2022 Nissan Sentra vs 2021 Hyundai Elantra

The 2021 Hyundai Elantra stood out in the compact sedan market with its bold and distinctive design, characterized by sharp creases and dramatic angles. This styling was a result of Hyundai's Sensuous Sportiness design language, which included unique features like the Z-shaped dent in the car’s doors, intended to break conventional design rules and give the Elantra a unique character. The Elantra's appearance improved with higher trim levels, offering options like the SE, SEL, N Line, and Limited, with a hybrid powertrain available for the SEL and Limited trims. Inside, the Elantra featured a driver-focused dashboard and center console, with higher trims offering a more upscale and modern look, particularly in the Limited or Hybrid Limited with its gray interior.

In contrast, the 2022 Nissan Sentra carried over its design from the 2020 redesign, presenting a modern, low-slung, coupe-like appearance reminiscent of a downsized Altima. The Sentra's exterior was a significant improvement over previous models, with a well-executed design language. It offered a variety of bold color options, including blue, burnt orange, and Scarlet Ember, with a contrasting black roof available. Inside, the Sentra excelled with a modern and functional layout, featuring easy-to-use controls and a touchscreen that served as the visual centerpiece. The Sentra's interior was spacious, with comfortable seating and ample headroom and legroom in both rows.

The 2021 Hyundai Elantra offered a range of powertrain options, including a standard 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine producing 147 horsepower and a high-performance Elantra N with a turbocharged 2.0-liter engine generating 276 horsepower. The Elantra's standard engine provided adequate power for city driving but felt underpowered on the highway. The Elantra Hybrid, with its 1.6-liter engine and electric motor, delivered 139 horsepower and offered impressive fuel efficiency, though it fell short of EPA estimates in mountainous terrain. The Elantra N Line, with its turbocharged 1.6-liter engine producing 201 horsepower, provided a sporty driving experience, while the Elantra N delivered exhilarating performance with its powerful engine and advanced features like an electronic limited-slip differential.

The 2022 Nissan Sentra featured a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine producing 149 horsepower, paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT) and front-wheel drive. While the engine was not particularly outstanding, the CVT managed power well, providing solid low-end acceleration and satisfactory highway performance. The Sentra's steering was well-weighted, and its suspension handled most road conditions adequately, making it suitable for commuting and road trips. However, the Sentra's performance was not as dynamic as the Elantra's, particularly in its sportier variants.

The 2021 Hyundai Elantra offered a spacious interior, with the EPA classifying it as a midsize car. It featured a height-adjustable driver’s seat and a tilt/telescopic steering wheel, making it easy to find a comfortable driving position. The Elantra provided best-in-class rear-seat legroom, though the backrest shape and angle could be improved for better upper back support. The trunk offered 14.2 cubic feet of space, with a 60/40-split folding rear seat for added utility. However, the Elantra lacked air conditioning vents and USB charging ports for rear-seat passengers.

The 2022 Nissan Sentra provided 14.3 cubic feet of trunk space, slightly more than the Elantra. The Sentra's 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 interior was spacious, with comfortable front seats offering ample headroom and legroom. The rear seats also provided decent legroom and headroom, though not as much as the front row. The Sentra featured large in-door cargo trays and bottle holders, along with a center console with cupholders and trays for storage.

The 2021 Hyundai Elantra came equipped with an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system in SE, SEL, and N Line trims, featuring wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The Limited trim offered a 10.25-inch touchscreen with navigation and a digital instrumentation screen, though it lacked wireless smartphone integration. The Elantra also offered a Bose premium sound system and Hyundai Digital Key for added convenience.

The 2022 Nissan Sentra featured a standard 7-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, with an 8-inch touchscreen available in SV and SR trims. The Sentra's infotainment system was user-friendly, with conventional hard buttons and volume and tuning dials. However, it lacked wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, which were becoming more common in non-luxury vehicles.

The 2021 Hyundai Elantra was built on a new platform with multiple structural collision energy pathways for enhanced safety. It came equipped with SmartSense, Hyundai's suite of advanced driving assistance systems, including forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and more. The Elantra also offered safety-related upgrades like cyclist detection and adaptive cruise control.

The 2022 Nissan Sentra came with a comprehensive list of standard driver-assistance features, including forward and reverse automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, and blind spot monitoring. It also offered additional features like a surround-view parking monitor and adaptive cruise control. The Sentra earned high safety ratings from both the NHTSA and IIHS, receiving a "Top Safety Pick" award.