Compare the2022 Acura ILXVS 2021 Nissan Sentra

The ILX has standard Active Head Restraints, which use a specially designed headrest to protect the driver and front passenger from whiplash. During a rear-end collision, the Active Head Restraints system moves the headrests forward to prevent neck and spine injuries. The Sentra doesn’t offer a whiplash protection system.

Both the ILX and the Sentra 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, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, lane departure warning systems, rearview cameras, available blind spot warning systems and rear cross-path warning.

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

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, results indicate that the Acura ILX is safer than the Nissan Sentra:

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

The ILX comes with a full 4-year/50,000-mile basic warranty, which covers the entire car and includes 24-hour roadside assistance. The Sentra’s 3-year/36,000-mile basic warranty expires 1 year or 14,000 miles sooner.

Acura’s powertrain warranty covers the ILX 1 year and 10,000 miles longer than Nissan covers the Sentra. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 6 years or 70,000 miles. Coverage on the Sentra ends after only 5 years or 60,000 miles.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the ILX second among small premium cars in their 2020 Initial Quality Study. The Sentra isn’t in the top three in its category.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2021 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Acura vehicles are more reliable than Nissan vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Acura 10th in reliability, above the industry average. With 20 more problems per 100 vehicles, Nissan is ranked 21st.

The ILX’s 2.4 DOHC 4-cylinder produces 52 more horsepower (201 vs. 149) and 34 lbs.-ft. more torque (180 vs. 146) than the Sentra’s 2.0 DOHC 4-cylinder.

As tested in Car and Driver the Acura ILX is faster than the Nissan Sentra:

For better stopping power the ILX’s brake rotors are larger than those on the Sentra:

The Acura ILX has standard four-wheel disc brakes for better stopping power and improved directional control in poor weather. Rear drums are standard on the Sentra. Drums can heat up and make stops longer, especially with antilock brakes that work much harder than conventional brakes.

For better traction, the ILX has larger standard tires than the Sentra (215/45R17 vs. 205/55R16). The ILX A-SPEC’s tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Sentra (225/40R18 vs. 215/45R18).

The ILX’s standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 45 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Sentra S/SV’s standard 55 series tires. The ILX A-SPEC’s tires have a lower 40 series profile than the Sentra SR’s 45 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the ILX has standard 17-inch wheels. Smaller 16-inch wheels are standard on the Sentra S/SV.

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

For better maneuverability, the ILX’s turning circle is 1.3 feet tighter than the Sentra’s (36.8 feet vs. 38.1 feet).

The ILX uses computer-generated active noise cancellation to help remove annoying noise and vibration from the passenger compartment, especially at low frequencies. The Sentra doesn’t offer active noise cancellation.

With its sedan body style, valet key, locking rear seatbacks and remote trunk release lockout, the ILX offers cargo security. The Sentra’s non-lockable folding seat and non-lockable remote release defeat cargo security.

A standard locking glovebox (which can’t be accessed with the valet key) keeps your small valuables safer in the ILX. The Sentra doesn’t offer locking storage for small valuables.

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that Acura service is better than Nissan. J.D. Power ranks Acura 6th in service department satisfaction (above the industry average). With a 13% lower rating, Nissan is ranked 17th.

When two different drivers share the ILX, the optional memory system makes it convenient for both. Each setting activates different, customized memories for the driver’s seat position, outside mirror angle and climate settings. The Sentra doesn’t offer a memory system.

The ILX’s front power windows open or close fully with one touch of the switches, making it more convenient at drive-up windows and toll booths, or when talking with someone outside the car. The Sentra’s passenger windows don’t open or close automatically.

If the windows are left open on the ILX the driver can close them all at the outside door handle. On a hot day the driver can lower the windows at the outside door handle or from a distance using the keyless remote. The driver of the Sentra can only operate the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

The ILX’s standard outside mirrors include heating elements to clear off the mirrors for better visibility. Nissan only offers heated mirrors on the Sentra SV/SR.

When the ILX is put in reverse, both rearview mirrors tilt from their original position. This gives the driver a better view of the curb during parallel parking maneuvers. Shifting out of reverse puts the mirrors into their original positions. The Sentra’s mirrors don’t automatically adjust for backing.

The ILX has a standard dual zone air conditioning allows the driver and front passenger to choose two completely different temperatures so people with different temperature preferences won’t have to compromise. This makes both the driver and front passenger as comfortable as possible. Dual zone air conditioning is only available on the Sentra SV/SR.

The ILX’s available GPS navigation system has a real-time traffic update feature that plots alternative routes to automatically bypass traffic problems. (Service not available in all areas.) The Sentra’s available navigation system doesn’t offer real-time traffic updates.

Insurance will cost less for the ILX owner. The Complete Car Cost Guide estimates that insurance for the ILX will cost $1465 to $1955 less than the Sentra over a five-year period.

The ILX will cost the buyer less in the long run because of its superior resale value. The IntelliChoice estimates that the ILX will retain 48.32% of its original price after five years, while the Sentra only retains 44.43% to 45.88%.

According to The Car Book by Jack Gillis, the ILX is less expensive to operate than the Sentra because it costs $127 less to do the manufacturer’s suggested maintenance for 50,000 miles. Typical repairs cost less on the ILX than the Sentra, including $68 less for a muffler, $6 less for front brake pads and $152 less for a timing belt/chain.