2021 Lexus IS vs 2022 Nissan Sentra

The 2021 Lexus IS made a bold statement about its driver with its athletic proportions and great stance. It was designed to look like it was moving even when standing still, capturing a sense of motion that many sedans strive for. The elegance of the IS was evident in its long distance between the front axle and dashboard, and its fast roofline struck a balance between a coupe-like dome and a fastback. The window base's kick-up at the back of the passenger door visually shortened the greenhouse, giving the cabin a compact and sporty look. The new spindle grille with diamond mesh and narrow headlights added to its assertive appearance. Inside, the dash was tastefully simple, with a retro hi-fi feel to the center stack. The interior matched the exterior with bold, assertive choices and a modern aesthetic, though the analog clock felt outdated.

The 2022 Nissan Sentra, redesigned in 2020, carried over its modern, low-slung, coupe-like exterior into 2022. It was a significant improvement over previous models, aligning with Nissan's current design language. The Sentra was available in various bold colors, including blue, burnt orange, and "Scarlet Ember," with some options for a contrasting black roof. Inside, the Sentra shone with a modern yet simple layout that combined form and function. The controls were user-friendly, and the trio of vents in the center dash gave it an upscale look. The front cabin was highlighted by a touchscreen that served as the visual centerpiece. The Sentra offered three trims: S, SV, and SR, each adding more features and amenities, with the SR trim including a Midnight Edition package with dark accents and unique badging.

The 2021 Lexus IS was developed with a focus on delivering a luxury sports sedan experience. It introduced the "Lexus Driving Signature," emphasizing linear operation faithful to the driver's intentions. The IS 300 RWD featured a 2.0-liter turbocharged inline four-cylinder engine producing 241 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. The IS 300 AWD had a 3.5-liter V6 engine with 260 hp and 236 lb-ft of torque, while the IS 350 models had the same V6 engine tuned to 311 hp and 280 lb-ft of torque. RWD models came with an eight-speed automatic transmission, and AWD models had a six-speed automatic. The IS had a top speed of 143 mph, with 0-60 mph times ranging from 6.9 seconds for the IS 300 RWD to 5.6 seconds for the IS 350 RWD. Fuel efficiency varied, with the IS 300 RWD rated at 21/31/25 mpg, the IS 300 AWD at 19/26/22 mpg, the IS 350 RWD at 20/28/23 mpg, and the IS 350 AWD at 19/26/22 mpg.

The 2022 Nissan Sentra came with 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 wasn't outstanding, the CVT managed power well, providing solid low-end acceleration and satisfactory highway performance. The Sentra's steering was well-weighted, and cornering was sharp for a non-performance car. The suspension handled most road bumps well but struggled with harsher conditions. Overall, the Sentra was great for commuting, driving around town, and occasional road trips.

The 2021 Lexus IS offered a driver-centered focus with a comfortable, supportive seat and easily adjustable driver position. The F Sport trim's bolstered seat, standard in IS 350 models, included heating and ventilation. The IS featured perforated NuLuxe fabric, a synthetic upholstery that looked and felt like leather but was eco-friendly, lightweight, and easier to clean. Storage space was ample, with an open cubby, twin cupholders, big door pockets, a decent glovebox, and an under-armrest compartment. The second row was comfortable for two but cramped for three, with legroom negotiable with front-seat occupants. The trunk provided 10.8 cubic feet of space, with a temporary spare stored beneath the load floor.

The 2022 Nissan Sentra offered 14.3 cubic feet of trunk space, better than many small sedans. The trunk space could be expanded with a 60/40 split-fold rear bench, though the ledge created by the bench could make sliding larger items difficult. The trunk could be remotely opened via the key fob or a button on the dash. The Sentra had spacious seating in both rows, with plenty of headroom and legroom in the front and solid legroom and decent headroom in the rear. The front row featured large in-door cargo trays and bottle holders, with plenty of cupholders and trays in the center console.

The 2021 Lexus IS featured a touchscreen infotainment system with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. It included various connected services with free trial periods, such as Lexus Enform Safety Connect, Service Connect, WiFi, and Remote. The Navigation Package included Dynamic Navigation and Destination Assist for the first three years. The Mark Levinson 17-speaker, 1,800-watt premium surround-sound audio system was a recommended option, providing superb audio quality and including a CD player.

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 easy to follow, 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.

The 2021 Lexus IS had not yet been rated by the IIHS or NHTSA, but it was expected to receive good ratings based on the previous generation. It came with the Lexus Safety System+ 2.5, which included a pre-collision system with pedestrian detection, lane-departure warning with steering assist, road-sign recognition, lane-tracing assist, adaptive cruise control, and intelligent high beams. Additional features included blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, a backup camera, LED headlamps, taillamps, and running lights, and Lexus Enform Safety Connect with a three-year trial.

The 2022 Nissan Sentra came with 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 a "Good" rating from the IIHS, along with a "Superior" rating for driver-assistance features, earning it a "Top Safety Pick" award.