2021 Subaru Impreza vs 2021 Nissan Sentra

Subaru forged a conservative design path with the 2021 Impreza, moving away from its previous riskier styling choices like large round headlights and boxy fender flares. Though it didn't carry markedly distinct Subaru identifiers, the 2021 model maintained a handsome and sleek appearance. The sedan and hatchback versions featured streamlined headlights and taillights that added a width illusion, complemented by a subtly tapered front end. Scalloping along the body provided visual intrigue, while the previous generation's awkward wheel arch metalwork was toned down.

Impreza Sport models enjoyed specific styling enhancements, including 18-inch alloy wheels, whereas base models came equipped with 16-inch steel wheels. Subaru's Global Platform, shared with models like the Legacy sedan and Forester crossover, underpinned the Impreza, ensuring improved refinement and drivability. Inside, the Impreza's cabin design was modest yet functional, with contrasting stitches, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, and aluminum pedals on the Sport model, and standard leather upholstery and LED headlights on the Limited trim.

Conversely, the 2021 Nissan Sentra entered its eighth generation with a strikingly athletic exterior. Shifting away from its previously bland silhouette, the Sentra now boasted crisp bends and lines, giving it a bold presence. The distinct V-Motion grille, paired with expressive, horizontally laid headlights, bestowed a serious look. Buyers could select from eight exterior paint colors, including vibrant options like Monarch Orange Metallic and Electric Blue Metallic. Optional two-tone paint schemes on SR trims highlighted the car's dynamic design.

The Sentra's body sculpting continued with a bulging hood, fast roofline, and muscular wheel arches, underscoring agility and fun. Standard wheels ranged from 16-inch steel to 18-inch alloys on the SR trim. Inside, the Sentra's expansive dash and well-positioned 8-inch infotainment touchscreen in higher trims contributed to an upscale feel. The flat-bottomed steering wheel enhanced driving comfort, though the second-row seating was better suited for two passengers rather than three. The 14.3 cubic feet trunk and 60/40 split rear seats offered practical cargo solutions.

Under the hood, the 2021 Subaru Impreza featured a 2.0-liter four-cylinder boxer engine producing 152 horsepower and 145 pound-feet of torque. The engine's lower mounting translated to a lower center of gravity for better handling dynamics. The majority of Impreza models were equipped with a CVT, though a five-speed manual was available for base sedan and hatchback trims, as well as the Sport hatchback. The Impreza Sport also benefited from model-specific suspension tuning and a torque vectoring function for the AWD system.

In practice, the Impreza delivered a comfortable driving experience, though less engaging compared to rivals like the Honda Civic or Mazda 3. The Sport trim struck a fine balance between ride quality and handling, with neutral balance courtesy of torque vectoring; however, its noncommunicative steering and modest engine power did not cater to enthusiasts.

The 2021 Nissan Sentra, on the other hand, sported a new 2.0-liter naturally aspirated four-cylinder engine, delivering 149 horsepower and 146 pound-feet of torque. This front-wheel-drive setup paired with an Xtronic CVT provided commendable efficiency and adequate performance for urban commuting. Weighing between 3,036 and 3,084 pounds, the Sentra SR was relatively light, contributing to its nimble driving manners.

Fuel economy was impressive, with the Sentra S and SV achieving 29 mpg city/39 mpg highway/33 mpg combined, and the SR slightly trailing at 28 mpg city/37 mpg highway/32 mpg combined. Complementing its performance, SV and SR trims received four-wheel independent suspension and disk brakes at both ends, ensuring responsive handling. Dual-pinion electric steering with vehicle-speed sensitive power assist further enhanced driving dynamics.

In terms of interior space, the 2021 Subaru Impreza offered reasonable legroom for a compact car, though headroom was somewhat limited. The sedan provided only 12.3 cubic feet of trunk space, lagging behind many competitors. Still, its standard 60/40 split-folding rear seat afforded some flexibility for longer items. The hatchback variant was more cargo-friendly, with 20.8 cubic feet of space behind the rear seats and an expansive 55.3 cubic feet with the seats folded down. Most trim levels, except for the base model, also included standard roof rails.

The 2021 Nissan Sentra excelled in practical interior design, with thoughtfully placed infotainment and climate controls located conveniently within reach. The traditional gear selector, open cupholders, and a spacious glove compartment emphasized function over form. For connectivity, the Sentra was equipped with two USB-A ports, one USB-C port, and a 12-volt outlet at the base of the center stack, though a covered placement would have been preferable to reduce clutter.

Nissan's Zero Gravity front bucket seats offered excellent comfort, particularly beneficial for long-distance driving. A six-way power-adjustable driver’s seat with additional lumbar support featured in the Premium Package on SV and SR trims, which also added heated front seats and a power-sliding glass moonroof.

When comparing cargo space, the Sentra's trunk held 14.3 cubic feet, whereas the Impreza hatchback offered notably more utility with 20.8 cubic feet, expandable to 55.3 cubic feet with rear seats folded. The Impreza sedan, however, lagged behind in practicality with its 12.3 cubic feet trunk.

Subaru equipped the 2021 Impreza with a basic yet user-friendly infotainment system. Base and Premium trims featured a 6.5-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, while higher trims upgraded to an 8-inch display. An optional package for the Limited trim included TomTom-based navigation and a Harman Kardon audio system. A secondary display above the main touchscreen provided additional information, though it seemed partially redundant alongside the gauge cluster's small LCD display.

Conversely, the 2021 Nissan Sentra offered a robust technological suite. The base S trim began with a simple AM/FM/USB system and a 7-inch touchscreen, upgrading to a six-speaker system with SiriusXM in SV and SR trims. The SR trim had an optional premium Bose eight-speaker system for a more immersive audio experience. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard across all trims, with higher trims featuring an 8-inch touchscreen.

NissanConnect services added a WiFi hotspot and allowed smartphone app access for various vehicle functions, such as remote start/stop and vehicle tracking. Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant integration permitted voice-command functions and destination searches from home, with results sent to the car.

Safety was a strong point for both vehicles. The 2021 Subaru Impreza earned the IIHS "Top Safety Pick" award and a five-star overall safety rating from NHTSA. Standard safety features on all CVT-equipped models included Subaru's EyeSight suite, offering automatic emergency braking, lane-keep assist, lane-departure warning, and lead vehicle start alert. Other available features included blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, rear automatic braking, and steering-responsive headlights.

The 2021 Nissan Sentra also fared well in safety ratings, receiving a five-star overall rating from NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick from IIHS. Standard safety features included the Nissan Safety Shield 360, encompassing intelligent forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, lane departure warning, rear automatic braking, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. Intelligent cruise control and a 360-degree camera system were available on higher trims, enhancing the vehicle's safety package.