2021 Nissan Sentra vs 2022 Hyundai Sonata

The 2021 Nissan Sentra, in its eighth generation, presented a bold and athletic exterior, a significant departure from its earlier, more conservative designs. The Sentra's V-Motion grille, expressive headlights, and a choice of vibrant paint colors, including two-tone options, gave it a modern and sporty appearance. Inside, the Sentra offered a spacious cabin with a layered dash and an 8-inch infotainment touchscreen. The flat-bottomed steering wheel added a sporty touch, while the second row provided ample space for two passengers. The trunk, with a capacity of 14.3 cubic feet, was practical for everyday use.

The 2022 Hyundai Sonata, redesigned for the 2020 model year, showcased a distinctive design with a wide grille, rounded front fascia, and a sloped rear roofline. The Sonata's interior was spacious, offering 104.4 cubic feet of passenger space, classifying it as a "Large Car" by the EPA. Front-seat headroom and legroom were top-notch, while the rear seat comfortably accommodated two adults. The Sonata's 16-cubic-foot trunk was generous, and the Remote Smart Parking Assist feature added a touch of modern convenience. The Sonata N Line trim added sporty elements, transforming its appearance from mild to wild.

The 2021 Nissan Sentra was equipped with a 2.0-liter naturally aspirated four-cylinder engine, producing 149 horsepower and 146 pound-feet of torque. It featured front-wheel drive with an Xtronic CVT, providing adequate performance for daily commuting. The Sentra's lightweight design, weighing between 3,036 to 3,084 pounds, contributed to its nimble handling. Fuel economy was commendable, with 29 mpg city/39 mpg highway/33 mpg combined for S and SV models, and slightly lower for the SR trim. The Sentra's suspension and steering offered tidy road manners, making it a practical choice for urban driving.

The 2022 Hyundai Sonata offered a range of engine options, starting with a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine producing 191 horsepower and 181 pound-feet of torque. A turbocharged 1.6-liter engine with 180 horsepower and 195 pound-feet of torque was available for the SEL Plus and Limited trims. The Sonata N Line featured a 290-horsepower turbocharged 2.5-liter engine, paired with an eight-speed wet dual-clutch automatic transmission. All Sonatas were front-wheel drive, and the N Line's sport suspension and tuned exhaust provided a more dynamic driving experience. The Sonata delivered a smooth ride and a quiet cabin, making it a comfortable choice for long journeys.

The 2021 Nissan Sentra's interior was thoughtfully designed, with well-placed features and controls. The infotainment touchscreen was positioned at the top of the center stack, and the traditional gear selector lever and open cupholders added to the practicality. The Sentra offered ample storage options, including a big glove compartment and roomy covered storage beneath the center armrest. The Zero Gravity front bucket seats provided comfort on long rides, and the available Premium Package added power-adjustable seats, heated front seats, and a power-sliding glass moonroof.

The 2022 Hyundai Sonata's cabin was spacious, with 104.4 cubic feet of passenger space, classifying it as a "Large Car" by the EPA. Front-seat headroom and legroom were among the best in the class, while the rear seat comfortably accommodated two adults. The Sonata's 16-cubic-foot trunk was generous, and the Remote Smart Parking Assist feature added a touch of modern convenience. The Sonata N Line trim added sporty elements, transforming its appearance from mild to wild.

The 2021 Nissan Sentra offered a range of infotainment options, starting with a 7-inch touchscreen in the S trim and an 8-inch touchscreen in the SV and SR trims. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration were standard, along with Bluetooth audio and hands-free capabilities. The SR trim offered an optional premium Bose system with eight speakers. NissanConnect services provided navigation, a WiFi hotspot, and remote access to vehicle functions via a smartphone app.

The 2022 Hyundai Sonata's infotainment technology varied by trim level. Base SE versions came with an 8-inch touchscreen, six speakers, and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration. Higher trims, including the SEL Plus, Limited, and N Line, featured a 10.25-inch touchscreen with navigation, a 12-speaker Bose premium audio system, and wireless device charging. The SEL trim included the Tech package as standard, adding features like Highway Driving Assist and a panoramic sunroof.

The 2021 Nissan Sentra came with a comprehensive suite of safety features, including a Nissan advanced airbag system, tire pressure monitoring with Easy-Fill Tire Alert, and Nissan Safety Shield 360. Standard driver assistance features included intelligent forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, lane departure warning, and blind-spot monitoring. The Sentra received a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS.

The 2022 Hyundai Sonata also offered a robust safety package, with standard features like automatic emergency braking with pedestrian and cyclist detection, lane-departure warning, and driver-attention warning. Higher trims added features like blind-spot collision-avoidance assist and rear cross-traffic alert. The Sonata received a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA, and the 2021 model received top "Good" ratings from the IIHS in crash tests.