2021 Nissan Sentra vs 2020 Toyota Prius

The 2020 Toyota Prius retained its iconic jellybean-like shape, optimized for aerodynamics. Toyota made subtle tweaks to give it a more sedan-like appearance while maintaining its hatchback functionality. The Prius's futuristic design remained contemporary, with a cabin defined by its central instrumentation and gauges. Trim levels ranged from the entry-level L Eco to the top-tier Limited, each adding more features and luxury.

The 2021 Nissan Sentra, entering its eighth generation, showcased an athletic exterior with crisp lines and a bold V-Motion grille. Available in eight exterior colors, the Sentra offered a sporty look with options for two-tone paint schemes. Inside, the Sentra featured a layered dash, an 8-inch infotainment touchscreen, and a flat-bottomed steering wheel. The second row was roomy, though better suited for two passengers. The trunk offered 14.3 cubic feet of cargo space, with a 60/40 split rear seat for additional storage.

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 Prius AWD-e, which operated up to 43 mph. The Prius had smooth acceleration and seamless transitions between electric and conventional power. It offered three drive modes: EV, Eco, and Power, each catering to different driving needs. The unique shifter design and Engine Braking mode added to its distinct driving experience. The Prius handled well, with a low center of gravity providing sharp handling and a smooth ride.

The 2021 Nissan Sentra came with a 2.0-liter naturally aspirated four-cylinder engine, delivering 149 horsepower and 146 pound-feet of torque. It featured front-wheel drive (FWD) with an Xtronic CVT, providing adequate performance for commuting and city driving. The Sentra's fuel economy was 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 suspension and steering offered tidy road manners and almost fun cornering. The 149 horsepower felt balanced for fuel economy and daily driving needs.

The 2020 Toyota Prius made excellent use of its space, with deep door pockets, a large tray area between the front seats, and helpful sub-trays around the center console. The front seats were spacious and comfortable, with good driver visibility. The rear seats also offered ample space. The Prius provided 50.7 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats folded, and 24.6 to 27.4 cubic feet with the seats up, depending on the model. The hatchback design made loading and unloading easy.

The 2021 Nissan Sentra featured well-placed interior elements, including an infotainment touchscreen, traditional gear selector, open cupholders, and ample storage. It had two USB-A ports, one USB-C port, and a 12-volt port. The Zero Gravity front bucket seats provided comfort for long rides, with an available six-way power-adjustable driver’s seat and heated front seats. The Sentra's interior design and features made it suitable for long trips, with big door pockets and a spacious trunk offering 14.3 cubic feet of cargo space.

The 2020 Toyota Prius came standard with a 7-inch touchscreen, Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, Bluetooth connectivity, a WiFi hotspot, and three USB ports. The Limited trim upgraded to an 11.6-inch screen with a customizable layout, though it lacked Android Auto. The Prius also offered satellite radio, HD Radio, a head-up display (HUD), and a 10-speaker JBL premium audio system. The top-center instrument panel provided hybrid drivetrain status and other critical readouts.

The 2021 Nissan Sentra started with a simple AM/FM/USB system with four speakers in the S trim, upgraded to six speakers and SiriusXM in SV and SR trims, with an optional Bose system in the SR. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard across all trims, along with Bluetooth audio and hands-free capabilities. The S trim had a 7-inch touchscreen, while SV and SR trims featured an 8-inch touchscreen. NissanConnect services offered navigation, a WiFi hotspot, and remote access to vehicle functions via a smartphone app.

The 2020 Toyota Prius came with Toyota Safety Sense 2.0, including 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, parking sensors, 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 some tests.

The 2021 Nissan Sentra included a comprehensive array of standard safety features, such as dual-stage front airbags, side-impact airbags, knee airbags, curtain airbags, and a tire pressure monitoring system with Easy-Fill Tire Alert. Nissan Safety Shield 360 provided intelligent forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, rear automatic braking, blind-spot monitoring, and more. The Sentra received a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS.