2011 Mazda MAZDA3 vs 2011 Nissan Sentra

2011 Mazda MAZDA3

2011 Nissan Sentra

Select style

4-Door Sedan Automatic i Sport

Style	MPG City	MPG Hwy	Invoice	MSRP
Mazda3 4-Door Sedan Automatic i Sport	24	33	$16,443	$17,555
Mazda3 4-Door Sedan Automatic i Touring	24	33	$17,749	$18,950
Mazda3 4-Door Sedan Automatic s Grand Touring	22	29	$21,827	$23,310
Mazda3 4-Door Sedan Automatic s Sport	22	29	$19,052	$20,345
Mazda3 4-Door Sedan Manual i SV	25	33	$14,801	$15,800
Mazda3 4-Door Sedan Manual i Sport	25	33	$15,648	$16,705
Mazda3 4-Door Sedan Manual i Touring	25	33	$16,952	$18,100
Mazda3 4-Door Sedan Manual s Grand Touring	20	28	$21,079	$22,510
Mazda3 4-Door Sedan Manual s Sport	20	28	$18,303	$19,545
Mazda3 5-Door HB Automatic s Grand Touring	22	29	$22,294	$23,810
Mazda3 5-Door HB Automatic s Sport	22	29	$19,521	$20,845
Mazda3 5-Door HB Manual Mazdaspeed3 Sport	18	25	$22,191	$23,700
Mazda3 5-Door HB Manual s Grand Touring	20	28	$21,546	$23,010
Mazda3 5-Door HB Manual s Sport	20	28	$18,771	$20,045

Select style

4-Door Sedan I4 CVT 2.0

Style	MPG City	MPG Hwy	Invoice	MSRP
Sentra 4-Door Sedan I4 CVT 2.0	27	34	$16,535	$17,240
Sentra 4-Door Sedan I4 CVT 2.0 S	27	34	$16,781	$17,990
Sentra 4-Door Sedan I4 CVT 2.0 SL	27	34	$18,084	$19,390
Sentra 4-Door Sedan I4 CVT 2.0 SR	27	34	$16,781	$17,990
Sentra 4-Door Sedan I4 CVT SE-R	24	30	$18,763	$20,120
Sentra 4-Door Sedan I4 Manual 2.0	24	31	$15,406	$16,060
Sentra 4-Door Sedan I4 Manual SE-R Spec V	21	28	$19,228	$20,620

Show Only Differences

Pricing

Invoice Price

$16,443

$16,535

Manufacturer Suggested Retail Price

$17,555

$17,240

Monthly Payment Estimate

$293 / month

$287 / month

The Car Connection's Take

TCC Rating

8.0

Read Our Full Review

7.0

Read Our Full Review

TCC’s Bottom Line

The 2011 Mazda3 provides more driving enjoyment than most other small-car models, along with a stylish, racy look; but with a tight, noisy cabin, it’s not without compromise.

The 2010 Nissan Sentra looks plain on the outside and is only offered in one body style, but there's a lot to love for shoppers who value a comfortable, well-appointed interior.

TCC Likes

Excellent handling and maneuverability
Nicely configured interior
Low, flat cargo floor

Seating space
Quiet, smooth ride
Fuel efficiency

TCC Dislikes

Mediocre fuel economy
Road noise
Moonroof cuts into headroom

Dowdy styling
Only offered as a sedan
Bluetooth requires CVT

Fuel Economy

City

24 mpg

27 mpg

Highway

33 mpg

34 mpg

Vehicle

EPA Classification

Compact

Interior Dimensions

Second Shoulder Room (in)

54.0

55.1

Front Leg Room (in)

42.0

42.4

Front Hip Room (in)

53.7

54.1

Passenger Volume (ft³)

94.1

97.4

Second Leg Room (in)

36.2

34.5

Front Head Room (in)

38.9

40.6

Second Hip Room (in)

52.2

53.0

Front Shoulder Room (in)

54.9

56.9

Passenger Capacity

Second Head Room (in)

37.5

37.3

Exterior Dimensions

Height, Overall (in)

57.9

59.5

Track Width, Rear (in)

59.8

60.8

Wheelbase (in)

103.9

105.7

Liftover Height (in)

- TBD -

28.1

Width, Max w/o mirrors (in)

69.1

70.5

Track Width, Front (in)

60.4

59.8

Min Ground Clearance (in)

4.7

5.6

Length, Overall (in)

180.7

179.8

Cargo Area Dimensions

Trunk Volume (ft³)

