Head-to-head
2026 Mazda Mazda3 vs 2026 Nissan Sentra
The Mazda Mazda3 wins clearly, 96.5 to 84.5, on tech & comfort, safety, performance. The Nissan Sentra is ahead on price and fuel & range.
A
2026 Mazda Mazda3
The 2026 Mazda Mazda3 is sold in the U.S. as a gas midsize sedan with 7 EPA-rated configurations. The most efficient version, the 3 4-Door 2WD, is EPA-rated at …
vs
A2026 Nissan Sentra
The 2026 Nissan Sentra is sold in the U.S. as a gas midsize sedan with 3 EPA-rated configurations. The most efficient version, the Sentra (2-mode), is EPA-rated…
Verdict · default weights
2026 Mazda Mazda3
Clear winThe Mazda Mazda3 wins clearly, 96.5 to 84.5, on tech & comfort, safety, performance. The Nissan Sentra is ahead on price and fuel & range.
Tech & comfort 2026 Mazda Mazda3 leads by 47.8
Safety 2026 Mazda Mazda3 leads by 23
Performance 2026 Mazda Mazda3 leads by 20.2
| Category · weight | 2026 Mazda Mazda3overall 96.5 | 2026 Nissan Sentraoverall 84.5 | ||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pricew 4 | 91.7 | 100 | ||||||||||||
Base MSRP of the trim (or the model's lowest trim). Lower is better. | ||||||||||||||
| Fuel & rangew 3 | 91 | 100 | ||||||||||||
EPA annual fuel cost and combined mpg / MPGe; EV range when both are electric. | ||||||||||||||
| Safetyw 4 | 99.3 | 76.3 | ||||||||||||
NHTSA 5-Star rating, WhichTrim Safety Signal (open recalls by severity), owner complaints, standard driver-assist features (from the press kit, or from what the manufacturer filed with NHTSA where there is none). Open park-outside / do-not-drive advisories cost 25 points. | ||||||||||||||
| Space & cargow 2 | 100 | 99.6 | ||||||||||||
Seats, cargo volume behind the 1st and 2nd rows, rear legroom. | ||||||||||||||
| Performancew 2 | 100 | 79.8 | ||||||||||||
Horsepower, torque and horsepower per ton. | ||||||||||||||
| Tech & comfortw 3 | 100 | 52.2 | ||||||||||||
Standard (1) and optional (0.5) infotainment, convenience, climate and interior features from the manufacturer's press kit. | ||||||||||||||
| Warrantynot compared | No data | No data | ||||||||||||
| Overall | 96.5 | 84.5 | ||||||||||||
Trim vs trim · 6 of 7 categories compared
Mazda Mazda3: base trim 2.5 S Sedan FWD · Nissan Sentra: base trim S FWD. Pick a trim in the tool to compare any other trim.
Change what matters to you →Scores are 0–100 per category from the data on this page. The weights are yours to set.
Where the gap is
the biggest differences, from the scorecard's own numbersWhere the 2026 Mazda Mazda3 wins
- It has drawn fewer owner complaints (1 against 19 filed with NHTSA).
- It lists more comfort and tech equipment (45 points against 23.5 on the press-kit count, standard = 1, optional = ½).
- It turns out 186 lb-ft of torque against 146.
Where the 2026 Nissan Sentra answers
- It starts $2,050 lower ($22,600 against $24,650 base MSRP).
- It is rated 33 combined against 30 (EPA mpg or MPGe).
What they share
- 5 seats.
Ranked by how far apart the two score on each measure, so a price gap and a horsepower gap are compared on the same scale. Every figure is on this page.
