2021 Nissan Sentra vs 2020 Toyota Corolla

The 2020 Toyota Corolla, despite its alien-like exterior design, offered a more appealing look when equipped with the SE or XSE trim and the Celestite paint colour. The interior saw significant improvements in quality, with soft-touch surfaces replacing the previously cheap plastics. However, the transmission shifter reminded drivers of its economy car status, lacking the solid feel found in competitors like Hyundai or Kia. The Corolla's pricing started at $18,990, with various trims available, including a hybrid option for those prioritizing fuel efficiency.

The 2021 Nissan Sentra, entering its eighth generation, showcased an athletic exterior with a bold V-Motion grille and expressive headlights. It offered a range of vibrant paint colours and two-tone options for the SR trim. Inside, the Sentra featured a spacious and well-organized cabin with an 8-inch infotainment touchscreen on higher trims. The flat-bottomed steering wheel added a sporty touch, and the rear seat provided ample room for two passengers. The Sentra's trunk offered 404 litres of cargo space, with a split-folding rear seat for added versatility.

The 2020 Toyota Corolla came with a 1.8-litre 4-cylinder engine producing 139 horsepower for the L, LE, and XLE trims, paired with a CVT. The SE and XSE trims offered a more spirited 169-horsepower, 2.0-litre engine with a sophisticated CVT and paddle shifters. The Corolla XSE provided a sporty driving experience with a smooth ride, thanks to its independent rear suspension. However, the lack of a turbocharger limited its acceleration capabilities. Fuel efficiency was rated at 7.7 L/100 km in the city and 6.1 on the highway.

The 2021 Nissan Sentra featured a 2.0-litre engine producing 149 horsepower and 146 pound-feet of torque, paired with an Xtronic CVT. It offered a six-speed manual transmission option for the S and SR trims. The Sentra's lightweight design and well-tuned CVT provided adequate performance for daily driving. Fuel consumption was rated at 8.0 L/100 km city and 6.0 highway for the S and SV models. The Sentra's driving experience was enhanced by its independent suspension and dual-pinion electric steering, offering tidy road manners and cornering.

The 2020 Toyota Corolla, while smaller than a Camry, accommodated a family of four for various trips. However, the lack of rear air-conditioning vents and USB ports, along with the low seating position, were drawbacks. The front seats were comfortable, but taller passengers faced headroom issues in the back. The Corolla's trunk offered 371 litres of space, suitable for luggage and strollers, though storage bins and cupholders were limited.

The 2021 Nissan Sentra excelled in interior functionality, with well-placed features and ample storage options. It included multiple USB ports and a 12-volt outlet, along with spacious door pockets. The Zero Gravity front seats provided comfort for long journeys, and heated front seats were standard. The SR Premium trim offered additional features like a power-adjustable driver's seat and a moonroof. The Sentra's interior design and storage solutions made it a practical choice for daily use.

The 2020 Toyota Corolla featured the Entune 3.0 infotainment system with Apple CarPlay, but not Android Auto. The system was user-friendly, with a high-mounted touchscreen and familiar controls. Higher trims offered an 8-inch display and additional connectivity features. The Entune 3.0 Plus package added advanced voice recognition and satellite radio, though iPhone users found the standard setup sufficient.

The 2021 Nissan Sentra included Apple CarPlay and Android Auto across all trims, with a 7-inch touchscreen on the S and an 8-inch on the SV and SR. The audio system ranged from a basic four-speaker setup to a premium Bose system on the SR Premium. While navigation wasn't available, smartphone integration provided access to navigation apps, making the Sentra's infotainment system versatile and user-friendly.

The 2020 Toyota Corolla came equipped with Toyota Safety Sense 2.0, offering features like low-light pedestrian detection, road-sign recognition, and Lane Tracing Assist. The system operated with refinement, though the lane-departure alert was considered irritating. The Corolla received a 5-star rating from the NHTSA and was named a Top Safety Pick by the IIHS.

The 2021 Nissan Sentra boasted a comprehensive safety suite, including Nissan Safety Shield 360 with features like automatic emergency braking, blind-spot warning, and rear cross-traffic alert. The Sentra's tire pressure monitoring system with Easy-Fill Tire Alert was a standout feature. It received a 5-star overall rating from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS.