Mazda Mazda3 vs Nissan Sentra: cost to own

Verdict, over 6 years

The Nissan Sentra costs about $1,975 less

That's $27 a month. Closest matching trims: same fuel and drive where possible.

Mazda3 GX$956/moTrue cost

Sentra S CVT✓ $928/moTrue cost

2026 Mazda Mazda3

Closest matching trim: Mazda3 GX

Sticker (MSRP)$25,250

+$6,715→↓Freight, fees, HST

Drive away$31,965

+ running costs→↓− $13,889 resale

True cost$956/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)	✓ $25,250	$25,268	Mazda3 by $18
Freight and fees, before tax	$3,038	✓ $2,618	Sentra by $420
Sales tax (HST)	$3,677	✓ $3,625	Sentra by $52
Drive-away price	$31,965	✓ $31,511	Sentra by $454
Running costs, 6 years
Fuel or charging	$13,057	✓ $11,885	Sentra by $1,172
Insurance (estimate)	✓ $16,101	$16,695	Mazda3 by $594
Maintenance (estimate)	$8,900	✓ $7,641	Sentra by $1,259
Loan rate	6.5%	6.5%	—
Loan interest	$5,671	✓ $5,576	Sentra by $95
Lost return on your money	$6,903	✓ $6,815	Sentra by $88
Resale after 6 yrs	✓ −$13,889	−$13,390	Mazda3 by $499
Total
True cost	$68,800	✓ $66,825	Sentra by $1,975
True cost a month	$956/mo	✓ $928/mo	Sentra by $28
You pay each month	$983/mo	✓ $950/mo	Sentra by $33
Practical
Fuel type	Gas	Gas	—
Seats	5	5	—
Carry-ons, 2 people	3	3	—
Cargo behind row 2, litres	374	✓ 405	—
Length	4.66 m	4.66 m	—
Resale % after 6 yrs	✓ 55%	53%	—
US crash test	✓ 5★	Not rated yet	—

Price

Sticker (MSRP)

Mazda3 GX ✓ $25,250Sentra S CVT $25,268Cheaper by Mazda3 by $18

Freight and fees, before tax

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

Sales tax (HST)

Mazda3 GX $3,677Sentra S CVT ✓ $3,625Cheaper by Sentra by $52

Drive-away price

Mazda3 GX $31,965Sentra S CVT ✓ $31,511Cheaper by Sentra by $454

Running costs, 6 years

Fuel or charging

Mazda3 GX $13,057Sentra S CVT ✓ $11,885Cheaper by Sentra by $1,172

Insurance (estimate)

Mazda3 GX ✓ $16,101Sentra S CVT $16,695Cheaper by Mazda3 by $594

Maintenance (estimate)

Mazda3 GX $8,900Sentra S CVT ✓ $7,641Cheaper by Sentra by $1,259

Loan rate

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

Loan interest

Mazda3 GX $5,671Sentra S CVT ✓ $5,576Cheaper by Sentra by $95

Lost return on your money

Mazda3 GX $6,903Sentra S CVT ✓ $6,815Cheaper by Sentra by $88

Resale after 6 yrs

Mazda3 GX ✓ −$13,889Sentra S CVT −$13,390Cheaper by Mazda3 by $499

Total

True cost

Mazda3 GX $68,800Sentra S CVT ✓ $66,825Cheaper by Sentra by $1,975

True cost a month

Mazda3 GX $956/moSentra S CVT ✓ $928/moCheaper by Sentra by $28

You pay each month

Mazda3 GX $983/moSentra S CVT ✓ $950/moCheaper by Sentra by $33

Practical

Fuel type

Mazda3 GX GasSentra S CVT GasCheaper by —

Seats

Mazda3 GX 5Sentra S CVT 5Cheaper by —

Carry-ons, 2 people

Mazda3 GX 3Sentra S CVT 3Cheaper by —

Cargo behind row 2, litres

Mazda3 GX 374Sentra S CVT ✓ 405Cheaper by —

Length

Mazda3 GX 4.66 mSentra S CVT 4.66 mCheaper by —

Resale % after 6 yrs

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

US crash test

Mazda3 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 $18.