2023 Honda Accord vs 2022 Nissan Sentra

The 2022 Nissan Sentra, largely unchanged since its 2020 redesign, presented a sleek and modern exterior reminiscent of a smaller Altima. Its low-slung, coupe-like design marked a significant improvement over earlier models, which had a more traditional sedan appearance. The Sentra was available in a variety of bold colours, including blue, burnt orange, and "Scarlett Ember," with options for a contrasting black roof. Inside, the Sentra's interior was a highlight, featuring a modern yet simple layout that balanced form and function. The dashboard's trio of vents and a prominent touchscreen added an upscale touch, while the controls were user-friendly.

In contrast, the 2023 Honda Accord adopted a more technical and conservative design, moving away from the chrome-heavy look of its predecessors. The Accord EX, priced at $37,000 in Canada, featured a dark grille, LED headlights, and a Canyon River Blue paint that garnered compliments. Inside, the Accord EX offered durable cloth seats with contrast stitching and a stylish metal mesh dashboard trim. The digital instrumentation and touchscreen infotainment system reflected Honda's attention to detail, though some desirable features like a power-adjustable front passenger seat and rear air conditioning vents were missing from the EX trim.

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 standard with a six-speed manual transmission and front-wheel drive, with a CVT option available. While the engine wasn't particularly outstanding, the CVT managed power well, providing satisfactory low-end acceleration and highway performance. The Sentra's steering was well-weighted, and its cornering was sharp for a non-performance-focused car. The suspension handled most road bumps well, making it suitable for commuting and road trips.

The 2023 Honda Accord EX featured a turbocharged 1.5-litre four-cylinder engine with 192 horsepower and 192 pound-feet of torque. The CVT, powering the front wheels, was adequate, with programmed ratio changes to mimic a traditional automatic. The Accord's MacPherson strut front and multi-link rear suspension managed its weight distribution effectively, and the steering system offered good response. The Accord's fuel efficiency was rated at 7.3 litres per 100 kilometres in combined driving, though our test car returned 8.2 L/100 km due to high temperatures and continuous air conditioning use. The Accord excelled in urban and suburban environments, with excellent visibility and nimble handling.

The 2022 Nissan Sentra offered 404 litres of trunk space, expandable with a 60/40 split-fold rear bench, though the ledge created by the bench could complicate loading larger items. The Sentra's two rows of seating provided ample headroom and legroom, with comfortable front seats and decent rear legroom. The front row featured large in-door cargo trays and bottle holders, while the centre console offered plenty of storage options.

The 2023 Honda Accord boasted a spacious 473-litre trunk, easily accessible with a remote release. Inside, the Accord came standard with heated exterior mirrors, dual-zone automatic climate control, and a 10-way power-adjustable driver's seat. However, the EX trim lacked rear air conditioning vents and USB charging ports. The back seat offered excellent leg support and was easy to enter and exit, though rear passengers might miss the absent amenities.

The 2022 Nissan Sentra came with a standard 7-inch touchscreen featuring Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, with an 8-inch version available on higher trims. The system was user-friendly, with conventional hard buttons and dials, though the graphics could use updating. The lack of wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto was a drawback compared to competitors.

The 2023 Honda Accord EX included a 10.2-inch digital instrument cluster and a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system. It offered Bluetooth connectivity, wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and HondaLink connected services. The EX trim featured an eight-speaker audio system but lacked SiriusXM satellite radio. The system's physical controls were a delight, though the tuning knob's function was misleading.

The 2022 Nissan Sentra was equipped with a comprehensive suite of standard driver-assistance features, including automatic emergency braking, forward collision warning, and blind spot monitoring. It earned a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA and a "Top Safety Pick" award from the IIHS, with high ratings for crash testing and driver-assistance effectiveness.

The 2023 Honda Accord featured Honda Sensing, a suite of advanced driving assistance systems, including adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, and blind-spot monitoring. The Accord's safety features performed with accuracy and refinement, earning a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS for 2023.