2021 Nissan Sentra vs 2022 Toyota Corolla

The 2021 Nissan Sentra, in its eighth generation, presented a bold and athletic exterior, a significant departure from its earlier, more conservative designs. The V-Motion grille and expressive headlights gave it a serious look, while the availability of vibrant paint colours and two-tone schemes added flair. The Sentra's interior was spacious, with a well-positioned 8-inch infotainment touchscreen and a flat-bottomed steering wheel that enhanced comfort. The rear seats were roomy, though best for two passengers, and the trunk offered a generous 404 litres of cargo space.

The 2022 Toyota Corolla, having been around since 2019 in its current generation, aimed to shed its "boring" image with extroverted styling, including scowling LED headlights and a wide grille. Different trims offered unique styling elements, such as the aggressive front fascia on SE and XSE models. The Apex Edition added a sporty body kit and model-specific wheels. Inside, the Corolla's design was simple yet appealing, though the piano black trim was prone to dust and smudges. The interior space was decent, but the steeply raked windshield and deep dashboard affected forward visibility.

The 2021 Nissan Sentra was powered by a 2.0-litre naturally aspirated four-cylinder engine, producing 149 horsepower and 146 pound-feet of torque. It featured front-wheel drive with an Xtronic CVT, though manual transmission options were available in Canada. The Sentra's lightweight design contributed to its adequate performance, with fuel consumption figures of 8.0 L/100 km city and 6.0 highway for S and SV models. The suspension and steering provided tidy road manners, making it almost fun to drive, despite its modest power output.

The 2022 Toyota Corolla offered two engine options: a 1.8-litre four-cylinder with 139 horsepower for L, LE, and XLE models, and a 2.0-litre engine with 169 horsepower for SE and XSE models. The Apex Edition featured a sport exhaust system and a manual transmission option, enhancing its sporty appeal. The Apex Edition's suspension modifications improved handling but compromised ride quality. While not a full performance model, the Apex Edition was nimble in corners, though the standard Corolla prioritized comfort over excitement.

The 2021 Nissan Sentra's interior was thoughtfully designed, with well-placed features and traditional controls. It offered ample storage, including a large glove compartment and big door pockets. The Zero Gravity front seats provided comfort on long rides, and heated front seats were standard. The SR Premium grade added features like a power-adjustable driver's seat and a moonroof, enhancing the driving experience.

The 2022 Toyota Corolla's interior offered decent headroom and legroom, though the deep dashboard affected forward visibility. The driver's seat positioning was optimized, but long-legged drivers might find knee space lacking. The Corolla's 371 litres of cargo space was less than some competitors, though it included a 60/40 split-folding rear seat. The sleek design limited storage for smaller items, and the centre console was thin, with cupholders that were not deep enough for other items.

The 2021 Nissan Sentra featured a standard audio system with four speakers, upgraded to six in SV and SR trims, with a premium Bose system available. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, along with Bluetooth and a hands-free text-messaging assistant. The SV and SR trims had an 8-inch touchscreen, though navigation was not available.

The 2022 Toyota Corolla's infotainment system was starting to show its age, with a 7-inch touchscreen on the base model and an 8-inch screen on other trims. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, but not wireless. The interface was user-friendly, though some tasks were less intuitive. The Corolla lacked novel tech features, such as a digital key, and its graphics appeared dated compared to competitors.

The 2021 Nissan Sentra came with a comprehensive suite of safety features, including multiple airbags, a tire pressure monitoring system with Easy-Fill Tire Alert, and Nissan Safety Shield 360. It received a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick from the IIHS.

The 2022 Toyota Corolla earned a Top Safety Pick+ award from the IIHS and a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA. It featured eight airbags and Toyota Safety Sense 2.0, which included forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and adaptive cruise control. Blind-spot monitoring was available on higher trims.