2021 Nissan Sentra vs 2022 Toyota Corolla

The 2021 Nissan Sentra, having entered its eighth generation, showcased a more athletic exterior compared to its predecessors. The Sentra's design featured crisp bends and lines, highlighted by the V-Motion grille and expressive LED headlights. Available in eight exterior paint colors, including vibrant options like Monarch Orange Metallic and Electric Blue Metallic, the Sentra's SR trim levels could also sport two-tone paint schemes. The interior 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 offered decent space, though better suited for two passengers, and the trunk provided 14.3 cubic feet of cargo space with a 60/40 split-folding rear seat.

The 2022 Toyota Corolla, launched as a hatchback in 2019 and a sedan in 2020, aimed to shed Toyota's reputation for boring designs with its extroverted exterior styling. The Corolla featured scowling LED headlights and a wide grille, with SE and XSE models sporting an aggressive front fascia. The Nightshade Editions added blacked-out trim, while the Apex Editions included a subtle body kit with bronze accents and model-specific 18-inch wheels. The interior, though less imaginative, maintained Toyota's high fit and finish standards. However, the piano black plastic trim was prone to dust and smudges, and the light gray upholstery seemed susceptible to stains. The Corolla's interior design was sleek but limited in storage space, with a thin center console and small phone tray.

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 offered adequate performance for commuting and city driving. Weighing between 3,036 to 3,084 pounds, the Sentra SR was relatively lightweight. Fuel economy was rated at 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 and dual-pinion electric steering, providing tidy road manners and cornering.

The 2022 Toyota Corolla sedan offered two engine options: a 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine with 139 horsepower and 126 pound-feet of torque for L, LE, and XLE models, and a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with 169 horsepower and 151 pound-feet of torque for SE and XSE models. The Apex Edition versions of the SE and XSE featured a sport exhaust system. The smaller engine came with a mandatory CVT, while the 2.0-liter engine was available with a six-speed manual gearbox on SE and SE Apex Edition models. The Apex Edition's model-specific suspension and sport exhaust system made it more nimble and fun to drive, though it lacked significant tire, brake, or engine upgrades. The Corolla's ride quality was stiffened, but driving enthusiasts might find it a worthwhile compromise.

The 2021 Nissan Sentra's interior was well-designed, with features like an 8-inch infotainment touchscreen, traditional gear selector lever, and open cupholders. The Sentra included two USB-A ports, one USB-C port, and a 12-volt port, all conveniently located at the bottom of the center stack. The Zero Gravity front bucket seats provided comfort on long rides, and the $2,270 Premium Package on SV and SR models added features like a six-way power-adjustable driver’s seat, heated front seats, and a power-sliding glass moonroof.

The 2022 Toyota Corolla's interior felt decently roomy, with a low beltline aiding outward visibility. However, the steeply raked windshield and deep dashboard made forward visibility challenging. The driver’s seat was positioned for optimal comfort, but long-legged drivers might find knee space lacking. The Corolla sedan offered 13.1 cubic feet of cargo space, less than competitors like the Honda Civic and Nissan Sentra. The sleek interior design limited storage space for smaller items, with a thin center console and small phone tray.

The 2021 Nissan Sentra featured a standard AM/FM/USB audio system with four speakers in the S trim, upgraded to six speakers and SiriusXM capability in SV and SR trims. An optional premium Bose system with eight speakers was available in the SR. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration, Bluetooth audio, and hands-free text-messaging assistant were standard across all trims. The SV and SR trims included an 8-inch touchscreen, while the S trim had a 7-inch touchscreen. NissanConnect services offered navigation, a WiFi hotspot, and remote access to vehicle functions via a smartphone app.

The 2022 Toyota Corolla's infotainment system was starting to show its age. A 7-inch touchscreen was standard on the base L model, while all other trims received an 8-inch touchscreen. Standard features included Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Bluetooth, WiFi connectivity, Amazon Alexa integration, and SiriusXM satellite radio. A nine-speaker, 800-watt JBL audio system was available on the XSE and XLE trims, as well as CVT-equipped SE models. The interface was user-friendly, but the graphics looked dated compared to competitors. The Corolla lacked wireless versions of Apple CarPlay and Android Auto and did not offer novel features like Hyundai's Digital Key.

The 2021 Nissan Sentra came with a comprehensive array of standard safety features, including an 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, 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 Toyota Corolla received the IIHS "Top Safety Pick+" award and a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA. Standard safety features under the Toyota Safety Sense 2.0 banner included forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning with steering assist, automatic high beams, Lane Tracing Assist, adaptive cruise control, and traffic-sign recognition. Blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert was available but not standard on all trims.