2021 Toyota Camry vs 2021 Nissan Sentra

The 2021 Toyota Camry made significant strides to distance itself from its predecessors, which often suffered from a reputation of blandness. Designers aimed to infuse excitement by incorporating various styling details. Elements like the flared wheel arches, thin headlights, and taillights successfully widened the car visually. However, certain trim levels like the SE, XSE, or TRD were adorned with fake vents that contributed to a cluttered appearance. The LE and XLE trims featured a cleaner, yet still substantial, grille. The car’s underpinnings were based on the TNGA-K platform, which it shared with larger models like the Avalon sedan and the RAV4 SUV. For 2021, the Camry's front-fascia styling saw some changes, though these modifications were not drastic. The TRD model, in particular, featured unique styling touches like a larger rear spoiler. The Nightshade Edition, carried over from 2020, was based on the SE trim but came with blacked-out exterior trim and wheels. Speaking of wheels, 17-inch alloys were standard on the base LE trim, while 18-inch and 19-inch options were available on higher trims. Inside, the Camry had a similarly chaotic design. The dashboard on the SE Nightshade Edition, for example, appeared to be a mix of mismatched parts. The interior was a collage of different trim elements, including contrast stitching, piano black plastic, and carbon-fiber-look plastic trim. XLE and XSE trims offered leather upholstery, but the materials in general felt low-end. By contrast, the 2021 Nissan Sentra, which entered its eighth generation in the previous year, boasted an athletic exterior marked by crisp lines and a bold demeanor. The V-Motion grille and horizontally arrayed headlights (available in LED) lent the car a squinty, serious look. The Sentra offered eight exterior colors, including vibrant options like Monarch Orange Metallic and Electric Blue Metallic. The SR trim had optional two-tone paint schemes that added to the car's dynamic look. Features like the bulging hood and fast roofline gave the Sentra an air of agility. Inside, the Sentra's layered dashboard felt expansive, aided by an 8-inch infotainment touchscreen on the SR trim (available on other trims as well). The textured plastic on the center console and doors provided a more modern feel compared to the imitation wood of past models. A flat-bottomed steering wheel added a sporty touch. The second row had decent room for two passengers, although the narrow center cushion was less comfortable. The trunk offered 14.3 cubic feet of cargo space, expandable via the 60/40 split rear seat.

The 2021 Toyota Camry offered multiple powertrain options. The baseline engine was a 2.5-liter four-cylinder, producing 203 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque with front-wheel drive or 202 hp and 182 lb-ft with all-wheel drive. The XSE trim came with a dual-exhaust system, slightly increasing output. Additionally, a naturally aspirated 3.5-liter V6 engine was available, delivering 301 hp and 267 lb-ft of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The Camry Hybrid combined a 2.5-liter engine with an electric motor to generate 208 hp, though it was only available with front-wheel drive. The SE Nightshade Edition we tested had the base four-cylinder engine and all-wheel drive. Despite seemingly modest specs, the Dynamic Force engine lived up to its name, providing a pleasant, sporty driving experience. The car's chassis struck a good balance between handling and ride quality, offering engaging cornering performance without sacrificing comfort. The TRD model, introduced in 2020, featured the V6 engine with various performance enhancements like a lowered suspension and stiffer coil springs. Although the Camry's AWD system was derived from the RAV4's, Toyota assured it didn't impact interior space. The 2021 Nissan Sentra was powered by a 2.0-liter naturally aspirated four-cylinder engine, generating 149 horsepower and 146 pound-feet of torque. Paired with a CVT, the front-wheel-drive Sentra offered a balanced performance suitable for city driving. Weighing between 3,036 and 3,084 pounds, the Sentra struck a good weight-to-power ratio for its class. Fuel economy ratings were 29 mpg city, 39 mpg highway, and 33 mpg combined for S and SV trims, slightly lower for the SR trim. The driving experience in the Sentra was enhanced by its well-sorted CVT, making it more enjoyable to drive than earlier models. The suspension system, combined with dual-pinion electric steering, provided good road manners and almost fun cornering. Though not a powerhouse, the Sentra's 149 hp was adequate for its purpose, balancing fuel efficiency and everyday usability.

When it came to interior space, the 2021 Toyota Camry offered generous rear headroom and legroom but compromised front headroom and legroom. The front seats, however, were adjustable and comfortable, providing excellent visibility. Cargo space measured at 15.1 cubic feet, falling behind the Honda Accord's 16.7 cubic feet. In-cabin storage was limited, with small cupholders and door pockets prone to trapping items in crevices. The 2021 Nissan Sentra, meanwhile, featured well-placed controls and abundant storage options. The interior layout included traditional elements like a gear selector lever, and open cupholders, contributing to a user-friendly environment. Connectivity options like two USB-A ports, a USB-C port, and a 12-volt outlet were conveniently placed at the center stack. The Sentra’s spaciousness extended to big front and rear door pockets, making hydration on-the-go easier. The Zero Gravity front seats lived up to their comfort reputation, especially for long journeys. An available six-way power-adjustable driver’s seat with power lumbar was part of a $2,270 Premium Package on SV and SR trims. Cargo capacity stood at 14.3 cubic feet, with split-folding rear seats for added flexibility.

In terms of infotainment, the 2021 Toyota Camry provided a 7-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Amazon Alexa, and SiriusXM (three-month trial) as standard. Higher trims upgraded to a 9-inch touchscreen, WiFi support, navigation, and a nine-speaker JBL audio system. A 10-inch head-up display was available on XSE and XLE trims. While functional, the touchscreen interface was not visually appealing. The 2021 Nissan Sentra started with AM/FM/USB audio and four speakers in the S trim, upgrading to six speakers and SiriusXM in the SV and SR trims. An optional Bose eight-speaker system was available on the SR. Across all trims, the Sentra included Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration. The S trim featured a 7-inch touchscreen, with an 8-inch screen on SV and SR models. Navigation was only available via subscription to NissanConnect services, which also included a WiFi hotspot and smartphone app compatibility for remote access and voice commands via Alexa and Google Assistant.

Safety was a strong suit for the 2021 Toyota Camry, which earned a “Top Safety Pick+” rating from the IIHS and a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA. The TSS 2.5+ safety package included adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, forward-collision warning, lane-departure warning, automatic high beams, and traffic-sign recognition. Enhanced capabilities for adaptive cruise control and forward-collision warning were new for 2021. The Camry also featured Toyota’s Rear Seat Reminder and offered blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert as standalone options. The 2021 Nissan Sentra came equipped with an extensive list of standard safety features, including an advanced airbag system, zone body construction with crumple zones, and a tire pressure monitoring system with Easy-Fill Tire Alert. Nissan Safety Shield 360 was standard across all trims, featuring forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, rear automatic braking, and a rearview camera. Higher trims offered intelligent cruise control and a 360-degree camera system. The Sentra earned a five-star overall rating from NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS.