2023 Toyota Crown vs 2022 Nissan Sentra

The 2022 Nissan Sentra, largely unchanged since its 2020 redesign, presented a sleek, modern exterior reminiscent of a smaller Altima. Its low-slung, coupe-like design marked a significant improvement over its predecessors, 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 was dominated by a touchscreen, complemented by easy-to-use controls and a trio of centre vents that added an upscale touch.

In contrast, the 2023 Toyota Crown stood out with its elevated ride height, reminiscent of a crossover, and a design that was more widely accepted than its predecessors. The Crown's front end was distinctive, featuring a massive grille and angular wraparound headlights. The side profile was enhanced by large wheels and a black trim piece, while the rear was rounded with a bold taillight strip. Inside, the Crown offered a modern cabin with a digital instrument panel and a large horizontal touchscreen. The interior combined hard plastics with cushioned touchpoints, and while it could have been mistaken for an entry-level luxury vehicle with improved materials, it still maintained a fancier Toyota feel.

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

The 2023 Toyota Crown offered two hybrid powertrains in Canada. The base powertrain combined a 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine with a hybrid electric motor, producing 236 horsepower and offering on-demand all-wheel drive. The Platinum trim featured the Hybrid Max powertrain, with a turbocharged 2.4-litre engine and a more powerful rear electric motor, delivering 340 horsepower. The base hybrid used a CVT, while the Hybrid Max had a six-speed automatic transmission. The Crown's ride was tuned for comfort, with the Platinum trim adding an adaptive suspension. Despite some engine drone, the cabin remained quiet, and the Crown was enjoyable to drive, though some electronic driver aids were intrusive.

The 2022 Nissan Sentra offered 404 litres of trunk space, which was competitive among small sedans. The trunk could be expanded with a 60/40 split-fold rear bench, though the ledge created by the bench could make loading larger items challenging. The Sentra's two rows of seating provided ample headroom and legroom, with comfortable front seats and decent rear seat space. The front row featured large in-door cargo trays and bottle holders, along with a centre console with cupholders and trays.

The 2023 Toyota Crown's interior varied by trim, with the XLE featuring fabric seats with SofTex trim, while the Platinum offered full leather. The front seats were comfortable for long trips, though firm cushioning could become uncomfortable over time. The driver's view was largely unobstructed, and the taller ride height provided a better view of the road. The rear seats offered ample legroom and adequate headroom, despite the tapering roofline. The Crown's trunk had a capacity of 360 litres, smaller than some competitors, but the wide and low opening made it practical for loading bulky items.

The 2022 Nissan Sentra came standard with a 7-inch touchscreen featuring Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, with the SV and SR trims offering an 8-inch version. 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, especially as competitors like the Honda Civic offered these features.

The 2023 Toyota Crown featured a 12.3-inch multimedia touchscreen with sharp graphics and quick responses. It included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, paired with a wireless charging pad. The base audio system was adequate, with an optional 11-speaker JBL system for audiophiles. The infotainment system supported over-the-air updates and featured a voice-recognition system activated by "Hey Toyota." A digital key feature was standard on the Platinum trim, allowing smartphone access to the vehicle.

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 top safety ratings from the NHTSA and IIHS, including a "Top Safety Pick" award. However, the adaptive cruise control's abrupt braking was a concern.

The 2023 Toyota Crown's safety features included collision warning, adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, and a blind-spot monitor. The Platinum trim added a semi-automated parking system. While the adaptive cruise control and lane-keep assist were well-tuned, some new features were intrusive. Crash test results were not available at the time of publication.