2023 Toyota Camry Hybrid vs 2022 Nissan Sentra

The 2022 Nissan Sentra, redesigned in 2020, carried over its modern, low-slung, coupe-like exterior into 2022. It resembled a downsized Altima, a significant improvement over its pre-2020 cartoonish design. The Sentra was available in bold colors like blue, burnt orange, and “Scarlet Ember,” with gray being one of four colors offered with a contrasting black roof. Inside, the Sentra featured a modern yet simple layout with easy-to-use controls and a touchscreen that served as the visual centerpiece. The interior design was both functional and upscale, especially with the trio of vents in the center of the dash.

The 2023 Toyota Camry Hybrid, six years into its eighth generation, featured a new Reservoir Blue paint and the Nightshade Edition’s matte-bronze 19-inch wheels. The Nightshade Edition, available only with SE trim, included black-trimmed headlights and taillights, a TRD mesh grille, black side mirror caps, a black rear spoiler, and black badges. The interior of the Camry Hybrid SE remained largely unchanged, with a focus on durability and simplicity. However, the fit and finish were not as impeccable as Toyota claimed, with cheap-looking plastic and a tinny sound when closing the doors. The Camry Hybrid also allowed plenty of road noise into the cabin, detracting from its overall quality.

The 2022 Nissan Sentra was powered by a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine producing 149 horsepower and 146 pound-feet of torque, paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT) and front-wheel drive (FWD). While the engine wasn’t outstanding, the CVT managed power well, providing solid low-end acceleration and satisfactory highway performance. The Sentra’s steering was well-weighted, and its cornering was sharp for a non-performance car. The suspension handled most road bumps well, making it suitable for commuting, city driving, and occasional road trips.

The 2023 Toyota Camry Hybrid offered three powertrains, with the hybrid version using a 2.5-liter Atkinson-cycle four-cylinder engine, an electric motor, and a lithium-ion battery pack, producing a net output of 208 horsepower. The hybrid system simulated a CVT to send power to the front wheels. The Camry Hybrid featured Normal, Eco, EV, and Sport driving modes, with Auto Glide Control in Eco mode to save gas. However, the test car averaged only 33.4 mpg, far below the EPA rating of 46 mpg. Despite this, the electric assist motor provided quick acceleration from a stop, and the regenerative braking system offered better-than-expected brake pedal feel. The Hybrid SE Nightshade’s sport suspension tuning allowed for predictable handling and good grip, though the stability control was overly sensitive.

The 2022 Nissan Sentra offered 14.3 cubic feet of trunk space, expandable with a 60/40 split-fold rear bench. However, the rear bench created a ledge, making it difficult to slide larger items through. The trunk could be remotely opened via the key fob or a button on the dash. The Sentra’s two rows of seating provided ample headroom and legroom in the front, with decent rear legroom and headroom. The front row featured large in-door cargo trays and bottle holders, along with plenty of cupholders and trays in the center console.

The 2023 Toyota Camry Hybrid featured a simple, durable interior with a no-nonsense approach to controls and layout. Most versions had dual-zone automatic climate control, with options for heated and ventilated front seats and a heated steering wheel. The test car’s front seats had eight-way power adjustment for the driver and manual adjustment for the passenger, with a manual height adjuster for added comfort. The back seats were adequately comfortable but lacked room to stretch out, and the test car did not have rear air conditioning vents. The Camry’s trunk offered 15.1 cubic feet of space, smaller than the midsize sedan class average, but could accommodate full-size suitcases on their sides.

The 2022 Nissan Sentra came standard with a 7-inch touchscreen featuring Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a USB port, and Bluetooth connectivity. The SV and SR trims upgraded to an 8-inch touchscreen. The system was user-friendly, with conventional hard buttons and volume and tuning dials. However, the graphics needed updating, and the lack of wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto was a drawback compared to competitors like the Honda Civic.

The 2023 Toyota Camry Hybrid offered a 7-inch or 9-inch touchscreen infotainment display, both with smartphone connectivity, including Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. The larger 9-inch system included connected navigation and a 9-speaker JBL premium sound system. Both systems were Amazon Alexa compatible and included SiriusXM satellite radio and several connected service plans with trial subscriptions. The test car had the 7-inch touchscreen, which was basic but functional, with physical knobs and buttons for easy control. Additional tech options included a 7-inch driver information center and a 10-inch head-up display, though the test car lacked these features.

The 2022 Nissan Sentra came with a comprehensive list of standard driver-assistance features, including forward and reverse automatic emergency braking, forward collision avoidance, pedestrian detection, driver drowsiness monitoring, lane-departure warning, and blind spot monitoring. The test model also had a surround-view parking monitor and adaptive cruise control. The Sentra earned a five-star overall rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and a "Top Safety Pick" award from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS).

The 2023 Toyota Camry Hybrid included 10 airbags, a rear-seat reminder system, and Toyota Safety Sense 2.5 (TSS 2.5), which featured forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, lane-centering assist, and adaptive cruise control. The system also had automatic high-beam headlights and Intersection Support. However, TSS 2.5 lacked refinement, with abrupt braking and issues with lane-keeping systems. The Camry Hybrid earned five-star ratings from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS, though it received a Poor rating in the updated IIHS side-impact crash test.