2023 Honda Accord Hybrid vs 2022 Nissan Sentra

The 2022 Nissan Sentra carried over its sleek design from the 2020 redesign, resembling a smaller Altima with its low-slung, modern, coupe-like appearance. This was a significant improvement over the previous models, which had a more traditional three-box sedan look. The Sentra's design was a refined execution of Nissan's current design language, available in various bold colors, including blue, burnt orange, and "Scarlet Ember," with options for a contrasting black roof. Inside, the Sentra boasted a modern yet simple layout, with easy-to-use controls and a touchscreen that served as the visual centerpiece of the front cabin. The Sentra offered three trims: S, SV, and SR, each adding more features and enhancements, such as larger wheels, LED headlights, and premium interior materials. The Midnight Edition package for the SR trim added dark accents and unique styling elements, enhancing the Sentra's overall appeal.

The 2023 Honda Accord Hybrid, particularly in the Touring trim, exuded an elegant exterior that could easily be mistaken for a luxury sedan. Its design drew comparisons to the Audi A7, with a sleek, elongated body and a refined, near-luxury appearance. The Accord's exterior updates included a redesigned front grille, updated LED lighting, and a longer, more planted stance. The interior featured a new dashboard design with a digital instrument display and a 12.3-inch touchscreen, offering advanced tech features like wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Amazon Alexa, and a head-up display. The Accord Hybrid Touring also came with a black leather interior and optional gray leather, providing a comfortable and upscale cabin experience. Despite its increased length, the Accord remained easy to park and maneuver, making it a versatile choice for various driving environments.

The 2022 Nissan Sentra was powered by a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine producing 149 horsepower and 146 pound-feet of torque, paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT) and front-wheel drive. While the engine wasn't particularly outstanding, the CVT managed power effectively, providing solid low-end acceleration and satisfactory highway performance. The Sentra's steering was well-weighted, and its cornering was sharp for a non-performance-focused car. The suspension handled most road bumps well, though it struggled with harsher conditions. Overall, the Sentra was a reliable choice for commuting, city driving, and occasional road trips.

The 2023 Honda Accord Hybrid featured a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine combined with two electric motors, delivering 204 horsepower to the front wheels through a CVT. Although it lacked all-wheel drive, the Accord Hybrid offered smooth and efficient performance, seamlessly switching between electric and gas power. It provided ample power for highway merges and passing maneuvers, with a suspension that absorbed road imperfections effectively. The Accord's regenerative braking system was enhanced with six levels of regen, allowing for easier fine-tuning. Its agile handling made it a relaxing drive in various environments, and despite its increased length, it remained easy to park in tight spots.

The 2022 Nissan Sentra offered 14.3 cubic feet of trunk space, which was competitive among small sedans, though slightly less than the Kia Forte's 15.3 cubic feet. The trunk space could be expanded with a 60/40 split-fold rear bench, though the ledge created by the bench could make loading larger items challenging. The Sentra's trunk could be remotely opened via the key fob or a button on the dash. Inside, the Sentra provided spacious seating for both rows, with ample headroom and legroom in the front and decent legroom in the rear. The front row featured large in-door cargo trays and bottle holders, along with a center console with cupholders and trays.

The 2023 Honda Accord Hybrid's cabin adopted a layout similar to Honda's Civic and CR-V models, featuring a strip of honeycomb mesh trim that concealed the air vents. The infotainment screen was prominently placed atop the dashboard, with easy-to-reach controls for cabin temperature and seat heating/ventilation. The Accord Hybrid Touring included a traditional gearshift, providing a convenient spot to rest a hand when adjusting settings. The front seats were designed for better support, offering comfort during long drives. The rear seats provided generous legroom and shoulder room, though headroom was slightly compromised by the sleek roofline. Trunk space was ample at 16.7 cubic feet, with a low load floor for easy access.

The 2022 Nissan Sentra came standard with a 7-inch touchscreen featuring Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, along with a USB port and Bluetooth connectivity. The SV and SR trims upgraded to an 8-inch touchscreen with the same smartphone integration. The system was user-friendly, with conventional hard buttons and volume/tuning dials. 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 2023 Honda Accord Hybrid featured a 12.3-inch touchscreen with intuitive menus and easy navigation. The Touring trim included advanced tech features such as wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a wireless charging pad, "Hey Google" virtual assistant, Amazon Alexa, and a head-up display. A 12-speaker Bose audio system, HD radio, and four USB ports were also included, making the Accord Hybrid Touring a tech-savvy choice.

The 2022 Nissan Sentra was equipped with a comprehensive list of standard driver-assistance features, including forward and reverse automatic emergency braking, forward collision avoidance, pedestrian detection, driver drowsiness monitoring, lane-departure warning, and blind spot monitoring. Additional features on our test model included a surround-view parking monitor and adaptive cruise control. The Sentra earned 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.

The 2023 Honda Accord Hybrid came with a robust set of active safety features, including automatic emergency braking, forward collision warning, adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, traffic sign recognition, pedestrian and cyclist detection, and a rear-seat reminder. The Touring trim added a multi-angle rearview camera, front and rear parking sensors, and a head-up display. Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert were optional. The Accord Hybrid received a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS, with high scores in crash tests, headlights, crash avoidance, and child seat compatibility.