2022 Nissan Sentra vs Honda Civic

Those who are in search of the ultimate commuter car will find that they have two great options to choose from: The 2022 Honda Civic and Nissan Sentra. Spanning 11 generations, the Civic has long been known as one of the top small sedans on today's market; while eight successful iterations means remarkable longevity for its counterpart, with both vehicles offering added versatility thanks to a hatchback option. Although similar in many aspects, potential buyers should take note of some crucial differences between these popular models before making their final decision.

The Powertrain

The 2022 Sentra delivers smooth, unassuming performance with its four-cylinder engine and CVT. For those looking for more kick in their ride, the Civic provides options to up the ante - choose between a powerful 2.0-liter base model or experience an even greater thrill behind wheel of its turbo 1.5-liter option which offers 180 horsepower plus 177 pound feet of torque ensure your journey is one you won't soon forget.

With the Nissan Sentra, drivers are offered a fuel-efficient option with 29mpg in cities and 39mpg on highways. However, those looking for something sportier can opt for the SR trim level which reduces its efficiency to 28/37 mpg city/highway driving respectively. Comparatively, Honda Civic's standard engine gets an average of 31city /40hwy while its turbocharged version achieves 33city / 42hwy; although this comes at a decrease in fuel economy when opting for their Si model that attains 26 city & 36 hwy MPG ratings per gallon.

The warranty coverage for the 2022 Sentra and 2022 Civic is identical. Each vehicle includes a limited warranty for three years or 36,000 miles and a powertrain warranty for five years or 60,000 miles. Regarding anticipated reliability, J.D. Power has rated the Sentra with an 85 out of 100 and the Civic with an 82.

Drivability

Driving the new Nissan Sentra is a pleasant experience, with well-weighted steering and robust brakes that instill confidence in drivers. However, a lack of feedback keeps Sentra from being classified as athletic. Conversely, the Civic is considered one of the most enjoyable sedans to drive due to its balanced ride and engaging experience at the wheel.

If buyers are concerned about how many grocery bags they can fit in their new sedan, they should be aware that the Sentra has 14.3 cubic feet in the trunk. That is slightly below average, while the Civic has nearly 15 cubic feet. For even more room, buyers can go with the Civic hatchback, which offers 24.5 cubic feet behind its second row.

Regarding the standard infotainment system, the base Civic and base Sentra are practically identical. Both vehicles include a 7-inch touchscreen, Bluetooth, Android Auto, and Apple CarPlay, along with a single USB port and a four-speaker sound system.

As potential buyers evaluate available enhancements, the Civic stands out more impressively compared to the Sentra. One example is the Civic's capability to have a 9-inch touchscreen, while the Sentra's limit is an 8-inch one. Moreover, the Civic offers additional upgrades, including a digital instrument panel and wireless versions of Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, which the Sentra doesn't have. Both cars provide a Wi-Fi hotspot and additional USB ports, along with satellite radio.

Buyers can upgrade their Sentra to an eight-speaker sound system from Bose. The Civic, on the other hand, can upgrade to a 12-speaker setup by Bose instead. Wireless device charging is also available on select Civic models.

Naturally, an infotainment system is only impressive if buyers can actually use it. Critics point out that the Sentra's setup is not user-friendly. There is a considerable amount of lag when trying to use the touch controls, and the physical controls make things more complicated than necessary. The graphics are also getting a bit outdated. The Civic has an infotainment system that is much easier to learn and use.

When it comes to the cabins of these two vehicles, there's no contest: The Civic is in a class all its own. A complete redesign for 2022 ensured every detail brings an elevated experience - rich materials and top-notch craftsmanship make you feel like royalty while driving. Meanwhile, although the Sentra may be dependable, it sadly lacks that same degree of sophistication as Honda’s offering.

The 2022 Honda Civic comes decked out with standard automatic climate control, push-button start and an ultra-luxe steering wheel complete with heated leather wrap - making it a definite step up from the entry-level Nissan Sentra. For those wanting to go all out on luxury features for their ride, you can upgrade your Sentra SV or SR model further by adding Dual Zone automated temperature settings plus that soft feeling of a warmed leather grip at your fingertips.