11.8

13.1

Brakes

Rear Brake Rotor Diam x Thickness (in)

10.4 x - TBD -

Brake Type

Pwr

Power

Rear Drum Diam x Width (in)

9.0 x - TBD -

Disc - Front (Yes or )

Yes

Front Brake Rotor Diam x Thickness (in)

10.9 x - TBD -

11.02 x 0.94

Drum - Rear (Yes or )

Yes

Brake ABS System

4-wheel

4-Wheel

Disc - Rear (Yes or )

Yes

Fuel Tank

Fuel Tank Capacity, Approx (gal)

14.5

Steering

Steering Type

Pwr Rack & Pinion

Lock to Lock Turns (Steering)

2.94

2.9

Turning Diameter - Wall to Wall (ft)

35.8

- TBD -

Steering Ratio (:1), Overall

16.2

16.4

Turning Diameter - Curb to Curb (ft)

34.2

35.4

Tires

Spare Tire Size

T115/70D15

T125/70D16

Front Tire Order Code

Spare Tire Order Code

Rear Tire Size

P205/55HR16

P205/60HR15

Rear Tire Order Code

Front Tire Size

P205/55HR16

P205/60HR15

Trailering

Wt Distributing Hitch - Max Tongue Wt. (lbs)

Dead Weight Hitch - Max Trailer Wt. (lbs)

- TBD -

1000

Wt Distributing Hitch - Max Trailer Wt. (lbs)

Dead Weight Hitch - Max Tongue Wt. (lbs)

- TBD -

100

Weight Information

Base Curb Weight (lbs)

2922

2948

Wheels

Rear Wheel Size (in)

16 x 6.5

15 x 6.5

Front Wheel Material

Steel

Spare Wheel Material

Steel

Front Wheel Size (in)

16 x 6.5

15 x 6.5

Spare Wheel Size (in)

15 x - TBD -

16 x - TBD -

Rear Wheel Material

Steel

Cooling System

Total Cooling System Capacity (qts)

7.9

2.1

Electrical

Maximum Alternator Capacity (amps)

100

Cold Cranking Amps @ 0° F (Primary)

- TBD -

Engine

SAE Net Horsepower @ RPM

148 @ 6500

140 @ 5100

Engine Type

Gas I4

Fuel System

EFI

SMPI

SAE Net Torque @ RPM

135 @ 4500

147 @ 4800

Engine Order Code

Displacement

2.0L/122

Mileage

EPA Fuel Economy Est - City (MPG)

Fuel Economy Est-Combined (MPG)

EPA Fuel Economy Est - Hwy (MPG)

Transmission

Reverse Ratio (:1)

3.41

1.75

Second Gear Ratio (:1)

1.93

Trans Order Code

Final Drive Axle Ratio (:1)

3.46

5.41

Fourth Gear Ratio (:1)

0.93

Trans Description Cont.

Automatic w/OD

CVT

Drivetrain

Front Wheel Drive

Sixth Gear Ratio (:1)

First Gear Ratio (:1)

3.62

2.35 - 0.39

Clutch Size (in)

Third Gear Ratio (:1)

1.29

Trans Type

Fifth Gear Ratio (:1)

0.69

Trans Description Cont. Again

Summary

Vehicle Name

Mazda Mazda3

Nissan Sentra

Body Style

4 Door Sedan

Suspension

Suspension Type - Rear (Cont.)

w/Coil Springs

Shock Absorber Diameter - Rear (mm)

- TBD -

Suspension Type - Front

MacPherson Strut

Independent Strut

Stabilizer Bar Diameter - Rear (in)

- TBD -

0.87

Suspension Type - Front (Cont.)

w/Coil Springs

Shock Absorber Diameter - Front (mm)

- TBD -

Stabilizer Bar Diameter - Front (in)

- TBD -

0.91

Suspension Type - Rear

Multi-link

Torsion Beam

Emissions

Tons/yr of CO2 Emissions @ 15K mi/year

5.4

6.2

EPA Greenhouse Gas Score

Crash Test Ratings

Overall Rating

Overall Frontal Barrier Crash Rating

Frontal Barrier Crash Rating Driver

Frontal Barrier Crash Rating Passenger

Overall Side Crash Rating

Side Barrier Rating

Side Barrier Rating Driver

Side Barrier Rating Passenger Rear Seat

Side Pole Rating Driver Front Seat

Combined Side Rating Front Seat

Combined Side Rating Rear Seat

Rollover Rating

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