2023 Mazda MAZDA3 vs 2022 Nissan Sentra

The 2022 Nissan Sentra exuded a fresh and modern design, having been redesigned in 2020 and maintaining its appeal in 2022. The exterior resembled a downsized Altima, showcasing a coupe-like, low-slung, and modern appearance. The new design was a significant upgrade over the pre-2020 models, which had a more traditional three-box sedan look. The current model adopted Nissan’s contemporary design language effectively. Our test vehicle featured a subdued gray paint scheme, but the Sentra was available in vibrant colors such as bold blue, burnt orange, and “Scarlet Ember,” with gray being one of four colors offered with a contrasting black roof.

The interior of the Sentra stood out with its modern yet straightforward layout, balancing form and function exquisitely. The controls were user-friendly, and the trio of vents in the center of the dash added an upscale touch. A touchscreen served as the focal point of the front cabin design, rising from the dash to catch the eye.

In terms of trims, the Sentra had S, SV, and SR options. The base S trim was equipped with 16-inch steel wheels with plastic covers, active grille shutters, halogen headlights, dual power side mirrors, power windows, power locks, remote keyless entry, pushbutton start, a six-way manually adjustable driver’s seat, cloth upholstery, a 60/40 split-fold rear bench, and a 4.2-inch driver’s display. The standard 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system featured Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

Upgrading to the Sentra SV added 16-inch alloy wheels, heated side mirrors, proximity keyless entry, premium cloth upholstery, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, and a larger 8-inch touchscreen. This trim also included two conventional USB ports, a USB-C port, intelligent cruise control, and a three-month SiriusXM subscription.

The SR trim featured 17-inch alloy wheels, LED headlights with a unique design, remote start, integrated turn signals, exterior side sills, unique bumper designs, a chrome exhaust tip, and black end-caps for the side mirrors. Inside, the SR added dual-zone automatic climate control, sport cloth seats with orange stitching, and a leather-wrapped shift knob. For 2022, Nissan also introduced a Midnight Edition package for the SR, which we tested. It came with dark accents inside and out, including black 18-inch alloy wheels, a black rear spoiler, a black rear diffuser, and a dark grille emblem, along with unique badging and LED fog lights.

Our test model also featured optional ambient cabin lighting and external under-car lighting. This addition, reminiscent of the early 2000s trend, was tastefully executed in the Sentra.

The 2023 Mazda MAZDA3 delivered an aggressive look with its rakish headlights and large, menacing grille. Available in sedan and hatchback styles, the sedan had conventional proportions, while the hatchback boasted a more daring design. The Mazda3 hatchback stood out as one of the cleanest and most forward-thinking vehicle designs, barring some electric vehicles. The rear angles curved around the rear windows and doors, contributing to a futuristic appearance, which had its own set of challenges.

This clean, futuristic approach extended into the cabin. The simplicity and organic rise of the infotainment system from the dash were notable styling points. The Mazda3 featured a conventional shifter design and easy-to-use climate controls despite the cabin’s minimalist design. A large pushbutton start adorned the dash, and the steering wheel, although cluttered with controls, had an elegant design.

The Mazda3 offered seven trims: 2.5 S, Select, Preferred, Carbon Edition, Premium, 2.5 Turbo, and 2.5 Turbo Premium Plus. The 2.5 S included 16-inch alloy wheels, pushbutton start, keyless entry, two USB ports, and an 8.8-inch infotainment display controlled by a rotary dial, featuring Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

The Select trim added 18-inch alloy wheels, dual-zone automatic climate control, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, and synthetic leather upholstery. The Preferred trim added a moonroof, heated front seats, a power-adjustable driver’s seat, and power-adjustable side mirrors with integrated turn signals. Carbon Edition further enhanced styling elements, while the Premium trim included paddle shifters, a head-up display, navigation, and genuine leather upholstery.

The Mazda3 Turbo, with a more powerful engine, lost some equipment from the Preferred trim, such as navigation and premium leather. Our test model, the 2.5 Turbo AWD Premium Plus hatchback, combined all features, adding reverse automatic emergency braking, surround-view parking monitoring, and advanced driver assistance features.

The 2022 Nissan Sentra featured a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine producing 149 horsepower and 146 pound-feet of torque, mated to a continuously variable transmission (CVT) with front-wheel drive. While not remarkable, this setup provided a balanced performance. The throttle response was prompt, thanks to the CVT allowing the revs to fly. The Sport button on the shifter, although not significantly boosting performance, offered solid low-end acceleration and satisfactory highway performance.

The Sentra’s steering was well-weighted and provided sharp cornering for a non-performance car. The suspension managed bumps efficiently, though it could falter with harsher conditions or deeper potholes. Overall, the Sentra was well-suited for commuting, city driving, and occasional road trips.

The 2023 Mazda MAZDA3 came with a base 2.5-liter naturally aspirated inline-four engine producing 191 horsepower and 186 pound-feet of torque, paired with a six-speed automatic transmission. Front-wheel drive was standard, with optional all-wheel drive. A manual transmission was available for front-wheel-drive Premium models.

