Compare the2023 Nissan VersaVS 2023 Mazda 3

In the past twenty years hundreds of infants and young children have died after being left in vehicles, usually by accident. When turning the vehicle off, drivers of the Versa SV/SR are reminded to check the back seat if they opened the rear door before starting out. The Mazda 3 doesn’t offer a back seat reminder.

Both the Versa and the Mazda 3 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver and front passenger knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, front wheel drive, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, lane departure warning systems, rearview cameras, available daytime running lights, blind spot warning systems, rear cross-path warning and driver alert monitors.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does side impact tests on new vehicles. In this test, which crashes the vehicle into a flat barrier at 38.5 MPH and into a post at 20 MPH, results indicate that the Nissan Versa is safer than the Mazda 3:

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

There are almost 2 times as many Nissan dealers as there are Mazda dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Versa’s warranty.

To reliably power the ignition and other systems and to recharge the battery, the Versa has a 120-amp alternator. The Mazda 3’s standard 100-amp alternator isn’t as powerful.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Nissan vehicles are better in initial quality than Mazda vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Nissan above average in initial quality. With 13 more problems per 100 vehicles, Mazda is rated lower.

On the EPA test cycle the Versa gets better mileage than the Mazda 3 Sedan:

On the EPA test cycle the Versa gets better mileage than the Mazda 3 Hatchback:

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Nissan Versa uses regular unleaded gasoline. The Mazda 3 with the 2.5 turbo 4-cylinder engine requires premium for maximum efficiency, which can cost 20 to 55 cents more per gallon.

The Versa offers an optional continuously variable transmission (CVT). With no “steps” between gears, it can keep the engine at the most efficient speed for fuel economy, or keep it at its peak horsepower indefinitely for maximum acceleration. The Mazda 3 doesn’t offer a CVT.

The Versa has a standard easy tire fill system. When inflating the tires, the vehicle’s integrated tire pressure sensors keep track of the pressure as the tires fill and tell the driver when the tires are inflated to the proper pressure. The Mazda 3 doesn’t offer vehicle monitored tire inflation.

The Versa has vehicle speed sensitive variable-assist power steering, for low-effort parking, better control at highway speeds and during hard cornering, and a better feel of the road. The Mazda 3 doesn’t offer variable-assist power steering.

The Versa SR handles at .84 G’s, while the Mazda 3 Premium Sedan AWD pulls only .79 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The Nissan Versa may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 500 to 650 pounds less than the Mazda 3.

The Versa has 1.5 inches more front headroom, 2.2 inches more front legroom and .1 inches more rear shoulder room than the Mazda 3 Sedan.

The Versa has a much larger trunk than the Mazda 3 Sedan (14.7 vs. 13.2 cubic feet).

The Versa Manual can be flat towed on all four wheels (dinghy towed), allowing recreational vehicle owners to bring it with them on the road. When they reach their destination, the Versa can be unhitched and driven around locally. The Mazda 3 can’t be towed flat on the ground.

Insurance will cost less for the Versa owner. The Car Book by Jack Gillis rates the Versa with a number “1” insurance rate while the Mazda 3 is rated higher at a number “8” rate.

According to The Car Book by Jack Gillis, the Versa is less expensive to operate than the Mazda 3 because it costs $200 less to do the manufacturer’s suggested maintenance for 50,000 miles. Typical repairs cost less on the Versa than the Mazda 3, including $82 less for a water pump, $61 less for a muffler, $77 less for a fuel pump, $12 less for front struts, $24 less for a timing belt/chain and $25 less for a power steering pump.

IntelliChoice estimates that five-year ownership costs (depreciation, financing, insurance, fuel, fees, repairs and maintenance) for the Nissan Versa will be $1207 to $10883 less than for the Mazda 3.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the Versa first among small cars in owner reported satisfaction. This includes how well the vehicle performs and satisfies its owner’s expectations. The Mazda 3 isn’t in the top three.

The Nissan Versa outsold the Mazda 3 by 62% during 2021.