2021 Nissan Sentra vs 2022 Lexus ES
Overview | |
MSRP$19,510 | MSRP$40,950 |
Average price$16,664 | Average price$35,603 |
Listings2466 | Listings682 |
Ratings & Reviews | |
User Reviews | User Reviews |
Expert reviews7.2 out of 10 | Expert reviews7.0 out of 10 |
Pros
| Pros
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2021 Nissan Sentra Reviews SummaryFollowing 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 SummaryAuto 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 | |
Engine2.0L 149 hp I4 | Engine2.5L 203 hp I4 |
Drive TrainFWD | Drive TrainAWD |
Seating Capacity5 | Seating Capacity5 |
Horsepower149 hp @ 6400 rpm | Horsepower203 hp @ 6500 rpm |
MPG City29 | MPG City25 |
MPG Highway39 | MPG Highway34 |
Engine | |
Engine Name2.0L 149 hp I4 | Engine Name2.5L 203 hp I4 |
Torque146 lb-ft @ 4400 rpm | Torque184 lb-ft @ 4000 rpm |
Horsepower149 hp @ 6400 rpm | Horsepower203 hp @ 6500 rpm |
DrivetrainFWD | DrivetrainAWD |
Fuel Economy | |
MPG City29 | MPG City25 |
MPG Highway39 | MPG Highway34 |
Interior | |
Seating Capacity5 | Seating Capacity5 |
Key Features | |
Sunroof/Moonroof | Sunroof/MoonroofStandard |
Safety | |
Front Crash Overall4 | Front Crash Overall4 |
Side Crash Overall5 | Side Crash Overall5 |
Dimensions & Capacity | |
Cargo Space14.3 cu ft | Cargo Space13.9 cu ft |
Curb Weight3036 lbs | Curb Weight3780 lbs |
Height56.9 in | Height57.1 in |
Length182.7 in | Length195.9 in |
Width71.5 in | Width73.4 in |
Wheelbase106.6 in | Wheelbase113.0 in |
Maximum Payload921 lbs | Maximum Payload905 lbs |
Number of doors4 | Number of doors4 |
Overview | ||
MSRP | $19,510 | $40,950 |
Average price | $16,664 | $35,603 |
Listings | ||
Ratings & Reviews | ||
User reviews | ||
Expert reviews | 7.2 out of 10Read full review | 7.0 out of 10Read full review |
Pros & cons | Pros
| Pros
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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 |
Engine | ||
Engine Name | 2.0L 149 hp I4 | 2.5L 203 hp I4 |
Torque | 146 lb-ft @ 4400 rpm | 184 lb-ft @ 4000 rpm |
Horsepower | 149 hp @ 6400 rpm | 203 hp @ 6500 rpm |
Drivetrain | FWD | AWD |
Fuel Economy | ||
MPG City | 29 | 25 |
MPG Highway | 39 | 34 |
Interior | ||
Seating Capacity | 5 | 5 |
Key Features | ||
Sunroof/Moonroof | Standard | |
Safety | ||
Front Crash Overall | 4 | 4 |
Side Crash Overall | 5 | 5 |
Dimensions & Capacity | ||
Cargo Space | 14.3 cu ft | 13.9 cu ft |
Curb Weight | 3036 lbs | 3780 lbs |
Height | 56.9 in | 57.1 in |
Length | 182.7 in | 195.9 in |
Width | 71.5 in | 73.4 in |
Wheelbase | 106.6 in | 113.0 in |
Maximum Payload | 921 lbs | 905 lbs |
Number of doors | 4 | 4 |
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.
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.
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.
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.
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

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.
Choose the 2021 Nissan Sentra if:
- You want a budget-friendly compact sedan with a sporty design.
- You prioritize fuel efficiency and adequate performance for daily commuting.
- You value a comprehensive suite of standard safety features and high safety ratings.
Choose the 2022 Lexus ES if:
- You seek a luxury sedan with multiple powertrain options, including a fuel-efficient hybrid.
- You prefer a vehicle with advanced technology and a high-quality audio system.
- You prioritize top-tier safety ratings and a comprehensive suite of driver assistance features.
CarGurus highlights

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.
Choose the 2021 Nissan Sentra if:
Shop Now- You want a budget-friendly compact sedan with a sporty design.
- You prioritize fuel efficiency and adequate performance for daily commuting.
- You value a comprehensive suite of standard safety features and high safety ratings.
Choose the 2022 Lexus ES if:
Shop Now- You seek a luxury sedan with multiple powertrain options, including a fuel-efficient hybrid.
- You prefer a vehicle with advanced technology and a high-quality audio system.
- You prioritize top-tier safety ratings and a comprehensive suite of driver assistance features.

By: CarGurus + AI
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