2021 Nissan Sentra vs 2021 BMW 3 Series

The 2021 BMW 3 Series returned to its traditional familial look, reminiscent of the classic E30 3 Series. However, the G20 3 Series appeared stuffy, with a large, oddly-shaped grille that seemed out of place on the smaller sedan. The interior design was nice but marred by unimpressive materials, with plastic trim and fake-looking Ash wood. Leather upholstery was optional, and the standard synthetic Sensatec material didn't elevate the cabin's luxury feel.

In contrast, the 2021 Nissan Sentra sported an athletic exterior with crisp lines and a bold V-Motion grille. The car's expressive headlights and various paint options, including two-tone schemes, added to its appeal. Inside, the Sentra featured a layered dash with an 8-inch infotainment touchscreen and a flat-bottomed steering wheel. The second row was roomy, though better suited for two passengers. The trunk offered 14.3 cubic feet of cargo space, with a 60/40 split-folding rear seat for added versatility.

The 2021 BMW 3 Series offered three powertrains: a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine in the 330i, producing 255 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque; a 330e plug-in hybrid with a combined output of 288 hp and 310 lb-ft; and a turbo inline-six in the M340i, producing 382 hp and 369 lb-ft. All models featured an eight-speed automatic transmission, with rear-wheel drive or xDrive all-wheel drive options. The M340i could accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in 4.2 seconds, while the base 330i took 5.6 seconds. Despite its technical prowess, the 330e's driving experience was less engaging, with a clunky transition from electric to gasoline power and a lack of connection to the road.

The 2021 Nissan Sentra came with a 2.0-liter naturally aspirated four-cylinder engine, producing 149 horsepower and 146 pound-feet of torque. It featured front-wheel drive and an Xtronic CVT, delivering adequate performance for commuting and city driving. The Sentra's fuel economy was 29 mpg city/39 mpg highway/33 mpg combined for S and SV models, and 28 mpg city/37 mpg highway/32 mpg combined for SR models. The car's suspension and steering provided tidy road manners and almost fun cornering, making it a well-balanced choice for its intended purpose.

The 2021 BMW 3 Series offered better-than-average interior space for a small luxury sedan, with the best rear headroom in the segment and above-average front headroom. However, legroom was average, and shoulder room was less generous than competitors like the Acura TLX. Gasoline models had 17 cubic feet of cargo space, but the 330e plug-in hybrid's battery pack reduced this to 13.2 cubic feet. The trunk's long-and-narrow shape required an awkward reach to maximize space, though a 40/20/40 split-folding rear seat was standard. The cockpit was well-designed, with a touchscreen positioned for easy access and good outward visibility.

The 2021 Nissan Sentra's interior featured well-placed controls, a traditional gear selector, open cupholders, and ample storage. Two USB-A ports, one USB-C port, and a 12-volt port were conveniently located at the bottom of the center stack. The Zero Gravity front bucket seats provided comfort on long rides, and the $2,270 Premium Package on SV and SR models added power-adjustable seats, heated front seats, and a power-sliding glass moonroof. The Sentra's practical design made it a comfortable choice for long trips.

The 2021 BMW 3 Series came with the standard iDrive infotainment system, featuring an 8.8-inch touchscreen, Bluetooth, and USB ports. Gasoline models included Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, while the 330e only had CarPlay. The optional Live Cockpit Professional system added a digital instrument cluster, navigation, and a head-up display. The system was user-friendly, with high-quality graphics and responsive controls. BMW offered multiple control options, including the iDrive controller, steering wheel controls, voice assistant, and gesture controls.

The 2021 Nissan Sentra's standard audio system included AM/FM/USB with four speakers in the S, upgraded to six speakers and SiriusXM in SV and SR models. An optional Bose system with eight speakers was available in the SR. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard across all models, with a 7-inch touchscreen in the S and an 8-inch touchscreen in SV and SR models. NissanConnect services, available on SR models, included a WiFi hotspot, remote access via a smartphone app, and integration with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant for voice commands.

The 2021 BMW 3 Series received a "Top Safety Pick" award from the IIHS, with top "Good" scores in all crash tests. However, headlight scores were mixed, and the optional Active Driving Assistant Professional system scored lower in vehicle-to-pedestrian front-crash prevention. The NHTSA had not published safety ratings for the 2021 3 Series. Standard safety features included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and lane-departure warning. Additional packages offered adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and a 360-degree camera system.

The 2021 Nissan Sentra came with a comprehensive array of standard safety features, including multiple airbags, a tire pressure monitoring system with Easy-Fill Tire Alert, and Nissan Safety Shield 360. Standard driver assistance features included intelligent forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, lane departure warning, rear automatic braking, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and more. SV and SR models featured intelligent cruise control, and SR models could be upgraded with a 360-degree camera system. The Sentra received a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS.