2021 Nissan Sentra vs 2022 Mercedes-Benz E-Class

The 2021 Nissan Sentra made its mark with an athletic exterior as it entered its eighth generation. Initially a sub-compact sedan in its 1982 debut, it later settled into its compact four-door sedan form by its fifth-generation in 2000. The modern Sentra presented a bold look accentuated by crisp bends and lines, diverging from its formerly housecoat-like sheet metal. A defining V-Motion grille adorned its front end, featuring a prominent Nissan badge centered in black mesh. Horizontally arrayed headlights delivered a squinty, serious demeanor with available LED options.

Eight exterior colors were on offer, including vibrant choices like Monarch Orange Metallic and Scarlet Ember Tintcoat. For added flair, SR trims allowed for two-tone paint schemes at a modest upcharge, enhancing the exterior's design. Equipped with features like a bulging hood, a fast roofline, and muscular wheel arches, the Sentra exhibited an agile and fun profile with wheels varying from 16-inch steel in the base S model to 18-inch alloys in the SR trim.

Inside, the Sentra boasted a layered dashboard that conveyed expansiveness. An 8-inch infotainment touchscreen topped SR models as standard, situating the interface for ease of use. The textured plastic materials on the center console and doors offered a significant improvement over past imitation wood veneers. A multi-function, flat-bottomed steering wheel with sporty touches provided comfort, especially for taller drivers. The rear seat comfortably accommodated two passengers, though the narrow center cushion wasn't ideal for a third occupant. With a trunk capacity of 14.3 cubic feet, the Sentra allowed practical cargo handling, complemented by a 60/40 split-folding rear seat.

By contrast, the 2022 Mercedes-Benz E-Class epitomized versatility, available as a coupe, convertible, sedan, and station wagon. Our focus was the AMG E53 Cabriolet, known for its aesthetic magnificence and luxurious design elements. The base price began at $85,400, escalating nearly to $110,000 with premium options like matte-finish paint, luxury leather, and carbon fiber touches.

Mercedes' modern design language exuded purity, with AMG styling, intricate larger wheels, and a matte-blue luminescent paint finish making our test vehicle a sight to behold. Inside, high-resolution digital displays, glow-in-the-dark air vents, Burmester speaker grilles, and supple leather materials made the cabin a haven of luxury. Every stitch and surface in the AMG E53 Cabriolet aimed at indulgence, ensuring occupants were enveloped in opulence and comfort.

The 2021 Nissan Sentra was powered by a 2.0-liter naturally aspirated four-cylinder engine, delivering 149 horsepower and 146 pound-feet of torque. Engineered with a front-wheel-drive system paired with an Xtronic CVT, the Sentra tipped the scales between 3,036 to 3,084 pounds, making it relatively lightweight for its class. Though not a speedster, the CVT managed to deliver adequate performance for city commutes and town drives. Fuel efficiency was commendable, rated at 29 mpg city/39 mpg highway/33 mpg combined for S and SV models, and slightly lower for the SR trim.

The Sentra featured a thoughtfully engineered suspension system, comprising a four-wheel independent setup with stabilizer bars. Dual-pinion electric steering with vehicle-speed-sensitive power assist contributed to its nimble road manners, making cornering almost enjoyable. The Sentra's balanced horsepower-to-weight ratio allowed a reasonably spirited driving experience without compromising fuel efficiency.

In comparison, the 2022 Mercedes-AMG E53 shined with its 3.0-liter turbocharged inline-six engine featuring EQ Boost mild-hybrid technology. This innovative system integrated a 48-volt electrical setup and a starter generator into the drivetrain. The AMG-tuned engine produced a robust 429 horsepower and 384 pound-feet of torque, delivering maximum power across a broad rev range. Acceleration was swift, hitting 60 mph in just 4.4 seconds.

• Cutting-edge technology and comprehensive safety features are essential in your vehicle.

The 2021 Nissan Sentra excelled in practical interior design with well-placed features. The infotainment touchscreen was accessible atop the center stack, while conventional controls, knobs, and buttons lined the lower console. Its traditional gear selector, open cupholders, spacious glove compartment, and covered storage under the center armrest emphasized practicality.

The Sentra's cabin included two USB-A ports, one USB-C port, a 12-volt outlet, and generous door pockets. Nissan’s 'Zero Gravity' front seats offered superb comfort, making long drives more bearable. Higher trims like SV and SR offered additional luxury with a six-way power-adjustable driver’s seat, heated front seats, and a glass moonroof.

Conversely, the 2022 Mercedes-AMG E53 Cabriolet emphasized comfort and luxury, specifically for front passengers but without neglecting rear occupants. Heated seats, a heated steering wheel, and rapid-heating options for armrests provided warmth, while the Airscarf neck-warming system added a unique touch for colder weather. For hot climates, the car featured sun-reflective leather and ventilated seats to maintain comfort.

With the top raised, the E-Class Cabriolet's trunk held 9.5 cubic feet of cargo, although this halved with the top down. Despite the reduced volume, the Mercedes presented a luxurious and comfortable driving experience, with practical features like heated wiper blades ensuring usability even in less-than-ideal weather.

The 2021 Nissan Sentra was well-equipped with modern technology. The base model included a simple AM/FM/USB system with four speakers, while higher trims added features like SiriusXM, and optionally, an eight-speaker Bose system. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, as was Bluetooth audio and a hands-free texting assistant. The infotainment system featured a 7-inch touchscreen for the S model, upgraded to an 8-inch touchscreen for the SV and SR trims.

NissanConnect services in the Sentra included a WiFi hotspot and app-based remote access for functions like start/stop, lights, alarm, and more. An integrated Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant could relay voice commands to the car, and users could send destination data from the comfort of their homes.

The 2022 Mercedes-Benz E-Class, with its MBUX infotainment system, set a higher technology standard. Two 12.3-inch screens served as the digital instrument cluster and touchscreen interface. MBUX could be controlled via touchscreen, physical console controls, digital voice assistant, or touch-sensitive steering wheel buttons. Featuring usual integrations like Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, it also offered upgrades such as WiFi service and an augmented reality navigation system.

MBUX's adaptability to personal preferences and ease of use—aside from intricacies that required familiarization—made it user-friendly. The system included advanced features like an augmented reality overlay for navigation and a head-up display. The Burmester surround-sound audio system with metal speaker grilles added a layer of luxury to the E-Class's tech setup.

The 2021 Nissan Sentra was rich with standard safety features, including multiple airbags, traction control, and a robust array of driver-assist technologies under its Safety Shield 360 suite. Key safety features included intelligent forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, and blind-spot monitoring. The Sentra also featured a tire pressure monitoring system with the intuitive Easy-Fill Tire Alert, an intelligent aid appreciated by drivers.

The Nissan Sentra’s safety credentials were backed by a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS.

The 2022 Mercedes-Benz E-Class came equipped with an impressive array of standard safety features like forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and blind-spot monitoring. Additional features included Pre-Safe and Pre-Safe Sound systems that prepared the vehicle and its occupants for a potential collision. Active Parking Assist and a surround-view camera system enhanced convenience and safety during parking maneuvers.

Further advanced safety features were accessible through the extra-cost Driver Assistance Package, incorporating adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, and evasive steering assist among others. These sophisticated aids underscored the E-Class’s commitment to safety, blending standard and optional technologies to create a comprehensive safety net.