2025 Mazda 3 vs 2025 Nissan Sentra

$24,150 · Sedan

$21,590 · Sedan

Comparison Overview

The 2025 Mazda 3 excites with its premium feel and spirited 191 hp Skyactiv-G engine, offering a dynamic drive that belies its $24,150 starting price. Contrastingly, the 2025 Nissan Sentra captivates value-focused buyers with its impressive fuel economy, achieving 34 MPG combined from its 149 hp engine, all starting at an accessible $21,590. Performance is where the Mazda pulls ahead, boasting a significant 42 hp advantage, which translates to sharper acceleration than the Sentra’s CVT setup. While the Sentra offers marginally more cargo space at 14.3 cu ft compared to the Mazda’s 13.2 cu ft, the Mazda’s 27/37 MPG city/highway still offers respectable efficiency for its power output. Ultimately, this comparison pits Mazda’s focused driving dynamics against Nissan’s pragmatic efficiency and lower initial cost.

Size Comparison

Performance

Fuel Efficiency

Full Specifications

Our Verdicts

🚗 Best for Commuters

2025 Nissan Sentra

The Nissan Sentra wins for daily commuting due to its superior combined fuel economy of 34 MPG.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Best for Families

2025 Nissan Sentra

The Sentra offers slightly better practicality with a larger 14.3 cu ft of cargo capacity compared to the Mazda 3's 13.2 cu ft.

🏎️ Best for Enthusiasts

2025 Mazda 3

The Mazda 3 delivers a much more engaging drive, packing 191 hp and 186 lb-ft of torque versus the Sentra's 149 hp.

💰 Best Value

2025 Nissan Sentra

The Nissan Sentra provides a substantially lower entry price point at $21,590 compared to the Mazda 3's $24,150 MSRP.

Choose the Mazda 3 if...

You prioritize driving engagement, benefiting from 191 horsepower.
You prefer the responsiveness of a 6-speed shiftable automatic transmission.
You desire a premium aesthetic reflected in its higher MSRP but backed by better performance figures.

Choose the Nissan Sentra if...

Your main focus is maximizing fuel savings, achieving 40 MPG on the highway.
You need the absolute lowest starting price at just $21,590.
You need slightly more utility, evidenced by 14.3 cu ft of cargo volume.

Key Dimensions

Dimension	Mazda 3	Nissan Sentra
Length	183.5"	182.7"
Width	70.7"	71.5"
Height	56.9"	56.9"
Wheelbase	107.3"	106.6"

Features Comparison

Safety

Feature	Mazda	Nissan
Blind Spot Monitor	✓	✓
Lane Departure Warning	✓	✓
Lane Keeping Assist System	✓	—
Rear Cross Traffic Alert	✓	✓
Driver Attention Alert	✓	✓
Pre-Collision Safety System	✓	✓
Post-Collision Safety System	✓	—
Dual Front Side-Mounted Airbags	✓	✓
Dual Rear Side-Mounted Airbags	✓	✓
Front Head Airbags	✓	✓
Rear Head Airbags	✓	✓
Passenger Airbag Occupant Sensing Deactivation	✓	✓
Electronic Stability Control	✓	✓
Traction Control System	✓	✓
LATCH System	✓	✓
Rear Door Child Safety Locks	✓	✓
Anti-lock Brakes (ABS)	4-Wheel	4-Wheel
Front Ventilated Disc Brakes	✓	✓
Rear Solid Disc Brakes	✓	—
Brake Preparation System	✓	—
Brake Assist	✓	✓
Tire Pressure Monitoring System	✓	✓
Automatic Headlights	✓	✓
LED Headlights	✓	—
Daytime Running Lights	✓	—
Front Headrests	2	2
Front Height Adjustable Headrests	✓	✓
Rear Headrests	3	3
Rear Height Adjustable Headrests	✓	—
Rear Center 3-Point Seatbelt	✓	✓
Engine Immobilizer	✓	✓
Rear Drum Brakes	—	✓
Headlight Delay-Off	—	✓
Rear Fixed Headrests	—	✓

Engine

Feature	Mazda	Nissan
Base Engine Displacement	2.5 L	2.0 L
Number of Cylinders	inline 4	inline 4
Base Engine Type	gas	gas
Horsepower	191 hp @ 6000 rpm	149 hp @ 6400 rpm
Torque	186 lb-ft @ 4000 rpm	146 lb-ft @ 4400 rpm
Number of Valves	16	16
Camshaft Type	Double overhead cam (DOHC)	Double overhead cam (DOHC)
Variable Valve Timing	Variable	Variable
Fuel Injection Type	✓	✓
Cylinder Deactivation	✓	—

Drive Train

Feature	Mazda	Nissan
Transmission Type	6-speed shiftable automatic	continuously variable-speed automatic
Drivetrain Type	front wheel drive	front wheel drive

Fuel

Feature	Mazda	Nissan
Fuel Type	regular unleaded	regular unleaded
EPA Fuel Economy (City/Highway)	27/37 MPG	30/40 MPG
EPA Fuel Economy (Combined)	31 MPG	34 MPG
EPA Driving Range (City/Highway)	356.4/488.4 mi.	372.0/496.0 mi.
Fuel Tank Capacity	13.2 gal.	12.4 gal.

