2021 Nissan Sentra vs 2021 BMW 2 Series

The 2021 BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe, introduced as a new model the previous year, marked a departure from BMW's traditional rear-wheel-drive setup by offering standard front-wheel drive in the U.S. market. Despite its name, the Gran Coupe was a four-door sedan with a conventional trunk, lacking the utility of its five-door sportback sibling, the 4 Series Gran Coupe. It served as an entry-level BMW, appealing to those aspiring to own a vehicle with the iconic kidney-shaped grille and blue-and-white roundel. The 2 Series Gran Coupe was available in 228i and M235i models, with xDrive all-wheel-drive optional for the 228i and standard for the M235i. The 2021 model year saw the addition of standard equipment, a sport automatic transmission limited to the M Sport Package or M235i, and a new adaptive damping suspension. The test car, a 228i xDrive Gran Coupe, came equipped with the M Sport Package, Premium Package, and other premium features, bringing the MSRP to $48,595.

The design of the 2 Series Gran Coupe faced challenges due to its front-drive platform, but BMW employed visual tricks like large LED headlights and grilles to mitigate the perception of excessive front overhang. The cabin was pulled back to improve the dashboard-to-axle ratio, and the tapering roofline extended the car's appearance, culminating in a busy rear end. Inside, the Gran Coupe adhered to BMW's modern design language, featuring geometric shapes, a touchscreen infotainment system, and digital instrumentation. The materials were upscale, with metallic trim adding contrast, and the optional leather upholstery was appealing. Despite being an entry-level model, the 2 Series Gran Coupe, when equipped with premium features, did not look or feel like a basic BMW.

The 2021 Nissan Sentra, entering its eighth generation, had evolved from its sub-compact origins in 1982 to a compact four-door sedan by its fifth generation in 2000. The Sentra's exterior was athletic, characterized by crisp lines and a bold V-Motion grille with a prominent Nissan badge. The expressive headlights gave it a serious look, and the car was available in eight exterior paint colors, including vibrant options like Monarch Orange Metallic and Electric Blue Metallic. The SR trim offered two-tone paint schemes to highlight the design further. The Sentra's design exuded agility and fun, with a bulging hood, fast roofline, and muscular wheel arches housing various wheel options.

Inside, the Sentra featured a layered dash with an 8-inch infotainment touchscreen on the SR trim, positioned for easy access. The textured plastic on the center console and doors was an improvement over past imitation wood veneers. The 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 added versatility. Overall, the Sentra's interior was well-designed, with features that made it suitable for long journeys.

The 2021 BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe posed a question about the credibility of a front-drive platform under a brand known for its "ultimate driving machine" reputation. While some critics, like George Kennedy, were skeptical, the 228i Gran Coupe shared similarities with the revered Volkswagen GTI, boasting a 228-horsepower turbocharged four-cylinder engine. The 228i xDrive Gran Coupe offered all-wheel drive, enhancing its performance on various road surfaces. BMW quoted a zero-to-60 mph time of six seconds for the 228i xDrive, providing a quick and engaging driving experience. The turbocharged engine paired with an eight-speed sport automatic transmission and performance-enhancing technology, including brake-fade compensation and cornering brake control. The M Sport Package added fantastic M Sport steering, making the car nimble and enjoyable to drive. The suspension was firm but provided a glued-to-the-road feel, and the car averaged 27.9 mpg during testing, surpassing the EPA's estimate.

The 2021 Nissan Sentra featured a new 2.0-liter naturally aspirated four-cylinder engine producing 149 horsepower and 146 pound-feet of torque. The Sentra's front-wheel-drive setup with an Xtronic CVT delivered adequate performance for commuting and city driving. Weighing between 3,036 and 3,084 pounds, the Sentra SR was relatively lightweight, contributing to its efficiency. Fuel economy was impressive, with the S and SV models achieving 29 mpg city/39 mpg highway/33 mpg combined, while the SR models achieved 28 mpg city/37 mpg highway/32 mpg combined. The Sentra's driving experience was enhanced by its well-sorted CVT, providing a smooth and efficient ride. The suspension, featuring MacPherson struts and multi-link rear, offered tidy road manners and cornering capabilities. The Sentra's 149 horsepower struck a balance between fuel economy and performance, making it suitable for its intended purpose.

