2021 Chrysler 300 vs 2022 Nissan Sentra

The 2021 Chrysler 300 retained much of its classic design, reminiscent of its major facelift in 2014. Its "three-box design" gave it a straightforward, timeless profile that could easily be recognized as a quintessential car. The 300's appearance was a nod to a bygone era, free from the retrofuturist influences seen in other models like the Audi TT or Volkswagen Beetle. From the base trim to the high-end 300S, the Chrysler 300 exuded a sense of pride and elegance, making it a standout at any valet.

The 2022 Nissan Sentra, redesigned in 2020, carried over its modern, coupe-like exterior into 2022. It looked like a smaller Altima, which was intentional. The Sentra's design was a significant improvement over its pre-2020 versions, which had a more cartoonish appearance. The current model showcased Nissan's contemporary design language, with options for bold colors like blue, burnt orange, and "Scarlet Ember." The interior of the Sentra was where it truly shined, featuring a modern yet simple layout with easy-to-use controls and a visually appealing touchscreen centerpiece.

The 2021 Chrysler 300 was not built for speed, but its performance was respectable. The 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 engine delivered 292 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque in the 300 Touring and 300 Touring L trims, while the 300S trim offered 300 hp and 264 lb-ft. The 300S also had an optional 5.7-liter V8 engine with 363 hp and 394 lb-ft of torque, the only V8 in its class. Both engines were paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, with paddle shifters available on the 300S. Rear-wheel drive was standard, with all-wheel drive as a $2,750 option, though not available on the 300S. The driving experience ranged from a comfortable, quiet ride in the base trim to a more traditional luxury feel in the AWD Touring L, with the V8 providing a fun, albeit not extraordinary, performance boost.

The 2022 Nissan Sentra featured a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine producing 149 horsepower and 146 pound-feet of torque, paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT) and front-wheel drive. While the engine was not particularly outstanding, the CVT managed power well, providing solid low-end acceleration and satisfactory highway performance. The Sentra's steering was well-weighted, and its cornering was sharp for a non-performance car. The suspension handled most road bumps decently, though it struggled with harsher conditions. Overall, the Sentra was well-suited for commuting, city driving, and occasional road trips.

The 2021 Chrysler 300 offered generous interior space, with 41.8 inches of front legroom and 40.1 inches in the rear, surpassing many entry-luxury sedans like the Lexus ES350. It provided 106.3 cubic feet of passenger volume, making it feel spacious compared to competitors like the Genesis G70 and Lexus ES350. The trunk offered 16.3 cubic feet of cargo space, enough to fit about four large suitcases.

The 2022 Nissan Sentra provided 14.3 cubic feet of trunk space, better than many small sedans but slightly less than the Kia Forte's 15.3 cubic feet. The trunk space could be expanded with a 60/40 split-fold rear bench, though the ledge created by the bench could make loading larger items challenging. The Sentra's trunk could be opened remotely via the key fob or a button on the dash. The Sentra's interior featured spacious seating in both rows, with ample headroom and legroom in the front and decent legroom in the rear. The front row had large in-door cargo trays and bottle holders, along with plenty of cupholders and trays in the center console.

The 2021 Chrysler 300 featured the Uconnect 4C infotainment system with an 8.4-inch touchscreen, standard across all trims. The system was intuitive, with easy-to-read clocks, prominent knobs for scrolling, and excellent steering wheel-mounted controls. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard. The $3,495 Popular Equipment Group added a 506-watt amp, nine premium Alpine speakers, GPS navigation, SiriusXM Traffic Plus, surround sound, a trunk-mounted subwoofer, and a dual-pane sunroof.

The 2022 Nissan Sentra came standard with a 7-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a USB port, and Bluetooth connectivity. The SV and SR trims featured a larger 8-inch touchscreen. The menu navigation was user-friendly, with conventional hard buttons and volume and tuning dials. However, the graphics could use updating, and the lack of wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto was a drawback, especially since competitors like the Honda Civic offered these features along with wireless device charging on higher trims.

The 2021 Chrysler 300 received top "Good" scores in most IIHS crash tests, except for "Marginal" in small overlap tests and "Poor" for headlights. The NHTSA gave it a four-star overall rating, with four-star driver and passenger side crash test ratings and a four-star rollover rating. It received a five-star rating for the combined side barrier and side pole crash test. Standard safety features included active head restraints, multiple airbags, traction and stability control, brake assist, rain brake support, ready alert braking, and hill start assist. Advanced safety features were available only on higher trims and packages, making them less accessible compared to competitors.

The 2022 Nissan Sentra came with a comprehensive list of standard driver-assistance features, including forward and reverse automatic emergency braking, forward collision avoidance, pedestrian detection, driver drowsiness monitoring, lane-departure warning, and blind spot monitoring. Additional features on our test model included a surround-view parking monitor and adaptive cruise control. The Sentra earned a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA and "Good" ratings across all IIHS crash tests. It also received a "Superior" rating for driver-assistance features, though its headlight ratings were lower. Despite this, it earned a "Top Safety Pick" award from the IIHS.