2020 Nissan Sentra vs 2020 Honda Civic

The stakes are still quite high in the compact car segment- they endure as one of Canada’s favorite ways to get around. Despite diminishing sales, car makers remain invested in the category as demonstrated by continued improvements made to existing cars. Case in point: the all-new 2020 Nissan Sentra.

In this segment, the Honda Civic reigns as the best-seller and with reason. Its reputation precedes it but now, with the all-new 2020 Nissan Sentra, buyers looking for efficiency, performance, safety, technology and loads of driving fun have a new option.

Yes, all of this is possible in a small car in 2020 and the new Sentra is the perfect example. Let’s begin with safety features. The new 2020 Sentra includes Nissan’s Safety Shield 360 which consists in Intelligent Emergency Braking, front and back, with Pedestrian Detection, Blind Spot Warning (BSW), Lane Departure Warning (LDW), and so much more. Honda feels the same about safety when it comes to its precious customers.

Positioning oneself behind the steering of both of these cars is proof positive that these are not “econoboxes.” While there’s great attention to detail in both cars, the Sentra included “D” shaped steering wheel tells a tale of good times.

The 2020 Nissan Sentra is powered by a potent 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine that delivers 149-horsepower and 146 lb.-ft. of torque. The Honda Civic also gets its motivation from a 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine which produces 158-horsepower and 138 lb.-ft. of torque. Both compact sedans are offered with a 6-speed manual transmission or an available Continuously variable transmission (CVT). With the latter transmission, both cars return a combined average fuel consumption of only 7.1L/100 km.

The ace up the 2020 Nissan Sentra’s sleeve is value. At $18,798 the Sentra S includes a 7-inch infotainment screen which is not offered with the base Civic DX. The $21,998 Sentra SV offers 16-inch wheels, remote engine start, dual-zone climate control, and it’s just getting started. In contrast, the $22,990 2020 Honda Civic LX with CVT still rolls on 16-inch steel wheel with covers, sports a 7-inch screen and single-zone climate controls.

Pound for pound, the 2020 Nissan Sentra matches or surpasses the Honda Civic. One department where the Sentra takes it is in styling. Inspired by the superb Nissan GT-R, the Sentra looks every bit as fun to drive and live with as it is.