2024 Honda Accord Hybrid vs 2024 Nissan Sentra

The 2024 Nissan Sentra, though launched initially for the 2020 model year, underwent some aesthetic tweaks for 2024. The new, wider grille integrated seamlessly with the updated headlights, now featuring black interior bezel elements. Additional chrome trim around the edges and vertical elements meant to mimic air vents at the front edges provided a broader impression. Nissan designers embraced the "longer, lower, wider" maxim, enhancing the car’s overall presence.

Previously, the Sentra was moderately appealing, but the 2024 updates enhanced its existing attributes, such as the distinctive black roof and pronounced rear-quarter panels that added a sense of width. This design managed to avoid the eccentricities often seen in competitors like the Hyundai Elantra and Toyota Corolla while offering more flair than the Honda Civic and Volkswagen Jetta.

The trim level lineup remained unchanged from 2023, featuring the S, SV, and SR grades, with a Premium Package available for the SV and SR. The base Sentra S sported 16-inch steel wheels, while the Sentra SV upgraded to redesigned 16-inch alloy wheels for 2024. The Sentra SR distinguished itself with 18-inch wheels and unique styling elements, including darkened chrome trim and a reshaped lower rear fascia. Eye-catching colors like Monarch Orange Metallic and Electric Blue Metallic, especially with the optional black roof, added vibrancy to the SR model.

Inside, the Sentra featured large round air vents inspired by the Z sports car and a sleek dashboard framing a central touchscreen. The SR models added red-orange accent stitching to the standard cloth seats, with leather upholstery available on the SV models. A flat-bottom steering wheel, now a signature in Nissan models, complemented the design. While material quality matched entry-level standards, the design elements provided a distinct appeal.

In contrast, the 2024 Honda Accord Hybrid comes in Sport, EX-L, Sport-L, and Touring trim levels, with prices ranging from $32,895 to $38,890, excluding a $1,095 destination charge. The Accord Hybrid adopted a clean and technical look from its 2023 redesign, a shift from its previous sporty styling. Particularly appealing were the machined-finish 19-inch wheels on the Sport and Touring trims, which filled the wheel wells and minimized the visual bulk of its sides.

The Canyon River Blue Metallic paint on the Accord Hybrid Touring, paired with black leather interior, created a premium feel though limiting interior color choices was a drawback. The MSRP for our test car, without dealer-installed accessories, totaled $39,985.

Despite the black interior, Honda cleverly used a gray headliner, gray contrast stitching, metallic finishes, and an artful mesh trim strip concealing the dashboard air vents to lighten the atmosphere. Though some lower cabin plastics were overly shiny for a $40,000 car, the interior overall echoed an ‘Acura Lite’ feel, impressing testers.

The 2024 Nissan Sentra continued to forgo high-performance models like the SE-R, SR Turbo, and NISMO, focusing instead on efficiency and pleasant driving dynamics. It featured a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine boasting 149 horsepower and 146 pound-feet of torque, paired exclusively with front-wheel drive and a continuously variable transmission (CVT) that was reengineered for 2024 to enhance fuel efficiency and smoothness. The new engine start-stop system also aimed to improve mpg.

Driving the Sentra provided a pleasant experience. The steering delivered good feedback and precision, making small corrections responsive without feeling twitchy. The suspension, designed more for comfort than performance, ensured a stable ride without undue sway for rear passengers. Notably, the updated CVT performed smoothly up to about 45 mph, though a pre-production test car indicated potential variances in dealer models.

The 2024 Honda Accord Hybrid, however, utilized the latest iteration of Honda’s two-motor hybrid powertrain, combining a 2.0-liter four-cylinder gasoline engine with two electric motors. This system, lacking a conventional automatic transmission, primarily used the gasoline engine as an onboard generator to power the propulsion motor and recharge the lithium-ion battery.

The Accord Hybrid's total output was 204 horsepower and 247 pound-feet of torque, making for brisk acceleration, especially given the car’s roughly 3,500-pound weight. The hybrid powertrain’s nuances contributed to a normal driving feel, with simulated gear changes adding to the traditional driving experience. However, all-wheel drive was not an option.

In city driving and during commutes, the Accord Hybrid proved zippy and satisfying. Highway acceleration was effortless, although the gas engine's noise under heavy throttle was less pleasant. The car handled mountain grades well during testing.

EPA ratings for the Accord Hybrid EX-L were 48 mpg combined, with the Sport, Sport-L, and Touring trims rated at 44 mpg due to larger wheels. The Touring trim test returned 43.1 mpg, which was impressive for a car of this size.

