Compare 2011 Mazda MAZDA3 vs 2011 Nissan Sentra

2011 Mazda MAZDA3
2011 Nissan Sentra
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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

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
7.0

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

TCC Dislikes

Fuel Economy

City
24 mpg 27 mpg

Highway
33 mpg 34 mpg

Vehicle

EPA Classification
Compact Compact

Interior Dimensions

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
5 5

Second Head Room (in)
37.5 37.3

Second Shoulder Room (in)
54.0 55.1

Front Leg Room (in)
42.0 42.4

Exterior Dimensions

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

Height, Overall (in)
57.9 59.5

Cargo Area Dimensions

Trunk Volume (ft³)
11.8 13.1

Brakes

Rear Drum Diam x Width (in)
NA 9.0 x - TBD -

Disc - Front (Yes or )
Yes Yes

Front Brake Rotor Diam x Thickness (in)
10.9 x - TBD - 11.02 x 0.94

Drum - Rear (Yes or )
NA Yes

Brake ABS System
4-wheel 4-Wheel

Disc - Rear (Yes or )
Yes NA

Rear Brake Rotor Diam x Thickness (in)
10.4 x - TBD - NA

Brake Type
Pwr Power

Fuel Tank

Fuel Tank Capacity, Approx (gal)
14.5 14.5

Steering

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

Steering Type
Pwr Rack & Pinion Pwr Rack & Pinion

Tires

Spare Tire Order Code
NA NA

Rear Tire Size
P205/55HR16 P205/60HR15

Rear Tire Order Code
NA NA

Front Tire Size
P205/55HR16 P205/60HR15

Spare Tire Size
T115/70D15 T125/70D16

Front Tire Order Code
NA NA

Trailering

Dead Weight Hitch - Max Trailer Wt. (lbs)
- TBD - 1000

Wt Distributing Hitch - Max Trailer Wt. (lbs)
NA NA

Dead Weight Hitch - Max Tongue Wt. (lbs)
- TBD - 100

Wt Distributing Hitch - Max Tongue Wt. (lbs)
NA NA

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 Steel

Spare Wheel Material
Steel 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 Steel

Cooling System

Total Cooling System Capacity (qts)
7.9 2.1

Electrical

Cold Cranking Amps @ 0° F (Primary)
- TBD - - TBD -

Maximum Alternator Capacity (amps)
100 100

Engine

Engine Type
Gas I4 Gas I4

Fuel System
EFI SMPI

SAE Net Torque @ RPM
135 @ 4500 147 @ 4800

Engine Order Code
NA NA

Displacement
2.0L/122 2.0L/122

SAE Net Horsepower @ RPM
148 @ 6500 140 @ 5100

Mileage

Fuel Economy Est-Combined (MPG)
27 30

EPA Fuel Economy Est - Hwy (MPG)
33 34

EPA Fuel Economy Est - City (MPG)
24 27

Transmission

Trans Order Code
NA NA

Final Drive Axle Ratio (:1)
3.46 5.41

Fourth Gear Ratio (:1)
0.93 NA

Trans Description Cont.
Automatic w/OD CVT

Drivetrain
Front Wheel Drive Front Wheel Drive

Sixth Gear Ratio (:1)
NA NA

First Gear Ratio (:1)
3.62 2.35 - 0.39

Clutch Size (in)
NA NA

Third Gear Ratio (:1)
1.29 NA

Trans Type
5 1

Fifth Gear Ratio (:1)
0.69 NA

Trans Description Cont. Again
NA NA

Reverse Ratio (:1)
3.41 1.75

Second Gear Ratio (:1)
1.93 NA

Summary

Vehicle Name
Mazda Mazda3 Nissan Sentra

Body Style
4 Door Sedan 4 Door Sedan

Suspension

Shock Absorber Diameter - Rear (mm)
- TBD - NA

Suspension Type - Front
MacPherson Strut Independent Strut

Stabilizer Bar Diameter - Rear (in)
- TBD - 0.87

Suspension Type - Front (Cont.)
w/Coil Springs NA

Shock Absorber Diameter - Front (mm)
- TBD - NA

Stabilizer Bar Diameter - Front (in)
- TBD - 0.91

Suspension Type - Rear
Multi-link Torsion Beam

Suspension Type - Rear (Cont.)
w/Coil Springs NA

Emissions

Tons/yr of CO2 Emissions @ 15K mi/year
5.4 6.2

EPA Greenhouse Gas Score
- 7

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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