2021 Nissan Sentra vs 2020 Hyundai Elantra

The 2020 Hyundai Elantra, last redesigned in 2017 and restyled in 2019, remained visually unchanged for the 2020 model year. The previous year's restyle introduced a geometric-influenced appearance, setting the stage for the dramatically angular styling of the upcoming 2021 Elantra. Available in six versions—SE, SEL, Value Edition, Eco, Limited, and Sport—the Elantra's price ranged from $19,300 to $24,150. The Limited test vehicle, equipped with the Ultimate Package and floor mats, brought the total to $27,630, including the $975 destination charge. The Elantra GT hatchback was also available for 2020.

A black paint job highlighted the Elantra’s angular headlight, fog light, and wheel designs, contrasting sharply with the chrome grille, beltline, and logo detailing. The result was a stylish small car, though not universally appealing. The interior received an upscale update with silver trim on various elements, but enough hard and glossy plastic remained to remind occupants that it was still a mainstream compact car.

The 2021 Nissan Sentra entered its eighth generation, evolving from its sub-compact origins in 1982 to a compact four-door sedan by its fifth generation in 2000. The Sentra sported an athletic exterior with crisp lines and a bold V-Motion grille, flanked by expressive horizontally arrayed headlights. Available in eight exterior paint colors, including vibrant options like Monarch Orange Metallic and Electric Blue Metallic, the Sentra SR trim offered three two-tone paint schemes for added flair. The car's design featured a bulging hood, fast roofline, and muscular wheel arches, giving it an agile and fun appearance.

Inside, the Sentra's layered dash felt expansive, with an 8-inch infotainment touchscreen perfectly positioned on the center stack. The textured plastic on the center console and doors was a significant improvement over past imitation wood veneers. A flat-bottomed multi-function steering wheel added a sporty touch and improved comfort for taller drivers. The second row was roomy for the class, though better suited for two passengers. The trunk offered 14.3 cubic feet of cargo space, with a 60/40 split-folding rear seat for larger items.

The 2020 Hyundai Elantra featured a base 147-horsepower, 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine paired with a new continuously variable transmission (CVT), replacing the previous six-speed automatic. The CVT, standard with SE trim, contributed to a $1,100 price increase from the previous year. All Elantra models were front-wheel drive. The Elantra Eco model had a turbocharged 1.4-liter four-cylinder engine producing 128 horsepower and 156 lb-ft of torque, paired with a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission (DCT) and an automatic engine start/stop system, achieving 36 mpg in combined driving.

The Elantra Sport trim featured a 1.6-liter turbo four-cylinder engine with 201 horsepower and 195 lb-ft of torque, along with an independent rear suspension for improved ride quality. The Sport trim also used a seven-speed DCT. The Elantra Limited test car, with its 2.0-liter engine and new CVT, offered a smooth driving experience, though real-world fuel economy fell short of expectations, averaging 29.3 mpg compared to the EPA-rated 34 mpg. The torsion beam axle rear suspension detracted from ride and handling, making the Elantra feel unsettled on uneven surfaces.

The 2021 Nissan Sentra came with a new 2.0-liter naturally aspirated four-cylinder engine producing 149 horsepower and 146 lb-ft of torque, paired with an Xtronic CVT. Weighing between 3,036 and 3,084 pounds, the Sentra SR offered adequate performance for commuting and city driving. Fuel economy was rated at 29 mpg city/39 mpg highway/33 mpg combined for S and SV models, and 28 mpg city/37 mpg highway/32 mpg combined for SR models.

The Sentra's driving experience was enhanced by its well-sorted CVT, which provided a smooth and efficient ride. The suspension setup, featuring MacPherson struts in the front and a multi-link rear, along with stabilizer bars and dual-pinion electric steering, resulted in tidy road manners and enjoyable cornering. The Sentra's 149 horsepower felt well-balanced for its intended purpose, offering a good mix of fuel economy and performance.

The 2020 Hyundai Elantra offered roomy accommodations for four adults, with a fifth person fitting in for short trips. The Limited test car featured power driver’s seat adjustment, leather upholstery, and a sliding center console armrest for added comfort. All Elantras came with a front passenger's seat-height adjuster and a dual-zone automatic climate control system with a Clean Air ionizer and automatic defogging. Heated front seats were standard on all but the SE and SEL trims. The trunk provided 14.4 cubic feet of space, nearly matching some midsize sedans, and included an interior grab handle for easy closing.

The 2021 Nissan Sentra's interior was well-designed, with features like an 8-inch infotainment touchscreen on the center stack, traditional gear selector lever, open cupholders, and roomy covered storage beneath the center armrest. Two USB-A ports, one USB-C port, and a 12-volt port were conveniently located at the bottom of the center stack. The Sentra's Zero Gravity front bucket seats offered exceptional comfort for long rides, and the available six-way power-adjustable driver’s seat with two-way power lumbar added to the comfort. The trunk could hold up to 14.3 cubic feet of cargo, with a 60/40 split-folding rear seat for larger items.

The 2020 Hyundai Elantra came standard with a touchscreen infotainment system, Bluetooth, and a USB port. The base SE trim had a 5-inch screen, while the SEL trim featured a 7-inch display with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and SiriusXM satellite radio. The Value Edition included a complimentary subscription to Blue Link Connected Car and Remote plans for three years. The Limited trim added wireless smartphone charging and a premium Infinity sound system. The Ultimate Package for the Limited trim increased the touchscreen size to 8 inches and added navigation and Blue Link Guidance service.

The 2021 Nissan Sentra's standard audio system included AM/FM/USB with four speakers in the S trim, upgraded to six speakers and SiriusXM capability in SV and SR trims. An optional premium Bose system with eight speakers was available in the SR trim. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration were standard across all trims, along with Bluetooth audio and hands-free capabilities. The S trim had a 7-inch touchscreen, while the SV and SR trims featured an 8-inch touchscreen. NissanConnect services, available on SR models, included a WiFi hotspot, remote access to vehicle functions, and integration with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant.

The 2020 Hyundai Elantra came standard with Hyundai Smart Sense, a suite of advanced driving assistance systems (ADAS) that included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, lane-keeping assist, and a driver attention monitor. Starting with the SEL trim, the Elantra added blind-spot warning and rear cross-traffic alert. The Limited and Sport trims featured full LED headlights with automatic high-beam operation. The Ultimate Package for the Limited trim included adaptive cruise control, pedestrian detection, and Safe Exit Assist. The Elantra earned a Top Safety Pick from the IIHS and a four-star overall rating from the NHTSA.

The 2021 Nissan Sentra came with a comprehensive array of standard safety features, including multiple airbags, three-point seatbelts for all seating positions, LATCH system, zone body construction, and a tire pressure monitoring system with Easy-Fill Tire Alert. The Sentra also included Nissan Safety Shield 360, which featured intelligent forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, lane departure warning, rear automatic braking, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, a rear-view camera, and more. The SV and SR trims added intelligent cruise control, and the SR trim could be upgraded with a 360-degree camera system. The Sentra received a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS.