Compare the2025 Nissan VersaVS 2025 Mazda 3

Both the Versa and the Mazda 3 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front and rear 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.

Nissan pays for scheduled maintenance on the Versa for 2 years and 24,000 miles. Nissan will pay for oil changes, tire rotations, air filter replacements, cabin filter replacement, brake fluid replacement, inspections, and any other required maintenance (up to 3 visits). Mazda doesn’t pay scheduled maintenance for the 3.

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 150-amp alternator. The Mazda 3’s standard 100-amp alternator isn’t as powerful.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2024 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 66 more problems per 100 vehicles, Mazda is rated below average.

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 on average about 84.9 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 Carbon Edition 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 700 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.

The Versa will cost the buyer less in the long run because of its superior resale value. The IntelliChoice estimates that the Versa will retain 56.98% to 64.4% of its original price after five years, while the Mazda 3 only retains 51.44% to 55.76%.

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.