2022 Nissan Sentra vs 2022 Mercedes-Benz S-Class

The 2022 Mercedes-Benz S-Class retained its fantastic design from the previous year, following a complete makeover in 2021. Despite the growing popularity of SUVs, the S-Class continued to stand out as a testament to the enduring appeal of luxury sedans. Its lineage traced back to the 1954 "Ponton" models, with the current iteration representing the seventh generation, known as the W223. The S-Class maintained its status as Mercedes-Benz's flagship sedan, offering only the S500 and S580 sedans without additional body styles. The sleek exterior, characterized by a long distance between the front axle and dashboard, exuded elegance. The interior featured high-quality materials, with a 12.8-inch touchscreen and a separate 12.3-inch digital instrument panel, providing a sophisticated and functional cabin experience.

The 2022 Nissan Sentra, redesigned in 2020, carried over its modern and coupe-like exterior into 2022. Resembling a downsized Altima, the Sentra's design was a significant improvement over its predecessors. It offered a range of bold color options, including blue, burnt orange, and "Scarlet Ember," with a contrasting black roof available. Inside, the Sentra boasted a modern and functional layout, with easy-to-use controls and an upscale look. The front cabin featured a prominent touchscreen, while the Sentra's trims—S, SV, and SR—offered various features, from basic amenities to more advanced options like heated side mirrors and a larger infotainment system. The Midnight Edition package added dark accents and unique styling elements, enhancing the Sentra's appeal.

The 2022 Mercedes-Benz S-Class was designed for both executive commuting and weekend pleasure driving. The S500 model featured a turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six-cylinder mild-hybrid engine, producing 429 horsepower and 384 lb-ft of torque, with an additional 21 horsepower and 184 lb-ft of torque from the EQ Boost system. The S580 model offered a twin-turbocharged 4.0-liter V8 engine. Both models used a nine-speed automatic transmission with paddle shifters and standard 4Matic AWD. Despite their weight, the S500 and S580 were quick, with 0-60 mph times of 4.9 and 4.4 seconds, respectively. The S-Class delivered a smooth ride, with fuel economy ratings of 21 mpg city/30 mpg highway for the S500 and 16 mpg city/25 mpg highway for the S580.

The 2022 Nissan Sentra came with a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, producing 149 horsepower and 146 lb-ft of torque, paired with a CVT and front-wheel drive. While not outstanding, the engine provided solid low-end acceleration and satisfactory highway performance. The Sentra's steering was well-weighted, and its cornering was sharp for a non-performance car. The suspension handled most road conditions well, making the Sentra suitable for commuting and road trips. The Sport button on the shifter offered minimal performance improvement, but the Sentra's consistent performance across different settings was commendable.

The 2022 Mercedes-Benz S-Class excelled as an executive sedan, offering a spacious and luxurious cabin. Second-row passengers enjoyed powered sun blinds and a Panorama Sunroof, while the 13.8-cubic-foot trunk provided ample storage. The cabin featured six USB-C ports and a 115-volt power supply in the second row. The front seats offered heating, ventilation, massage functions, and memory settings, ensuring comfort during long drives. The Luxury Line added features like a heated steering wheel and rear-seat heating, while the Executive Line catered to chauffeured passengers with advanced rear-seat options. The S-Class's soft-close doors added a touch of convenience.

The 2022 Nissan Sentra provided 14.3 cubic feet of trunk space, surpassing many small sedans. The 60/40 split-fold rear bench allowed for expanded cargo space, though the ledge created by the bench could be a hindrance. The trunk could be remotely opened via the key fob or a dashboard button. The Sentra's two rows of seating offered ample headroom and legroom, with comfortable front seats and decent rear-seat space. The front row featured large in-door cargo trays and bottle holders, while the center console provided additional storage options.

The 2022 Mercedes-Benz S-Class was equipped with cutting-edge technology, including a 12.8-inch OLED touchscreen for the MBUX infotainment system. The OLED screen offered superior image quality and energy efficiency. The 12.3-inch LED virtual instrument panel provided customizable visual themes, and the optional 3D instrument cluster added depth to the display. The augmented video for navigation and available augmented reality head-up display enhanced the driving experience. The standard Burmester 3D Surround sound system delivered high-fidelity audio, with an optional 4D system for an immersive experience. The S-Class also featured EQ Boost and rear-axle steering for improved performance and maneuverability.

The 2022 Nissan Sentra came standard with a 7-inch touchscreen featuring Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, with an 8-inch screen available on higher trims. The system included USB ports and Bluetooth connectivity, with easy menu navigation and conventional hard buttons. However, the graphics could use updating, and the lack of wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto was a drawback compared to competitors like the Honda Civic.

The 2022 Mercedes-Benz S-Class was loaded with safety and driver assistance features, including Magic Vision Control for optimal windshield spray. Driver assistance systems included adaptive cruise control, active steering assist, active brake assist, and more. The Pre-Safe systems prepared the S-Class for imminent collisions, while car-to-x communication shared road condition warnings. Rear-passenger airbags and rear-seat belt bags were available for added safety.

The 2022 Nissan Sentra offered a comprehensive suite of standard driver-assistance features, such as automatic emergency braking, forward collision avoidance, and blind spot monitoring. Additional features included a surround-view parking monitor and adaptive cruise control. The Sentra received a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA and a "Top Safety Pick" award from the IIHS, with high ratings for crash testing and driver-assistance effectiveness.