Mazda Protege vs Nissan Sentra
Side-by-side comparison from manufacturer specifications, NHTSA safety data, and live dealer listings.
Vehicles
Vehicles
2026 Nissan Sentra
Overview
| Spec | Mazda ProtegeDX | Nissan SentraS |
|---|---|---|
| Selected trim | DX | S |
| Body style | Sedan | Sedan |
| Drivetrain | front wheel drive | front wheel drive |
| Fuel type | regular unleaded | regular unleaded |
| Transmission | 5-speed manual | continuously variable-speed automatic |
| Engine type | gas | gas |
| Model year | 2003 | 2026 |
Pricing & market
| Spec | Mazda ProtegeDX | Nissan SentraS |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $13,680 (best) | $22,600 |
| For sale now | 0 | 0 |
Fuel economy & range
| Spec | Mazda ProtegeDX | Nissan SentraS |
|---|---|---|
| Combined MPG | 24 MPG (best) | — |
| City MPG | 22 MPG (best) | — |
| Highway MPG | 28 MPG (best) | — |
| Fuel tank | 14.5 gal (best) | 12.4 gal |
Performance
| Spec | Mazda ProtegeDX | Nissan SentraS |
|---|---|---|
| Horsepower | 130 hp | 149 hp (best) |
| Torque | 135 lb-ft | 146 lb-ft (best) |
| Engine size | 2 L | 2 L |
| Cylinders | I4 | I4 |
Size & capability
| Spec | Mazda ProtegeDX | Nissan SentraS |
|---|---|---|
| Seating | 5 seats | 5 seats |
| Doors | 4 | 4 |
| Cargo volume | 12.9 cu ft | 14.3 cu ft (best) |
| Payload | — | 982 lbs (best) |
| Curb weight | 2,634 lbs (best) | 3,097 lbs |
| Ground clearance | 5.5 in (best) | 4.7 in |
| Wheelbase | 102.8 in | 106.5 in (best) |
| Length | 175.3 in | 183.3 in (best) |
| Width | 67.1 in | 71.5 in (best) |
| Height | 55.5 in | 57.1 in (best) |
Safety & recalls
| Spec | Mazda ProtegeDX | Nissan SentraS |
|---|---|---|
| Frontal crash (driver) | 5 / 5 ★ (best) | — |
| Frontal crash (passenger) | 4 / 5 ★ (best) | — |
| Open recalls (YMM scope) | None reported | None reported |
Highlighted values indicate the better figure for that spec when a clear winner exists. Specs reflect the selected trim for each vehicle. Drag a vehicle header to reorder columns. MSRP and specifications are manufacturer data; listing prices and inventory come from live dealer listings. Safety ratings are from NHTSA.
Trim overview
All available trims with MSRP. The trim selected above is highlighted; comparison specs use that selection.
| Trim | Mazda Protege | Nissan Sentra |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | DX $13,680 MSRP(Currently comparing) | S $22,600 MSRP(Currently comparing) |
| 2 | LX $15,415 MSRP | SV $23,370 MSRP |
| 3 | ES $16,140 MSRP | SR $25,000 MSRP |
| 4 | Base $19,980 MSRP | SL $27,990 MSRP |
| 5 | Base $20,480 MSRP | — |