2021 Nissan Sentra vs 2020 Honda Accord

The 2020 Honda Accord was recognized for its stylish design, which some might have found polarizing due to its front styling and rounded roofline. Despite this, it was considered one of the most stylish Accords in history, offering an upscale appearance for a mainstream family sedan. The car's visual appeal was enhanced by the 19-inch alloy wheels available on the Touring, Sport 2.0, and Touring 2.0 trims, while other versions with 17-inch wheels offered a more economical choice. The Accord was available in several trims, including LX, Sport, EX-L, and Touring, with prices ranging from $28,705 to $40,405. Inside, the Accord boasted high-quality materials, with soft touchpoints, good-feeling leather, and realistic matte-finish simulated wood.

The 2021 Nissan Sentra, entering its eighth generation, showcased an athletic exterior with crisp lines and a bold V-Motion grille. It offered a range of six exterior paint colours, including vibrant options like Monarch Orange Metallic and Electric Blue. The SR trim featured two-tone paint schemes, enhancing its design appeal. The Sentra's interior was noted for its expansive feel, with an 8-inch infotainment touchscreen on SV and SR trims. The flat-bottomed steering wheel added a sporty touch, and the second row provided ample space, though best suited for two passengers. The trunk offered 404 litres of cargo space, with a 60/40 split rear seat for additional storage flexibility.

The 2020 Honda Accord offered a standard turbocharged 1.5-litre four-cylinder engine producing 192 horsepower and 192 lb-ft of torque, paired with a CVT and front-wheel drive. For those seeking efficiency, the 212-horsepower hybrid powertrain was impressive, averaging 5.5 L/100 km. The turbocharged 2.0-litre engine, delivering 252 horsepower and 273 lb-ft of torque, provided a thrilling driving experience, especially with the ten-speed automatic transmission. The Accord's adaptive dampers and 19-inch tires enhanced its handling, while the steering was accurate and well-weighted. However, the brakes could have used some improvement, particularly during mountain descents.

The 2021 Nissan Sentra featured a 2.0-litre naturally aspirated engine with 149 horsepower and 146 lb-ft of torque, paired with a CVT and front-wheel drive. The Sentra's lightweight design contributed to its adequate performance for city driving, with fuel consumption figures of 8.0 L/100 km city and 6.0 highway for S and SV models. The Sentra's suspension and steering provided tidy road manners and enjoyable cornering. While not as powerful as the Accord, the Sentra's engine offered a balance of efficiency and performance suitable for its intended purpose.

The 2020 Honda Accord was essentially a full-size car, offering more rear-seat legroom and cargo space than its competitors. The 12-way power driver's seat provided comfort, while the rear seat was exceptionally comfortable with wide doors for easy access. The trunk offered 473 litres of space, accommodating full-size suitcases. The Accord's interior featured ample storage, clear instrumentation, and ergonomic controls, making it a pleasant environment, except for the lack of a height adjuster on the front passenger seat.

The 2021 Nissan Sentra's interior was well-organized, with a traditional gear selector, open cupholders, and ample storage. The Zero Gravity front seats provided comfort for long rides, and heated front seats were standard. The SR Premium grade offered a six-way power-adjustable driver's seat and a power-sliding glass moonroof. The Sentra's interior design and features made it a comfortable choice for long journeys.

The 2020 Honda Accord's 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system was praised for its user-friendly design, featuring volume and tuning knobs, main menu shortcut buttons, and smartphone connectivity. The Touring trim added HondaLink services, a Wi-Fi hotspot, navigation, and wireless charging. However, the system lacked natural voice recognition, requiring specific prompts for accurate responses. A head-up display was standard on the Touring trim, enhancing visibility.

The 2021 Nissan Sentra offered a standard audio system with four speakers, upgraded to six speakers and SiriusXM on SV and SR trims. The SR Premium featured a Bose system with eight speakers. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, with a 7-inch touchscreen on the S trim and an 8-inch touchscreen on SV and SR trims. Navigation was not available, but smartphone connectivity provided access to navigation apps.

The 2020 Honda Accord was a Top Safety Pick by the IIHS and received five stars from the NHTSA. Honda Sensing was standard, offering features like forward collision warning, lane departure warning, and adaptive cruise control. Blind-spot monitoring was reserved for the Touring trim. Some systems, like adaptive cruise control, could have been smoother, and the lane departure warning system's steering wheel wobble was less effective than a vibration.

The 2021 Nissan Sentra included a comprehensive array of safety features, such as advanced airbags, a tire pressure monitoring system, and Nissan Safety Shield 360. This included forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and blind-spot warning. The Sentra received a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS.