2021 Lexus ES vs 2022 Nissan Sentra

The 2021 Lexus ES expanded its lineup with the introduction of the ES 250, featuring a 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine and standard all-wheel drive, priced similarly to the ES 350 with a 3.5-litre V6 and front-wheel drive. The ES 300h hybrid variant offered improved fuel efficiency at a premium. The ES lineup included various packages, such as Standard, Luxury, and Ultra Luxury, with the F Sport trim adding sporty design elements. The Black Line Edition, limited to 1,500 units, featured unique styling with black accents. The ES's design, characterized by its dramatic grille and sleek lines, was complemented by a striking black and white interior, showcasing Lexus's commitment to quality and design.

The 2022 Nissan Sentra, carrying over from its 2020 redesign, presented a modern, coupe-like exterior reminiscent of a smaller Altima. The Sentra's design was a significant improvement over previous models, offering a sleek and contemporary look. Available in various bold colours, the Sentra's interior stood out with its simple yet functional layout, featuring a touchscreen as the focal point. The Sentra's trims, S, SV, and SR, offered a range of features, with the SR trim adding sporty elements and the Midnight Edition package providing dark accents. The Sentra's design and interior layout emphasized practicality and style, making it a strong contender in the compact sedan segment.

The 2021 Lexus ES 350 was powered by a 3.5-litre V6 engine, delivering 302 horsepower and 267 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The ES 350 offered driving modes including Normal, Eco, and Sport, with Sport+ and Custom modes available with the adaptive damping suspension. Lexus claimed a 0-60 mph time of 6.6 seconds, with a fuel efficiency rating of 9.4 litres per 100 kilometres in combined driving. The ES 350's performance was characterized by its unexpected competence and driving enjoyment, particularly in Sport modes, though it was not an outright sports sedan.

The 2022 Nissan Sentra featured a 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine producing 149 horsepower and 146 pound-feet of torque. In Canada, it came with a six-speed manual transmission and front-wheel drive, with a CVT available. The Sentra's performance was consistent, offering solid low-end acceleration and satisfactory highway performance. The steering was well-weighted, and the suspension handled most road conditions well, making the Sentra suitable for commuting and road trips. While not a performance standout, the Sentra provided a balanced driving experience.

The 2021 Lexus ES offered a daring interior layout with sport-bolstered front seats featuring 10-way power adjustment, heating, and ventilation. The rear seats provided good legroom and comfort, with rear air conditioning vents and an available power rear window sunshade. The trunk measured 394 litres, with a hands-free power trunk option. Storage was plentiful but oddly configured, with a wireless smartphone charger under the centre armrest.

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

The 2021 Lexus ES featured a touchpad interface that required attention to navigate, but it offered separate climate and stereo controls, dynamic voice command technology, and an optional 12.3-inch widescreen infotainment display. The ES included Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and SiriusXM, with a 10-speaker premium sound system standard and a 17-speaker Mark Levinson system available.

The 2022 Nissan Sentra came standard with a 7-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, with an 8-inch screen available on higher trims. The system featured easy menu navigation with hard buttons and volume/tuning dials. While the graphics could be updated, the lack of wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto was a drawback compared to competitors.

The 2021 Lexus ES included Lexus Safety System 2.0, featuring forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assistance, adaptive cruise control, and automatic high-beam headlights. Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert were standard on all but the base trim. The ES received a Top Safety Pick+ from the IIHS and a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA.

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