Specifications side by side
49 specs · manufacturer press kits| Spec | Mazda Mazda32.5 S Sedan FWD | Nissan SentraS FWD |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | ||
| Base MSRP (excludes destination) | $24,650 | $22,600 |
| Engine Basics | ||
| Aspiration | naturally aspirated | — |
| Cylinder count | 4 | 4 |
| Engine displacement | 2,488 cc | 1,997 cc |
| Engine type (full description) | SKYACTIV-G 2.5 DOHC 16-valve 4-cylinder | 2.0L DOHC I4 |
| Fuel injection system | gdi mpi | gdi mpi |
| Valve configuration | 4 valves per cylinder, Variable-Valve Timing | 4 valves per cylinder, Continuous Variable Valve Timing Control System |
| Engine Output | ||
| Horsepower | 186 hp | 149 hp |
| Torque | 186 lb-ft | 146 lb-ft |
| Fuel Economy | ||
| MPG (city) | 27 mpg | 30 mpg |
| MPG (combined) | 30 mpg | 33 mpg |
| MPG (highway) | 36 mpg | 38 mpg |
| Transmission | ||
| Final drive ratio | 3.626 | 5.034 |
| Transmission speeds | 6 | — |
| Transmission type | SKYACTIV-DRIVE 6-speed AT | cvt |
| Dimensions Exterior | ||
| Ground clearance | 5.5 in | 4.7 in |
| Overall height | 56.9 in | 57.1 in |
| Overall length | 184 in | 183 in |
| Overall width | 70.7 in | 71.5 in |
| Wheelbase | 107 in | 107 in |
| Cargo | ||
| Cargo volume behind 2nd row | — | 14.3 cu-ft |
| Total interior volume | 92.8 cu-ft | 110 cu-ft |
| Seating | ||
| Passenger seating capacity | 5 | 5 |
| Headroom | ||
| Front headroom | 38 in | 38.9 in |
| Third-row headroom | 37.3 in | 36.7 in |
| Legroom | ||
| Front legroom | 42.3 in | 44 in |
| Third-row legroom | 35.1 in | 34.8 in |
| Weights | ||
| Curb weight (maximum) | 3,111 lbs | 3,097 lbs |
| Curb weight (minimum) | 3,111 lbs | 3,097 lbs |
| Gross vehicle weight rating | — | 4,079 lbs |
| Suspension | ||
| Front suspension type | Independent, MacPherson strut | Independent strut with coil springs |
| Rear suspension type | Torsion Beam Axle | Multi-link independent |
| Steering | ||
| Steering type | Rack-and-pinion | Dual pinion electric power-assisted |
| Turning radius (curb-to-curb) | 17.4 ft | 34.8 ft |
| Brakes | ||
| Front brake diameter | 280 mm | 279 mm |
| Front brake type | ventilated disc | Vented disc |
| Parking brake type | epb | Electric with auto-hold |
| Rear brake diameter | 265 mm | 259 mm |
| Rear brake type | solid disc | Vented disc |
| Wheels | ||
| Wheel diameter | 16 in | 16 in |
| Wheel material | alloy | steel |
| Wheel width | 6.5 in | 6.5 in |
| Tires | ||
| Tire size | 205/60R16 M+S | 205/60R16 |
| Fuel System | ||
| Fuel tank capacity | 13.2 gal | 12.4 gal |
| Minimum recommended octane | 87 | 87 |
| Connected Services | ||
| Connected services brand | Mazda Connected Services | — |
| Connected services trial (standard tier) | 12 months | — |
| Shoulder Room | ||
| Front shoulder room | 55.7 in | 56.2 in |
| Third-row shoulder room | 53.5 in | 54.6 in |
Green marks the better value where the direction is unambiguous (more room, more power, lower price). Blank rows are specs the press kit does not publish.
Equipment, feature by feature
148 features · differences first, then sharedSafety25 differ · 41 listed
| Feature | Mazda Mazda32.5 S Sedan FWD | Nissan SentraS FWD |
|---|---|---|
| Automatic Emergency Braking with Pedestrian Detection & Cyclist Detection | — | std |
| ProPILOT Assist | std | — |
| Lane Keep Assist with Cyclist Detection | std | — |
| Rearview camera | std | — |
| Driver Attention Alert | std | — |
| Rear passenger seat-mounted side-impact supplemental air bags | — | std |
| 3-point safety belts for all seating positions | std | — |
| Blind Spot Warning | — | std |
| Brake Assist | — | std |
| Child safety rear door locks | std | — |
| Easy-Fill Tire Alert | — | std |
| Electronic Brake force Distribution | — | std |
| Electronic Parking Brake (EPB) | std | — |
| Front & Rear safety-belt pretensioners with force limiters | std | — |
| Haptic steering wheel | — | std |
| Intelligent Cruise Control with steering wheel-mounted switches | — | std |
| Intelligent Driver Alertness | — | std |
| Intelligent Trace Control | — | std |
| Lane Departure Prevention | — | std |
| LATCH rear seat child safety seat anchors & upper tether anchors | std | — |
| Rear Door Alert | — | std |
| Rear Seat Alert | std | — |
| Seat belt warning/reminder for driver, front passenger and rear passengers | std | — |
| Traffic Sign Recognition | — | std |
| Vehicle Exit Warning | std | — |
| Intelligent Forward Collision Warning | std | std |
| Rear Cross Traffic Alert | std | std |
| Driver and front passenger seat-mounted side-impact supplemental air bags | std | std |
| Lane Departure Warning with haptic steering wheel | std | std |
| Nissan Advanced Air Bag System with supplemental front air bags with seat belt sensors and occupant classification sensor | std | std |
| Roof-mounted curtain side-impact supplemental air bags with rollover sensor for front and rear-seat outboard occupant head protection | std | std |
| Anti-lock Braking System | std | std |
| Blind Spot Intervention | std | std |
| Driver and front passenger knee supplemental air bags | std | std |
| High Beam Assist | std | std |
| Hill Start Assist | std | std |
| Roof-mounted curtain side-impact supplemental air bags with rollover sensor | std | std |
| Traction Control System | std | std |
| Vehicle Dynamic Control | std | std |
| Nissan Vehicle Immobilizer System | std | std |
| Tire Pressure Monitoring System – direct sensor type | std | std |
Infotainment22 differ · 22 listed
| Feature | Mazda Mazda32.5 S Sedan FWD | Nissan SentraS FWD |
|---|---|---|
| NissanConnect® Services including Wi-Fi Hotspot | std | — |
| 8-speaker audio system with Mazda Harmonic Acoustics | std | — |
| 1 rear, charge-only USB Type C port | — | std |
| 12.3-inch NissanConnect® touchscreen | — | std |
| 2 front USB Type C ports | — | std |
| 4 speakers | — | std |
| 7-inch multi-information display | — | std |
| 8.8" full-color center display | std | — |
| AM/FM with RDS | — | std |
| AM/FM/Radio | std | — |
| Apple CarPlay™ / Android Auto™ integration | std | — |
| Bluetooth® hands-free phone and audio capability | std | — |
| Bluetooth® hands-free phone system with Streaming Audio via Bluetooth® | — | std |
| Google Assistant™ voice recognition | — | std |
| Hands-Free Text Messaging Assistant | — | std |
| MAZDA CONNECT™ Infotainment System | std | — |
| Multi-function Commander control | std | — |
| NissanConnect® Services including Wi-Fi Hotspot (factory option) | — | std |
| Siri® Eyes Free | — | std |
| Steering wheel-mounted audio, phone and cruise controls | std | — |
| USB Type-C Audio Inputs (2 ports) | std | — |
| Wireless Apple CarPlay® and wireless Android Auto™ | — | std |
Convenience10 differ · 10 listed
| Feature | Mazda Mazda32.5 S Sedan FWD | Nissan SentraS FWD |
|---|---|---|
| Nissan Intelligent Key® keyless entry with two key fobs | std | — |
| 12-volt DC power outlet | — | std |
| Cruise control with steering wheel-mounted controls | std | — |
| Illuminated entry system | std | — |
| Power door locks - speed sensitive with 2-stage unlocking | std | — |
| Power door locks with auto-locking feature | — | std |
| Power windows with driver-side one-touch auto up/down and auto reverse | — | std |
| Power windows with one-touch down/up feature (4) | std | — |
| Remote keyless entry system | std | — |
| Remote Keyless Entry system with Push Button Ignition | — | std |
Climate2 differ · 2 listed
| Feature | Mazda Mazda32.5 S Sedan FWD | Nissan SentraS FWD |
|---|---|---|
| Air conditioning - manual | std | — |
| Manual air conditioning | — | std |
Seating7 differ · 9 listed
| Feature | Mazda Mazda32.5 S Sedan FWD | Nissan SentraS FWD |
|---|---|---|
| Heated front seats | — | opt |
| 4-way manual adjustable front passenger seat | std | — |
| 4-way manual front passenger seat | — | std |
| 5-passenger seating capacity | std | — |
| 60/40 split one-touch fold-down and reclining rear seatback | std | — |
| Headrests - Front (height-adjustable: Driver and Passenger) & rear (removable - 3 passengers) | std | — |
| Rear seats 60/40-split fold-down | — | std |
| 6-way manual adjustable | std | std |
| Cloth front seats | std | std |
Interior22 differ · 23 listed
| Feature | Mazda Mazda32.5 S Sedan FWD | Nissan SentraS FWD |
|---|---|---|
| 7-inch LCD meter display | std | — |
| Ambient temperature | std | — |
| Assist handles - (4) | std | — |
| Cargo area light | std | — |
| Coat hooks (2) Rear | std | — |
| Digital clock | std | — |
| Fuel gauge | std | — |
| Gear selector - urethane | std | — |
| Map lights (LED) | std | — |
| Multi-Information Display (MID) - Speedometer, Odometer, Trip Meter, Outside Temperature, Distance-To-Empty, Average Fuel Economy, Current fuel economy, i-Activsense display, Compass Display, Door-Ajar/Liftgate-Ajar Warning indication, Message Display | std | — |
| Speedometer | std | — |
| Steering wheel - urethane | std | — |
| Storage - center console armrest with covered storage compartments | std | — |
| Storage - cup holders, (2) front | std | — |
| Storage - glove compartment | std | — |
| Storage, bottle holder, front (2) and rear (2) door panels | std | — |
| Sun visors - dual covered vanity mirrors and extensions | std | — |
| Sun visors with vanity mirrors | — | std |
| Tachometer | std | — |
| Rearview mirror - manual day/night | std | — |
| Floor mats - carpeted | std | — |
| Trip computer - Odometer, Trip meter A & B, current and average fuel economy | std | — |
| Manual tilt and telescoping steering wheel | std | std |
Exterior26 differ · 28 listed
| Feature | Mazda Mazda32.5 S Sedan FWD | Nissan SentraS FWD |
|---|---|---|
| LED headlights (high/low beam) | — | std |
| 16 x 6.5J inch aluminum alloy wheels with Silver Metallic Finish | std | — |
| 16-inch steel with cover, 16 x 6.5-inch wheels | — | std |
| 205/60 R16 all-season tires | std | — |
| 205/60R16 all-season tires | — | std |
| Body-color door handles | — | std |
| Brake light - center high-mount | std | — |
| Dual exhaust outlets | std | — |
| Front grille - matte finish | std | — |
| Gloss black power outside mirrors | — | std |
| Headlights - auto On/Off feature | std | — |
| Headlights - LED | std | — |
| Intelligent Auto Headlights | — | std |
| LED tail lights | — | std |
| License plate lamp (LED) | std | — |
| Rear combination lights | std | — |
| Rear hatch spoiler - black (Premium Plus Unique - PIO) [Hatchback only] | std | — |
| Side garnish - black | std | — |
| Side mirrors - body-color, dual power remote with LED turn signal indicators | std | — |
| Temporary spare: Tire repair kit | — | std |
| V-motion front grille, gloss black with chrome finisher | — | std |
| Variable intermittent front wipers | — | std |
| Windshield wipers - rear intermittent with washer | std | — |
| Windshield wipers - variable-intermittent | std | — |
| Center High-Mount Stop Light | — | std |
| T125/70D16 temporary spare tire | std | — |
| Daytime Running Lights | std | std |
| Rear window defroster with timer | std | std |
Powertrain4 differ · 5 listed
| Feature | Mazda Mazda32.5 S Sedan FWD | Nissan SentraS FWD |
|---|---|---|
| Idle Stop/Start | — | std |
| SKYACTIV-G® 2.5 DOHC 16-valve 4-cylinder engine with Cylinder Deactivation | std | — |
| SKYACTIV-VEHICLE DYNAMICS: G-Vectoring Control Plus (GVC Plus) | std | — |
| SKYACTIV®-Drive 6-Speed AT with manual-shift mode and Sport mode | std | — |
| Drive configuration: Front-engine / front-wheel drive | std | std |
Chassis7 differ · 7 listed
| Feature | Mazda Mazda32.5 S Sedan FWD | Nissan SentraS FWD |
|---|---|---|
| Active Ride Control | — | std |
| Electric parking brake with auto-hold | — | std |
| Front Suspension - MacPherson strut with stabilizer bar | std | — |
| Intelligent Ride Control | — | std |
| Power-assisted rack-and-pinion steering | std | — |
| Power-assisted ventilated front disc brakes and rear solid disc brakes | std | — |
| Rear Suspension - Torsion Beam | std | — |
Cargo1 differ · 1 listed
| Feature | Mazda Mazda32.5 S Sedan FWD | Nissan SentraS FWD |
|---|---|---|
| Cargo Cover | std | — |
Highlighted rows are where the two differ. Wording is the manufacturer's own.
Safety record
NHTSA recalls, complaints, NCAPMazda Mazda3
Safety Signal 100 A
NHTSA overall ★★★★★
Frontal / side / rollover ★★★★★ / ★★★★★ / ★★★★★
Recalls 0
Owner complaints 1 · 0 crashes · 0 fires
Most complained about Steering (1)
Top recalls
No recalls on file.
Nissan Sentra
Safety Signal 92 A
NHTSA overall —
Frontal / side / rollover — / — / —
Recalls 1
Owner complaints 19 · 1 crashes · 1 fires
Most complained about Unspecified (8), Back Over Prevention (4), Wheels (3)
Top recalls
- high Seats 26V145000 · 15 vehicles
Ownership
EPA, manufacturer warranty| Mazda Mazda32.5 S Sedan FWD | Nissan SentraS FWD | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $24,650 (base trim) | $22,600 (base trim) |
| Price range across trims | $24,650 – $38,090 11 trims | $22,600 – $27,990 4 trims |
| Powertrains | GAS | GAS |
| EPA configuration compared | 3 4-Door 2WD | Sentra (2-mode) |
| Combined mpg / MPGe | 30 | 33 |
| EPA annual fuel cost | $2,250 | $2,050 |
| EV range | — | — |
| Basic warranty | — | — |
| Powertrain warranty | — | — |
| Roadside assistance | — | — |
Common questions
Source: EPA, NHTSA and manufacturer press kitsWhich is better, the 2026 Mazda Mazda3 or the 2026 Nissan Sentra?
The Mazda Mazda3 wins clearly, 96.5 to 84.5, on tech & comfort, safety, performance. The Nissan Sentra is ahead on price and fuel & range. On WhichTrim's default weights the 2026 Mazda Mazda3 scores 96.5 and the 2026 Nissan Sentra 84.5. The weights are yours to change — move what you care about and the verdict recalculates on the page.
Which is cheaper, the 2026 Mazda Mazda3 or the 2026 Nissan Sentra?
The 2026 Nissan Sentra starts lower — $22,600 against $24,650, a gap of $2,050 at the trims compared here. Both are manufacturer MSRPs before destination, options and dealer charges.
Which has the better safety record, the 2026 Mazda Mazda3 or the 2026 Nissan Sentra?
2026 Mazda Mazda3: 5 NHTSA stars, grade A, 0 recalls. 2026 Nissan Sentra: no NHTSA rating yet, grade A, 1 recall. Crash ratings come from NHTSA's own tests; the grade is WhichTrim's read of the recall record, and the two can disagree.
What are the biggest differences between the 2026 Mazda Mazda3 and the 2026 Nissan Sentra?
Where the 2026 Mazda Mazda3 wins: it has drawn fewer owner complaints (1 against 19 filed with NHTSA), lists more comfort and tech equipment (45 points against 23.5 on the press-kit count, standard = 1, optional = ½), and turns out 186 lb-ft of torque against 146. Where the 2026 Nissan Sentra answers: it starts $2,050 lower ($22,600 against $24,650 base MSRP) and is rated 33 combined against 30 (EPA mpg or MPGe). What they share: 5 seats.