2021 Hyundai Sonata vs 2022 Nissan Sentra

The 2021 Hyundai Sonata presented a bold redesign that was both striking and polarizing. Its distinctive styling, from the broad grille to the tapered tail, made it unmistakably a Sonata. The N Line version enhanced this look with functional and stylistic changes, such as a restyled front fascia with larger air intakes, gloss black side mirrors, and bold 19-inch aluminum alloy wheels. The rear featured a subtle gloss black lip spoiler and a reworked bumper with a four-outlet exhaust system, giving the Sonata a stealthy performance-oriented appearance. Inside, the Sonata N Line offered sport front seats with premium Nappa leather bolsters and Dinamica suede inserts, red stitching, and dark chrome accents, creating a sporty yet refined interior atmosphere.

The 2022 Nissan Sentra carried over its 2020 redesign, offering a modern, low-slung, coupe-like exterior reminiscent of a downsized Altima. This design was a significant improvement over previous models, showcasing Nissan's current design language. The Sentra was available in various bold colours, including blue, burnt orange, and "Scarlett Ember," with some options featuring a contrasting black roof. Inside, the Sentra excelled with a modern and functional layout, highlighted by a touchscreen rising from the dash. The interior was spacious, with comfortable seating and practical storage solutions, making it a well-rounded choice for those seeking a stylish and functional compact sedan.

The 2021 Hyundai Sonata N Line was equipped with a turbocharged 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine, producing 290 horsepower at 5,800 rpm and 311 pound-feet of torque from 1,650 to 4,000 rpm. This power was managed by an eight-speed wet dual-clutch automatic transmission with paddle shifters, rev-matching, and a launch control system. The Sonata N Line offered multiple driving modes, including Normal, Sport, Sport+, and Custom, and featured an Active Sound Design engine note enhancement system. The car's sport-tuned suspension, larger brakes, and improved steering made it a joy to drive on winding roads, while its front-wheel-drive layout minimized understeer. Fuel efficiency was rated at 8.8 litres per 100 kilometres in combined driving, though real-world testing showed slightly higher consumption.

In contrast, the 2022 Nissan Sentra was powered by a 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine, delivering 149 horsepower and 146 pound-feet of torque. It came standard with a six-speed manual transmission and front-wheel drive, with a continuously variable transmission (CVT) available. The Sentra's performance was satisfactory, offering consistent low-end acceleration and decent highway performance. The steering was well-weighted, and the suspension handled most road conditions adequately. While not a performance standout, the Sentra provided a balanced driving experience suitable for daily commuting and occasional road trips.

The 2021 Hyundai Sonata N Line featured heated front sport seats with Dinamica suede inserts, providing a balance between comfort and lateral support. The front passenger seat included a manual height adjuster, enhancing comfort for both front-seat occupants. Rear-seat passengers found the Sonata slightly more accommodating than the Elantra N Line, with rear air conditioning vents and a USB port. The Sonata offered 453 litres of trunk space, with a 60/40-split folding rear seat for added utility. The hands-free trunk release was a convenient feature, though the lack of an interior handle could be inconvenient.

The 2022 Nissan Sentra provided 404 litres of trunk space, expandable with a 60/40 split-fold rear bench. However, the rear bench created a ledge, potentially complicating the loading of larger items. The Sentra's trunk could be opened remotely via the key fob or a dash button. Inside, the Sentra offered spacious seating with ample headroom and legroom in both rows. The front row featured large in-door cargo trays and bottle holders, while the centre console provided plenty of storage options.

The 2021 Hyundai Sonata N Line came with a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation panel and a 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system. Standard features included onboard navigation, wireless smartphone charging, and a Bose premium sound system. The infotainment system supported HD Radio, SiriusXM, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Bluetooth, though it lacked a WiFi hotspot. The absence of a tuning knob and the placement of the volume control knob were minor inconveniences. The system also offered Sounds of Nature, providing ambient noise tracks for a calming driving experience.

The 2022 Nissan Sentra featured a standard 7-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, while the SV and SR trims offered an 8-inch screen. The system included USB ports and Bluetooth connectivity, with easy menu navigation and conventional hard buttons. However, the graphics could use updating, and the lack of wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto was a drawback compared to some competitors.

The 2021 Hyundai Sonata N Line was equipped with a comprehensive suite of advanced driving assistance systems (ADAS), including adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and more. It also featured a Rear Occupant Alert system and a Safe Exit Warning system. The Sonata received high safety ratings, though the N Line had not been independently tested by the NHTSA or IIHS at the time of review.

The 2022 Nissan Sentra came with standard driver-assistance features such as forward and reverse automatic emergency braking, forward collision warning, and blind spot monitoring. Additional features included a surround-view parking monitor and adaptive cruise control. The Sentra earned a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA and a "Top Safety Pick" award from the IIHS, with high ratings for crash testing and driver-assistance effectiveness.