Dynamically, the Accord Touring excelled, showcasing Honda's adept blend of ride comfort and handling prowess. Whether steering, braking, or navigating road imperfections, the Accord felt responsive and refined, making it a reliable daily driver.

The 2024 Nissan Sentra offered adequate interior space, particularly in the front, with competitive headroom aligning closely with the Kia Forte and Mazda 3, but trailing slightly behind the Honda Civic and Hyundai Elantra. However, rear legroom was where it lagged, with less space than these competitors. Nevertheless, the front seats benefited from Nissan’s Zero Gravity design for enhanced comfort, and the low window sills and slim dashboard provided excellent forward visibility for average-height drivers. Rearward visibility was surprisingly good despite thick rear roof pillars.

Compact cars like the Sentra are not "compact" in the traditional sense, and the Sentra reflected this with ample room between the front seats for large cupholders, a phone slot, and even a small change compartment. It lacked all-wheel drive but offered an All-Weather Package for the SV and SR grades, featuring conveniences like heated seats and mirrors, remote start, and dual-zone automatic climate control.

Cargo space measured at 14.3 cubic feet, larger than the Mazda 3 and slightly more than the Hyundai Elantra, yet it fell short of the Kia Forte and Honda Civic. A 60/40 split-folding rear bench seat added flexibility for accommodating longer items.

In contrast, the 2024 Honda Accord Hybrid prioritized comfort, though some taller drivers might wish for more rearward seat travel. Every Accord Hybrid featured a 10-way power-adjustable driver’s seat, with leather models adding heated front seats. The Touring trim even included ventilated front seats and heated outboard rear seats.

Front seats provided ample leg support, though the front passenger seat lacked height adjustment, which wasn't an issue for all users. Rear passengers enjoyed generous legroom and headroom, a well-perched cushion, and a perfectly angled backrest. Touring models further pampered rear passengers with air conditioning vents and USB ports, and wide-opening doors facilitated easy access.

Interior storage was proficient, aside from the absent driver's seatback pocket. The trunk offered a generous 16.7 cubic feet of cargo space, surpassing rivals in this class, and featured a fully opening lid for effortless loading, although it wasn't power-operated.

The 2024 Nissan Sentra provided functional but somewhat outdated tech. The base Sentra S model came with a 7-inch touchscreen and a 4.2-inch instrument cluster display. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were included, but only via wired connections. Bluetooth, a single front USB port, and a four-speaker audio system were standard. The Sentra SV and SR models upgraded to an 8-inch touchscreen, a 7-inch instrument cluster display, and a six-speaker audio system with SiriusXM compatibility. Additional USB charging options came with these trims, and an optional eight-speaker Bose audio system and Wi-Fi connectivity available with the SV and SR Premium Package.

Despite the larger screens in higher trims, the graphics felt dated compared to competitors like Hyundai and Kia. Functional yet unremarkable, the Sentra’s system lacked the modern tech polish for 2024.

The 2024 Honda Accord Hybrid excelled in this area, with all trims featuring a 10.2-inch digital display paired with a 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system. Standard tech included wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Alexa Built-in, and HondaLink subscriptions with a Wi-Fi hotspot. An eight-speaker stereo was standard, excluding the Touring trim. The Touring boasted a 12-speaker Bose system, a wireless phone charger, and a 6-inch head-up display. This trim uniquely featured Google Built-in, providing Google Maps, Assistant, and Play Store with a complimentary three-year subscription.

While Google Assistant had reliability issues in testing, switching to Apple CarPlay provided a seamless experience. The digital display focused on practical information, ensuring drivers remained aware of essential functions like lighting and turn signals.

Safety ratings for the 2024 Nissan Sentra were incomplete. The IIHS awarded it a top "Good" rating in the original side-impact test and an "Acceptable" in the updated version. Front crash prevention earned an "Advanced" rating during daytime testing but only a "Basic" at night. Additionally, the Sentra received a "Poor" headlight rating.

NHTSA ratings were also partial, with five-star results in rollover and side crash tests, but lacking frontal crash-test and overall safety scores. The Nissan Safety Shield 360 suite was standard, including forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and more. Adaptive cruise control and a 360-degree camera system were available on higher trims.

Conversely, the 2024 Honda Accord Hybrid garnered a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS, supported by Honda Sensing's comprehensive driver-assistance features. These standard features included automatic high-beam headlights, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and adaptive cruise control with traffic-jam assist. The EX-L trim added parking sensors, and the Touring included low-speed automatic braking.

During testing, Honda Sensing faced challenges with bright sunlight interfering with lane assist and traffic-jam assist operation. However, the system’s clear status displays in both the digital and head-up displays were helpful. Manual control became preferable in heavy traffic, but the features proved beneficial on long, less-congested drives.