2021 Nissan Sentra vs 2022 Nissan Altima

The 2021 Nissan Sentra, entering its eighth generation, evolved significantly since replacing the Datsun 210 in 1982. Initially starting as a sub-compact sedan, the Sentra adapted through its generations from a two-door coupe to a five-door hatchback, and even a station wagon, ultimately settling as a compact four-door sedan in its fifth generation in 2000.

The 2021 Sentra sported an athletic exterior, highlighting crisp bends and lines that replaced its earlier, more mundane look. It proudly featured Nissan's V-Motion grille with a central Nissan badge in black mesh. The horizontally arrayed headlights (with LED options) contributed to its stern, squinty appearance. Sentra offered eight exterior paint colors, with options like Monarch Orange Metallic and Scarlet Ember Tintcoat adding a lively character, plus three two-tone schemes available for SR trims. The bulging hood, fast roofline, and aggressive wheel arches housing 16-18 inch wheels gave it a sporty aura. Inside, the Sentra's layered dash and an 8-inch infotainment touchscreen above the center stack provided a user-friendly interface. Enhanced by a flat-bottomed multi-function steering wheel, the interior offered a subtly sporty and comfortable vibe. While spacious enough to seat two comfortably in the rear, the center seat was best suited for two passengers. The trunk boasted a 14.3 cubic foot capacity with a 60/40 split rear seat enhancing its practicality.

The 2022 Nissan Altima came a long way since its 1993 debut, maintaining its sporty front styling since the third generation in 2002. Featuring a low, wide stance with tall doors, distinct body lines, and a sharply sloped "floating" roofline, the Altima stood out. However, its Midnight Edition package—with its gloss black accents, LED fog lights, and 19-inch wheels—truly elevated its sportiness. Available in Gun Metallic, this package even included a glossy black-painted spoiler, turning heads confidently.

Inside, the Altima shined with comfortable Zero Gravity front seats and a thoughtfully arranged dashboard. The higher trim levels provided premium quality materials, delivering a luxury-like experience, especially noticeable compared to its entry-level trims. As for dimensions, the Altima placed mid-range among its competitors like the Toyota Camry and Honda Accord, balancing size, weight, and passenger space. Placing it within reach of every family seeking affordability, yet luxury-like finishes.

The 2021 Nissan Sentra featured a new 2.0-liter naturally aspirated four-cylinder engine that produced 149 horsepower and 146 pound-feet of torque. Connected to a front-wheel drive setup with an Xtronic CVT, the Sentra was nimble and reasonably quick, considering its 3,036 to 3,084-pound curb weight. Fuel economy ranged from 29 mpg city/39 mpg highway/33 mpg combined for S and SV models to slightly lower figures for SR models. It had scaled up in driving experience, providing a solid feel and making CVT practically unnoticeable for most drivers. The Sentra's road manners were tidy, thanks to its independent suspension and stabilizer bars, making for an almost fun ride.

Conversely, the 2022 Nissan Altima was available with either a 2.5-liter naturally aspirated engine (188 horsepower and 180 pound-feet of torque) or the 2.0-liter VC-Turbo engine boasting 248 horsepower and 273 pound-feet of torque. While the base engine came with both FWD and AWD options, the VC-Turbo only supported FWD. The Xtronic CVT was standard across the board, with paddle shifters available on the sportier SR trim. Notably, the VC-Turbo engine adapted compression ratios to enhance either performance or efficiency. The AWD variant of the 2.5-liter engine offered consistent, albeit uninspiring, acceleration with a decent ride quality aided by Active Ride Control and a well-tuned suspension.

The 2021 Sentra's interior was designed with functionality in mind, featuring an intuitively placed infotainment touchscreen and traditional control interfaces. Storage was well thought out with large door pockets, open cupholders, and a spacious glove compartment. The Zero Gravity front seats ensured comfort on long journeys, enhanced by available features like a six-way power-adjustable driver's seat and heated front seats in higher trims.

The 2022 Altima excelled as a reliable family sedan, offering comfortable seating for four, user-friendly controls, and an expansive trunk with 15.4 cubic feet of cargo space. However, the rear shelf height compromised visibility, and trunk supports potentially crushed cargo if not positioned carefully. The Altima balanced size and practicality with its 16.2-gallon fuel tank enhancing its range, making it an excellent choice for long trips.

In the 2021 Sentra, the standard audio system began with a basic AM/FM/USB setup in the S trim, stepping up to six speakers and SiriusXM in SV and SR trims. The premium Bose system with eight speakers was optional in the SR. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard across all models, joining a 7-inch touchscreen in the S and an 8-inch one in SV and SR trims. NissanConnect with a WiFi hotspot and remote access features, Amazon Alexa, and Google Assistant capabilities added tech convenience, although navigation was subscription-based on the higher trims.

The 2022 Altima catered to tech-savvy drivers with a 5-inch multi-function information display in the S trim, advancing to a 7-inch display and an 8-inch infotainment touchscreen in higher trims. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, along with SiriusXM and Bluetooth. SL trims added a nine-speaker Bose audio system, navigation, connected services powered by SiriusXM, and more. The ProPilot Assist system, available on higher trims, integrated advanced driver assistance functionalities, enhancing the overall driving experience.

The 2021 Sentra came with a comprehensive suite of safety features, including Nissan's advanced airbag system, seat-mounted side-impact airbags, and supplemental knee airbags for front passengers. Safety Shield 360 provided intelligent forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, and more. The easy-fill tire alert system was a unique highlight for convenience. NHTSA awarded the Sentra a five-star overall rating, and the IIHS named it a Top Safety Pick.

Similarly, the 2022 Altima offered robust safety features. Standard driver aids included automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, forward collision warning, and more. Safety Shield 360 was standard from the SV trim upwards, adding rear automatic braking, blind-spot warning, and rear cross-traffic alert. The FWD Altima garnered five stars from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS, underscoring its safety credentials.