2023 Mazda MAZDA3 vs 2024 Nissan Sentra

The 2023 Mazda MAZDA3 was a striking vehicle with its rakish headlights and large, menacing grille. Available in both sedan and hatchback body styles, the sedan had more conventional proportions, while the hatchback boasted a daring and futuristic design. The rear angles of the hatchback curved up around the rear window and doors, creating a clean and forward-thinking aesthetic. Inside, the cabin continued this theme of clean futurism, with a simple yet elegant design. The infotainment system rose organically from the dash, and the conventional shifter design was a welcome touch. The climate controls were straightforward, and the steering wheel, though cluttered with controls, had an elegant design.

In contrast, the 2024 Nissan Sentra received updated styling with a wider grille that blended with the headlights, featuring black interior bezel elements and chrome trim. The front fascia had vertical elements resembling air vents, giving the car a wider appearance. The Sentra managed to avoid the eccentricity of some competitors while maintaining a flair that set it apart. Inside, the Sentra featured large round air vents inspired by the Z sports car and a plunging dashboard that framed the central touchscreen. The SR models had red-orange accent stitching and a flat-bottom steering wheel, adding to the distinctive design. Material quality was typical for an entry-level car, but the styling elements made for a unique interior.

The 2023 Mazda MAZDA3 offered a range of engine options, starting with a Skyactiv-G 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine producing 155 horsepower and 150 pound-feet of torque. A 2.5-litre naturally aspirated inline-four was available, delivering 191 horsepower and 186 pound-feet of torque, with options for FWD or AWD. The turbocharged 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine in the GT Turbo trim produced 227 hp and 310 lb-ft of torque on regular fuel, or 250 hp and 320 lb-ft with premium fuel. The driving experience was engaging, with well-weighted steering and a performance-oriented feel. The turbo engine provided moderate acceleration, shining in second gear and Sport mode. The handling was precise and refined, offering a balance of agility and comfort.

The 2024 Nissan Sentra, on the other hand, was equipped with a 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine producing 149 horsepower and 146 pound-feet of torque, with FWD. In Canada, a six-speed manual transmission was available on the S and SR grades, while a CVT was standard. The CVT was reengineered for improved fuel efficiency and smoother operation. Despite its focus on efficiency, the Sentra offered pleasant driving dynamics with precise steering and a comfortable suspension. However, the CVT exhibited an unexpected surge of acceleration at around 70 km/h in the pre-production test car.

The 2023 Mazda MAZDA3 sedan provided 374 litres of cargo space, which was smaller compared to rivals like the Honda Civic and Nissan Sentra. The hatchback offered 569 litres of cargo space, which was usable but not as spacious as many small SUVs. The rear seating area was cramped, with limited legroom and headroom, making it suitable for occasional use. The front seating area had a decently sized centre console compartment, though the lid was somewhat frustrating to operate. Ergonomics were helpful, and the cupholders were sizable.

The 2024 Nissan Sentra offered decent interior space, particularly in the front row, with headroom comparable to the Kia Forte and Mazda3. However, rear-seat legroom was less than its competitors. The front seats featured Nissan's Zero Gravity design, providing comfort, and the low window sills and slim dashboard offered excellent forward visibility. The Sentra had 404 litres of trunk space, more than the Mazda3 and Hyundai Elantra but less than the Kia Forte and Honda Civic. The 60/40 split-folding rear bench seat allowed for accommodating longer items.

The 2023 Mazda MAZDA3 came with an 8.8-inch infotainment display operated via a dial in the centre console, which was a weak point due to its clumsy menu navigation. The lack of a touchscreen made it difficult to use, especially with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The system included two USB ports, HD radio, Bluetooth connectivity, and voice control. Upgrades included navigation, satellite radio, and a 12-speaker Bose premium stereo system with excellent sound quality.

The 2024 Nissan Sentra offered functional tech but felt a step behind some rivals. The base model had a 7-inch touchscreen and a 4.2-inch instrument cluster display with analog gauges. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, but wireless versions were not available. The SV and SR models featured an 8-inch touchscreen and a 7-inch instrument cluster display, along with a six-speaker audio system and SiriusXM satellite radio compatibility. The SR Premium offered an eight-speaker Bose audio system. The graphics on the screens appeared dated, but the large volume and tuning knobs were effective for controlling the radio.

The 2023 Mazda MAZDA3's standard safety equipment in Canada included blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert. The GS trim added features like forward automatic emergency braking, automatic cruise control, pedestrian and cyclist detection, automatic high beams, lane-departure warning, and rain-sensing windshield wipers. The GT grade included adaptive headlights, traffic-sign recognition, traffic jam assist, and a 360-degree parking camera system. The Mazda3 hatchback had a significant blind spot due to its massive C-pillar, and the infotainment system's layout posed a distraction. The IIHS rated the Mazda3 as a Top Safety Pick, and the NHTSA gave it five stars in front crash tests and rollover tests.

The 2024 Nissan Sentra's safety ratings from the IIHS were mixed, with a "Good" rating in the original side-impact crash test but only "Acceptable" in the updated version. It received an "Advanced" score for front crash prevention in vehicle-to-pedestrian daytime testing but a "Basic" rating in the nighttime scenario. The NHTSA provided five stars in rollover and side crash tests, but frontal crash-test and overall safety scores were unavailable. The Sentra came with standard Nissan Safety Shield 360 features, including forward collision warning, front and rear automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-departure warning, and automatic high beams. SV and SR models added adaptive cruise control, and a 360-degree camera system was available on the SR Premium.