2020 Honda Civic vs 2021 Nissan Sentra

The 2020 Honda Civic stood as the crown jewel in Honda's lineup, offering an array of choices and exemplary engineering typically reserved for luxury brands like BMW. Honda marketed this compact car at around $20,000, directing it toward buyers who valued both affordability and quality. Available in three body styles—sedan, coupe, and 4-door hatchback—the Civic boasted a sharp, attention-grabbing design. The sedan's svelte roofline, akin to the coupe, paired with an elongated and elegant body. The low, wide stance of the car was accentuated by creased body panels and wide, arcing headlights, while the rear showcased sweeping LED taillights. Although the hatchback's tall rear end appeared quirky, and the exaggerated Type R variant felt like a caricature, the exterior remained visually stimulating without feeling cheap.

The 2019 model year brought updated grilles, bumpers, and wheels, carrying over to the 2020 models. Specifically, the Civic Si sedan introduced new matte-black 18-inch wheels, LED fog lights with gloss black trim, standard LED headlights, an updated grille, and a new rear bumper with more body-color and gloss-black trim. The Civic hatchback received similar updates along with new wheels available in gray or black.

Inside, the Civic featured a simple yet high-quality interior with soft-touch materials and high-end switchgear. The instrument cluster was straightforward with a narrow center stack and minimalistic design. For 2020, interior enhancements included new dash accents on the hatchback, a thin red line on the instrument panel for the Si trim, and revised sport seats for the Si.

In contrast, the 2021 Nissan Sentra entered its eighth generation with a bold and athletic exterior. Known for its transformation from mundane to striking, the Sentra featured the signature V-Motion grille and expressive, available LED headlights that gave it a serious look. Nissan offered eight exterior paint colors, including vibrant options like Monarch Orange Metallic and Scarlet Ember Tintcoat. The SR trim provided additional flair with three two-tone paint schemes.

The Sentra displayed a bulging hood, fast roofline, and muscular wheel arches that housed 16-inch steel wheels on the base model, with 16-, 17-, and 18-inch alloys available on higher trims. The design approach gave the Sentra an agile and fun appearance.

Inside the Sentra, the layered dash design felt expansive, with an 8-inch infotainment touchscreen available on higher trims. The flat-bottomed multi-function steering wheel added a sporty touch while improving long-distance driving comfort. The rear seats offered considerable room for two passengers, though fitting three might be less comfortable. The 14.3 cubic feet of trunk space was ample, and the 60/40 split rear seats allowed for additional cargo room.

The 2020 Honda Civic offered four engine options and two transmission types, all front-wheel drive. The base LX and Sport trims came with a 2.0-liter inline 4-cylinder engine, producing 158 horsepower and 138 pound-feet of torque. A 6-speed manual transmission was standard for the sedans and coupes, while the CVT was an optional upgrade. The EX and above trims featured a turbocharged 1.5-liter inline-4 engine, delivering 174 hp and 162 lb-ft, with the hatchback models pushing 180 hp. The Civic Si upped the 1.5-liter engine to 205 hp and 192 lb-ft, while the Type R went further with an astounding 306 hp and 295 lb-ft, available exclusively with a manual transmission.

For 2020, the Civic Si's final-drive ratio was reduced by 6%, improving acceleration but slightly lowering fuel economy to 26 mpg city and 36 mpg highway. The Civic models with CVT generally achieved around 30 mpg city and up to 42 mpg highway.

Conversely, the 2021 Nissan Sentra featured a 2.0-liter naturally aspirated four-cylinder engine across all trims, generating 149 horsepower and 146 pound-feet of torque. Paired with an Xtronic CVT, the Sentra weighed between 3,036 and 3,084 pounds, enabling adequate performance for daily commutes and city driving. Fuel economy figures were respectable at 29 mpg city/39 mpg highway/33 mpg combined for S and SV models, and slightly lower for the SR trim.

The Sentra's driving feel marked a significant improvement over previous generations, thanks to its CVT, four-wheel independent suspension, and dual-pinion electric steering. The car displayed commendable road manners and cornering prowess, though it didn’t quite reach the level of pure driving excitement offered by the Civic.

In the 2020 Honda Civic, incremental improvements such as a volume knob and better cupholders enhanced usability. The hatchback versions received added sound insulation in key areas for a more comfortable ride. A notable feature was the easy-to-use steering wheel controls for audio, trip information, and phone functions. The Civic's interior also allowed significant customization with a deep storage bin, flexible cupholders, and easily adjustable seating configurations. Rear seating was spacious, though the lack of rear air vents was a noticeable drawback. Cargo space varied: sedans offered 15 cubic feet, coupes 12 cubic feet, and hatchbacks an impressive 26 cubic feet, expandable to 46 cubic feet with the rear seats folded down.

In comparison, the 2021 Nissan Sentra impressed with well-placed features such as an infotainment touchscreen atop the center stack and conveniently grouped controls. The standard configuration included a traditional gear selector, open cupholders with gripping fingers, and abundant storage spaces like a big glove compartment and large door pockets. Nissan's Zero Gravity front bucket seats provided exceptional comfort on long rides, and higher trims offered power-adjustable driver’s seats and upgraded materials. Cargo space measured 14.3 cubic feet, with the benefit of 60/40 split rear seats for additional storage options.

The 2020 Honda Civic's infotainment system lagged behind in performance and aesthetics compared to newer Honda models. The dated 7-inch touchscreen came standard on all but the base LX and included Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. High-end trims benefited from a Garmin-based navigation system. New features for 2020 included Active Sound Control in the Si models, standard push-button start, keyless entry, and features like LaneWatch, which provided real-time blind spot monitoring. The HVAC system included automatic climate control across all trims.

In contrast, the 2021 Nissan Sentra offered a more refined technology package. The base S model featured a 7-inch touchscreen, while SV and SR models upgraded to an 8-inch touchscreen. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard across all trims, and an optional premium Bose audio system enhanced the experience. NissanConnect services added navigation, a WiFi hotspot, and remote access features, though these were only available on SR models. The technology suite allowed seamless integration with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant for added convenience.

The 2020 Honda Civic came equipped with the Honda Sensing suite, including forward collision warning, emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, and adaptive cruise control. Enhancements to the LED headlights helped earn the Civic a Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS, except for the untested Type R. The Civic received a five-star overall safety rating from NHTSA, with a slightly lower rating for the passenger frontal crash in the coupe.

Similarly, the 2021 Nissan Sentra offered a robust array of safety features under the Nissan Safety Shield 360 umbrella, including intelligent forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, lane departure warning, and more. The tire pressure monitoring system provided intuitive feedback, helping maintain optimal tire pressure. Advanced features like intelligent cruise control and a 360-degree camera system were available on higher trims. The Sentra also earned a five-star overall safety rating from NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick rating from IIHS.