2021 Nissan Sentra vs 2020 Hyundai Elantra

The 2020 Hyundai Elantra retained its bold styling from the previous year, which was a significant departure from its earlier Genesis Jr. design cues. This model year did not introduce any visual changes, maintaining the geometric-influenced appearance that set the stage for the upcoming 2021 model. The Elantra was available in five versions: Essential, Preferred, Luxury, Ultimate, and Sport, with prices ranging from $17,099 to $27,549, excluding a $1,825 destination charge. The Elantra Ultimate test vehicle showcased a striking black paint job that highlighted its angular design elements, such as the headlights and fog lights, while contrasting with the chrome grille and detailing. Inside, the Elantra's interior was updated to offer a more upscale look, featuring silver trim on various components, though it still contained some hard plastics typical of a mainstream compact car.

The 2021 Nissan Sentra, entering its eighth generation, presented an athletic exterior with crisp lines and a bold V-Motion grille, giving it a more dynamic look compared to its predecessors. The Sentra offered six exterior paint colours, including vibrant options like Monarch Orange Metallic and Electric Blue, with SR trims available in two-tone paint schemes. The car's design was further enhanced by a bulging hood, fast roofline, and muscular wheel arches, contributing to its agile 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 added a sporty touch. The second row provided ample space for two passengers, and the trunk offered 404 litres of cargo capacity, with a 60/40 split-folding rear seat for added versatility.

The 2020 Hyundai Elantra came with a base 147-horsepower, 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine paired with a new continuously variable transmission (CVT), replacing the previous six-speed automatic. The CVT, branded as an "Intelligent Variable Transmission," featured a chain belt and wide-ratio pulley system for improved efficiency and responsiveness. However, real-world testing showed an average fuel consumption of 8.0 L/100 km, falling short of the expected 6.8 L/100 km. The Elantra Sport trim offered a more powerful 1.6-litre turbo engine with 201 horsepower and 195 lb-ft of torque, along with an independent rear suspension for better handling. Despite these options, the standard Elantra's torsion beam axle rear suspension detracted from ride quality, making it less enjoyable to drive compared to the Sport variant.

The 2021 Nissan Sentra featured a new 2.0-litre naturally aspirated four-cylinder engine producing 149 horsepower and 146 lb-ft of torque, paired with an Xtronic CVT. The Sentra's lightweight design, with curb weights ranging from 1,349 to 1,411 kilograms, contributed to its adequate performance for daily commuting. Fuel consumption ratings were competitive, with the S and SV models achieving 7.1 L/100 km combined, while the SR models recorded 7.3 L/100 km. The Sentra's driving experience was enhanced by its four-wheel independent suspension and dual-pinion electric steering, providing tidy road manners and cornering capabilities. While not the most powerful, the Sentra's engine offered a balanced blend of efficiency and performance for its intended purpose.

The 2020 Hyundai Elantra was known for its spacious interior, comfortably accommodating four adults, with a fifth person fitting in for short trips. The test car featured power driver’s seat adjustment, leather upholstery, and a sliding centre console armrest for added comfort. Upper trims included dual-zone automatic climate control and heated front seats, though rear passengers lacked air conditioning vents. The Elantra's trunk offered 407 litres of space, nearly matching some midsize sedans, and included a convenient interior grab handle for easy closure.

The 2021 Nissan Sentra's interior was thoughtfully designed, with well-placed features such as the infotainment touchscreen and traditional gear selector lever. The car offered ample storage, including a big glove compartment, roomy covered storage beneath the centre armrest, and large door pockets. The Sentra's Zero Gravity front bucket seats provided comfort on long rides, and heated front seats were standard. The SR Premium grade added a six-way power-adjustable driver’s seat with power lumbar support and a power-sliding glass moonroof, enhancing the overall driving experience.

The 2020 Hyundai Elantra came equipped with a touchscreen infotainment system, Bluetooth, and a USB port as standard. The base Essential trim featured a 5-inch screen, while the Preferred trim offered a 7-inch display with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and SiriusXM satellite radio. The Ultimate trim included an 8-inch touchscreen, wireless charging pad, and a premium Infinity sound system with Clari-Fi technology. The infotainment system was user-friendly, with shortcut buttons and volume/tuning knobs for easy navigation.

The 2021 Nissan Sentra's standard audio system included AM/FM/USB with four speakers in the S trim, upgraded to six speakers and SiriusXM capability in SV and SR trims. The SR Premium offered a premium Bose system with eight speakers. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity were standard across all trims, along with Bluetooth audio and hands-free features. The S trim featured a 7-inch touchscreen, while SV and SR trims had an 8-inch display. Although navigation was not available, smartphone integration allowed access to navigation apps via the touchscreen interface.

The 2020 Hyundai Elantra offered advanced driving assistance systems on the Preferred trim, including forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, lane-keeping assist, and a driver attention monitor. The Ultimate grade added full LED headlights, adaptive cruise control, pedestrian detection, and Safe Exit Assist. The Elantra earned a Top Safety Pick from the IIHS with LED headlights and a four-star overall rating from the NHTSA, though there was a concern about rear-door intrusion during side-impact tests.

The 2021 Nissan Sentra came with a comprehensive suite of standard safety features, including multiple airbags, a tire pressure monitoring system with Easy-Fill Tire Alert, and Nissan Safety Shield 360. This included intelligent forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, rear automatic braking, blind-spot warning, and more. 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.