2020 BMW 3 Series vs 2021 Nissan Sentra

The 2020 BMW 3 Series introduced a sense of grandeur and sophistication comparable to the majestic humpback whales that captivate onlookers during whale-watching tours. The sleek, lidded headlights, curved hood, wide lower air intakes, and an oversized grille gave the 3 Series a somewhat aquatic appearance. Its design elements were distinctive, adding to its high-end allure. Starting at $40,750 for a base 330i and reaching up to $56,000 for the M340i xDrive, with my test car priced at $69,570 including additional options, the 3 Series catered to an affluent audience. Despite the high price, the driving experience, especially with the M340i trim, justified the cost. The interior offered customizable options with various colors and materials, exemplified by the off-white Ivory leather in the test car, which contrasted beautifully with the Tanzanite Blue exterior. This combination, along with high-quality materials and superior build quality, solidified the BMW 3 Series as a vehicle that prioritized not only function but also an upscale look and feel.

Conversely, the 2021 Nissan Sentra took great strides with its athletic and bold exterior, which was a far cry from the bland designs of its earlier models. Starting as a sub-compact sedan in 1982, the Sentra evolved into a compact four-door sedan since the fifth generation in 2000. Its V-Motion grille, expressive headlights, and muscular wheel arches enhanced its sporty persona. Available in eight exterior paint colors, including eye-catching options like Monarch Orange Metallic and Scarlet Ember Tintcoat, the Sentra aimed to attract attention. More affordable than BMW, the car's pricing reflected its compact, practical roots and mainstream appeal. Inside, the Sentra featured a layered dashboard and an 8-inch infotainment touchscreen on higher trims, enhancing its modern aesthetic. The texture of the interior materials surpassed previous models, adding a touch of premium feel. Even the flat-bottomed steering wheel contributed to the sporty, comfortable driving experience that was surprisingly roomy for a car of its class. However, back-seat comfort was optimized for two passengers due to the limited center seat space.

The previous-generation BMW 3 Series faced criticism for not meeting the expected driving dynamics, particularly after replacing hydraulic steering with electric steering in 2012. However, by 2016, BMW made significant improvements, particularly with a redesign that reinstated a degree of the car’s former glory. The latest iteration with the M340i trim took performance to another level with a turbocharged 3.0-liter inline 6-cylinder engine producing 382 horsepower and 369 pound-feet of torque. This powerhouse enabled the M340i xDrive to sprint from 0 to 60 mph in just 4.1 seconds. Accompanying this performance were structural and suspension advancements, including variable sport steering and M Adaptive underpinnings, resulting in a car that's both agile and exhilarating to drive. The only letdown for purists was the absence of a manual transmission, replaced by an 8-speed automatic. Nonetheless, the efficient and responsive paddle shifters made up for this, offering a rewarding drive.

In contrast, the 2021 Nissan Sentra's performance was more oriented toward efficiency and everyday use. Equipped with a 2.0-liter naturally aspirated four-cylinder engine that generated 149 horsepower and 146 pound-feet of torque, it wasn't designed to outperform sportier models, but it delivered adequate performance for daily commutes. The Sentra's front-wheel-drive setup paired with an Xtronic CVT aimed for smoother and efficient driving rather than exhilarating speed. Fuel economy figures were impressive: 29 mpg city/39 mpg highway for the S and SV trims, and slightly lower at 28 mpg city/37 mpg highway for the SR trim. The Sentra's suspension and steering setup provided respectable handling and cornering for its segment, enhancing the driving experience without compromising comfort. While it lacked the raw power of the BMW, the Sentra’s balance between performance and efficiency made it a practical choice for many drivers.

The 2020 BMW 3 Series prioritized driver and passenger comfort with front seats that were both supportive and plush, equipped to handle spirited driving and long journeys alike. The seats, covered in high-quality leather and other premium materials, featured heaters to combat winter chills, though it lacked ventilated seats for summer comfort. Rear-seat entry could be somewhat awkward, but once seated, passengers enjoyed superb comfort and support. Despite some ergonomic quirks, such as integrated climate controls and cryptic digital instrumentation, the car’s infotainment system was top-notch, providing a seamless user experience. Storage was also abundant, with a particularly innovative covered bin housing a wireless smartphone charger. The trunk offered 17 cubic feet of cargo space, which, while officially generous, appeared limited when accommodating larger luggage.

The 2021 Nissan Sentra, meanwhile, excelled in practical design. Its interior housed a well-arranged infotainment touchscreen, traditional and user-friendly controls, and multiple storage solutions, including open cupholders, a large glove compartment, and a spacious center armrest. Connectivity was well-handled with USB-A, USB-C, and 12-volt ports positioned conveniently. The thoughtful placement minimized clutter and kept connected devices out of sight. Nissan’s Zero Gravity front seats lived up to their comfort-oriented reputation, particularly useful for long drives. The Premium Package added features like power-adjustable seats, leather or Prima-Tex seating, and a moonroof, further elevating the comfort level. Cargo capacity was 14.3 cubic feet, with the rear seats offering additional flexibility thanks to their 60/40 split-folding capability. While less capacious than the BMW, the Sentra’s trunk catered well to everyday needs.

The latest generation iDrive system in the 2020 BMW 3 Series bore little resemblance to its complicated predecessor from two decades ago. It featured multiple interaction methods, including a touchscreen, natural voice recognition, gesture control, and traditional knob and buttons. While the controls on the flat pad required some adjustment, the touchscreen’s intuitive interface and responsive menu pathways ensured ease of use. Gesture control, though gimmicky to some, offered a unique way to manage basic functions like volume adjustment. The standout was the "Hey, BMW" voice recognition system, which could handle various commands related to navigation, climate control, and entertainment. Additionally, the head-up display functioned even with polarized sunglasses, albeit faintly, showing BMW’s progression in making technology practical yet cutting-edge.

In the 2021 Nissan Sentra, base models came with a simple yet functional audio system, upgrading in higher trims to a Bose system with eight speakers and optional premium features like SiriusXM. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard across all trims, enabling seamless smartphone integration. The 7-inch touchscreen in the S model extended to an 8-inch touchscreen in SV and SR models, sitting atop the center stack for easy access. While navigation required a subscription to NissanConnect services and was exclusive to SR models, the connectivity options allowed smartphones to bridge the gap, providing navigation through familiar, user-friendly apps. NissanConnect also included a WiFi hotspot and remote access to car functions, which could be controlled via Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant, adding convenience to the tech package that only fell short in its limited availability to base models.

Equipping the BMW 3 Series with the latest advanced driving assistance systems required opting for two Driving Assistance packages. Although useful and mostly accurate, these systems sometimes lacked smooth operation. Given the sheer driving pleasure the 3 Series offered, many drivers might find little motivation to rely heavily on automated systems. However, the lane-keeping assist did exemplify a no-nonsense attitude, almost urging drivers to stay engaged. The 3 Series also received high marks for safety, achieving a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS when equipped with the adaptive full LED headlights, reassuring buyers of its protective capabilities.

Safety was a strong suit for the 2021 Nissan Sentra, which came standard with a comprehensive array of safety features across all trims. These included an advanced airbag system, tire pressure monitoring with an Easy-Fill Tire Alert, and Nissan Safety Shield 360, which encompassed essential driver assistance systems like forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and more. Higher trims featured intelligent cruise control and an optional 360-degree camera system on the SR trim. The Sentra’s robust safety package earned it a five-star overall rating from NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick from IIHS, demonstrating its commitment to passenger safety.