While the Sentra SR offers a comprehensive package that includes a moonroof, synthetic leather upholstery, and a power-adjustable driver's seat, you need to augment the package to enjoy these features fully. On the other hand, the top-tier Civic trim comes with genuine leather upholstery, power-adjustable front seats, and an auto-dimming rearview mirror without requiring any additional package. These features are readily available in the Civic Touring.

Both the Sentra and the Civic are meant to seat up to five. They both have supportive and comfortable front seats and adequately spacious rear seats. Taller occupants may not enjoy the back of the Sentra, however, due to its lack of headroom. While the redesign of the Civic did not change the amount of passenger space it had in the sedan, the new hatchback design gives rear passengers a bit more legroom.

Safety

Buyers can compare the safety scores from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety for the 2022 Sentra and the 2022 Civic. Both of these vehicles received the top score of "Good" in all six of the main testing categories. The 2022 Civic has been named a "Top Safety Pick+." As for the Sentra, it is held back by its headlights. Only the Sentra SR with the available feature package has been named a "Top Safety Pick."

The Sentra has fewer standard driver aids than the Civic, but it does cover the most important bases. Buyers get a forward-collision warning, lane departure warning, blind-spot monitoring, and pedestrian detection. Forward and reverse automatic emergency braking can be found on the standard feature list, plus driver drowsiness monitoring.

As for the Civic, it does not come standard with blind-spot monitoring. It makes up for this by including adaptive cruise control, road departure mitigation, automatic high beams, and traffic sign recognition. A rear-seat reminder is also standard for the 2022 Civic.

There are not very many extra driver aids available for the Sentra. Buyers can get this sedan with adaptive cruise control or a surround-view camera system. As for the Civic, it offers blind-spot monitoring, rain-sensing windshield wipers, rear cross-traffic alert, and both front and rear parking sensors. Interestingly, a surround-view camera system is not available.

Which Has the Best Value?

Starting at $19,500, the 2022 Sentra's price point is typical for its class. If buyers desire the top trim level, they can expect to pay $22,100, which is relatively low compared to other top trims. However, it's worth noting that Sentra offers many optional features instead of standard ones.

The new Honda Civic has a variety of models to fit any budget, with starting prices ranging from $21,700 for the entry-level sedan and up to an impressive top trim level at $29,400. Meanwhile the hatchback model starts slightly higher than its competitive counterparts at around $22,900 - giving drivers the perfect balance between performance and affordability.

With the initial steps out of the way, shoppers can dive deeper into their options by assessing financial implications. After analyzing 15k annual miles driven for each model, it's clear that depreciation varies slightly between both vehicles; a Sentra will depreciate to $12,300 and choosing a Civic leaves you with approx. $12600 loss in value throughout ownership . While one may offer better resale than the other regarding depreciation - when considering insurance savings and gas efficiency there is no question which sedan comes out ahead: The Honda Civic wins.

When shopping for the perfect sedan, two leading contenders are the 2022 Honda Civic and Nissan Sentra. While both vehicles have comparable financing costs, total fuel expenses over a five-year period are estimated to be slightly higher for the Sentra at $7000 versus only about $6700 for its competitor, with maintenance fees being especially steep in comparison – approximately 4500 vs 3000 dollars respectively. Both come out close by when factoring repair costs into account; however their cost per mile driven works heavily in favor of the better priced Civic at an anticipated 0.41$/mile against 0.44$/mile expected from driving a Sentra– another great reason why it's worth considering.

Which is Better?

The appeal of both of these cars is evident, given their commendable fuel efficiency and ample array of included safety features. Ultimately, selecting the superior option will depend on individual priorities.

The 2022 Civic is offering drivers a convenient and stylish solution to their driving needs. With increased cargo space, superior powertrain options, and enhanced technology features available on higher trim levels - the Civic provides an up-to-date experience that rivals can hardly compete with.

For those who might be swayed by cost effectiveness however; the Sentra may still prove to be the more suitable option due to its lower initial down payment as well as blin spot monitoring included at no extra charge. Your choice between these two dependable vehicles necessitates careful consideration of both price point and feature sets before finalizing your decision.