Compare the2019 Chevrolet SonicVS 2018 Nissan Sentra SR Turbo

The Sonic LT/Premier’s optional lane departure warning system alerts a temporarily inattentive driver when the vehicle begins to leave its lane. The Sentra SR Turbo doesn’t offer a lane departure warning system.

The Sonic has standard OnStar®, which uses a global positioning satellite (GPS) receiver and a cellular system to get turn-by-turn driving directions, remotely unlock your doors if you lock your keys in, help track down your vehicle if it’s stolen or send emergency personnel to the scene if any airbags deploy. The Sentra SR Turbo doesn’t offer a GPS response system, only a navigation computer with no live response for emergencies, so if you’re involved in an accident and you’re incapacitated help may not come as quickly.

Both the Sonic and the Sentra SR Turbo have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, front-wheel drive, height adjustable front shoulder belts, plastic fuel tanks, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, rearview cameras, available collision warning systems and rear parking sensors.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does 35 MPH front crash tests on new vehicles. In this test, results indicate that the Chevrolet Sonic is safer than the Nissan Sentra SR Turbo:

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does side impact tests on new vehicles. In this test, which crashes the vehicle into a flat barrier at 38.5 MPH and into a post at 20 MPH, results indicate that the Chevrolet Sonic is safer than the Nissan Sentra SR Turbo:

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

The Sonic’s corrosion warranty is 1 year longer than the Sentra SR Turbo’s (6 vs. 5 years).

Chevrolet pays for the first scheduled maintenance on the Sonic. Chevrolet will pay for the first oil change, lubrication and any other required maintenance in the first year. Nissan doesn’t pay scheduled maintenance for the Sentra SR Turbo.

There are almost 3 times as many Chevrolet dealers as there are Nissan dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Sonic’s warranty.

The Chevrolet Sonic’s engine uses a cast iron block for durability, while the Sentra SR Turbo’s engine uses an aluminum block. Aluminum engine blocks are much more prone to warp and crack at high temperatures than cast iron.

A reliable vehicle saves its owner time, money and trouble. Nobody wants to be stranded or have to be without a vehicle while it’s being repaired. Consumer Reports rates the Sonic’s reliability 24 points higher than the Sentra SR Turbo.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2018 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Chevrolet vehicles are better in initial quality than Nissan vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Chevrolet 6th in initial quality, above the industry average. With 3 more problems per 100 vehicles, Nissan is ranked 10th.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2018 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Chevrolet vehicles are more reliable than Nissan vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Chevrolet 6th in reliability, above the industry average. With 9 more problems per 100 vehicles, Nissan is ranked 10th.

On the EPA test cycle the Sonic gets better fuel mileage than the Sentra SR Turbo:

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Chevrolet Sonic uses regular unleaded gasoline. The Sentra SR Turbo requires premium for maximum efficiency, which can cost 20 to 55 cents more per gallon.

To help the driver achieve optimum performance and fuel economy, the Sonic has a standard up-shift light to indicate when to shift based on power needs and conditions. The Sentra SR Turbo doesn’t offer an up-shift light.

A standard “hill holder” feature keeps the Chevrolet Sonic with manual transmission from rolling backwards on a steep slope. The Sentra SR Turbo doesn’t offer a hill holder feature.

The Sonic has standard front and rear gas-charged shocks for better control over choppy roads. The Sentra SR Turbo’s suspension doesn’t offer gas-charged shocks.

The Chevrolet Sonic may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 150 to 200 pounds less than the Nissan Sentra SR Turbo.

The Sonic Sedan is 8.6 inches shorter than the Sentra SR Turbo, making the Sonic easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The Sonic Sedan has .5 inches more front hip room, 1.1 inches more rear headroom and 1.5 inches more rear hip room than the Sentra SR Turbo.

The Sonic has a much larger trunk with its rear seat up than the Sentra SR Turbo (19 vs. 15.1 cubic feet).

The Sonic has a maintenance free battery for long life without checking the battery’s water level. The Sentra SR Turbo doesn’t have a maintenance free battery, so the water level in the battery’s cells must be checked often to prevent damage.

An Oil Life Monitor is standard on the Sonic to save the owner time and money by calculating maintenance intervals for oil changes based on actual driving conditions. This takes the guesswork out of keeping your vehicle in top condition and helps it last longer. Nissan doesn’t offer a maintenance reminder on the Sentra SR Turbo.

The Sonic (except LS/Manual) offers a remote vehicle starting system, so the vehicle can be started from inside the driver's house. This allows the driver to comfortably warm up the engine before going out to the vehicle. The Sentra SR Turbo doesn’t offer a remote starting system.

The power windows standard on both the Sonic and the Sentra SR Turbo have locks to prevent small children from operating them. When the lock on the Sonic is engaged the driver can still operate all of the windows, for instance to close one opened by a child. The Sentra SR Turbo prevents the driver from operating the other windows just as it does the other passengers.

The Sonic LT/Premier’s front and rear power windows all open fully with one touch of the switches and its front windows also automatically close, making it more convenient at drive-up windows and toll booths, or when talking with someone outside the car. The Sentra SR Turbo’s passenger windows don’t open or close automatically.

The Sonic LT/Premier’s power mirror controls are mounted on the armrest for easy access. The Sentra SR Turbo’s power mirror controls are on the dash, hidden behind the steering wheel, where they are awkward to manipulate.

On extremely cold winter days, the Sonic’s optional (except LS/RS) heated steering wheel provides comfort, allowing the driver to steer safely and comfortably before the car heater warms up. The Sentra SR Turbo doesn’t offer a heated steering wheel.

The Chevrolet Sonic comes in sedan and station wagon bodystyles; the Nissan Sentra SR Turbo isn’t available as a station wagon.

Consumer Reports® recommends the Chevrolet Sonic, based on reliability, safety and performance.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the Sonic second among small cars in owner reported satisfaction. This includes how well the vehicle performs and satisfies its owner’s expectations. The Sentra SR Turbo isn’t in the top three.