sits at the top of the windscreen, while out back, the sports a rear diffuser and full‑width taillight strip with circular elements.

Final Thoughts

It’s worth noting that Mazda has yet to confirm whether the current 3 will receive another generation or if a reskinned Changan product will replace it.

If the latter comes to fruition (likely in the next 24 months), the Tesla Model 3 rival will be off the cards for North American consumption. Still, it will rival a variety of electrified options like Hyundai’s Ioniq 6 and BYD Seal in European and Asia Pacific markets.

Should Mazda tap into its Changan joint venture for the next 3? Share your views in the comments below.

Since the debut of the Iconic SP concept at the 2023 Japan Mobility Show, Mazda enthusiasts have been waiting for the day it leaves the stand and hits the street. The coupe sparked immediate speculation about a spiritual successor to the RX-7, and top Mazda execs have been eager to keep that hope alive.

Yet, the latest reports suggest that the journey from concept to reality might not be as smooth as fans would like.

More: Mazda Vision-X Compact Might Be A Little Too Friendly

In late 2024, Mazda Design Chief Masashi Nakayama said the Iconic SP was “designed with real intent to turn it into a production model,” a goal echoed by CEO Masahiro Moro: “We still persist in making it happen.” Chief Technical Officer Ryuichi Umeshita later called it “a good successor for the RX-7,” though he admitted the project still needs a sound business case.

How Close Is It to Reality Now?

Our colleagues at Autocar recently spoke with Umeshita to hear how development of the much-anticipated model is progressing. The Chief Technical Officer was candid: “Let me answer personally—that is my dream car. I want to make it real. Technology-wise, I believe it’s possible. The only outstanding issue is financial.”

Earlier this year, Mazda trimmed its planned budget for electrification by half a trillion yen ($3.3B). The company is pursuing a “Multi-Solution” strategy that blends BEV, hybrid, and combustion engines rather than going all-in on electric.

More: Mazda Brings Back Turbo Rotary Engine With Vision-X Coupe

Between developing an EV-specific platform, a new hybrid setup, and the upcoming SkyActiv-Z engine, Mazda’s resources are already stretched thin. In that light, a bespoke sports car might not sit at the top of the spending list.

Rotary Revival With A Turbo

Even so, the idea hasn’t been shelved. The Vision X Coupe concept, unveiled at the 2025 Japan Mobility Show, shows Mazda hasn’t turned its back on the rotary dream.

If anything, it confirms that the company is still invested in the technology that defined some of its most celebrated cars as that study is powered by a hybrid unit with a turbocharged rotary engine.

Umeshita underlined that continuity: “We have re-established the rotary engine development team, and we know that our DNA is in sports cars, so I would never say we gave it up.”

The Vision X Coupe’s plug-in hybrid setup pairs a turbocharged rotary engine with an electric motor for a combined 503 hp (375 kW / 510 PS) and includes carbon-capture technology. By contrast, the Iconic SP’s range-extender system produced 365 hp (272 kW / 370 PS).

More: Over 9,500 People Wanted This Special Miata, 9,300 Missed Out

Mazda’s next step is to cut emissions from the rotary engine further, which could eventually allow it to drive the wheels directly rather than serving solely as a generator. Engineers estimate this evolution will take another “two to three years” of development.

Will the Next MX-5 Carry the Torch?

While Mazda’s design and engineering teams work toward reviving the rotary legacy, the brand’s future in sports cars looks brighter than it has in years.

Alongside the potential RX successor, Mazda has confirmed that the next-generation MX-5 roadster will arrive later this decade. The upcoming Miata will stay true to its lightweight spirit, equipped with a larger-displacement SkyActiv Z engine and, reassuringly, a manual gearbox.

Source: Autocar