2012 Mazda MAZDA3 vs 2012 Nissan Sentra

2012 Mazda MAZDA3

2012 Nissan Sentra

Select style

4-Door Sedan Automatic i Grand Touring

Style	MPG City	MPG Hwy	Invoice	MSRP
Mazda3 4-Door Sedan Automatic i Grand Touring	28	40	$21,568	$22,550
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	$21,603	$23,070
Mazda3 4-Door Sedan Automatic s Touring	22	29	$20,134	$21,500
Mazda3 4-Door Sedan Manual i SV	25	33	$14,771	$15,200
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	$20,854	$22,270
Mazda3 4-Door Sedan Manual s Touring	20	28	$19,385	$20,700
Mazda3 5-Door HB Automatic i Grand Touring	28	39	$22,141	$23,150
Mazda3 5-Door HB Automatic i Touring	28	39	$19,274	$20,150
Mazda3 5-Door HB Automatic s Grand Touring	22	29	$22,071	$23,570
Mazda3 5-Door HB Automatic s Touring	22	29	$20,600	$22,000
Mazda3 5-Door HB Manual Mazdaspeed3 Touring	18	25	$22,191	$23,700
Mazda3 5-Door HB Manual i Touring	27	38	$18,462	$19,300
Mazda3 5-Door HB Manual s Grand Touring	20	28	$21,322	$22,770
Mazda3 5-Door HB Manual s Touring	20	28	$19,852	$21,200

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	$16,888	$17,610
Sentra 4-Door Sedan I4 CVT 2.0 S	27	34	$17,125	$18,360
Sentra 4-Door Sedan I4 CVT 2.0 SL	27	34	$18,428	$19,760
Sentra 4-Door Sedan I4 CVT 2.0 SR	27	34	$17,125	$18,360
Sentra 4-Door Sedan I4 CVT SE-R	24	30	$19,107	$20,490
Sentra 4-Door Sedan I4 Manual 2.0	24	31	$15,759	$16,430
Sentra 4-Door Sedan I4 Manual SE-R Spec V	21	28	$19,571	$20,990

Show Only Differences

Pricing

Invoice Price

$21,568

$16,888

Manufacturer Suggested Retail Price

$22,550

$17,610

Monthly Payment Estimate

$376 / month

$294 / month

The Car Connection's Take

TCC Rating

8.2

Read Our Full Review

6.6

Read Our Full Review

TCC’s Bottom Line

With its new Skyactive powertrains, the 2012 Mazda3 is the eco-conscious choice that sure doesn't drive like one.

The 2012 Nissan Sentra no longer looks fresh, but especially in base 2.0 form or SE-R Spec V guise it represents a strong value for the money with a roomy, comfortable interior.

TCC Likes

Excellent handling and stability
Class-leading steering feel
Nicely configured interior

Comfortable, quiet ride
Well-designed seating
Value for money

TCC Dislikes

Optional moonroof limits headroom
Base and s still have mediocre gas mileage
Road noise

Dowdy styling
Sedan-only bodystyle
Bluetooth only paired with CVT

Fuel Economy

City

28 mpg

27 mpg

Highway

40 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)

180.9

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

Turning Diameter - Curb to Curb (ft)

34.2

35.4

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

Tires

Spare Tire Size

T125/70D16

Front Tire Order Code

Spare Tire Order Code

Rear Tire Size

P205/50VR17

P205/60HR15

Rear Tire Order Code

Front Tire Size

P205/50VR17

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)

2950

2975

Wheels

Rear Wheel Material

Aluminum

Steel

Rear Wheel Size (in)

17 x 7.0

15 x 6.5

Front Wheel Material

Aluminum

Steel

Spare Wheel Material

Steel

Front Wheel Size (in)

17 x 7.0

15 x 6.5

Spare Wheel Size (in)

16 x - TBD -

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

155 @ 6000

140 @ 5100

Engine Type

Gas I4

Fuel System

Electronic Fuel Injection

SMPI

SAE Net Torque @ RPM

148 @ 4100

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

Fifth Gear Ratio (:1)

0.70

Trans Description Cont. Again

Reverse Ratio (:1)

- TBD -

1.75

Second Gear Ratio (:1)

2.02

Trans Order Code

Final Drive Axle Ratio (:1)

3.89

5.41

Fourth Gear Ratio (:1)

1.00

Trans Description Cont.

Automatic

CVT

Drivetrain

Front Wheel Drive

Sixth Gear Ratio (:1)

0.59

First Gear Ratio (:1)

3.55

2.35 - 0.39

Clutch Size (in)

Third Gear Ratio (:1)

1.45

Trans Type

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

4.5

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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