2021 Toyota Prius vs 2020 Nissan Sentra

The 2020 Nissan Sentra had a significant design overhaul, making it more appealing than its predecessors. The new model, especially in Electric Blue paint, looked stylish and modern. The mid-level SV trim featured 16-inch alloy wheels, halogen headlights, and an all-black cloth interior, which felt far from drab. The Sentra's design was inspired by the Altima, giving it a larger and more poised appearance. The car was 2 inches lower and wider than the previous version, with detailed stampings and a V-shaped grille that added to its mature and recognizable look. The interior was upgraded with a flat-bottom leather steering wheel, white-stitched leatherette dash, and knurled climate knobs, making it feel like a more expensive car. The SV Premium Package offered quilted tan leather seats and Infiniti-grade materials, enhancing the overall luxury feel.

The 2021 Toyota Prius retained its iconic boomerang-shaped hood and roofline, a design that had become synonymous with the model. Despite advancements in aerodynamic vehicle design, the Prius stuck to its unique styling, which some found unappealing. The interior was unconventional, with a strip of displays mounted in the center of the dashboard and a toggle lever for transmission controls. The infotainment pod was thrust toward the front seat occupants, and the gloss-black trim attracted dust and fingerprints. The Prius was available in multiple trims, including L Eco, LE, XLE, 2020 Edition, and Limited, with an optional AWD-e system for the LE and XLE trims. The Prius offered the utility of a crossover SUV without the added ground clearance or rugged looks, with prices ranging from $24,525 to $32,650.

The 2020 Nissan Sentra 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 Sentra's acceleration tapered off after 30 mph, partly due to an overly sensitive throttle pedal. The Eco button helped subdue this behavior, while Sport mode held the revs longer. The CVT mimicked gear changes smoothly and responsively. The Sentra's independent rear suspension improved handling and ride quality, with quick steering and good on-center feel. Fuel economy was rated at 29 mpg city, 39 highway, and 33 combined, with the SR trim delivering slightly lower figures. The Sentra averaged about 30 mpg during mixed driving over 300 miles.

The 2021 Toyota Prius focused on fuel efficiency, with the L Eco version averaging 56 mpg in combined driving according to the EPA. Other front-drive models earned a 52 mpg combined rating, while AWD-e models achieved 49 mpg. The Prius 2020 Edition averaged 47.5 mpg on the testing loop. The Prius paired a 1.8-liter four-cylinder gasoline engine with a 53-kilowatt electric motor, producing a total system output of 121 horsepower. The electric motor provided near-instantaneous torque, making the Prius feel lively off the line. The car offered EV Mode, Eco, Normal, and Power driving modes to maximize efficiency or improve responsiveness. The TNGA platform gave the Prius a lower center of gravity and a more athletic feel, allowing it to handle curvy roads with some enthusiasm. However, hard acceleration produced powertrain drone, and the steering lacked road feel. The Prius excelled in urban and high-traffic driving situations, making it ideal for daily commuting.

The 2020 Nissan Sentra's backseat was spacious, accommodating a 5-foot-11 passenger without any discomfort. The front seats featured Nissan's Zero Gravity cushioning, reducing fatigue on long drives. The lowered body profile improved side visibility, but the rear window's rake limited the rear view. The trunk offered 14.3 cubic feet of space, with foldable seatbacks for additional cargo room. The driving position and controls were user-friendly, with knobs for volume and tuning.

The 2021 Toyota Prius offered more interior space than expected, with room for up to five people. The seats were comfortable, though the SofTex synthetic leather could trap sweat. The test vehicle had an eight-way power driver’s seat, heated front seats, and a heated steering wheel. The rear seats provided adequate foot room, legroom, and headroom but lacked air-conditioning vents. Cargo space varied by trim, ranging from 24.6 to 27.4 cubic feet behind the back seat and 47.9 to 50.7 cubic feet with the seat folded down.

The 2020 Nissan Sentra did not offer ProPilot, navigation, or wireless charging. However, it came standard with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Amazon Alexa, and WiFi on the mid-level SV trim, which also included additional USB ports and larger screens. The SV Premium Package or SR trim offered bright LED headlights. The SV trim included dual-zone climate control, proximity-entry key, adaptive cruise control, and remote engine start. A full suite of driver-assist features was standard.

The 2021 Toyota Prius featured a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system with stereo-volume and tuning knobs, and shortcut buttons. Standard equipment included Bluetooth, SiriusXM satellite radio, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Amazon Alexa compatibility, Safety Connect, and WiFi Connect. The Limited trim offered a 10-speaker JBL premium sound system, navigation, and a natural voice recognition system, paired with an 11.6-inch portrait-style touchscreen. The digital instrumentation on the dashboard had dated graphics.

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.

The 2021 Toyota Prius came with Toyota Safety Sense 2.0 (TSS 2.0) as standard, including adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, pedestrian detection, lane-departure warning, lane-keep assist, lane-centering assist, automatic high-beam headlights, and road-sign recognition. Higher trims included blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert. Safety Connect services were also standard. NHTSA had not rated the 2021 Prius, but IIHS gave it favorable marks, though it did not achieve a Top Safety Pick rating.