Elantra vs Sentra: Interior Convenience and Technology

Both vehicles are known for their passenger-engineered design, which includes ample space throughout with a personal touch. Starting up front, the Elantra outshines the Sentra in available headroom with 40.6 inches compared to 38.9 inches. This extends to the rear seats as well; passengers in the Elantra have 37.3 inches of headroom.

Additionally, the entertainment doesn’t shy away from the spotlight. The available 10.25-inch touchscreen display in the Elantra is larger than the 8-inch display in the Sentra—its largest available offering. These two displays do share several features and integration, like Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto™, although only the Elantra allows for wireless compatibility.

Excel to New Heights with Sleek Performance

One of the clear advantages of the Elantra is its range of drivetrain options. The Sentra’s standard 2.0L 4-cylinder engine is the only offering between its three trims, whereas the Elantra’s N-Line trim offers up a thrill. Its 1.6L I-4 engine exceeds the Sentra in power with 201 horsepower and 195 lb-ft of torque.

Both sedans are front-wheel drive and offer similar drivetrains with Smartstream® Intelligent Variable Transmission (IVT). However, with the N-Line serving as a sporty model, drivers can choose from either a 6-speed manual transmission or a 7-speed Dual Clutch Transmission with SHIFTRONIC®. These options aren’t available with the Sentra.

Additionally, the Elantra and Sedan carry identically sized fuel tanks with a 12.4-gallon capacity. Nevertheless, the Elantra exceeds the Sentra here as well. Its EPA-estimated 31 MPG city/41 MPG highway just barely beats out the Sentra’s EPA-estimated 29 MPG city/39 MPG highway.¹

Hyundai and Nissan: Placing Focus on Your Safety

The Hyundai SmartSense safety suite is on par with Nissan’s advanced safety and driver-assist offerings. These features take advantage of various sensors and technology to provide peace of mind whether you’re driving along the highway or if you’re idling. Some of the shared safety technologies include:

• Rear Cross-Traffic Collision Avoidance Assist
• Blind-Spot Collision-Avoidance Assist
• Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist with Pedestrian Detection
• High Beam Assist

However similar their safety suites are, Hyundai has an added touch of available safety technology. The available Smart Cruise Control with Stop & Go is offered on more trims than the Sentra, making it easier than ever to relax on long highway stretches.