Compare the2023 Nissan SentraVS 2023 BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe

For enhanced safety, the front and rear seat shoulder belts of the Nissan Sentra have pretensioners to tighten the seatbelts and eliminate dangerous slack in the event of a collision and force limiters to limit the pressure the belts will exert on the passengers. The BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe doesn’t offer pretensioners for its rear seat belts.

For enhanced safety, the front seat shoulder belts of the Nissan Sentra are height-adjustable to accommodate a wide variety of driver and passenger heights. A better fit can prevent injuries and the increased comfort also encourages passengers to buckle up. The BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe doesn’t offer height-adjustable seat belts.

In the past twenty years hundreds of infants and young children have died after being left in vehicles, usually by accident. When turning the vehicle off, drivers of the Sentra are reminded to check the back seat if they opened the rear door before starting out. The 2 Series Gran Coupe doesn’t offer a back seat reminder.

The Sentra SR offers an optional Around View® Monitor to allow the driver to see objects all around the vehicle on a screen. The 2 Series Gran Coupe only offers a rear monitor and front and rear parking sensors that beep or flash a light. That doesn’t help with obstacles to the sides.

Both the Sentra and the 2 Series Gran Coupe have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver and front passenger knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front wheel drive, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning, driver alert monitors and available daytime running lights.

Nissan’s powertrain warranty covers the Sentra 1 year and 10,000 miles longer than BMW covers the 2 Series Gran Coupe. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 5 years or 60,000 miles. Coverage on the 2 Series Gran Coupe ends after only 4 years or 50,000 miles.

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

On the EPA test cycle the Sentra gets better mileage than the 2 Series Gran Coupe:

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the Nissan Sentra higher (7 out of 10) than the BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe (3 to 7). This means the Sentra produces up to 24.5 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the 2 Series Gran Coupe every 15,000 miles.

The Sentra has a standard continuously variable transmission (CVT). With no “steps” between gears, it can keep the engine at the most efficient speed for fuel economy, or keep it at its peak horsepower indefinitely for maximum acceleration. The 2 Series Gran Coupe doesn’t offer a CVT.

The Sentra stops shorter than the 2 Series Gran Coupe:

The Sentra has a standard easy tire fill system. When inflating the tires, the vehicle’s integrated tire pressure sensors keep track of the pressure as the tires fill and tell the driver when the tires are inflated to the proper pressure. The 2 Series Gran Coupe doesn’t offer vehicle monitored tire inflation.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Sentra’s wheelbase is 1.5 inches longer than on the 2 Series Gran Coupe (106.6 inches vs. 105.1 inches).

The Nissan Sentra may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 350 to 500 pounds less than the BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe.

The front grille of the Sentra uses electronically controlled shutters to close off airflow and reduce drag when less engine cooling is needed. This helps improve highway fuel economy. The 2 Series Gran Coupe doesn’t offer active grille shutters.

As tested by Car and Driver, the interior of the Sentra SR is quieter than the M235i xDrive Gran Coupe:

The Sentra has 2.6 inches more front legroom, .9 inches more front shoulder room, 1 inch more rear headroom, .3 inches more rear legroom and 1.4 inches more rear shoulder room than the 2 Series Gran Coupe.

To shield the driver and front passenger’s vision over a larger portion of the windshield and side windows, the Sentra has standard extendable sun visors. The 2 Series Gran Coupe doesn’t offer extendable visors.

Insurance will cost less for the Sentra owner. The Complete Car Cost Guide estimates that insurance for the Sentra will cost $920 to $5570 less than the 2 Series Gran Coupe over a five-year period.

IntelliChoice estimates that five-year ownership costs (depreciation, financing, insurance, fuel, fees, repairs and maintenance) for the Nissan Sentra will be $15396 to $25047 less than for the BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe.

Motor Trend performed a comparison test in its January 2021 issue and they ranked the Nissan Sentra SR higher than the BMW M235i xDrive Gran Coupe.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the Sentra third among compact cars in owner reported satisfaction. This includes how well the vehicle performs and satisfies its owner’s expectations. The 2 Series Gran Coupe isn’t in the top three in its category.

The Nissan Sentra outsold the BMW 2 Series by almost seven to one during 2022.