Comfort & Convenience

Feature	Mazda	Nissan
Push Button Start	✓	✓
Tilt and Telescopic Steering Wheel	✓	✓
Audio Controls on Steering Wheel	✓	✓
Cruise Control on Steering Wheel	✓	✓
Electric Power Steering	✓	✓
Rear View Camera	✓	✓
Adaptive Cruise Control	✓	—
Front Cupholders	✓	✓
Front Door Pockets	✓	✓
Rear Door Pockets	✓	✓
Single Zone Climate Control	✓	✓
Dual Vanity Mirrors	✓	✓
Rear Parking Sensors	—	✓
Cruise Control	—	✓
Interior Air Filtration	—	✓

In Car Entertainment

Feature	Mazda	Nissan
Infotainment Display	8.8 in	7.0 in
AM/FM Stereo	✓	✓
Speaker System	6	4
Android Auto (Wired)	✓	✓
Apple CarPlay (Wired)	✓	✓
USB Port	✓	✓
USB Port with External Media Control	—	✓
Speed Sensitive Volume Control	—	✓

Power Feature

Feature	Mazda	Nissan
One-Touch Power Windows	4	1
Remote Keyless Entry	✓	✓
Heated Mirrors	✓	✓

Frontseats

Feature	Mazda	Nissan
Front Head Room	38.0 in.	38.9 in.
Front Leg Room	42.3 in.	44.0 in.
Front Shoulder Room	55.7 in.	56.4 in.
Front Hip Room	54.6 in.	53.5 in.
Seat Material: Cloth	✓	✓
Front Seat Type: Bucket	✓	✓
Driver Seat Manual Adjustments	6-way	6-way
Driver Seat Height Adjustment	✓	✓
Passenger Seat Manual Adjustments	4-way	4-way

Rearseats

Feature	Mazda	Nissan
Rear Head Room	37.3 in.	36.7 in.
Rear Leg Room	35.1 in.	34.7 in.
Rear Shoulder Room	53.5 in.	54.5 in.
Rear Hip Room	50.9 in.	53.3 in.
Split-Folding Rear Seatback	✓	✓

Tires and Wheels

Feature	Mazda	Nissan
Wheel Material	Alloy	Steel
Wheel Size	16 x 6.5 in	16 x 6.5 in
Tire Type	All Season	All Season
Tire Size	205/60R16	P205/60R H
Spare Tire Type	Temporary	Temporary
Spare Tire Location	Inside Mounted	Inside Mounted
Wheel Cover Type	—	Full

Suspension

Feature	Mazda	Nissan
Front Suspension Type	Independent	—
Stabilizer Bar	✓	—
Four-Wheel Independent Suspension	—	✓
Front Stabilizer Bar	—	✓
Rear Stabilizer Bar	—	✓

Warranty

Feature	Mazda	Nissan
Basic Warranty	3 yr./ 36000 mi.	3 yr./ 36000 mi.
Drivetrain Warranty	5 yr./ 60000 mi.	5 yr./ 60000 mi.
Corrosion/Rust Warranty	5 yr./ unlimited mi.	5 yr./ unlimited mi.
Roadside Assistance	3 yr./ 36000 mi.	3 yr./ 36000 mi.
Complimentary Scheduled Maintenance	—	2 yr./ 24000 mi.

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about comparing the 2025 Mazda 3 and 2025 Nissan Sentra.

How significant is the 42 horsepower difference between the two sedans?

The 42 hp gap is substantial; the Mazda 3 produces 191 hp while the Sentra has 149 hp. This means the Mazda will feel significantly quicker during passing maneuvers and on highway ramps, offsetting the Sentra's greater fuel efficiency.

Which car is better for long highway commutes based on the MPG ratings?

The Nissan Sentra is superior for high-mileage commuters, achieving 40 MPG highway compared to the Mazda 3’s 37 MPG highway. This 3 MPG advantage translates directly into fewer fuel stops over the year.

Does the Mazda 3's higher price include better handling hardware?

While specific suspension details are not listed, the Mazda 3's higher MSRP of $24,150 often reflects its tuning philosophy focused on driving dynamics. Enthusiasts will appreciate the Mazda’s commitment to feeling more connected to the road than the Sentra’s CVT setup.

Is the cargo capacity difference a major deciding factor?

The difference is minor but present: the Sentra offers 14.3 cu ft versus the Mazda 3's 13.2 cu ft. For families packing for short trips, this extra 1.1 cu ft in the Sentra might make packing slightly easier.

Which vehicle uses a traditional geared automatic transmission?

The 2025 Mazda 3 is equipped with a traditional 6-speed shiftable automatic transmission. Conversely, the 2025 Nissan Sentra utilizes a continuously variable-speed automatic (CVT).

Are both vehicles compatible with regular unleaded fuel?

Yes, both the 2025 Mazda 3 and the 2025 Nissan Sentra are designed to run efficiently on regular unleaded gasoline, keeping running costs predictable for both models.