Our test model featured the optional turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine, delivering 227 hp and 310 lb-ft of torque with regular fuel or 250 hp and 320 lb-ft with premium fuel. This engine included standard AWD and automatic transmission. The turbocharged engine produced a pleasing sound, engaging from startup. While not a V8's roar, it appealed to four-cylinder enthusiasts.

Steering in the Mazda3 was impeccably weighted, providing just enough force feedback without feeling too light. Off-the-line acceleration was moderate, but the vehicle excelled once in second gear. Sport mode extended gear hold times, allowing the turbocharger to maximize performance. The transmission intelligently downshifted in this mode, minimizing the need for manual interventions via paddle shifters or tap mode on the shifter. The substantial torque ensured ample power in any gear, reducing the number of shifts.

Sport mode also enhanced steering feedback, making it more forceful and heavier. Braking was surprisingly firm for a non-hardcore sports car, requiring precise foot control. The Mazda3's standout feature was its handling, offering a perfect blend of precision and comfort. It balanced agility and refinement while effectively absorbing road bumps.

Mazda’s attention to performance detail was evident in the forward-to-downshift and back-to-upshift tap-shift function, mirroring race-car sequential shifters.

The 2022 Nissan Sentra provided 14.3 cubic feet of trunk space, surpassing many small sedans. However, the Kia Forte offered more at 15.3 cubic feet. The Sentra’s trunk space could be expanded using the standard 60/40 split-fold rear bench, though the bench created a ledge, complicating the loading of larger items. The trunk lacked power opening but could be remotely opened via the key fob or a dash button. It was seemingly spring-loaded, giving a power-opening trunk impression when released.

The Sentra featured spacious two-row seating. The front seats offered ample headroom and legroom, ensuring comfort. The rear seats provided solid legroom and decent headroom, though not as generous as the front. The front row included large in-door cargo trays, bottle holders, cupholders, and trays in the center console for storage.

The 2023 Mazda MAZDA3 sedan offered 13.1 cubic feet of cargo space, falling short compared to compact sedans like the Honda Civic, Kia Forte, and Nissan Sentra. The hatchback variant increased cargo space to 20.1 cubic feet, which, while usable, was modest compared to many small SUVs.

Rear seating in the Mazda3 was limited, with minimal legroom when the front seats were set for taller adults. The sloping roofline compromised headroom in both the sedan and hatchback, rendering the rear seats practical only for occasional use. The front area featured a reasonably sized center console compartment, although the sliding lid could be frustrating. Nevertheless, ergonomics and sizable cupholders enhanced front-seat usability.

Comparing cargo capacities, the Sentra excelled with more trunk space in its sedan form, whereas the Mazda3 hatchback’s design provided additional practicality.

The 2022 Nissan Sentra came standard with a 7-inch touchscreen featuring Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a USB port, and Bluetooth. The SV and SR trims upgraded to an 8-inch touchscreen, maintaining compatibility with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The user interface was intuitive, supported by conventional hard buttons below the screen and volume and tuning dials. However, the graphics were somewhat outdated, and the system lacked wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, increasingly standard in non-luxury vehicles like the Honda Civic, which also offered wireless device charging in higher trims.

The 2023 Mazda MAZDA3 featured an 8.8-inch infotainment display, non-touchscreen, controlled via a center console dial. This setup was a major drawback, with clumsy menu navigation exacerbated by the inability to select directly on the screen. The dial scrolling was unintuitive and switching between radio presets and other controls was confusing. The learning curve was steep and frustrating.

Using standard Apple CarPlay or Android Auto was also problematic. Pressing the home button with the dial controller should exit these programs, but it instead returned to their home screen.

The Mazda3 included two USB ports, HD radio, Bluetooth connectivity, and voice control. Our test model featured navigation, satellite radio, and a 12-speaker Bose premium stereo system, which provided excellent sound quality and aesthetic appeal with brushed aluminum speaker covers.

The 2022 Nissan Sentra came with a robust list of standard driver-assistance features, including forward and reverse automatic emergency braking, forward collision avoidance, pedestrian detection, driver drowsiness monitoring, lane departure warning, and blind-spot monitoring. Our test model included additional features such as a surround-view parking monitor and adaptive cruise control. The adaptive cruise control was responsive and smoother due to the CVT, although the distance settings left a significant gap, and braking could be abrupt.

In safety ratings, the Sentra earned a five-star overall rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the highest "Good" ratings across all Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) crash tests. The IIHS also awarded the Sentra its top "Superior" rating for driver-assistance features, despite lower headlight ratings, earning it a "Top Safety Pick" award.

The 2023 Mazda MAZDA3 came standard with comprehensive safety features, including forward automatic emergency braking, automatic cruise control, pedestrian and cyclist detection, adaptive headlights, lane departure warning, and rain-sensing windshield wipers. The Select trim added blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert, while the Turbo Premium Plus included traffic-sign recognition, traffic jam assist, and a 360-degree parking camera system.

The traffic-sign recognition was useful, displaying stop signs in the head-up display. Our test model’s side mirrors tilted down in reverse to avoid curbs during parallel parking. However, the massive C-pillar in the hatchback created a significant blind spot, potentially hazardous. The infotainment system’s confusing layout posed an additional safety risk, forcing drivers’ attention from the road.