2020 Lexus ES vs 2020 Nissan Sentra

2020 Lexus ES
2020 Lexus ES
$39,900MSRP
Overview
Overview
OverviewShop Now
2020 Nissan Sentra
2020 Nissan Sentra
$19,310MSRP
Overview
Overview
OverviewShop Now
2020 Lexus ES
$39,900MSRP
Overview
Overview
OverviewShop Now
2020 Nissan Sentra
$19,310MSRP
Overview
Overview
OverviewShop Now

Overview

MSRP

$39,900

MSRP

$19,310

Average price

$30,036

Average price

$15,885

Listings

191

Listings

647

Ratings & Reviews

User Reviews
User Reviews

Expert reviews

8.0 out of 10

Expert reviews

7.7 out of 10
Pros
  • Premium interior materials
  • Standard advanced safety features
Cons
  • Not much cargo space
  • Fairly pedestrian performance
Pros
  • Excellent value for money
  • Standard advanced safety features
  • Stylish design
Cons
  • Fairly pedestrian performance

2020 Lexus ES Reviews Summary

SUVs might dominate the luxury car market, but many luxury brands were built on sedans, like the 2020 Lexus ES. While crossovers and SUVs combine added cargo space with all-weather driving capability, sedans are all about driving in comfort. Lower ride height allows sedans to be far more refined in on-road driving dynamics, offer better fuel economy, and still have enough room for a weekend’s worth of bags. SUVs might have the attributes that you might need in certain scenarios, but sedans like the 2020 Lexus ES excel in ways that are relevant in everyday driving.

The 2020 Lexus ES is one year off a complete redesign, though it maintains the same comfort-first formula. It is available in a racy 350 F Sport trim level, but don’t expect any major leaps in performance. The ES delivers on a serene ride and a quiet, well-appointed cabin. For 2020, the ES gains some in-cabin tech features, joining a long list of standard technology.

2020 Nissan Sentra Reviews Summary

For 38 years, Nissan has peddled the Sentra as its definitive starter car. It’s a household name like Civic, Corolla, and Jetta—all of which are brand-new or have been refreshed in the last couple of years. The eighth-generation Sentra has the look of a larger, more luxurious car. It reflects major upgrades in style, technology, and driving dynamics. Compact sedans have a high bar to clear, even at $20,000. The 2020 Sentra delivers in every respect.

Popular Features & Specs

Engine

3.5L 302 hp V6

Engine

2.0L 149 hp I4

Drive Train

FWD

Drive Train

FWD

Seating Capacity

5

Seating Capacity

5

Horsepower

302 hp @ 6600 rpm

Horsepower

149 hp @ 6400 rpm

MPG City

22

MPG City

29

MPG Highway

32

MPG Highway

39
2020 Lexus ES
2020 Lexus ES
$39,900MSRP
Overview
Overview
OverviewShop Now
2020 Nissan Sentra
2020 Nissan Sentra
$19,310MSRP
Overview
Overview
OverviewShop Now
2020 Lexus ES
$39,900MSRP
Overview
Overview
OverviewShop Now
2020 Nissan Sentra
$19,310MSRP
Overview
Overview
OverviewShop Now

Overview

MSRP
$39,900
$19,310
Average price
$30,036
$15,885
Listings

Ratings & Reviews

User reviews
4.8
4.1
Expert reviews

8.0 out of 10

Read full review

7.7 out of 10

Read full review
Pros & cons
Pros
  • Premium interior materials
  • Standard advanced safety features
Cons
  • Not much cargo space
  • Fairly pedestrian performance
Pros
  • Excellent value for money
  • Standard advanced safety features
  • Stylish design
Cons
  • Fairly pedestrian performance
Summary

SUVs might dominate the luxury car market, but many luxury brands were built on sedans, like the 2020 Lexus ES. While crossovers and SUVs combine added cargo space with all-weather driving capability, sedans are all about driving in comfort. Lower ride height allows sedans to be far more refined in on-road driving dynamics, offer better fuel economy, and still have enough room for a weekend’s worth of bags. SUVs might have the attributes that you might need in certain scenarios, but sedans like the 2020 Lexus ES excel in ways that are relevant in everyday driving.

The 2020 Lexus ES is one year off a complete redesign, though it maintains the same comfort-first formula. It is available in a racy 350 F Sport trim level, but don’t expect any major leaps in performance. The ES delivers on a serene ride and a quiet, well-appointed cabin. For 2020, the ES gains some in-cabin tech features, joining a long list of standard technology.

For 38 years, Nissan has peddled the Sentra as its definitive starter car. It’s a household name like Civic, Corolla, and Jetta—all of which are brand-new or have been refreshed in the last couple of years. The eighth-generation Sentra has the look of a larger, more luxurious car. It reflects major upgrades in style, technology, and driving dynamics. Compact sedans have a high bar to clear, even at $20,000. The 2020 Sentra delivers in every respect.
Video

Popular Features & Specs

Engine
3.5L 302 hp V6
2.0L 149 hp I4
Drive Train
FWD
FWD
Seating Capacity
5
5
Horsepower
302 hp @ 6600 rpm
149 hp @ 6400 rpm
MPG City
22
29
MPG Highway
32
39
Look and feel
2020 Lexus ES
9/10
2020 Nissan Sentra
8/10

The 2020 Lexus ES had evolved significantly from its earlier iterations, shedding its "boring" label for a more aggressive look. The introduction of the large spindle grille in 2016, which grew even larger in the 2020 model, complemented the car's larger proportions. The rear design was more subdued, featuring thin taillamps and a pronounced kink at the back of the side windows. Inside, the ES boasted a luxurious cabin with soft-touch materials and a large infotainment screen, rivaled only by Mercedes-Benz in terms of interior quality. The ES 350 F Sport trim added unique exterior and interior features, including a black mesh grille, 19-inch alloy wheels, and exclusive color options like Circuit Red.

In contrast, the 2020 Nissan Sentra underwent a transformation that made it more visually appealing. The new design, inspired by the Altima, gave the Sentra a poised and mature look. The car was lower and wider than its predecessor, with detailed stampings and a V-shaped grille that stood out. The interior saw significant upgrades, with a flat-bottom leather steering wheel, white-stitched leatherette dash, and knurled climate knobs. The SV Premium Package added quilted tan leather seats and other luxury touches, making the Sentra's interior comparable to entry-level luxury cars. Despite some hard plastic elements, the fit and finish were impressive for its class.

Performance
2020 Lexus ES
7/10
2020 Nissan Sentra
6/10

The 2020 Lexus ES came equipped with a 3.5-liter V6 engine, delivering 302 horsepower and 267 pound-feet of torque to the front wheels via an eight-speed automatic transmission. This setup allowed the ES to accelerate from 0-60 mph in 6.6 seconds, with a top speed of 131 mph. The ride was comfortable and refined, thanks to Dynamic Control Shocks and an optional Adaptive Variable Suspension (AVS) in the F Sport trim. The AVS offered adjustable dampers and additional drive modes, including Sport+, which enhanced steering response and throttle mapping. While not a high-performance machine, the ES provided confident acceleration and a smooth ride, making it ideal for long commutes and road trips.

The 2020 Nissan Sentra, on the other hand, featured a 2.0-liter inline 4-cylinder engine producing 149 horsepower and 146 pound-feet of torque, paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT). The CVT mimicked gear changes of a conventional automatic, providing smooth and responsive performance. The Sentra's independent rear suspension improved handling and ride quality, making cornering flat and steering quick with good on-center feel. Fuel economy was impressive, with EPA ratings of 29 mpg city, 39 highway, and 33 combined. While not sporty, the Sentra offered a balanced driving experience with good fuel efficiency.

Form and function
2020 Lexus ES
6/10
2020 Nissan Sentra
8/10

The 2020 Lexus ES featured a spacious cabin with ample head- and legroom in both rows. The front seats could slide back significantly without compromising rear-seat legroom. Despite its sleek exterior, rear-seat headroom was sufficient for most occupants. The front doors had deep pockets, and the center console offered multiple storage options. The trunk provided 16.7 cubic feet of space, which was mid-pack for the segment. However, the rear seats did not fold down, limiting the ability to carry larger items.

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's rake limited the rear view. The trunk offered 14.3 cubic feet of space, with foldable seatbacks for added versatility. The driving position and controls were user-friendly, with knobs for volume and tuning, making it easy to operate.

Technology
2020 Lexus ES
8/10
2020 Nissan Sentra
6/10

The 2020 Lexus ES's technology centered around the Lexus Remote Touch system, which controlled the standard 8-inch or available 12.3-inch display. While not a touchscreen, the Remote Touch pad was intuitive once presets were set. The system included standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, enhancing connectivity. The ES also offered a 10-speaker premium audio system, with an optional 17-speaker Mark Levinson stereo. A head-up display was available, providing crisp graphics and customization options.

The 2020 Nissan Sentra did not offer ProPilot, navigation, or wireless charging, but it included standard Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Amazon Alexa, and WiFi on the mid-level SV trim. The SV also added dual-zone climate control, proximity-entry key, adaptive cruise control, and remote engine start. Bright LED headlights were available in the SV Premium Package or the SR trim. The SV trim provided a basic but functional interior, with essential features for the price.

Safety
2020 Lexus ES
10/10
2020 Nissan Sentra
9/10

The 2020 Lexus ES came standard with Lexus Safety System+ 2.0, which included forward collision avoidance, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, dynamic radar cruise control, and automatic high beams. The system also featured pedestrian and cyclist detection, lane-keep assist, and lane-tracing assist for limited semi-autonomous driving. Additional safety features included front- and side-impact airbags, traction control, stability control, and a tire-pressure monitoring system.

The 2020 Nissan Sentra had not been crash-tested by NHTSA or IIHS, but it was expected to receive top ratings. It included rear side airbags, knee airbags for the driver and front passenger, forward and reverse emergency braking, pedestrian detection, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-departure warning, auto high beams, and a driver attention monitor as standard features.

CarGurus highlights

Winning Vehicle Image

According to CarGurus experts, the overall rating for the 2020 Lexus ES is 8.0 out of 10, while the 2020 Nissan Sentra scores 7.7 out of 10. Based on these ratings, the 2020 Lexus ES is the better choice for those seeking a more luxurious and refined driving experience. The ES offers superior interior quality, advanced safety features, and a comfortable ride, making it the recommended option.

CarGurus highlights

Winning Vehicle Image

According to CarGurus experts, the overall rating for the 2020 Lexus ES is 8.0 out of 10, while the 2020 Nissan Sentra scores 7.7 out of 10. Based on these ratings, the 2020 Lexus ES is the better choice for those seeking a more luxurious and refined driving experience. The ES offers superior interior quality, advanced safety features, and a comfortable ride, making it the recommended option.

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By: CarGurus + AI

At CarGurus, our team of experienced automotive writers remain at the heart of our content operation, conducting hands-on car tests and writing insightful guides that are backed by years of industry experience. To complement this, we are harnessing AI to make our content offering more diverse and more helpful to shoppers than ever. To achieve this, our AI systems are based exclusively on CarGurus content, ratings and data, so that what we produce is both unique to CarGurus, and uniquely helpful to car shoppers.

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