2018 Mazda MAZDA3 vs 2018 Nissan Sentra

2018 Mazda MAZDA3

2018 Nissan Sentra

Select style

Grand Touring Automatic

Style	MPG City	MPG Hwy	Invoice	MSRP
Mazda3 4-Door Grand Touring Automatic	27	36	$23,149	$24,195
Mazda3 4-Door Grand Touring Manual	25	34	$22,144	$23,145
Mazda3 4-Door Sport Automatic	28	37	$18,321	$19,145
Mazda3 4-Door Sport Manual	28	38	$17,319	$18,095
Mazda3 4-Door Touring Automatic	27	36	$20,230	$21,140
Mazda3 4-Door Touring Manual	25	34	$19,226	$20,090

Select style

NISMO CVT

Style	MPG City	MPG Hwy	Invoice	MSRP
Sentra NISMO CVT	25	30	$24,495	$25,790
Sentra NISMO Manual	25	31	$24,495	$25,790
Sentra S CVT	29	37	$17,811	$18,275
Sentra S Manual	27	35	$16,562	$16,990
Sentra SL CVT	29	37	$22,267	$23,440
Sentra SR CVT	29	37	$19,481	$20,500
Sentra SR Turbo CVT	27	33	$21,366	$22,490
Sentra SR Turbo Manual	26	32	$21,091	$22,200
Sentra SV CVT	29	37	$18,139	$19,085

Show Only Differences

Pricing

Invoice Price

$23,149

$24,495

Manufacturer Suggested Retail Price

$24,195

$25,790

Monthly Payment Estimate

$403 / month

$430 / month

The Car Connection's Take

TCC Rating

7.2

Read Our Full Review

5.5

Read Our Full Review

TCC’s Bottom Line

The 2018 Mazda 3 adds standard active safety features to an already compelling value. Among compact cars, this is one to consider.

The 2018 Nissan Sentra is a compact car that does what it says on the package: it’s roomy, quiet, and relatively affordable.

TCC Likes

Shapely, contemporary exterior
Standard advanced safety features
Sharp manual transmission

Standard automatic emergency braking
Decent fuel efficiency
Competitive standard features

TCC Dislikes

Base interior isn’t very inspired
Cramped rear seat
Poor infotainment system

Turbo models aren’t as much fun as we hoped
Wandering 6-speed manual
Leisurely acceleration in most models

Fuel Economy

City

27 mpg

25 mpg

Highway

36 mpg

30 mpg

Vehicle

EPA Classification

Compact Cars

Mid-Size Cars

Interior Dimensions

Passenger Volume (ft³)

96.3

Second Hip Room (in)

53.5

50.1

Front Shoulder Room (in)

57.2

54.7

Second Head Room (in)

37.5

36.7

Passenger Capacity

Second Shoulder Room (in)

54.4

53.9

Front Leg Room (in)

42.2

42.5

Front Hip Room (in)

55.5

50.9

Second Leg Room (in)

35.8

37.4

Front Head Room (in)

37.6

39.4

Exterior Dimensions

Track Width, Front (in)

61.2

60.2

Min Ground Clearance (in)

6.1

5.3

Length, Overall (in)

180.3

183.6

Height, Overall (in)

57.3

58.9

Track Width, Rear (in)

61.4

60.2

Wheelbase (in)

106.3

Width, Max w/o mirrors (in)

70.7

69.3

Cargo Area Dimensions

Trunk Volume (ft³)

12.4

15.1

Brakes

Drum - Rear (Yes or )

Brake ABS System

4-Wheel

Disc - Rear (Yes or )

Yes

Rear Brake Rotor Diam x Thickness (in)

10.4

11.5

Brake Type

4-Wheel Disc

Rear Drum Diam x Width (in)

Disc - Front (Yes or )

Yes

Front Brake Rotor Diam x Thickness (in)

11.6

Fuel Tank

Fuel Tank Capacity, Approx (gal)

13.2

Steering

Steering Type

Rack-Pinion

Turning Diameter - Curb to Curb (ft)

34.8

Tires

Front Tire Size

P215/45WR18

P215/45VR18

Spare Tire Size

Compact

Front Tire Order Code

Spare Tire Order Code

Rear Tire Size

P215/45WR18

P215/45VR18

Rear Tire Order Code

Weight Information

Base Curb Weight (lbs)

3100

3090

Wheels

Spare Wheel Size (in)

Compact

Rear Wheel Material

Aluminum

Rear Wheel Size (in)

18 X 7

Front Wheel Material

Aluminum

Spare Wheel Material

Steel

Front Wheel Size (in)

18 X 7

Electrical

Maximum Alternator Capacity (amps)

100

110

Cold Cranking Amps @ 0° F (Primary)

470

Engine

Engine Order Code

Displacement

2.5 L/152

1.6 L

SAE Net Horsepower @ RPM

184 @ 5700

188 @ 5600

Engine Type

Regular Unleaded I-4

Intercooled Turbo Regular Unleaded I-4

Fuel System

Gasoline Direct Injection

SAE Net Torque @ RPM

185 @ 3250

177 @ 5200

Mileage

Fuel Economy Est-Combined (MPG)

EPA Fuel Economy Est - Hwy (MPG)

EPA Fuel Economy Est - City (MPG)

Transmission

Final Drive Axle Ratio (:1)

3.39

3.52

Third Gear Ratio (:1)

1.45

Trans Type

Drivetrain

Front Wheel Drive

Fifth Gear Ratio (:1)

0.71

Trans Description Cont. Again

Reverse Ratio (:1)

3.89

3.77

Second Gear Ratio (:1)

2.02

Trans Order Code

Fourth Gear Ratio (:1)

1.00

Trans Description Cont.

Automatic w/OD

CVT w/OD

Sixth Gear Ratio (:1)

0.60

First Gear Ratio (:1)

3.55

4.01 - 0.55

Summary

Vehicle Name

Mazda Mazda3 4-Door

Nissan Sentra

Body Style

Sedan

Suspension

Suspension Type - Front (Cont.)

Strut

Suspension Type - Rear

Multi-Link

Torsion Beam

Suspension Type - Rear (Cont.)

Multi-Link

Torsion Beam

Suspension Type - Front

Strut

Emissions

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

5.8

6.6

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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