2023 Toyota Crown vs 2022 Nissan Sentra

The 2022 Nissan Sentra, redesigned in 2020, carried over its modern, low-slung, coupe-like exterior into 2022. It resembled a downsized Altima, showcasing Nissan's current design language. The Sentra's exterior was a significant improvement over its pre-2020 versions, which had a more cartoonish look. The test model came in a sedate gray, but the Sentra was also available in bold colors like blue, burnt orange, and "Scarlet Ember," with an option for a contrasting black roof. Inside, the Sentra featured a modern yet simple layout with easy-to-use controls and a touchscreen that served as the visual centerpiece. The interior design was both functional and upscale, with trims ranging from the base S to the sporty SR, each adding more features and amenities.

The 2023 Toyota Crown, a full-size sedan, stood out with its elevated ride height, reminiscent of the old Honda Accord Crosstour. Its massive grille, mostly aesthetic, and angular wraparound headlights gave it a distinctive front end. The Crown's side profile featured large wheels and a black trim piece along the bottom of the doors, while the rear had a bold taillight strip and a stepped transition from the side fender. The top Platinum trim offered a two-tone color option with glossy black paint. Inside, the Crown was modern with a digital instrument panel and a large horizontal touchscreen. The cabin mixed hard plastics with cushioned touchpoints, giving it a near-luxury feel, though some elements like the 1980s-era LED temperature displays detracted from the futuristic ambiance.

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 outstanding, the CVT managed power well, 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 car. The suspension handled most road bumps decently but struggled with harsher conditions. Overall, the Sentra was great for commuting, city driving, and occasional road trips.

The 2023 Toyota Crown offered two hybrid powertrains across its XLE, Limited, and Platinum trims. The base powertrain combined a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with a hybrid electric motor, producing 236 horsepower and featuring on-demand all-wheel drive. The Platinum trim's Hybrid Max powertrain upgraded to a turbocharged 2.4-liter engine and a more powerful rear electric motor, delivering 340 horsepower. The base hybrid used a CVT, while the Hybrid Max had a six-speed automatic transmission. The base hybrid accelerated to 60 mph in 7.6 seconds, while the Hybrid Max did it in 5.7 seconds. The Crown's ride quality was tuned for comfort, with the Platinum trim adding an adaptive suspension. Despite some engine drone, the cabin remained quiet, and the Crown handled curves confidently at sensible speeds.

The 2022 Nissan Sentra offered 14.3 cubic feet of trunk space, expandable with a 60/40 split-fold rear bench, though the ledge created by the bench could make loading larger items difficult. The trunk could be remotely opened via the key fob or a button on the dash. The Sentra's two rows of seating provided ample headroom and legroom, with comfortable front seats and decent rear legroom. The front row featured large in-door cargo trays and bottle holders, while the center console had plenty of cupholders and trays.

The 2023 Toyota Crown's base XLE trim featured fabric seat upholstery with SofTex faux-leather trim, while the Limited and Platinum trims had full leather coverings. The front seats were comfortable for long trips, though the firm cushioning could cause discomfort over time. The driver's view was largely unobstructed, but the rearview was narrow. The taller ride height offered a slightly better road view. The front cabin had adequate storage, including large cupholders, door pockets, and a center console armrest bin. The rear seats provided ample legroom and adequate headroom, with higher trims offering a panoramic sunroof. The Crown's trunk had a capacity of 15.2 cubic feet, smaller than some rivals but still useful.

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. The system's menu navigation was easy to follow, 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 Toyota Crown featured a standard 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen with sharp graphics and quick responses. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were included, along with a wireless charging pad. The base six-speaker audio system was adequate, but higher trims offered an 11-speaker JBL premium system. The infotainment system supported over-the-air updates and had a voice-recognition system activated by saying "Hey Toyota." Additional features included a Wi-Fi hotspot, streaming entertainment, and a digital key feature available on higher trims.

The 2022 Nissan Sentra came with a solid 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. Our test model included additional features like a surround-view parking monitor and adaptive cruise control. The Sentra earned a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA and a "Good" rating from the IIHS, along with a "Top Safety Pick" award.

The 2023 Toyota Crown's crash test results were not yet available, but it came with standard safety features like frontal and cross-traffic collision warning, automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitoring, automatic high beams, traffic-sign recognition, and a rear-seat-passenger reminder. The Platinum trim added a semi-automated parallel parking system. The adaptive cruise control and lane-keep assist were well-tuned, though some new features were intrusive and could be disabled.