2021 Nissan Sentra vs 2022 Lexus ES

2021 Nissan Sentra
2021 Nissan Sentra
$19,510MSRP
Overview
Overview
OverviewShop Now
2022 Lexus ES
2022 Lexus ES
$40,950MSRP
Overview
Overview
OverviewShop Now
2021 Nissan Sentra
$19,510MSRP
Overview
Overview
OverviewShop Now
2022 Lexus ES
$40,950MSRP
Overview
Overview
OverviewShop Now

Overview

MSRP

$19,510

MSRP

$40,950

Average price

$16,664

Average price

$35,603

Listings

2466

Listings

682

Ratings & Reviews

User Reviews
User Reviews

Expert reviews

7.2 out of 10

Expert reviews

7.0 out of 10
Pros
  • Stylish design
  • Quiet cabin
  • Excellent value for money
Cons
  • All-wheel drive not available
  • Stereo is lacking
  • Manual transmission not available
Pros
  • Fuel-efficient
  • Quiet cabin
  • Multiple powertrain options
Cons
  • Uninspired styling
  • Fairly pedestrian performance
  • Underwhelming base engine

2021 Nissan Sentra Reviews Summary

Following a makeover for the 2020 model year, the Nissan Sentra has ripened into a prime specimen of the compact sedan genre. With competitive safety, technology, and fuel economy now supplemented by an attractive exterior and interior design, the Sentra no longer feels like a compromise—it feels like a smart choice.

2022 Lexus ES Reviews Summary

Auto manufacturers are always pursuing younger customers, but some cars appeal to a different clientele. The 2022 Lexus ES attracts the softest of buyers, mature adults seeking a mid-size luxury sedan without a giant price tag. Available with four cylinders, six cylinders, or a gasoline-electric hybrid powertrain, the 2022 Lexus ES starts at $40,800. In the age of the SUV and at the dawn of electrification, the ES does its best to to capture any remaining new car buyers interested in a traditional sedan.
No video found

Popular Features & Specs

Engine

2.0L 149 hp I4

Engine

2.5L 203 hp I4

Drive Train

FWD

Drive Train

AWD

Seating Capacity

5

Seating Capacity

5

Horsepower

149 hp @ 6400 rpm

Horsepower

203 hp @ 6500 rpm

MPG City

29

MPG City

25

MPG Highway

39

MPG Highway

34
2021 Nissan Sentra
2021 Nissan Sentra
$19,510MSRP
Overview
Overview
OverviewShop Now
2022 Lexus ES
2022 Lexus ES
$40,950MSRP
Overview
Overview
OverviewShop Now
2021 Nissan Sentra
$19,510MSRP
Overview
Overview
OverviewShop Now
2022 Lexus ES
$40,950MSRP
Overview
Overview
OverviewShop Now

Overview

MSRP
$19,510
$40,950
Average price
$16,664
$35,603
Listings

Ratings & Reviews

User reviews
4.5
5.0
Expert reviews

7.2 out of 10

Read full review

7.0 out of 10

Read full review
Pros & cons
Pros
  • Stylish design
  • Quiet cabin
  • Excellent value for money
Cons
  • All-wheel drive not available
  • Stereo is lacking
  • Manual transmission not available
Pros
  • Fuel-efficient
  • Quiet cabin
  • Multiple powertrain options
Cons
  • Uninspired styling
  • Fairly pedestrian performance
  • Underwhelming base engine
Summary
Following a makeover for the 2020 model year, the Nissan Sentra has ripened into a prime specimen of the compact sedan genre. With competitive safety, technology, and fuel economy now supplemented by an attractive exterior and interior design, the Sentra no longer feels like a compromise—it feels like a smart choice.
Auto manufacturers are always pursuing younger customers, but some cars appeal to a different clientele. The 2022 Lexus ES attracts the softest of buyers, mature adults seeking a mid-size luxury sedan without a giant price tag. Available with four cylinders, six cylinders, or a gasoline-electric hybrid powertrain, the 2022 Lexus ES starts at $40,800. In the age of the SUV and at the dawn of electrification, the ES does its best to to capture any remaining new car buyers interested in a traditional sedan.
Video
No video found

Popular Features & Specs

Engine
2.0L 149 hp I4
2.5L 203 hp I4
Drive Train
FWD
AWD
Seating Capacity
5
5
Horsepower
149 hp @ 6400 rpm
203 hp @ 6500 rpm
MPG City
29
25
MPG Highway
39
34
Look and feel
2021 Nissan Sentra
7/10
2022 Lexus ES
7/10

The 2021 Nissan Sentra, in its eighth generation, showcased a bold and athletic exterior, a significant departure from its earlier, more conservative designs. The front end featured the V-Motion grille with a prominent Nissan badge, flanked by expressive horizontally arrayed headlights. Available in eight exterior paint colors, including vibrant options like Monarch Orange Metallic and Electric Blue Metallic, the Sentra's design was anything but boring. The SR trim levels offered three two-tone paint schemes, enhancing its sporty appeal. Inside, the Sentra boasted a layered dash with an 8-inch infotainment touchscreen, textured plastic on the center console, and a flat-bottomed multi-function steering wheel. The second row was roomy, though better suited for two passengers, and the trunk offered 14.3 cubic feet of cargo space with a 60/40 split-folding rear seat.

The 2022 Lexus ES, a mainstay in the Lexus lineup since 1990, evolved over seven generations into a sleek and elegant sedan. Built on the Global Architecture-K (GA-K) platform, the ES featured a front-engine, front-wheel-drive layout with an option for all-wheel drive. The exterior design included the distinctive Lexus "spindle" grille and assertive headlamp shapes, with standard 17-inch wheels and optional 18- and 19-inch wheels. Inside, the ES offered a well-assembled, though asymmetrical, dashboard with bold two-tone leather seating in the F Sport model. The interior featured ample storage, including big bottle pockets and a spacious glove compartment, while the trunk provided 13.9 cubic feet of space with a pass-through for longer items.

Performance
2021 Nissan Sentra
6/10
2022 Lexus ES
6/10

The 2021 Nissan Sentra was powered by 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 commuting and city driving. Weighing between 3,036 and 3,084 pounds, the Sentra SR was relatively lightweight, contributing to its fuel economy of 29 mpg city/39 mpg highway/33 mpg combined for S and SV models, and 28 mpg city/37 mpg highway/32 mpg combined for SR models. The Sentra's driving experience was enhanced by its four-wheel independent suspension, dual-pinion electric steering, and front and rear disc brakes on SV and SR models.

The 2022 Lexus ES offered three powertrain options. The base ES 250 AWD featured a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with 203 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque, achieving 25 mpg city/34 mpg highway/28 mpg combined. The ES 350 came with a 3.5-liter V6 engine, producing 307 horsepower and 267 pound-feet of torque, with a fuel economy of 22 mpg city/32 mpg highway/26 mpg combined. The hybrid ES 300h combined a 176-hp four-cylinder engine with a 39-hp electric motor for a net 215 hp, delivering an impressive 43 mpg city/44 mpg highway/44 mpg combined. The ES 250 AWD, while smooth and predictable, felt underpowered compared to its V6 and hybrid counterparts, which offered better performance and fuel efficiency.

Form and function
2021 Nissan Sentra
7/10
2022 Lexus ES
7/10

The 2021 Nissan Sentra's interior was designed for practicality and comfort. The infotainment touchscreen was well-placed at the top of the center stack, with neatly grouped controls below. The Sentra featured traditional interfaces, including a gear selector lever, open cupholders, and a roomy covered storage compartment. Two USB-A ports, one USB-C port, and a 12-volt port were conveniently located at the bottom of the center stack. The Zero Gravity front bucket seats provided comfort on long rides, and the optional Premium Package added power-adjustable seats, heated front seats, and a power-sliding glass moonroof.

The 2022 Lexus ES offered a spacious and practical interior with ample storage and convenience features. The trunk provided 13.9 cubic feet of space, with a pass-through for longer items and a flat-folding second row in the ES 250 and ES 350 models. The ES's lower center of gravity and ground clearance contributed to better handling and fuel economy compared to its SUV counterpart, the Lexus RX. Inside, the ES featured big bottle pockets, hydration-friendly cupholders, and a large glove compartment. The dashboard layout, while not aesthetically pleasing, was functional, with a prominent volume knob for the audio system.

Technology
2021 Nissan Sentra
7/10
2022 Lexus ES
7/10

The 2021 Nissan Sentra came with a standard 7-inch touchscreen interface in the S model, upgraded to an 8-inch touchscreen in SV and SR models. The audio system started with a simple AM/FM/USB setup in the S, upgraded to six speakers and SiriusXM capability in SV and SR, with an optional premium Bose system with eight speakers available in the SR. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration, Bluetooth audio, and hands-free text-messaging assistant were standard across all models. NissanConnect services, available on SR models, included a WiFi hotspot, remote access to vehicle functions, and compatibility with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant.

The 2022 Lexus ES featured an 8-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Amazon Alexa+Lexus compatibility as standard. The base model included a 10-speaker Pioneer sound system, while upper trim levels received a 12.3-inch touchscreen, Mark Levinson 17-speaker surround sound audio, and navigation. The ES also offered a 10-inch head-up display on upper trim levels, enhancing driving safety by displaying critical information in the driver's line of sight. Additional features included a Panoramic View Monitor with Intuitive Parking Assist and Lexus Enform connected services, providing emergency alerts, maintenance notifications, and remote access.

Safety
2021 Nissan Sentra
8/10
2022 Lexus ES
9/10

The 2021 Nissan Sentra came equipped with a comprehensive array of standard safety features, including Nissan's advanced airbag system, tire pressure monitoring with Easy-Fill Tire Alert, and a suite of driver assistance features under Nissan Safety Shield 360. These included intelligent forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, 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 Lexus ES also ranked highly in safety, earning a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS and a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA. Standard safety features included the Lexus Safety System+ 2.5, which offered a pre-collision system with pedestrian detection, lane-departure warning with steering assist, road-sign assist, Enhanced Lane-Tracing Assist, adaptive cruise control, and Intelligent High Beam Control. Additionally, the ES came with blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, 10 airbags, and three years of Lexus Enform Safety Connect service.

CarGurus highlights

Winning Vehicle Image

According to CarGurus experts, the overall rating for the 2021 Nissan Sentra is 7.2 out of 10, while the 2022 Lexus ES scores 7.0 out of 10. Based on these ratings, the 2021 Nissan Sentra is the recommended choice, offering a better balance of performance, safety, and value for consumers.

CarGurus highlights

Winning Vehicle Image

According to CarGurus experts, the overall rating for the 2021 Nissan Sentra is 7.2 out of 10, while the 2022 Lexus ES scores 7.0 out of 10. Based on these ratings, the 2021 Nissan Sentra is the recommended choice, offering a better balance of performance, safety, and value for consumers.

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By: CarGurus + AI

At CarGurus, our team of experienced automotive writers remain at the heart of our content operation, conducting hands-on car tests and writing insightful guides that are backed by years of industry experience. To complement this, we are harnessing AI to make our content offering more diverse and more helpful to shoppers than ever. To achieve this, our AI systems are based exclusively on CarGurus content, ratings and data, so that what we produce is both unique to CarGurus, and uniquely helpful to car shoppers.

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