2020 Honda Civic vs 2020 Nissan Sentra

The 2020 Honda Civic stood out in Honda's lineup as their crown jewel, outshining even pricier models like the Accord and Pilot. Its goal was to cater to the broadest chunk of buyers without compromising on style or engineering excellence. The Civic came in three distinct body styles—sedan, coupe, and 4-door hatchback—each designed to highlight its sharp, visually stimulating exterior. The sedan featured a svelte, elongated roofline similar to the coupe's, while the hatchback had a quirky but proportionally tall rump. The headlights were wide and arcing, and the LED taillights swept dramatically, enhancing the Civic's low, wide stance. Design tweaks from the previous year, like upgraded grilles, bumpers, and wheels, carried over to 2020 with additional variations like matte-black 18-inch wheels and LED fog lights for the Civic Si. Inside, the Civic boasted a simple yet elegant design with soft-touch materials, gloss-black trim, and a pleasing metal shift knob. The 2020 models introduced new dash accents and revised sport seats in the Si trim.

The 2020 Nissan Sentra, by contrast, had not always been known for its looks. However, the 2020 model made strides in aesthetics, taking cues from the larger, more refined Altima. It appeared bigger and more balanced than it was, with elegant creases in the sheet metal and a V-shaped grille that looked polished and modern. The new design improvements made the Sentra look more expensive and eye-catching, especially when paired with features like 17-inch wheels in the SV Premium Package. Inside, the Sentra improved significantly with materials that felt much more upscale. It featured a flat-bottom leather steering wheel, white-stitched leatherette dash, and climate control knobs with a fine tactile feel. The interior was reminiscent of entry-level luxury cars, bolstered by options like quilted tan leather seats in the SV Premium Package. However, some hard plastics and flimsy switches were minor detractors in an otherwise well-designed cabin.

Under the hood, the 2020 Honda Civic offered a diverse range of engines and transmissions across its lineup. The base LX and Sport trims came with a 2.0-liter inline 4-cylinder engine delivering 158 horsepower and 138 pound-feet of torque. Manual transmission enthusiasts could opt for a 6-speed manual on specific trims, while a CVT was standard elsewhere. The EX and higher trims came equipped with a turbocharged 1.5-liter inline-4, pumping out 174 horsepower and 162 pound-feet of torque; hatchback versions even offered 180 horsepower. The performance-oriented Civic Si featured an upgraded 1.5-liter engine producing 205 horsepower and 192 pound-feet of torque, while the top-tier Type R boasted a staggering 306 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque. The Civic’s engines were revered for their smooth operation and responsiveness, making driving a thrill whether it was the daily-driver Si or the raw power of the Type R. Fuel efficiency varied, but most Civics were highly fuel-efficient, with CVT-equipped models achieving up to 42 mpg on the highway.

The 2020 Nissan Sentra, on the other hand, simplified things with just one engine: a 2.0-liter inline 4-cylinder engine delivering 149 horsepower and 146 pound-feet of torque. The Sentra's only transmission option was a CVT, which Nissan tuned for smooth and responsive performance, though lacking a manual mode or shift paddles. The Sentra excelled in steering responsiveness and handling, thanks largely to its independent rear suspension. Cornering was flat, and the ride quality was praiseworthy, especially on standard 16-inch wheels. While not sporty, the Sentra provided a confident driving experience with good steering feedback and reliable brakes. Fuel economy was one of its strong suits, rated at 29 mpg city, 39 mpg highway, and 33 mpg combined.

The 2020 Honda Civic made several updates in 2019 that carried over into 2020, significantly enhancing its practicality and comfort. The interior was designed with ease of use in mind, featuring a three-spoke steering wheel with intuitive controls for various functions. The center console offered deep storage and customizable cupholders. Rear passengers enjoyed ample room, although the absence of rear air vents was a noted oversight. The trunk space was impressively capacious with 15 cubic feet in the sedan, 12 cubic feet in the coupe, and a spacious 26 cubic feet in the hatchback, expandable to 46 cubic feet with folded seats.

The 2020 Nissan Sentra also prioritized interior space and comfort. It provided ample backseat space, accommodating taller passengers comfortably without knee or headroom issues. The front seats featured Nissan's Zero Gravity cushioning for reduced fatigue over long drives. While side visibility was good thanks to low windowsills, the rear visibility suffered due to a raked rear window and obstructive headrests. The trunk offered 14.3 cubic feet of space, slightly less than the Civic but still competitive for the class. The Sentra’s controls were user-friendly, featuring traditional knobs for critical functions and convenient placement of controls.

The 2020 Honda Civic faced some criticism with its outdated infotainment system, which felt slow and graphically dated. Still, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto offered a workaround for users. The system included a 7-inch touchscreen now standard on all trims except the base LX, and the high-end trims featured Garmin-based navigation with accurate voice recognition. The Civic Si introduced Active Sound Control, albeit with mixed reception. Other tech features included push-button start, keyless entry, and the acclaimed LaneWatch system for improved blind-spot visibility. Automatic climate control was standard, with leather upholstery, rain-sensing wipers, and other upscale features available on higher trims.

The 2020 Nissan Sentra did not offer tech features like ProPilot or navigation, but it included several modern conveniences. Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Amazon Alexa, and WiFi came standard on mid-level SV trims, alongside dual-zone climate control and remote engine start. Higher trim levels offered additional luxuries like heated front seats, a Bose stereo, and bright LED headlights. The Sentra also ensured a full suite of driver-assist features, making it a well-equipped vehicle for its price.

Safety was a strong suit for the 2020 Honda Civic, which came equipped with Honda Sensing. This suite included forward collision warning, emergency forward braking, lane-keeping assist, and adaptive cruise control. The Civic earned a Top Safety Pick rating from IIHS (except the Type R) and five stars from NHTSA in most categories, except for a four-star passenger frontal crash rating for the coupe.

The 2020 Nissan Sentra, while not yet crash-tested by NHTSA or IIHS, was expected to perform well. It included an extensive array of airbags, including rare rear side and knee airbags for both front occupants. Advanced safety features like forward and reverse emergency braking, pedestrian detection, blind-spot monitoring, and lane-departure warning were standard, along with a driver attention monitor.