2025 Mazda3 Hatchback vs 2025 Nissan Sentra

Pricing, MSRP

The 2025 Mazda3 Hatchback starts at approximately $25,135 and climbs to $37,185 for the top Turbo Premium Plus trim. The 2025 Nissan Sentra has a lower starting MSRP of around $21,000, with its most expensive SR Premium trim priced under $26,000. While the Sentra offers strong value in base trims, the Mazda3 Hatchback provides access to more powerful engines and upscale features at higher price points.

Trim Levels

The Mazda3 Hatchback is available in a wide variety of trims, including the 2.5 S, Select Sport, Preferred, Carbon Edition, Premium, Carbon Turbo, and Turbo Premium Plus. This selection offers buyers choices ranging from efficiency-focused to performance-oriented. The Nissan Sentra comes in fewer trims—S, SV, and SR—with the SR Premium package adding a handful of luxury features. Mazda's broader lineup better caters to a range of driver needs and preferences.

Engine and Transmission

The Mazda3 Hatchback comes standard with a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine producing 191 horsepower, with an optional 2.5-liter turbocharged engine that generates up to 250 horsepower and 320 lb-ft of torque on premium fuel. Transmission choices include a six-speed automatic and a manual option on select trims. The 2025 Nissan Sentra uses a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine producing 149 horsepower and 146 lb-ft of torque, paired exclusively with a continuously variable transmission (CVT). Mazda offers significantly more power and more engaging transmission options than the Sentra.

Performance

The Mazda3 Hatchback delivers responsive steering, a well-tuned suspension, and composed handling, especially with the turbo engine. It offers an engaging and sporty drive that stands out in the compact class. The Nissan Sentra, while improved in recent years, focuses more on comfort and stability. It delivers a smooth ride for daily commuting but lacks the dynamic feel and horsepower that enthusiasts will appreciate in the Mazda3.

Fuel Economy

The Mazda3 Hatchback earns up to 27 mpg in the city and 37 mpg on the highway in base form, while the turbocharged variants return slightly lower figures. The Nissan Sentra excels in efficiency, achieving up to 30 mpg city and 40 mpg highway. If fuel economy is your top priority, the Sentra has an edge, though the Mazda balances solid mileage with much stronger performance.

Towing

Neither the 2025 Mazda3 Hatchback nor the 2025 Nissan Sentra is rated for towing. Both are designed for daily driving and weekend getaways, but buyers needing towing capacity should look toward Mazda’s crossovers like the CX-50 or Nissan’s Rogue.

Interior Design

The Mazda3 Hatchback offers a refined, upscale interior with minimalist design, high-quality materials, and available features like leather seats, contrast stitching, and a head-up display. The Nissan Sentra also provides a well-appointed cabin with zero-gravity front seats, soft-touch surfaces, and optional quilted leather. While the Sentra punches above its price class, the Mazda3 still feels more premium and driver-focused overall.

Cargo Space

The Mazda3 Hatchback offers 20.1 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats, expanding to 47.1 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. The Nissan Sentra, as a traditional sedan, provides a trunk with 14.3 cubic feet of cargo space. While the Sentra’s trunk is class-average, the Mazda3 Hatchback offers far more versatility for cargo and storage needs.

Infotainment and Connectivity

The Mazda3 Hatchback comes with an 8.8-inch infotainment screen, with a 10.25-inch display on higher trims. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard, with wireless connectivity and a premium Bose 12-speaker sound system available. The Nissan Sentra includes a 7-inch touchscreen in lower trims and an 8-inch display with smartphone integration in upper trims. A premium 8-speaker Bose system is available in the SR Premium package. While both are well-equipped, Mazda offers a more visually refined interface and more powerful audio options.

Technology

The Mazda3 Hatchback offers high-end features like a digital gauge cluster, head-up display, traffic sign recognition, and adaptive headlights. The Sentra includes tech like remote start, dual-zone climate control, and a surround-view monitor in higher trims. While both cars are tech-savvy, the Mazda3 provides more premium options in its upper trims.

Safety

The 2025 Mazda3 Hatchback includes the i-Activsense suite with adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, blind-spot monitoring, and automatic emergency braking. The Nissan Sentra offers a similar suite under Nissan Safety Shield 360, with features like rear automatic braking, lane departure warning, and forward collision warning standard across the lineup. Both vehicles are well-equipped for safety, even at base trim levels.

NHTSA/IIHS Ratings

The Mazda3 Hatchback has earned a 5-star overall safety rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and a Top Safety Pick+ designation from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). The 2025 Nissan Sentra is also expected to maintain its 5-star NHTSA rating and a Top Safety Pick award from the IIHS for its strong crash-test results and standard safety tech. Both vehicles rank highly in safety, with Mazda holding a slight edge in higher-tier IIHS recognition.

Warranty

Mazda provides a 3-year/36,000-mile limited warranty and a 5-year/60,000-mile powertrain warranty for the Mazda3 Hatchback. Nissan matches this with the same 3-year/36,000-mile basic coverage and a 5-year/60,000-mile powertrain warranty for the Sentra. Neither brand includes complimentary maintenance, but both offer strong reputations for long-term reliability.