2021 Honda Civic vs 2021 Nissan Sentra

The 2021 Honda Civic continued to build on its legacy of setting benchmarks in the compact car segment. Over the years, Honda introduced several segment-defining models, with the 2021 version maintaining its reputation for quality and style. The Civic was available in various formats, including the four-door sedan, five-door hatchback, and the performance-oriented Civic Type R. However, the two-door coupe was discontinued, and the sporty Civic Si was on hiatus. The Civic sedan came in LX, EX, Sport, and Touring trims, with prices ranging from $23,400 to $29,200 CAD, excluding destination charges. The Touring trim, tested in Cosmic Blue Metallic, offered a blend of style and practicality, though its design was polarizing. The interior, while not as dramatic as when first introduced, still featured quality materials and thoughtful detailing, though the infotainment screen size was limited to 7 inches.

The 2021 Nissan Sentra, entering its eighth generation, showcased a bold and athletic exterior, a significant departure from its earlier, more conservative designs. The Sentra's front end featured the V-Motion grille and expressive headlights, giving it a serious look. Available in six exterior colours, the Sentra offered a range of customization options, including two-tone paint schemes for the SR trim. Inside, the Sentra boasted a spacious and well-organized cabin, with an 8-inch infotainment touchscreen standard on SV and SR trims. The interior materials were a step up from previous generations, with a flat-bottomed steering wheel adding a sporty touch. The Sentra's trunk offered 404 litres of cargo space, with a 60/40 split rear seat for added versatility.

The 2021 Honda Civic offered two engine options. The base models, including the LX, EX, and Sport trims, were equipped with a 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine producing 158 horsepower and 138 lb-ft of torque, paired with a CVT driving the front wheels. For those seeking more power, the turbocharged 1.5-litre four-cylinder engine, standard on the Touring trim, delivered 174 horsepower and 162 lb-ft of torque. This engine provided a spirited driving experience, complemented by the Civic's sophisticated suspension and steering. However, the CVT was a point of contention, as it could be droning and lacked the engagement of a manual or dual-clutch transmission. Despite this, the Civic excelled in fuel efficiency, averaging 6.8 L/100 km on a mixed driving loop, outperforming its official estimates.

The 2021 Nissan Sentra featured a 2.0-litre naturally aspirated four-cylinder engine, generating 149 horsepower and 146 lb-ft of torque. The Sentra was available with a CVT or a six-speed manual transmission, the latter offering a discount over the CVT models. Weighing between 1,349 and 1,411 kg, the Sentra was relatively lightweight, providing adequate performance for daily driving. Fuel consumption was competitive, with the CVT models achieving 8.0 L/100 km city and 6.0 L/100 km highway. The Sentra's driving dynamics were enhanced by its independent suspension and dual-pinion electric steering, offering a composed and enjoyable ride. While not the most powerful in its class, the Sentra struck a balance between performance and efficiency.

The 2021 Honda Civic sedan offered a spacious interior, comparable to a midsize car from a decade ago. However, its low seating position made entry and exit a bit of a workout. Once inside, the Civic provided a comfortable experience, with eight-way power adjustment for the driver's seat, though the front passenger seat lacked height adjustment. Leather upholstery was standard on the Touring trim. The rear seats offered excellent thigh support and a comfortable backrest angle, though rear air vents were absent. The centre console was a highlight, offering ample storage space and practicality. The Civic's trunk was generous, with 428 litres of space, slightly reduced in the Touring trim due to the premium sound system.

The 2021 Nissan Sentra's interior was thoughtfully designed, with well-placed features and controls. The infotainment touchscreen was positioned at the top of the centre stack, with traditional controls and a gear selector lever below. The Sentra offered ample storage, including a large glove compartment and roomy door pockets. Connectivity options included USB-A, USB-C, and a 12-volt port. The Zero Gravity front seats provided comfort on long journeys, with heated seats standard and power adjustments available on higher trims. The Sentra's trunk offered 404 litres of cargo space, with a 60/40 split rear seat for added flexibility.

The 2021 Honda Civic's technology was beginning to show its age. Standard features included a 5-inch LCD screen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Bluetooth, and HondaLink services. The Touring trim offered a 7-inch touchscreen, a 10-speaker audio system, HD Radio, SiriusXM, and navigation. While the premium sound system was a nice addition, the voice recognition system was unsophisticated, requiring specific prompts for successful operation.

The 2021 Nissan Sentra offered a straightforward audio system, starting with a four-speaker setup in the S trim, upgraded to six speakers and SiriusXM in SV and SR trims. The SR Premium offered a Bose system with eight speakers. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, along with Bluetooth and hands-free text messaging. The S trim featured a 7-inch touchscreen, while SV and SR trims had an 8-inch display. Navigation was not available, but smartphone integration provided access to navigation apps.

The 2021 Honda Civic came equipped with Honda Sensing, a suite of advanced driving assistance systems. This included adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, and lane-keeping assistance. The Civic also featured automatic high-beam headlights and a multi-angle rearview camera. LaneWatch, available on the EX trim and above, used a camera to monitor the right lane, though it had limitations. The Civic earned a Top Safety Pick designation from the IIHS and a five-star rating from the NHTSA.

The 2021 Nissan Sentra offered a comprehensive array of safety features, including a robust airbag system, tire pressure monitoring with Easy-Fill Tire Alert, and Nissan Safety Shield 360. This included forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, rear automatic braking, blind-spot warning, and rear cross-traffic alert. The Sentra also featured adaptive cruise control on SV and SR trims, with a 360-degree camera system on the SR Premium. The Sentra received a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS.