Mazda MAZDA3 vs Nissan Sentra

The 2026 Mazda3 exhibited a distinctive design that aligned with Mazda's signature style, reminiscent of models like the MX-5 and CX-5. Its front featured a large polygonal grille with a metallic frame that seamlessly integrated with narrow headlights, creating a refined and substantial appearance. The side profile was marked by gracefully sculpted panels and a shiny metallic strip tracing the windows, giving it a sporty look. The rear maintained a harmonious design, avoiding flashy elements. Inside, the Mazda3's cabin rivalled entry-level luxury vehicles with a tastefully designed dashboard, soft-touch surfaces, and genuine stitching, although the top-most door panel section resembled vinyl more than simulated leather. The red leather upholstery option added a racier touch, setting it apart from competitors.

The 2026 Nissan Sentra, in its ninth generation, showcased a more dramatic exterior with a massive grille and slim projector LED headlights, giving it an aggressive look, especially in the Energetic Ember colour. Available in five trim levels in Canada, the Sentra offered competitive pricing, with the SR trims standing out for their value. The SR and SR Premium trims featured 18-inch wheels, a full-width LED taillight, and a power moonroof. The interior of the SR Premium trim boasted synthetic leather seats with contrast stitching and a six-way power-adjustable driver’s seat. The Sentra's fully digital driver information display and centre touchscreen added a modern touch, making it a tech-savvy choice in its segment.

The 2026 Mazda3 offered two drivetrain options. The standard engine, a 2.5-litre four-cylinder, produced 186 horsepower and 186 pound-feet of torque, paired with a six-speed automatic transmission. The Mazda3 Sport hatchback also offered a six-speed manual. Front-wheel drive was standard, with all-wheel drive optional on GS and GT models. The Turbo engine, available on the GT trim, increased output to 227 hp and 310 lb-ft of torque on regular fuel, and 250 hp and 320 lb-ft on premium. The base engine was adequate but not impressive, taking around 8.5 seconds to reach 100 km/h. The Turbo powertrain was more confident, achieving 100 km/h in 6.5 seconds. The optional i-Activ AWD system enhanced traction and handling, making it a smart choice for winter conditions and spirited driving. Despite its sporty handling, the Mazda3 provided a comfortable ride, with moderate bumps smoothed over and minimal road noise.

The 2026 Nissan Sentra retained its previous driving dynamics, focusing on tech and visual appeal rather than performance. Its 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine delivered 149 horsepower and 146 pound-feet of torque, with a CVT as the default transmission. Fuel economy was estimated at 7.9 L/100 km city, 6.1 highway, and 7.1 combined for the S and SV trims, and slightly higher for the SR trims. The Sentra was front-wheel drive only, with no manual transmission option. While acceleration was not its strong suit, the Sentra excelled as a smooth and quiet commuter car. The steering was well-weighted and accurate, and the pedals were well managed. A drive mode selector offered normal and Sport modes, but performance remained unexciting. The Sentra impressed with its tech, price, and interior appointments, rather than driving dynamics.

The 2026 Mazda3 excelled in style and performance but fell short in practicality. The front seats provided ample space for taller occupants, but the rear seats were cramped, especially for larger passengers. The hatchback's thicker rear roof pillars created blind spots, and the limited rear space was a drawback for families with small children. The sedan's trunk offered 374 litres of cargo space, with a nearly flat load floor and remote seatback releases. The hatchback provided more space, with 569 litres of cargo capacity. Personal item storage was limited, with moderately sized cupholders and door pockets.

The 2026 Nissan Sentra, particularly in SR trims, offered interiors that exceeded expectations for its price. The dashboard featured a beautiful 64-way ambient lighting system, although the touch-sensitive climate controls were less user-friendly. The Sentra's rear-seat legroom and headroom were tight, comparable to the Toyota Corolla, but still comfortable for adults. The redesigned 405-litre trunk had a wider opening and lower load height than competitors, enhancing usability. Nissan's zero-gravity seats provided comfort and support, a feature appreciated across their vehicle range.

The 2026 Mazda3 lagged in technology but compensated with user-friendly features. The standard 8.8-inch infotainment display was small but well-placed within the driver's sightlines. Higher trims offered a 10.25-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The infotainment system was intuitive, with quick reactions and simple graphics. The standard eight-speaker audio system was underwhelming, but a 12-speaker Bose system was available on the GT trim. Mazda Connect allowed remote monitoring and control via a smartphone app, with Alexa Built-in on the GT trim.

The 2026 Nissan Sentra impressed with its modern tech, offering a big and bright touchscreen with customizable menus. The Nissan Intelligent Key allowed for automatic locking and unlocking, and the SR Premium trim included a Universal Garage Door Opener. Three USB-C ports were standard on all but the base S trims, with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The SR Premium trim featured an eight-speaker Bose stereo and a wireless device charger. The Sentra aimed to attract buyers seeking a high-tech experience in an affordable vehicle.

The 2026 Mazda3 received top safety ratings, with a five-star rating from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick+ award from the IIHS. Standard safety features included i-Activsense, with forward collision warning, adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning, lane-keep assist, automatic high beams, a driver condition monitor, blind-spot monitors, and rear cross-traffic alert. The GT model added adaptive headlights, a head-up display, lane centring, a surround-view camera system, and reverse automatic braking. The adaptive cruise control had delayed reactions, causing occasional collision warnings.

The 2026 Nissan Sentra had not been crash-tested by the NHTSA or IIHS at the time of writing. It came with standard features under the Nissan Safety Shield 360 umbrella, including automatic emergency braking, lane departure mitigation, and forward collision warning. Blind spot intervention was an upgrade from the previous year's blind spot warning system. The Sentra also included high-beam assist and traffic sign recognition, a rare feature in sub-$30,000 sedans. The SR Premium offered a surround-view monitor and Nissan ProPilot Assist, a semi-autonomous driving aid.