2020 Toyota Prius vs 2020 Nissan Sentra

The 2020 Toyota Prius retained its iconic jellybean-like shape, a design optimized for aerodynamics. Over the years, Toyota made subtle changes to the styling cues within this shape, aiming to give it a more sedan-like appearance while maintaining its hatchback functionality. The Prius's futuristic style remained contemporary, with a cabin defined by its central instrumentation and gauges, a hallmark since its introduction over two decades ago. The trim levels ranged from the entry-level L Eco to the top-tier Limited, each offering a variety of features from basic 15-inch alloy wheels and a 7-inch touchscreen to advanced adaptive headlights and an 11.6-inch touchscreen in the Limited trim.

The 2020 Nissan Sentra, on the other hand, underwent a significant transformation, shedding its dowdy past for a more stylish and upscale appearance. The new Sentra resembled a scaled-down Altima, with a lower and wider stance, detailed sheet metal creases, and a V-shaped grille that looked mature and recognizable. The interior also saw a major upgrade, with high-quality materials and a design that rivaled entry-level luxury cars. The SV Premium Package added quilted tan leather seats and other premium touches, making the Sentra's cabin feel more luxurious. Despite some minor drawbacks like hard plastic panels in the rear, the overall fit and finish were impressive for its class.

The 2020 Toyota Prius featured a 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine paired with an electric motor, producing a combined 121 horsepower and 105 pound-feet of torque. It offered both front-wheel drive (FWD) and an all-wheel-drive (AWD) variant, the latter using a second electric motor for the rear wheels. The Prius provided smooth and confident acceleration, especially at lower speeds, with a seamless transition between electric and conventional power. It had three drive modes—EV, Eco, and Power—each catering to different driving needs. The unique shifter design and Engine Braking mode added to its distinctive driving experience. The Prius's low center of gravity contributed to its surprisingly engaging handling, making it ideal for daily commutes.

The 2020 Nissan Sentra, powered by a 2.0-liter inline 4-cylinder engine, delivered 149 horsepower and 146 pound-feet of torque through a continuously variable transmission (CVT) to the front wheels. While it lacked the turbocharged engines and manual transmissions of previous models, the Sentra's CVT mimicked gear changes smoothly and responsively. The independent rear suspension improved handling and ride quality, making cornering flat and steering quick. The Sentra's fuel economy was impressive, with EPA ratings of 29 mpg city, 39 highway, and 33 combined. Despite some sensitivity in the throttle pedal, the Sentra provided a balanced and controlled driving experience.

The 2020 Toyota Prius made excellent use of its compact platform, offering spacious and comfortable front seats with good headroom and legroom. The rear seats were also roomy, though taller passengers needed to be cautious when entering and exiting. The Prius excelled in cargo space, providing 50.7 cubic feet with the rear seats folded and up to 27.4 cubic feet with the seats up, depending on the trim. The hatchback design made loading and unloading items easy, enhancing its practicality.

The 2020 Nissan Sentra's backseat was surprisingly spacious, accommodating taller passengers comfortably. The front seats featured Nissan's Zero Gravity cushioning, designed to reduce fatigue on long drives. While side visibility was excellent, the rear window's raked design limited the rear view. The trunk offered 14.3 cubic feet of space, slightly less than the previous model but still generous for a compact sedan. The Sentra's interior design and materials, especially with the SV Premium Package, elevated its overall comfort and functionality.

The 2020 Toyota Prius came standard with a 7-inch touchscreen, offering a user-friendly menu layout and compatibility with Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, and Amazon Alexa. Higher trims, like the Limited, featured an 11.6-inch touchscreen with a customizable layout, though it lacked Android Auto. The Prius also offered a WiFi hotspot, Bluetooth connectivity, and a 10-speaker JBL premium audio system. The top-center instrument panel, a signature Prius feature, provided essential hybrid drivetrain information and other critical readouts.

The 2020 Nissan Sentra, while lacking some advanced features like ProPilot and navigation, offered a solid suite of standard technology. The mid-level SV trim included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Amazon Alexa, and WiFi, along with additional USB ports. The SV Premium Package added bright LED headlights and other premium features. The Sentra's infotainment system was straightforward, with knobs for volume and tuning, and the larger screens in higher trims enhanced the user experience.

The 2020 Toyota Prius came equipped with Toyota Safety Sense 2.0, which included automatic emergency braking, forward-collision warning, lane-departure warning, adaptive cruise control, and automatic high beams. Optional features included blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and active park assist. The Prius earned a five-star rating from the NHTSA and a "Top Safety Pick" from the IIHS, though it fell short of the highest rating due to average scores in certain tests.

The 2020 Nissan Sentra had not been crash-tested by the NHTSA or IIHS at the time, but it was expected to receive top ratings. It included a comprehensive suite of standard safety features, such as forward and reverse emergency braking, pedestrian detection, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-departure warning, and auto high beams. The Sentra also featured rear side airbags and knee airbags for the driver and front passenger, which were rare in this segment.