Nissan Navara vs Mazda Mazda3
A detailed look at how two of Australia's most popular cars compare on price, running costs, safety, and everyday livability.
Specifications and pricing correct at time of publishing. Prices are RRP before on-road costs unless stated otherwise. Always confirm with the manufacturer or dealer before purchasing.
Track the Nissan Navara & Mazda Mazda3
Get price-drop alerts on these models plus our free weekly new-car rundown. Unsubscribe anytime.
Price Breakdown
The Nissan Navara starts from $26,490 before on-road costs, while the Mazda Mazda3 opens at $26,490. Both land at the same RRP, so on-road costs and dealer deals become the real differentiator.
Once you factor in stamp duty, registration, CTP insurance, and dealer delivery, expect to add roughly 8-12% on top of the RRP depending on your state. That puts estimated driveaway prices in the ballpark of $29,139 and $29,139 respectively.
Over 5 years, the running costs favour the Mazda Mazda3 by roughly $5,700 in fuel alone.
Safety Rundown
ANCAP safety ratings have not been published for both models yet. We will update this section when crash test results are available.
Feature Showdown
Both come with modern infotainment systems.
The Mazda Mazda3 counters with Apple CarPlay that the Nissan Navara does not offer. Which feature set matters more depends on your daily routine and priorities.
Drivetrain
The Nissan Navara lines up producing 122kW and 238Nm of torque, sent through a 6-speed manual (7-speed automatic optional) to a RWD layout.
The Mazda Mazda3 responds with a Petrol making 114kW and 200Nm, paired to a automatic driving the front wheels. It gets to 100km/h in 9.7 seconds.
The Nissan Navara has the clear power advantage at 122kW vs 114kW. For most buyers, the way each car feels day-to-day matters more than outright acceleration.
Space & Comfort
The Nissan Navara measures 5,255mm long on a 3,150mm wheelbase, 795mm longer than the Mazda Mazda3 at 4,460mm (2,725mm wheelbase). The longer wheelbase on the Nissan Navara generally means more rear legroom.
For towing, the Nissan Navara leads with a 1,588kg braked capacity vs 1,200kg. That 388kg difference matters if you regularly hitch up.
Turning Circle
Kerb-to-kerb diameter. Smaller turns easier in tight carparks and U-turns.
10.6m to 11.8m
Based on 11.8m turning circle:
- U-turn on standard street (7m+ wide)
- Standard parking bay
- Tight carparks
- Narrow laneways
Based on 10.6m turning circle:
- U-turn on standard street (7m+ wide)
- Standard parking bay
- Tight carparks
- Narrow laneways
Turning circle ratings
Compare U-turns side by side
Turning Circle · U-turn compare
kerb-to-kerb, 2 cars0 of 2 clear a 7.0 m street in one sweep
Green cars complete the U-turn; amber need a 3-point turn. Drag the slider to test tighter streets.
Standard widths: AU local streets ~5.5–7 m; main roads ~9–12 m.
True Cost to Own
Based on 15,000km of annual driving, fuel costs roughly $2,822/year for the Nissan Navara and $1,682/year for the Mazda Mazda3. That is a $1,140 annual difference in favour of the Mazda Mazda3.
Estimated annual total: $2,822 (Nissan Navara) vs $1,682 (Mazda Mazda3). The Mazda Mazda3 saves you roughly $1,140 per year in total ownership costs. Use our Fuel Cost Calculator to estimate based on your driving.
Warranty: 3 years / 100,000km (Nissan Navara) vs 5 years / 999,999km (Mazda Mazda3). The Mazda Mazda3 has longer coverage.
Who Should Buy Which?
Buy the Nissan Navara if: You prioritise performance, need stronger towing, or prefer Nissan's approach to design and ownership experience.
Buy the Mazda Mazda3 if: You want lower running costs, value a longer warranty, or prefer Mazda's approach to design and ownership experience.
The Verdict
This is genuinely close. The Nissan Navara and Mazda Mazda3 trade blows across the spec sheet, and neither runs away with an outright win. The Mazda Mazda3 will save you roughly $1,140 a year in fuel. The Mazda Mazda3 adds peace of mind with a longer 5-year warranty. The best pick depends on what you value most. Explore the full specs for each model below.
Common questions
Which is cheapest, Nissan Navara and Mazda Mazda3?
The Nissan Navara is the cheapest at $26,490 before on-road costs.
Which is the most fuel-efficient?
The Mazda Mazda3 uses the least fuel at 5.9L/100km on the combined cycle.
Which is safest?
They are evenly matched — Nissan Navara all hold a 5-star ANCAP rating. Compare the active-safety features above to separate them.
Which can tow the most?
The Nissan Navara has the highest braked towing capacity at 1,588kg.
Which has the best warranty?
The Mazda Mazda3 has the longest warranty at 5 years / Unlimited.
Which is the most powerful?
The Nissan Navara makes the most power at 122kW.
Track the cars you're comparing
Get price-drop and spec-change alerts on the models in this comparison, plus our weekly new-car rundown of launches, deals and reviews.
- Price-drop alerts on these models
- Spec-change alerts
- Weekly new-car rundown
No spam, unsubscribe anytime. By subscribing you agree to receive marketing emails.
Disclaimer: All information in this comparison was believed to be correct at the time of publishing (20 April 2026). Prices are manufacturer recommended retail prices (RRP) and may vary by state, dealer, and options. Driveaway costs include estimated on-road costs for Victoria. Fuel economy figures are WLTP/ADR combined cycle. Specifications can change without notice. Always verify with the manufacturer before making a purchase decision. CarSorted does not accept payment for recommendations.
Auto-generated from CarSorted's specification data · 20 April 2026
Comments (0)
Sign in to join the conversation
No comments yet. Be the first!
