2021 Nissan Altima vs 2022 Nissan Sentra

The 2021 Nissan Altima presented a bold and cohesive design, characterized by its V-Motion grille, which was available in chrome or dark chrome, depending on the trim level. Its sleek, aerodynamic profile was enhanced by a sloping "coupe-like" roofline, although the car's stance appeared slightly old-fashioned due to its short dash-to-axle distance. Despite this, modern features like LED lighting and alloy wheels ranging from 17 to 19 inches kept the Altima's appearance contemporary. The fit and finish were exceptional, with deep lustrous paint and rich chrome details available in six exterior colours, each with unique names. Inside, the Altima's dashboard was uncluttered, featuring a standard 8-inch touchscreen display. The interior materials improved with higher trims, offering a more premium feel.

The 2022 Nissan Sentra, largely unchanged from its 2020 redesign, resembled a downsized Altima with its low-slung, coupe-like, and modern exterior. It was a significant improvement over previous models, aligning with Nissan's current design language. The Sentra was available in various bold colours, including a contrasting black roof option. Inside, the Sentra excelled with a modern yet simple layout, combining form and function. The controls were user-friendly, and the centre dash featured a trio of vents and a touchscreen as the visual centrepiece. The Sentra offered three trims: S, SV, and SR, each with increasing levels of features, including wheel upgrades, premium upholstery, and advanced infotainment systems. Special editions like the Midnight Edition package added unique styling elements.

The 2021 Nissan Altima in Canada was equipped with a naturally aspirated 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine, delivering 182 horsepower and 178 pound-feet of torque. It featured Nissan's Xtronic CVT and standard all-wheel drive, a rarity among mid-size sedans in Canada. The AWD system was front-wheel biased but could send up to 50% of torque to the rear wheels when needed. Fuel consumption ratings were 9.1 L/100 km city, 6.5 highway, and 7.9 combined for the base model, with slightly higher figures for the SR and Platinum grades. The Altima's suspension setup included four-wheel independent suspension with stabilizer bars, providing decent feedback and feel.

The 2022 Nissan Sentra was powered by a 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine, producing 149 horsepower and 146 pound-feet of torque. In Canada, it came with a standard six-speed manual transmission and front-wheel drive, with a CVT option available. The Sentra's performance was satisfactory, offering solid low-end acceleration and consistent high-and-low-speed performance. The steering was well-weighted, and cornering was sharp for a non-performance-focused car. The suspension handled most road conditions well, making the Sentra suitable for commuting and road trips.

The 2021 Nissan Altima featured Nissan's Zero Gravity front seats, praised for their comfort on long drives. Standard features included power adjustment and front seat heating, with additional options like position memory and leather appointments on higher trims. The front cabin offered ample storage, including a large glovebox, centre console storage, and door pockets. The rear seats provided sufficient headroom and legroom for two adults, with a 60/40 split-folding design for trunk access. The trunk had a capacity of 436 litres.

The 2022 Nissan Sentra offered 404 litres of trunk space, expandable with a 60/40 split-fold rear bench. However, the rear bench created a ledge, making it challenging to slide larger items through. The trunk could be remotely opened via the key fob or a dash button. The Sentra's seating was spacious, with comfortable front seats and decent rear legroom. The front row featured large in-door cargo trays and bottle holders, while the centre console provided ample cupholders and trays.

The 2021 Nissan Altima came with standard tech features, including Nissan Intelligent Key keyless entry, pushbutton start, remote engine start, Bluetooth, and a rear-view camera. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, along with an 8-inch NissanConnect touchscreen infotainment system and a 7-inch advanced Drive-Assist display. Higher trims included SiriusXM satellite radio, a Bose audio system, and Nissan Door to Door Navigation with trial access to premium services.

The 2022 Nissan Sentra featured a standard 7-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, with an 8-inch version on higher trims. The infotainment system was user-friendly, with conventional hard buttons and dials. However, the graphics needed updating, and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were absent, unlike some competitors.

The 2021 Nissan Altima included Nissan Safety Shield 360, a comprehensive suite of driver-assist features, standard on all models. It featured automatic emergency braking, rear cross-traffic alert, blind-spot warning, and more. The Platinum grade offered ProPilot Assist for highway driving assistance. The Altima received a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick + rating from the IIHS.

The 2022 Nissan Sentra came with standard driver-assistance features, including automatic emergency braking, forward collision warning, and blind spot monitoring. Additional features like a surround-view parking monitor and adaptive cruise control were available. 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 driver-assistance effectiveness.