The 2021 BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe was practical for transporting two young and agile individuals. The sport-bolstered, 10-way power-adjustable front seats were snug yet comfortable, and there was adequate storage for everyday items. Entry and exit were not effortless due to the car's low-slung design, but this was expected for a sedan rather than a higher-riding SUV. The Gran Coupe's rear seat and extra doors were not particularly convincing, as accessing the back required contorting oneself. The rear seat offered limited headroom and legroom, with hard plastic front seatbacks posing a challenge. However, the car featured air vents and USB charging ports in the rear. The trunk provided 15.2 cubic feet of space, including a generous storage compartment under the load floor. The 40/20/40-split folding rear seat added utility, but the car would have benefited from a sportback design for increased cargo capacity.

The 2021 Nissan Sentra's interior was well-designed, with features thoughtfully placed for convenience. The infotainment touchscreen was positioned at the top of the center stack, with controls, knobs, and buttons neatly grouped below. Nissan retained a traditional gear selector lever, open cupholders, and ample storage options, including a large glove compartment and roomy covered storage beneath the center armrest. The Sentra offered multiple USB ports and a 12-volt port, though they were not in a covered compartment. The Zero Gravity front bucket seats provided comfort on long rides, and the Premium Package added power-adjustable seats, heated front seats, and a power-sliding glass moonroof. The Sentra's interior features made it suitable for long journeys, with a focus on comfort and practicality.

The 2021 BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe came equipped with Live Cockpit Plus, featuring a 5.1-inch display between traditional analog gauges. The Premium Package upgraded to Live Cockpit Pro, offering a fully digital 10.25-inch display reminiscent of a video game. The infotainment system included an 8.8-inch touchscreen with iDrive 7.0 technology, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, satellite radio, and a navigation system. The system was user-friendly, with responsive software and multiple control options, including voice recognition. The car featured a premium sound system with ten speakers, and Gesture Control was available for stereo volume and radio station changes. The test car also had a full-color head-up display, though it was less effective with polarized sunglasses.

The 2021 Nissan Sentra offered a range of audio options, starting with a basic AM/FM/USB system with four speakers in the S trim. The SV and SR trims upgraded to six speakers and SiriusXM capability, with an optional premium Bose system available in the SR. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration were standard across all trims, along with Bluetooth audio and hands-free features. The S trim featured a 7-inch touchscreen, while the SV and SR trims had an 8-inch touchscreen. Navigation was available through a subscription to NissanConnect services on SR models. NissanConnect also included a WiFi hotspot and smartphone app integration for remote access to vehicle functions. The system offered a range of tech features, though some were limited to higher trims.

The 2021 BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe offered a Driving Assistance Package, though the test car did not include this upgrade. The package added adaptive cruise control and a parking-assistant feature. The test car featured the Active Driving Assistant, which included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assistance, active blind-spot warning, and a speed limit information system. The lane-keeping assistance system was effective but could be aggressive. The IIHS rated the 2 Series Gran Coupe highly for crash protection, though it missed a Top Safety Pick due to headlight ratings and vehicle-to-pedestrian test results.

The 2021 Nissan Sentra came with a comprehensive array of standard safety features, including an advanced airbag system, seat-mounted side-impact airbags, knee airbags, curtain side-impact airbags, and a tire pressure monitoring system with Easy-Fill Tire Alert. The Sentra also featured Nissan Safety Shield 360, which included intelligent forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, rear automatic braking, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and more. The SV and SR models offered intelligent cruise control, with the SR trim also available 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.