2019 Honda Civic vs 2020 Nissan Sentra

The 2019 Honda Civic, while not as stylish as the 2019 Mazda3, still offered a distinct upscale appeal. It featured a new gloss-black upper grille, a revised lower bumper, and larger 18-inch wheels, giving it a graceful silhouette reminiscent of an Audi A7. The Touring-trim test car boasted chrome door handles and LED headlights that resembled tiny crystals, adding to its sophisticated look. The Civic Hatchback, with its aggressive rear end, and the Coupe model, provided unique styling options, including vibrant paint colors that stood out in traffic. Inside, the Civic maintained a high-tech yet simplified theme with a central LCD screen and minimal buttons, ensuring a clean and high-quality finish.

In contrast, the 2020 Nissan Sentra transformed its image from a cost-conscious design to a more appealing and stylish compact sedan. The Sentra's design was inspired by the Altima, giving it a more substantial presence. It featured a lower and wider body, with elegant creases in the sheet metal that added an expensive look. The V-shaped grille and jeweled headlights enhanced its mature and recognizable appearance. Inside, the Sentra's interior was upgraded with a flat-bottom leather steering wheel and a leatherette dash, offering a feel akin to entry-level luxury cars. The SV Premium Package further elevated the interior with quilted tan leather seats and Infiniti-grade materials, making it a close competitor to the Mazda3 in terms of interior class.

The 2019 Honda Civic offered a range of engine options, starting with a 2.0-liter inline 4-cylinder engine producing 158 horsepower and 138 pound-feet of torque. The more powerful trims, like the Touring, featured a turbocharged 1.5-liter inline-4 with 174 hp and 162 lb-ft. The hatchback models came with a turbo engine making 180 hp in the Hatchback Sport. The Civic Si and Type R models delivered even more power, with the Si producing 205 hp and the Type R a staggering 306 hp. The Civic's engines were praised for their smoothness and refinement, with the turbo engine offering quick response and better mid-range acceleration. The manual transmissions were noted for their excellent clutch and shifter engagement, while the CVT impressed with its ability to simulate gear ratios without straining the engine. The Civic's handling was superb, with excellent steering feel, strong brakes, and a suspension that balanced sportiness with comfort.

The 2020 Nissan Sentra, on the other hand, featured a 2.0-liter inline 4-cylinder engine with 149 horsepower and 146 pound-feet of torque, paired with a CVT. While it lacked the turbocharged options of the Civic, the Sentra's CVT was smooth and responsive, mimicking gear changes effectively. The Sentra's steering response and handling were highlights, thanks to an independent suspension that replaced the previous torsion beam rear axle. The ride quality was agreeable, and the steering was quick with good on-center feel. The Sentra's fuel economy was impressive, with an EPA rating of 29 mpg city, 39 highway, and 33 combined. Overall, the Sentra provided a comfortable and controlled driving experience, though it wasn't as sporty as the Civic.

The 2019 Honda Civic's interior was user-friendly, with a touchscreen that included a volume knob and shortcut buttons, addressing previous usability issues. The steering wheel controlled the central display, providing easy access to various functions. The rear seat offered ample space, with optional heated seats and decent head- and legroom. Cargo space was generous, with the sedan offering 15.1 cubic feet and the hatchback up to 46.2 cubic feet with the seats folded. The center console provided practical storage solutions, and visibility was good in all directions.

The 2020 Nissan Sentra's backseat was surprisingly spacious, accommodating taller passengers comfortably. The front seats featured Nissan's Zero Gravity cushioning, reducing fatigue on long drives. The lowered body profile improved side visibility, though the rear window was less effective. The trunk offered 14.3 cubic feet of space, with foldable seatbacks for added versatility. The driving position and controls were well-placed, with traditional knobs for volume and tuning, enhancing ease of use.

The 2019 Honda Civic's infotainment system, while once impressive, had become dated compared to newer Honda models. However, it still offered standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, along with a 450-watt, 10-speaker stereo. Honda's LaneWatch provided a live feed of the blind spot, enhancing safety. The navigation system was a standout, with quick and accurate voice-based input.

The 2020 Nissan Sentra lacked some advanced features like ProPilot and navigation, but it came standard with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Amazon Alexa, and WiFi on the mid-level SV. The SV also included dual-zone climate control, adaptive cruise control, and remote engine start. The Sentra offered a full suite of driver-assist features, making it a well-equipped option for its price.

The 2019 Honda Civic came with Honda Sensing as standard on most trims, offering forward-collision alert, lane-keep assist, and adaptive cruise control. The Civic received top ratings from the IIHS and NHTSA, with the exception of a four-star rating for the coupe's passenger-side frontal crash test.

The 2020 Nissan Sentra had not been crash-tested by the NHTSA or IIHS, but it was expected to receive top ratings. It included rear side airbags, knee airbags, and a comprehensive suite of safety features, such as forward and reverse emergency braking, pedestrian detection, and blind-spot monitoring.