2021 Nissan Sentra vs 2022 Honda Civic Hatchback

The 2021 Nissan Sentra, in its eighth generation, showcased a bold and athletic exterior, a significant departure from its earlier, more conservative designs. The V-Motion grille, expressive headlights, and a variety of vibrant paint options, including two-tone schemes, gave the Sentra a modern and dynamic appearance. Inside, the Sentra featured a spacious layered dash, an 8-inch infotainment touchscreen, and a flat-bottomed steering wheel, enhancing both aesthetics and comfort. The rear seats, while roomy, were better suited for two passengers, and the trunk offered a practical 14.3 cubic feet of cargo space.

The 2022 Honda Civic Hatchback aimed to capture the dwindling hatchback market with a redesigned model produced in the U.S. The Civic hatch shared its front design with the sedan but featured unique elements from the front doors back. The interior boasted sophisticated digital instrumentation and high-quality controls, especially in the Sport Touring trim. Despite some minor complaints about the front passenger seat and lack of rear air vents, the Civic hatch provided a comfortable and functional cabin. The trunk offered a generous 24.5 cubic feet of space, with a 60/40-split folding rear seat for added versatility.

The 2021 Nissan Sentra came equipped with a 2.0-liter naturally aspirated four-cylinder engine, producing 149 horsepower and 146 pound-feet of torque. Paired with a front-wheel-drive system and an Xtronic CVT, the Sentra delivered adequate performance for daily commuting. Fuel economy was commendable, with the S and SV models achieving 29 mpg city/39 mpg highway/33 mpg combined, and the SR models slightly lower at 28 mpg city/37 mpg highway/32 mpg combined. The Sentra's suspension and steering provided tidy road manners and almost fun cornering, making it a well-rounded choice for its intended purpose.

The 2022 Honda Civic Hatchback offered two engine options. The LX and Sport trims featured a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with 158 horsepower and 138 pound-feet of torque, while the EX-L and Sport Touring trims boasted a turbocharged 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine with 180 horsepower and 177 pound-feet of torque. The turbo engine's peak torque was available from 1,700 to 4,500 rpm, providing a responsive driving experience. The Civic hatch's suspension and steering delivered a firm yet comfortable ride, and the brakes performed well under normal conditions. However, the Sport Touring's all-season tires and brakes showed limitations during aggressive driving. Fuel economy was impressive, with the CVT-equipped Sport Touring achieving 33 mpg combined and the manual transmission version 31 mpg combined.

The 2021 Nissan Sentra's interior was designed with practicality in mind. The infotainment touchscreen was well-placed, and the controls were neatly grouped for ease of use. The Sentra featured traditional gear selectors, open cupholders, and ample storage options, including a large glove compartment and roomy door pockets. The Zero Gravity front seats provided excellent comfort, and the available Premium Package added power-adjustable seats, heated front seats, and a power-sliding moonroof.

The 2022 Honda Civic Hatchback excelled in functionality, with a spacious trunk offering 24.5 cubic feet of cargo space and a 60/40-split folding rear seat. The interior provided comfortable seating for all passengers, though the front passenger seat lacked height adjustment, and there were no rear air vents. The driver enjoyed an eight-way power-adjustable seat, and the EX-L and Sport Touring trims featured black leather upholstery and dual-zone automatic climate control.

The 2021 Nissan Sentra came with a range of audio and infotainment options. The base S model featured a 7-inch touchscreen with four speakers, while the SV and SR models upgraded to an 8-inch touchscreen and six speakers, with an optional Bose system available for the SR. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard across all trims, along with Bluetooth and hands-free text messaging. The NissanConnect system offered a WiFi hotspot and remote access to vehicle functions via a smartphone app.

The 2022 Honda Civic Hatchback introduced a new infotainment system. The LX, Sport, and EX-L trims featured a 7-inch touchscreen with wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, while the Sport Touring trim boasted a 9-inch touchscreen with wireless connectivity, SiriusXM, wireless smartphone charging, and a 12-speaker Bose audio system. The inclusion of physical knobs for sound system controls and a shelf for steadying the hand while using the touchscreen improved usability. The voice recognition system worked effectively, and the digital instrumentation provided clear and comprehensive information.

The 2021 Nissan Sentra was equipped with a comprehensive array of safety features, including multiple airbags, a tire pressure monitoring system with Easy-Fill Tire Alert, and Nissan Safety Shield 360. This suite included intelligent forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, rear automatic braking, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and more. The Sentra received a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS.

The 2022 Honda Civic Hatchback came with the Honda Sensing suite of safety features, including adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and Road Departure Mitigation. New features included low-speed following capability and Traffic Jam Assist, though these were only available with the CVT. Blind-spot warning and rear cross-traffic warning were exclusive to the EX-L and Sport Touring trims. The Civic hatchback earned a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS, reflecting its advanced safety engineering and features.