Compare the2023 Hyundai Elantra HybridVS 2023 Nissan Sentra

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

Safety

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Both the Elantra Hybrid and Sentra have rear cross-traffic warning, but the Elantra Hybrid has Rear Cross-Traffic Collision-Avoidance Assist (automatically applies the brakes) to better prevent a collision when backing near traffic. The Sentra’s Rear Cross Traffic Alert doesn’t automatically brake.

Both the Elantra Hybrid 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, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning, driver alert monitors and available 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 Hyundai Elantra Hybrid is safer than the Nissan Sentra:

	Elantra Hybrid	Sentra
	Driver
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	142	292
Neck Injury Risk	21%	29%
Neck Stress	268 lbs.	351 lbs.
Neck Compression	51 lbs.	87 lbs.
Leg Forces (l/r)	66/48 lbs.	330/261 lbs.
	Passenger
STARS	4 Stars	3 Stars
HIC	314	495
Chest Compression	.6 inches	.6 inches
Neck Injury Risk	42%	53%
Neck Stress	177 lbs.	296 lbs.
Neck Compression	6 lbs.	93 lbs.
Leg Forces (l/r)	135/61 lbs.	318/391 lbs.

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 Hyundai Elantra Hybrid is safer than the Nissan Sentra:

	Elantra Hybrid	Sentra
	Front Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	83	162
Hip Force	327 lbs.	422 lbs.
	Rear Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Hip Force	355 lbs.	444 lbs.
	Into Pole
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Max Damage Depth	11 inches	12 inches

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

For its top level performance in IIHS driver and passenger-side small overlap frontal, moderate overlap frontal, side impact, roof strength and head restraint tests, its standard front crash prevention system, and its headlight’s “Good” rating, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety grants the Elantra Hybrid its highest rating: “Top Safety Pick Plus” for 2019, a rating granted to only 134 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The Sentra is only a standard “Top Safety Pick” for 2019.

Warranty

The Elantra Hybrid comes with a full 5-year/60,000-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 2 years or 24,000 miles sooner.

Hyundai’s powertrain warranty covers the Elantra Hybrid 5 years and 40,000 miles longer than Nissan covers the Sentra. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 10 years or 100,000 miles. Coverage on the Sentra ends after only 5 years or 60,000 miles.

The Elantra Hybrid’s corrosion warranty is 2 years longer than the Sentra’s (7 vs. 5 years).

Hyundai pays for scheduled maintenance on the Elantra Hybrid for 3 years and 36,000 miles. Hyundai will pay for oil changes, lubrication and any other required maintenance. Nissan doesn’t pay scheduled maintenance for the Sentra.

Reliability

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 Elantra Hybrid’s reliability 41 points higher than the Sentra.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the statistics that show that Hyundai vehicles are more reliable than Nissan vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Hyundai third in reliability, above the industry average. With 57 more problems per 100 vehicles, Nissan is ranked 20th.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2023 Auto Issue reports that Hyundai vehicles are more reliable than Nissan vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Hyundai 2 places higher in reliability than Nissan.

Engine

The Elantra Hybrid’s 1.6 DOHC 4-cylinder hybrid produces 49 lbs.-ft. more torque (195 vs. 146) than the Sentra’s 2.0 DOHC 4-cylinder.

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

	Elantra Hybrid	Sentra
Zero to 30 MPH	2.9 sec	3.3 sec
Zero to 60 MPH	8.7 sec	8.8 sec
Zero to 80 MPH	15.1 sec	15.2 sec
Quarter Mile	16.6 sec	16.8 sec

Fuel Economy and Range

On the EPA test cycle the Elantra Hybrid gets better mileage than the Sentra:

		MPG
Elantra Hybrid
	Blue 1.6 4-cyl. Hybrid	53 city/56 hwy
	Limited 1.6 4-cyl. Hybrid	49 city/52 hwy
Sentra
	S/SV 2.0 DOHC 4-cyl.	29 city/39 hwy
	SR 2.0 DOHC 4-cyl.	28 city/37 hwy

Regenerative brakes improve the Elantra Hybrid’s fuel efficiency by converting inertia back into energy instead of wasting it. The Sentra doesn’t offer a regenerative braking system.

In heavy traffic or at stoplights the Elantra Hybrid’s engine automatically turns off when the vehicle is stopped, saving fuel and reducing pollution. The engine is automatically restarted when the driver gets ready to move again. The Sentra doesn’t offer an automatic engine start/stop system.

Brakes and Stopping

The Hyundai Elantra Hybrid 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.

The Elantra Hybrid stops shorter than the Sentra:

	Elantra Hybrid	Sentra
60 to 0 MPH	127 feet	129 feet	Consumer Reports
60 to 0 MPH (Wet)	131 feet	138 feet	Consumer Reports

Tires and Wheels

For better traction, the Elantra Hybrid Limited Sedan’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Sentra (225/45R17 vs. 215/45R18).

Suspension and Handling

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

For better maneuverability, the Elantra Hybrid’s turning circle is 2.7 feet tighter than the Sentra’s (35.4 feet vs. 38.1 feet).

Passenger Space

The Elantra Hybrid has 3.4 cubic feet more passenger volume than the Sentra (99.4 vs. 96).

The Elantra Hybrid has 1.7 inches more front headroom, .1 inches more front shoulder room, .6 inches more rear headroom, 3.3 inches more rear legroom and 1.1 inches more rear shoulder room than the Sentra.

Cargo Capacity

To make loading groceries and cargo easier when your hands are full, the Elantra Hybrid’s trunk can be opened just by waiting momentarily behind the back bumper, leaving your hands completely free. The Sentra doesn’t offer a hands-free gesture to open its trunk, forcing you to put cargo down if your hands are full.

Ergonomics

When two different drivers share the Elantra Hybrid Limited, the memory seats and mirrors make it convenient for both. Each setting activates different, customized memories for the driver’s seat position and outside mirror angle. The Sentra doesn’t offer a memory system.

The Elantra Hybrid Limited’s standard Seat Easy Access glides the driver’s seat back when the door is unlocked or the ignition is switched off, making it easier for the driver to get in and out. The Sentra doesn’t offer an easy entry system.

The Elantra Hybrid’s power parking brake sets with one touch and releases with one touch or automatically. The Sentra’s parking brake has to be released manually.

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

In addition to a parabolic reflector, optical-grade lenses in the Elantra Hybrid’s standard projector headlights precisely focus the beam, providing more even illumination of the road for better visibility and a sharp cut-off that prevents blinding oncoming drivers. The sharp cutoff allows the use of a stronger light. The Sentra’s standard uses a simple reflector to direct its standard headlights.

Consumer Reports rated the Elantra Hybrid’s headlight performance “Fair,” a higher rating than the Sentra’s headlights, which were rated “Poor.”

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) conducts detailed tests on headlights for their range both straight ahead and in curves and to be certain they don’t exceed acceptable amounts of glare to oncoming drivers. The Elantra Hybrid’s available headlights were rated “Good” by the IIHS, while the Sentra’s headlights are rated “Acceptable” to “Poor.”

The Elantra Hybrid’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.

Standard air-conditioned seats in the Elantra Hybrid Limited keep the driver and front passenger comfortable and take the sting out of hot seats in Summer. The Sentra doesn’t offer air-conditioned seats.

The Elantra Hybrid 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 costs extra on the Sentra and isn’t available on the Sentra S.

The Elantra Hybrid’s standard automatic temperature control maintains the temperature you set, automatically controlling fan speed, vents and temperature to maintain a consistent, comfortable environment. The Sentra S doesn’t offer automatic air conditioning.

The Elantra Hybrid Limited’s standard 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.

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the Hyundai Elantra Hybrid Limited has a standard wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console. The Sentra doesn’t offer wireless personal charging.

Economic Advantages

Insurance will cost less for the Elantra Hybrid owner. The Complete Car Cost Guide estimates that insurance for the Elantra Hybrid will cost $45 to $1455 less than the Sentra over a five-year period.

Recommendations

Consumer Reports® recommends the Hyundai Elantra Hybrid, based on reliability, safety and performance. The Nissan Sentra isn't recommended.

A group of representative automotive journalists from North America selected the Elantra as the 2021 North American Car of the Year. The Sentra has never been chosen.

The Hyundai Elantra outsold the Nissan Sentra by 52% during 2022.