2020 Honda Civic vs 2021 Nissan Sentra

The 2020 Honda Civic was celebrated as a standout in Honda's lineup, offering a blend of affordability and engineering excellence reminiscent of higher-end brands like BMW. It was available in three body styles—sedan, coupe, and hatchback—each showcasing a sharp design that belied its compact size. The sedan featured an elegant, elongated body with a svelte roofline, while the hatchback had a slightly quirky tall rump. The Civic's exterior was visually stimulating, with body panel creases, wide headlights, and sweeping LED taillights accentuating its low and wide stance. The 2020 model carried over the grille, bumper, and wheel upgrades from the previous year, with additional enhancements for the Si sedan and coupe, including matte-black 18-inch wheels and LED lighting options. Inside, the Civic boasted a simple yet high-quality interior, with soft-touch materials and pleasing design elements like gloss-black trim and a pulsing red start button. The 2020 updates included new dash accents and revised sport seats for the Si model.

The 2021 Nissan Sentra entered its eighth generation with a bold, athletic exterior, marked by crisp lines and the signature V-Motion grille. It offered a range of six exterior paint colours, including vibrant options like Monarch Orange Metallic and Electric Blue, with SR trims featuring two-tone paint schemes. The Sentra's design was characterized by a bulging hood, fast roofline, and muscular wheel arches, giving it an agile and fun appearance. Inside, the Sentra featured a layered dash with an 8-inch infotainment touchscreen on SV and SR trims, and a flat-bottomed steering wheel for added comfort. The second row was spacious, though best suited for two passengers, and the trunk offered 404 litres of cargo space, with a 60/40 split for larger items. The Sentra's interior was practical, with well-placed features and comfortable Zero Gravity front seats, making it suitable for long journeys.

The 2020 Honda Civic offered a range of engines and transmissions, all front-wheel drive. The base engine was a 2.0-litre inline 4-cylinder with 158 horsepower and 138 pound-feet of torque, paired with a six-speed manual or an optional CVT. The 1.5-litre turbocharged engine, standard on the hatchback and available on higher trims, delivered 174 to 180 horsepower, with the Si model boosting it to 205 hp and the Type R reaching 306 hp. The Civic's powertrains were praised for their smoothness and responsiveness, with the CVT providing efficient performance. The Si model featured adaptive dampers for improved handling, while the Type R offered a thrilling driving experience. Fuel efficiency varied, with the Si rated at 8.9 L/100 km city and 6.4 highway, while most CVT models achieved around 8.0 L/100 km city and 6.0 highway.

The 2021 Nissan Sentra came with a new 2.0-litre naturally aspirated engine producing 149 horsepower and 146 pound-feet of torque, paired with a front-wheel-drive system and an Xtronic CVT. Manual transmission options were available for the S and SR trims, offering cost savings. The Sentra's lightweight design contributed to its adequate performance for city driving, with fuel consumption rated at 8.0 L/100 km city and 6.0 highway for S and SV models. The Sentra's driving experience was enhanced by its well-sorted CVT and independent suspension, providing tidy road manners and cornering. While not the most powerful, the Sentra's 149 hp offered a balance of efficiency and practicality.

The 2020 Honda Civic offered a spacious interior with practical features like a volume knob and improved cupholders. The hatchback had enhanced sound insulation, and the EX hatchback featured an eight-way power-adjustable driver's seat. The steering wheel housed controls for the central display and instrument panel, while the centre console provided configurable storage options. Rear passenger space was generous, though lacking rear air vents. The sedan's trunk offered 416 litres of cargo space, with the hatchback providing 728 litres behind the rear seats and 1,302 litres with them folded down.

The 2021 Nissan Sentra's interior was well-organized, with a traditional gear selector, open cupholders, and ample storage options. It featured multiple USB ports and a 12-volt outlet, with a small cubby for device storage. The Sentra's Zero Gravity front seats provided comfort for long drives, with heated front seats standard and power-adjustable options available on higher trims. The SR Premium grade included Prima-Tex seating and a power-sliding glass moonroof, enhancing the overall comfort and functionality of the interior.

The 2020 Honda Civic's infotainment system was considered outdated, with a 7-inch touchscreen standard on most models, offering Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The Si model introduced Active Sound Control, which could be turned off, and featured a 450-watt, 10-speaker stereo. LaneWatch provided a live feed of the blind spot, and Honda Sensing offered a suite of safety features, including adaptive cruise control and lane-keeping assist. Higher trims included leather upholstery, rain-sensing wipers, and LED headlights.

The 2021 Nissan Sentra offered a straightforward audio system, with a 7-inch touchscreen on the S trim and an 8-inch touchscreen on SV and SR trims. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, along with Bluetooth connectivity. The SR Premium trim featured a Bose audio system with eight speakers. While navigation was not available, smartphone integration allowed access to navigation apps. The Sentra's technology package provided a user-friendly experience with essential connectivity features.

The 2020 Honda Civic came equipped with Honda Sensing, which included forward collision warning, emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, and adaptive cruise control. The Civic earned a Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS for all body styles except the Type R, which wasn't tested. It received a five-star rating from the NHTSA, with a four-star rating for the passenger frontal crash on the coupe.

The 2021 Nissan Sentra featured a comprehensive safety package, including advanced airbags, a tire pressure monitoring system with Easy-Fill Tire Alert, and Nissan Safety Shield 360. This included forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, and blind-spot monitoring. The Sentra received a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS, highlighting its strong safety credentials.