2022 Mazda MAZDA3 vs 2022 Nissan Sentra

The 2022 Nissan Sentra, largely unchanged since its 2020 redesign, presented a sleek and modern exterior reminiscent of a smaller Altima. Its low-slung, coupe-like design marked a significant improvement over its predecessors, which had a more traditional sedan appearance. The Sentra was available in a variety of bold colours, including blue, burnt orange, and "Scarlett Ember," with options for a contrasting black roof. Inside, the Sentra's interior was a highlight, featuring a modern and functional layout with easy-to-use controls and a prominent touchscreen as the centrepiece. The Sentra offered three trims: S, SV, and SR, each adding progressively more features, such as larger wheels, premium upholstery, and advanced infotainment systems.

The 2022 Mazda MAZDA3, available in both sedan and hatchback styles, offered a range of engine and powertrain configurations. The car's design was not universally appealing, with its deeply sculpted sides and hatchback shape, but it exuded a mature and serious aesthetic. Inside, the Mazda3's interior was driver-focused, with refined materials and a sophisticated design. The front seats provided excellent support, and the controls were generally user-friendly, though the infotainment system had its quirks. The back seat was less accommodating, especially for taller passengers, and lacked some conveniences like rear air vents. The hatchback offered 569 litres of cargo space, expandable to 1,334 litres with the rear seats folded, while the sedan's trunk held 374 litres.

The 2022 Nissan Sentra was powered by a 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine producing 149 horsepower and 146 pound-feet of torque. In Canada, it came standard with a six-speed manual transmission and front-wheel drive, with a CVT available. The Sentra's performance was consistent, offering solid low-end acceleration and satisfactory highway performance. Its steering was well-weighted, and cornering was sharp for a non-performance car. The suspension handled most road conditions well, though it struggled with harsher bumps. Overall, the Sentra was well-suited for commuting and road trips.

The 2022 Mazda MAZDA3 offered a range of engines, starting with a 2.0-litre four-cylinder producing 155 horsepower and 150 pound-feet of torque, known for its fuel efficiency. Most buyers opted for the 2.5-litre non-turbo engine with 186 horsepower and 186 pound-feet of torque, available with FWD or AWD. The turbocharged 2.5-litre engine, paired with AWD, delivered up to 250 horsepower and 320 pound-feet of torque with premium fuel. The Mazda3 Turbo was a joy to drive, with smooth power delivery, nimble handling, and excellent balance. However, its brakes showed signs of fade during intense driving, and the fuel efficiency was lower than advertised. Despite these issues, the Mazda3 Turbo was praised for its driving dynamics and quality.

The 2022 Nissan Sentra offered 404 litres of trunk space, which was competitive among small sedans. The trunk could be expanded with a 60/40 split-fold rear bench, though the ledge created by the seats could hinder loading larger items. The Sentra's interior provided spacious seating in both rows, with ample headroom and legroom in the front. The rear seats offered decent legroom and headroom, though not as much as the front. The Sentra featured large in-door cargo trays and bottle holders, along with a centre console with cupholders and trays.

The 2022 Mazda MAZDA3's low seating position made entry and exit challenging, but once inside, the front seats offered a snug and comfortable fit. The interior was driver-centric, with an eight-way power-adjustable driver's seat and heated front seats standard in Canada. The back seat was less accommodating, especially for taller passengers, and lacked rear air vents and USB ports. Storage space was adequate, with large door bins, a big glove compartment, and a sizable centre console bin. The hatchback offered 569 litres of cargo space, expandable to 1,334 litres with the rear seats folded, while the sedan's trunk held 374 litres.

The 2022 Nissan Sentra came standard with a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system featuring Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, with an 8-inch screen available on higher trims. The system was user-friendly, with conventional hard buttons and volume and tuning dials. However, the graphics were dated, and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were not available, unlike some competitors.

The 2022 Mazda MAZDA3 featured the Mazda Connect infotainment system with an 8.8-inch display, controlled via a centre console dial and steering wheel buttons. Mazda's approach aimed to reduce driver distraction, but the lack of a physical tuning function and a cumbersome voice recognition system were drawbacks. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were available, providing a workaround for some of the system's limitations. Mazda Connected Services offered remote access to vehicle functions via a smartphone app, and a premium Bose audio system was available.

The 2022 Nissan Sentra was equipped with a comprehensive suite of standard driver-assistance features, including forward and reverse automatic emergency braking, forward collision warning, pedestrian detection, and more. It earned top safety ratings from both the NHTSA and IIHS, receiving a "Top Safety Pick" award.

The 2022 Mazda MAZDA3 also boasted excellent safety features and top crash-test ratings. However, in Canada, many features were not standard and required additional cost. The Mazda3's driver-assist features performed well, providing smooth and reliable assistance. It received five-star ratings from the NHTSA and a "Top Safety Pick+" designation from the IIHS.