2021 Nissan Sentra vs 2021 Nissan Maxima

The 2021 Nissan Maxima, as a flagship sedan, set a bold design standard for Nissan's lineup. Its distinctive styling, featuring a "floating" roofline and "V-Motion" grille, influenced the design of other Nissan models like the Altima, Sentra, and Versa. The Maxima stood out with its daring design, reminiscent of an Art Deco locomotive, characterized by a steeply-angled front end and a massive grille. The 40th Anniversary Edition trim, although not available in Canada, offered unique features like 19-inch gloss-black alloy wheels and black exterior trim, adding to its bold aesthetic.

In contrast, the 2021 Nissan Sentra, entering its eighth generation, evolved from its sub-compact origins into a compact four-door sedan. It boasted an athletic exterior with crisp lines and a bold V-Motion grille, giving it a serious, squinty look. The Sentra offered a range of vibrant paint colours and optional two-tone schemes, enhancing its sporty appearance. Inside, the Sentra featured a spacious, well-organized interior with an 8-inch infotainment touchscreen and comfortable Zero Gravity front seats, making it a practical choice for long drives.

The 2021 Nissan Maxima was equipped with a 3.5-litre V6 engine, delivering 300 horsepower and 261 pound-feet of torque, paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT) and front-wheel drive. While not a "four-door sports car," the Maxima offered a satisfying driving experience with its quick acceleration and impressive V6 engine sound. The CVT was notably responsive, enhancing the driving experience. However, the Maxima's steering lacked precision, and it exhibited torque steer under heavy throttle, affecting its performance on twisty roads. Despite these limitations, the Maxima excelled in highway cruising, offering a quiet and comfortable ride.

The 2021 Nissan Sentra featured a 2.0-litre naturally aspirated four-cylinder engine, producing 149 horsepower and 146 pound-feet of torque. It came with front-wheel drive and an Xtronic CVT, with manual transmission options available in Canada. Weighing between 1,349 to 1,411 kilograms, the Sentra was relatively lightweight, providing adequate performance for city commuting. Its fuel efficiency was commendable, with consumption figures of 8.0 L/100 km city and 6.0 highway for S and SV models. The Sentra's driving experience was enhanced by its well-tuned suspension and dual-pinion electric steering, offering tidy road manners and enjoyable cornering.

The 2021 Nissan Maxima prioritized front-seat comfort, offering generous headroom and legroom for the driver and front passenger. However, rear-seat passengers experienced limited space, with rear headroom and legroom among the lowest in its class. The Maxima's interior design focused on the driver, providing an expansive view of the road and excellent visibility. The Zero Gravity front seats, designed for optimal support, were comfortable but could have benefited from more thigh bolstering. The Maxima's trunk offered 405 litres of cargo space, the least among its competitors.

The 2021 Nissan Sentra excelled in interior functionality, with well-placed features and a traditional gear selector lever. It offered ample storage options, including big door pockets and a roomy glove compartment. The Sentra's Zero Gravity front seats provided comfort on long journeys, with heated front seats standard. The SR Premium grade added features like a six-way power-adjustable driver's seat and a power-sliding glass moonroof. The Sentra's interior design and features made it a practical choice for everyday use.

The 2021 Nissan Maxima's technology offerings showed signs of aging. It came standard with an 8-inch touchscreen, Bluetooth, and Apple CarPlay/Android Auto compatibility. A built-in WiFi hotspot and an 11-speaker Bose audio system were also standard. However, the infotainment system's graphics appeared dated, and small icons made navigation challenging. Despite these drawbacks, the Maxima provided analog controls for climate and audio, offering an alternative to the touchscreen.

The 2021 Nissan Sentra offered a straightforward audio system, starting with a four-speaker setup in the S model and upgrading to a six-speaker system with SiriusXM in SV and SR models. The SR Premium offered a premium Bose system with eight speakers. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity were standard across all models, with a 7-inch touchscreen in the S and an 8-inch touchscreen in SV and SR models. While navigation was not available, smartphone integration provided access to navigation apps.

The 2021 Nissan Maxima received top safety ratings, earning an IIHS "Top Safety Pick+" and a five-star overall rating from NHTSA. It featured Nissan Safety Shield 360, including automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and lane-departure warning. Additional features included adaptive cruise control and a 360-degree camera system on higher trims. However, the Maxima lacked the ProPilot Assist system available in other Nissan models.

The 2021 Nissan Sentra also received high safety ratings, with a five-star overall rating from NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick from IIHS. It came with a comprehensive array of safety features, including Nissan's advanced airbag system, intelligent forward collision warning, and blind-spot warning. The Sentra's tire pressure monitoring system with Easy-Fill Tire Alert was a standout feature, simplifying tire maintenance. Adaptive cruise control and a 360-degree camera system were available on higher trims.