Towing capacity for a Mazda 3

Mazda 3 towing capacity : the practical guide

The Mazda 3 is a saloon. Its low centre of gravity tends to give a precise behaviour while towing, provided gross train weight and 85 % stability ratio are respected. Engine and gearbox have a large impact on the figures listed below.

Mazda 3 towing capacity in one line

Across the 4 engines listed, built 2019, towing capacity is 1,300 kg (2,866 lb), with a manufacturer maximum braked towing weight of 1,300 kg (2,866 lb). Take the lower of those two figures and you have the real limit, before factoring in your gross train weight.

The engines listed cover petrol. Pick the one whose maximum braked towing weight clears your loaded trailer by a real margin, not just on paper.

What you can actually tow with this Mazda 3

At 1,250 kg, you start to cover real loaded family luggage trailers and compact two- or three-berth caravans, either empty or very lightly loaded. It is also the typical threshold for a single-horse trailer empty or a small boat trailer up to 4 metres.

Best fit: Typical profile: a family going on holiday once or twice a year with a light caravan, or an owner of a sports bike carried on a small trailer.

Watch out: Watch the actual gross train weight on your V5C: at this level, a fully loaded car (five up plus luggage) on top of the trailer puts you very close to the limit.

Gross vehicle weight, gross train weight and payload

Gross vehicle weight (GVW) is the maximum laden weight of the car alone : 1,904 kg (4,198 lb) to 1,963 kg (4,328 lb). Gross train weight (GTW) is the maximum laden weight of the whole outfit : not disclosed for the listed versions, check the V5C logbook. Payload (GVW minus kerbweight) sits at 440 kg (970 lb) to 459 kg (1,012 lb), the share you can use for passengers, luggage and the towbar noseweight.

What to check on the V5C of your own Mazda 3

• Field F.1 / F.2 : maximum laden weight (GVW). The figure on your logbook is the only one that legally applies to your car.
• Field F.3 : gross train weight (GTW). Compare it to the published values above to spot a discrepancy.
• Field O.1 : maximum braked towing weight. Sometimes lower than the manufacturer brochure if your car was originally fitted without a towbar.
• Field O.2 : maximum unbraked towing weight. Capped at 750 kg in most cases.

What licence do you need to tow with a Mazda 3?

If you passed the UK car driving test on or after 1 January 1997, you can now tow a trailer up to 3,500 kg MAM with a standard category B licence: the rules changed in December 2021 and the separate car-and-trailer (B+E) test was scrapped. Drivers who passed earlier usually keep grandfather rights. As a stability rule, less experienced drivers should keep the loaded caravan weight to no more than about 85 % of the car kerbweight, especially on motorways and in crosswinds. Always check the V5C logbook and the manufacturer plate before hitching up.

FAQ

What is the gross vehicle weight of the Mazda 3?
The gross vehicle weight of the Mazda 3 is 1,904 kg (4,198 lb) to 1,963 kg (4,328 lb).

How much can the Mazda 3 tow?
The Mazda 3 can tow up to 1,300 kg (2,866 lb) depending on the engine.

Can you tow a caravan with a Mazda 3?
Yes, within its towing capacity of 1,300 kg (2,866 lb). Compare it with your caravan loaded weight (MTPLM) before buying.

What licence do you need to tow with a Mazda 3?
In the UK, drivers who passed the car test on or after 1 January 1997 can tow a trailer up to 3,500 kg MAM on a standard category B licence (the rules changed in December 2021 and the separate car-and-trailer test was scrapped). Drivers who passed before then usually keep larger entitlements. Always check the V5C logbook and the manufacturer plate.