Mazda Mazda3 Sport vs Nissan Sentra: cost to own

Verdict, over 6 years

They cost about the same

Within $487: too close to call. Closest matching trims: same fuel and drive where possible.

Mazda3 Sport GX$935/moTrue cost

Sentra S CVT$928/moTrue cost

2026 Mazda Mazda3 Sport

Closest matching trim: Mazda3 Sport GX

Sticker (MSRP)$26,000

+$6,813→↓Freight, fees, HST

Drive away$32,813

+ running costs→↓− $14,301 resale

True cost$935/moA month to own, after resale

2026 Nissan Sentra

Closest matching trim: Sentra S CVT

Sticker (MSRP)$25,268

+$6,243→↓Freight, fees, HST

Drive away$31,511

+ running costs→↓− $13,390 resale

True cost$928/moA month to own, after resale

Line by line


Price
Sticker (MSRP)	$26,000	✓ $25,268	Sentra by $732
Freight and fees, before tax	$3,038	✓ $2,618	Sentra by $420
Sales tax (HST)	$3,775	✓ $3,625	Sentra by $150
Drive-away price	$32,813	✓ $31,511	Sentra by $1,302
Running costs, 6 years
Fuel or charging	$13,225	✓ $11,885	Sentra by $1,340
Insurance (estimate)	✓ $13,660	$16,695	Mazda3 Sport by $3,035
Maintenance (estimate)	$8,909	✓ $7,641	Sentra by $1,268
Loan rate	6.5%	6.5%	—
Loan interest	$5,849	✓ $5,576	Sentra by $273
Lost return on your money	$7,066	✓ $6,815	Sentra by $251
Resale after 6 yrs	✓ −$14,301	−$13,390	Mazda3 Sport by $911
Total
True cost	$67,312	✓ $66,825	Sentra by $487
True cost a month	$935/mo	✓ $928/mo	Sentra by $7
You pay each month	$966/mo	✓ $950/mo	Sentra by $16
Practical
Fuel type	Gas	Gas	—
Seats	5	5	—
Carry-ons, 2 people	5	3	—
Cargo behind row 2, litres	✓ 569	405	—
Length	4.46 m	4.66 m	—
Resale % after 6 yrs	✓ 55%	53%	—
US crash test	✓ 5★	Not rated yet	—

Price

Sticker (MSRP)

Mazda3 Sport GX $26,000Sentra S CVT ✓ $25,268Cheaper by Sentra by $732

Freight and fees, before tax

Mazda3 Sport GX $3,038Sentra S CVT ✓ $2,618Cheaper by Sentra by $420

Sales tax (HST)

Mazda3 Sport GX $3,775Sentra S CVT ✓ $3,625Cheaper by Sentra by $150

Drive-away price

Mazda3 Sport GX $32,813Sentra S CVT ✓ $31,511Cheaper by Sentra by $1,302

Running costs, 6 years

Fuel or charging

Mazda3 Sport GX $13,225Sentra S CVT ✓ $11,885Cheaper by Sentra by $1,340

Insurance (estimate)

Mazda3 Sport GX ✓ $13,660Sentra S CVT $16,695Cheaper by Mazda3 Sport by $3,035

Maintenance (estimate)

Mazda3 Sport GX $8,909Sentra S CVT ✓ $7,641Cheaper by Sentra by $1,268

Loan rate

Mazda3 Sport GX 6.5%Sentra S CVT 6.5%Cheaper by —

Loan interest

Mazda3 Sport GX $5,849Sentra S CVT ✓ $5,576Cheaper by Sentra by $273

Lost return on your money

Mazda3 Sport GX $7,066Sentra S CVT ✓ $6,815Cheaper by Sentra by $251

Resale after 6 yrs

Mazda3 Sport GX ✓ −$14,301Sentra S CVT −$13,390Cheaper by Mazda3 Sport by $911

Total

True cost

Mazda3 Sport GX $67,312Sentra S CVT ✓ $66,825Cheaper by Sentra by $487

True cost a month

Mazda3 Sport GX $935/moSentra S CVT ✓ $928/moCheaper by Sentra by $7

You pay each month

Mazda3 Sport GX $966/moSentra S CVT ✓ $950/moCheaper by Sentra by $16

Practical

Fuel type

Mazda3 Sport GX GasSentra S CVT GasCheaper by —

Seats

Mazda3 Sport GX 5Sentra S CVT 5Cheaper by —

Carry-ons, 2 people

Mazda3 Sport GX 5Sentra S CVT 3Cheaper by —

Cargo behind row 2, litres

Mazda3 Sport GX ✓ 569Sentra S CVT 405Cheaper by —

Length

Mazda3 Sport GX 4.46 mSentra S CVT 4.66 mCheaper by —

Resale % after 6 yrs

Mazda3 Sport GX ✓ 55%Sentra S CVT 53%Cheaper by —

US crash test

Mazda3 Sport GX ✓ 5★Sentra S CVT Not rated yetCheaper by —

✓ marks the better figure. Resale for both is from their own used prices (unless you lease). Their stickers differ by $732.