Compare 2012 Mazda MAZDA3 vs 2012 Nissan Sentra

2012 Mazda MAZDA3
2012 Nissan Sentra
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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
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
6.6
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
TCC Dislikes
Fuel Economy
City
28 mpg 27 mpg
Highway
40 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)
180.9 179.8
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
P205/50VR17 P205/60HR15
Rear Tire Order Code
NA NA
Front Tire Size
P205/50VR17 P205/60HR15
Spare Tire Size
T125/70D16 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)
2950 2975
Wheels
Rear Wheel Size (in)
17 x 7.0 15 x 6.5
Front Wheel Material
Aluminum Steel
Spare Wheel Material
Steel Steel
Front Wheel Size (in)
17 x 7.0 15 x 6.5
Spare Wheel Size (in)
16 x - TBD - 16 x - TBD -
Rear Wheel Material
Aluminum 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
Electronic Fuel Injection SMPI
SAE Net Torque @ RPM
148 @ 4100 147 @ 4800
Engine Order Code
NA NA
Displacement
2.0L/122 2.0L/122
SAE Net Horsepower @ RPM
155 @ 6000 140 @ 5100
Mileage
Fuel Economy Est-Combined (MPG)
33 30
EPA Fuel Economy Est - Hwy (MPG)
40 34
EPA Fuel Economy Est - City (MPG)
28 27
Transmission
Trans Order Code
NA NA
Final Drive Axle Ratio (:1)
3.89 5.41
Fourth Gear Ratio (:1)
1.00 NA
Trans Description Cont.
Automatic CVT
Drivetrain
Front Wheel Drive Front Wheel Drive
Sixth Gear Ratio (:1)
0.59 NA
First Gear Ratio (:1)
3.55 2.35 - 0.39
Clutch Size (in)
NA NA
Third Gear Ratio (:1)
1.45 NA
Trans Type
6 1
Fifth Gear Ratio (:1)
0.70 NA
Trans Description Cont. Again
NA NA
Reverse Ratio (:1)
- TBD - 1.75
Second Gear Ratio (:1)
2.02 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
4.5 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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