Compare the2023 Nissan SentraVS 2023 Hyundai Elantra Hybrid

Safety
Warranty
Reliability
Engine
Fuel Economy and Range
Transmission
Brakes and Stopping
Tires and Wheels
Suspension and Handling
Chassis
Passenger Space
Cargo Capacity
Ergonomics
Economic Advantages
Recommendations

Safety

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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 Hyundai Elantra Hybrid doesn’t offer pretensioners for its rear seat belts.

The Nissan Sentra has standard driver and front passenger side knee airbags mounted low on the dashboard. These airbags helps prevent the driver and front passenger from sliding under their seatbelts or the main frontal airbags; this keeps them better positioned during a collision for maximum protection. Knee airbags also help keep the legs from striking the dashboard, preventing knee and leg injuries in the case of a serious frontal collision. The Elantra Hybrid doesn’t offer knee airbags.

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

Both the Sentra and the Elantra Hybrid have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, 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, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning, driver alert monitors and available daytime running lights.

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

	Sentra	Elantra Hybrid
	Driver
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars

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 Nissan Sentra is safer than the Hyundai Elantra Hybrid:

	Sentra	Elantra Hybrid
	Front Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Chest Movement	1.1 inches	1.2 inches
Abdominal Force	196 lbs.	239 lbs.
	Rear Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	160	345
Spine Acceleration	45 G’s	68 G’s
	Into Pole
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	160	184
Spine Acceleration	36 G’s	40 G’s
Hip Force	660 lbs.	954 lbs.

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

Warranty

There are over 30 percent more Nissan dealers than there are Hyundai dealers, which makes it easier should you ever need service under the Sentra’s warranty.

Reliability

J.D. Power and Associates rated the Sentra third among compact cars in their 2022 Initial Quality Study. The Elantra Hybrid isn’t in the top three in its category.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Nissan vehicles are better in initial quality than Hyundai vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Nissan above average in initial quality. With 18 more problems per 100 vehicles, Hyundai is rated below average.

Engine

The Sentra’s 2.0 DOHC 4-cylinder produces 10 more horsepower (149 vs. 139) than the Elantra Hybrid’s 1.6 DOHC 4-cylinder hybrid.

As tested in Motor Trend the Nissan Sentra is faster than the Hyundai Elantra Hybrid:

	Sentra	Elantra Hybrid
Zero to 60 MPH	8 sec	8.7 sec
Quarter Mile	16.2 sec	16.6 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	87.8 MPH	83.8 MPH

Fuel Economy and Range

The Sentra has 1.4 gallons more fuel capacity than the Elantra Hybrid (12.4 vs. 11 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

Transmission

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 Elantra Hybrid doesn’t offer a CVT.

Brakes and Stopping

The Sentra stops shorter than the Elantra Hybrid:

	Sentra	Elantra Hybrid
60 to 0 MPH	114 feet	120 feet	Motor Trend

Tires and Wheels

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Sentra SR has standard 18-inch wheels. The Elantra Hybrid’s largest wheels are only 17-inches.

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 Elantra Hybrid doesn’t offer vehicle monitored tire inflation.

Suspension and Handling

The Sentra SR handles at .89 G’s, while the Elantra Hybrid Limited Sedan pulls only .85 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The Sentra SR executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver quicker than the Elantra Hybrid Limited Sedan (27 seconds @ .63 average G’s vs. 27.5 seconds @ .62 average G’s).

Chassis

To almost totally eliminate engine vibration in the passenger area, the Sentra has an electronically controlled liquid-filled front engine mount. A computer-controlled electric current in the liquid changes its viscosity, allowing the mount to dampen the engine completely at all RPMs. The Elantra Hybrid uses conventional solid rubber engine mounts.

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 Elantra Hybrid doesn’t offer active grille shutters.

Passenger Space

The Sentra has 1.7 inches more front legroom, .1 inches more front hip room and 2.8 inches more rear hip room than the Elantra Hybrid.

Cargo Capacity

The Sentra’s standard folding rear seats are split to accommodate bulky cargo. The Elantra Hybrid’s standard single piece folding rear seat is not as flexible; long cargo and a passenger can’t share the rear seat.

Ergonomics

The Sentra’s speed-sensitive wipers speed up when the vehicle does, so that the driver doesn’t have to continually adjust the speed of the wipers. The Elantra Hybrid’s manually variable intermittent wipers have to be constantly adjusted.

On extremely cold winter days, the Sentra SV/SR’s optional heated steering wheel provides comfort, allowing the driver to steer safely and comfortably before the car heater warms up. The Elantra Hybrid doesn’t offer a heated steering wheel.

Economic Advantages

The Sentra will cost the buyer less in the long run because of its superior resale value. The IntelliChoice estimates that the Sentra will retain 47.23% to 47.81% of its original price after five years, while the Elantra Hybrid only retains 45.1% to 45.12%.

IntelliChoice estimates that five-year ownership costs (depreciation, financing, insurance, fuel, fees, repairs and maintenance) for the Nissan Sentra will be $339 to $1723 less than for the Hyundai Elantra Hybrid.

Recommendations

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 Elantra Hybrid isn’t in the top three.