Mazda Sentia: Which Version Should You Buy?
The Mazda Sentia in this catalogue is a Sedan offered across 2 generations and 4 recorded versions. The choice is between the 2.5 AT and 3.0 AT from the 1 generation, produced from January 1994 to September 1995, and two distinct 3.0 AT versions from the 2 generation, produced from October 1997 to August 2000.
The Mazda Sentia in this catalogue is a Sedan offered across 2 generations and 4 recorded versions. The choice is between the 2.5 AT and 3.0 AT from the 1 generation, produced from January 1994 to September 1995, and two distinct 3.0 AT versions from the 2 generation, produced from October 1997 to August 2000. The main decision is straightforward: the 160 hp models prioritize lower kerb weight or smaller displacement, while the 200 hp and 205 hp versions provide substantially stronger performance. Among versions with measured acceleration, the 205 hp 3.0 AT from the 2 generation is quickest at 8.8 seconds to 100 km/h. Fuel-consumption figures, gross weights, and wheel sizes are not measured for any version, so they cannot be used to decide which Sentia to buy.
Mazda Sentia generations: what changed?
The 1 generation Mazda Sentia was produced from January 1994 to September 1995 as a Sedan with 2 versions: 2.5 AT and 3.0 AT. Both have Gasoline V-shaped 6-cylinder engines, multi-point distributed injection, a 4-speed Automatic gearbox, and RWD. This generation offers 150 mm of ground clearance. Its rear brakes are ventilated discs, matching the ventilated front discs. The 2.5 AT weighs 1,600 kg and develops 160 hp, while the 3.0 AT weighs 1,640 kg and develops 200 hp.
The 2 generation Mazda Sentia was produced from October 1997 to August 2000 as a Sedan with 2 versions, both named 3.0 AT. They must be distinguished by output: one produces 160 hp and the other produces 205 hp. Both use a 2,954 cc Gasoline V-shaped 6-cylinder engine, a 4-speed Automatic gearbox, and RWD. Compared with the earlier generation, ground clearance decreased from 150 mm to 130 mm, a difference of 20 mm. Rear brakes are discs rather than the ventilated rear discs listed for both 1 generation versions. The 160 hp car has 3 valves per cylinder and weighs 1,530 kg; the 205 hp car has 4 valves per cylinder and weighs 1,600 kg.
Mazda Sentia engine and specs
| Generation and version | Power | Torque | Displacement | Fuel | Cylinders and layout | Boost | Gearbox | Drive |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 generation — 2.5 AT | 160 hp at 6,000 rpm | 210 Nm at 3,500 rpm | 2,494 cc | 92 | 6, V-shaped | No | 4-speed Automatic | RWD |
| 1 generation — 3.0 AT | 200 hp at 6,000 rpm | 271 Nm at 3,500 rpm | 2,954 cc | 95 | 6, V-shaped | No | 4-speed Automatic | RWD |
| 2 generation — 3.0 AT, 160 hp | 160 hp at 5,500 rpm | 250 Nm at 2,500 rpm | 2,954 cc | 95 | 6, V-shaped | No | 4-speed Automatic | RWD |
| 2 generation — 3.0 AT, 205 hp | 205 hp at 6,000 rpm | 272 Nm at 3,500 rpm | 2,954 cc | 95 | 6, V-shaped | No | 4-speed Automatic | RWD |
The 1 generation 2.5 AT produces approximately 64.2 hp per litre. Its 3.0 AT alternative produces approximately 67.7 hp per litre. In the 2 generation, the 160 hp 3.0 AT produces approximately 54.2 hp per litre, while the 205 hp 3.0 AT produces approximately 69.4 hp per litre. On this comparison, the 205 hp 3.0 AT has the highest specific output, while the 160 hp 3.0 AT from the same generation has the lowest.
The two 160 hp choices deliver the same peak power differently. The 1 generation 2.5 AT reaches 160 hp at 6,000 rpm and 210 Nm at 3,500 rpm. The 2 generation 3.0 AT with 160 hp reaches that output at 5,500 rpm and develops 250 Nm at 2,500 rpm. It therefore adds 40 Nm, with peak torque arriving 1,000 rpm earlier, while its kerb weight is 70 kg lower.
Mazda Sentia performance and mpg
| Generation and version | 0–100 km/h | Top speed | City consumption | Highway consumption | Combined consumption |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 generation — 2.5 AT | 11.5 seconds | 201 km/h | not measured | not measured | not measured |
| 1 generation — 3.0 AT | 9.3 seconds | 221 km/h | not measured | not measured | not measured |
| 2 generation — 3.0 AT, 160 hp | not measured | 200 km/h | not measured | not measured | not measured |
| 2 generation — 3.0 AT, 205 hp | 8.8 seconds | 220 km/h | not measured | not measured | not measured |
Within the 1 generation, choosing 3.0 AT instead of 2.5 AT adds 40 hp and 61 Nm. Acceleration to 100 km/h improves by 2.2 seconds, from 11.5 to 9.3 seconds, and top speed increases by 20 km/h, from 201 to 221 km/h. Kerb weight rises by only 40 kg.
Between the two 2 generation cars named 3.0 AT, the 205 hp version adds 45 hp and 22 Nm over the 160 hp version. Its measured acceleration is 8.8 seconds to 100 km/h, whereas acceleration for the 160 hp version is not measured. Their top speeds are 220 km/h and 200 km/h respectively, giving the 205 hp version a 20 km/h advantage.
No city, highway, or combined fuel-consumption figure was measured for any of the 4 versions. An mpg comparison is therefore not possible from the available data. CO₂ output and environmental class are also not measured for every version.
Mazda Sentia dimensions, weight, and capacity
| Generation and version | Kerb weight | Gross weight | Ground clearance | Fuel tank | Wheel sizes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 generation — 2.5 AT | 1,600 kg | not measured | 150 mm | 70 L | not measured |
| 1 generation — 3.0 AT | 1,640 kg | not measured | 150 mm | 70 L | not measured |
| 2 generation — 3.0 AT, 160 hp | 1,530 kg | not measured | 130 mm | 70 L | not measured |
| 2 generation — 3.0 AT, 205 hp | 1,600 kg | not measured | 130 mm | 70 L | not measured |
The 2 generation 3.0 AT with 160 hp is the lightest listed Sentia at 1,530 kg. The 1 generation 3.0 AT is the heaviest at 1,640 kg, a difference of 110 kg. Every version has a 70 L fuel tank. Gross weight and wheel sizes are not measured for any version.
Weight per horsepower further separates the choices. The 1 generation 2.5 AT carries 10.0 kg per hp, compared with 8.2 kg per hp for the 1 generation 3.0 AT. The 2 generation 160 hp 3.0 AT carries approximately 9.6 kg per hp, while the 205 hp 3.0 AT carries approximately 7.8 kg per hp. The 205 hp car therefore has the strongest power-to-weight relationship in the catalogue data.
Which Mazda Sentia version should you buy?
Choose the 2 generation 3.0 AT with 205 hp if performance is the priority. It combines the quickest measured 0–100 km/h time of 8.8 seconds with 272 Nm and the best calculated figures here: approximately 69.4 hp per litre and 7.8 kg per hp. Its 220 km/h top speed is 1 km/h below the catalogue maximum, but it accelerates 0.5 seconds faster than the 200 hp 1 generation 3.0 AT.
Choose the 1 generation 3.0 AT if you want the highest listed top speed and more ground clearance. Its 221 km/h maximum is the highest of the 4 versions, while its 150 mm clearance is 20 mm greater than either 2 generation car. It also has ventilated rear discs. The trade-off is the highest kerb weight, 1,640 kg, and a 9.3-second acceleration time that trails the 205 hp car by 0.5 seconds.
Choose the 2 generation 3.0 AT with 160 hp if lower kerb weight and earlier peak torque matter more than measured acceleration. At 1,530 kg, it is 70 kg lighter than the 1 generation 2.5 AT while producing the same 160 hp. It also provides 250 Nm rather than 210 Nm, and that peak arrives at 2,500 rpm instead of 3,500 rpm. However, its 200 km/h top speed is the lowest listed, and its 0–100 km/h time is not measured.
Choose the 1 generation 2.5 AT if the smaller 2,494 cc engine and 92 fuel specification are the deciding factors. It is the only 2.5 AT and the only version using 92 fuel; all three 3.0 AT versions specify 95. Its performance is the least competitive among cars with measured acceleration, at 11.5 seconds to 100 km/h, and it has the lowest torque at 210 Nm.
Based strictly on the available Mazda Sentia specs, the 205 hp 3.0 AT from the 2 generation is the strongest all-round performance choice. The 200 hp 3.0 AT from the 1 generation is the better alternative when maximum speed, 150 mm ground clearance, and ventilated rear discs carry more weight. Reliability, interior equipment, VIP features, modifications, market availability, and sale prices are not measured in the supplied data, so they cannot support a factual recommendation.