2022 Mazda MAZDA3 vs 2023 Nissan Versa

The 2022 Mazda MAZDA3, available in both sedan and hatchback forms, maintained its reputation for offering a variety of engine and powertrain configurations. Canadian buyers had the option of a six-speed manual transmission, a feature not available in the U.S. The price range for the Mazda3 spanned from $21,400 to $31,000, excluding additional costs. The top-tier hatchback model, featuring a turbo engine and premium paint, was priced at $38,981 in Canada. While its design was not universally appealing, the Mazda3's sculpted body and understated elegance were appreciated by many. The interior was noted for its refined materials and sophisticated design, offering an upscale driving experience without the high price tag of luxury vehicles.

In contrast, the 2023 Nissan Versa adopted design elements from its larger siblings, the Sentra and Altima, giving it a more upscale appearance. The Versa's sleek profile and wide stance, along with its V-Motion grille, made it recognizable as a modern Nissan. The 2023 model introduced styling updates, including a new front end and wheel design, enhancing its mature look. Inside, the Versa's creative design featured large air vents and an elaborate dashboard, providing character despite its budget status. The SR trim added red stitching and upholstery inserts, reminiscent of the early 2000s Sentra SE-R. The Versa's interior offered a comfortable ride with good fit and finish, making it feel more substantial than typical subcompact cars.

The 2022 Mazda MAZDA3 offered a range of engine options, starting with the base 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine producing 155 horsepower and 150 pound-feet of torque. While not particularly fast, it excelled in fuel economy, achieving 7.6 L/100 km in combined driving. Most buyers opted for the 2.5-litre non-turbo engine, delivering 186 hp and 186 lb-ft of torque, with fuel consumption between 7.8 and 8.6 L/100 km. The turbocharged 2.5-litre engine, available with AWD, offered 227 hp on regular gas and 250 hp on premium, with fuel consumption of 8.8 to 8.9 L/100 km. Despite its power, the turbo model's real-world fuel efficiency was lower than advertised. The Mazda3 was praised for its fun-to-drive nature, with smooth power delivery, nimble handling, and excellent balance. However, the brakes showed signs of fade during aggressive driving.

The 2023 Nissan Versa, with its 1.6-litre four-cylinder engine producing 122 horsepower and 114 pound-feet of torque, was not designed for speed but rather for efficiency. The CVT provided satisfactory performance, and the Versa's handling was characterized by body roll but impressive grip. The steering was responsive, making daily commuting enjoyable. The Versa's ride comfort was notable for an entry-level model, with a suspension that absorbed bumps well and kept cabin noise low. Overall, the Versa felt more substantial than expected for a subcompact car.

The 2022 Mazda MAZDA3's low seating position made entry and exit challenging, but once inside, the driver-focused interior offered a snug yet comfortable fit. The front seats featured excellent support, and the controls were user-friendly, except for the Mazda Connect infotainment system. The rear seat was less accommodating, especially for taller passengers, and lacked rear air vents and USB ports. Storage space was adequate, with large bins and a sizable centre console. The hatchback offered 569 litres of cargo space, expandable to 1,334 litres with the rear seats folded, while the sedan provided 374 litres in the trunk.

The 2023 Nissan Versa, available only as a sedan, offered 416 litres of trunk space in the base S trim and 425 litres in SV and SR trims. The Versa's front seats provided more headroom and legroom than competitors, though rear-seat space was less generous. The front row felt spacious, with good visibility, but storage options were limited. The centre console bin was small, and the shifter's raised platform was not the most efficient use of space. The optional wireless charging pad was conveniently tucked away.

The 2022 Mazda MAZDA3 featured the Mazda Connect infotainment system with an 8.8-inch display, Bluetooth, and a collection of controls on the centre console. Mazda's approach avoided touchscreens, which they deemed distracting, but the system's lack of a physical tuning function and voice recognition issues were drawbacks. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration helped mitigate these issues. Mazda Connected Services offered remote access to vehicle functions for two years. An eight-speaker audio system was standard, with a 12-speaker Bose system available. The Active Driving Display projected data onto the windshield, enhancing safety.

The 2023 Nissan Versa's base S trim included a 7-inch touchscreen, Bluetooth, Siri Eyes Free, three USB ports, and keyless entry. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were available on SV and SR trims, with the SR adding an 8-inch touchscreen and a six-speaker audio system. The touchscreens were small, and the graphics were outdated, but the digital instrument cluster display added a touch of sophistication. The Versa's tech offerings were basic but functional, with a focus on practicality.

The 2022 Mazda MAZDA3 excelled in safety, with top crash-test ratings from both the NHTSA and IIHS. However, many safety features were not standard in Canada. Standard features included blind spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert, while adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, and other advanced features were optional. The driver-assist systems performed well, instilling confidence in their reliability.

The 2023 Nissan Versa impressed with its standard driver-assist features, including automatic emergency braking, rear automatic braking, lane-departure warning, and high beam assist. The SV trim added blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert. The NHTSA awarded the Versa a five-star overall safety rating, though the IIHS had not yet updated its ratings for the 2023 model.