Compare the2024 Subaru ImprezaVS 2023 Nissan Sentra

The Impreza has standard Whiplash-Reducing Front Seats, which use a specially designed seat to protect the driver and front passenger from whiplash. During a rear-end collision, the Whiplash-Reducing Front Seats system allows the backrest to travel backwards to cushion the occupants and the headrests move forward to prevent neck and spine injuries. The Sentra doesn’t offer a whiplash protection system.

The Impreza has all-wheel drive to maximize traction under poor conditions, especially in ice and snow. The Sentra doesn’t offer all-wheel drive.

Both the Impreza and the Sentra have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front and rear seatbelt pretensioners, 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.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2023 Auto Issue reports that Subaru vehicles are more reliable than Nissan vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Subaru 8 places higher in reliability than Nissan.

The Impreza’s standard 2.0 DOHC 4-cylinder produces 3 more horsepower (152 vs. 149) than the Sentra’s 2.0 DOHC 4-cylinder. The Impreza RS’ standard 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder produces 33 more horsepower (182 vs. 149) and 32 lbs.-ft. more torque (178 vs. 146) than the Sentra’s 2.0 DOHC 4-cylinder.

The flat cylinder configuration of the boxer engine in the Impreza lowers its center of gravity, enhancing handling stability (That’s why Porsche uses boxer engines.). The Sentra doesn’t offer a boxer engine configuration.

In heavy traffic or at stoplights the Impreza’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. If the conditions warrant or the driver wishes, the system can be manually disabled at any time for the duration of a trip. The Sentra doesn’t offer an automatic engine start/stop system.

The Impreza has 4.2 gallons more fuel capacity than the Sentra (16.6 vs. 12.4 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

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

The Impreza’s standard front and rear disc brakes are vented to help dissipate heat for shorter stops with less fading. The rear discs on the Sentra SV/SR are solid, not vented.

The Subaru Impreza 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 Impreza Sport/RS’ tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Sentra (225/40R18 vs. 215/45R18).

The Impreza Sport/RS’ tires provide better handling because they have a lower 40 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Sentra SR’s 45 series tires.

For better maneuverability, the Impreza’s turning circle is 3.3 feet tighter than the Sentra’s (34.8 feet vs. 38.1 feet).

The Impreza is 6.5 inches shorter than the Sentra, making the Impreza easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

Because it has more passenger and cargo room, the EPA rates the Impreza a Large car, while the Sentra is rated a Mid-size.

The Impreza has 4.5 cubic feet more passenger volume than the Sentra (100.5 vs. 96).

The Impreza has .9 inches more front headroom, 1.6 inches more front hip room, .4 inches more front shoulder room, 1.3 inches more rear headroom, 1.8 inches more rear legroom and .8 inches more rear shoulder room than the Sentra.

The engine in the Impreza is mounted longitudinally (North-South), instead of sideways, as in the Sentra. This makes it easier to service and maintain, because the accessory belts are in front.

The Impreza’s power parking brake sets with one touch and releases with one touch. The Sentra

The Impreza’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.

To improve rear visibility by keeping the rear window clear, the Impreza has a standard rear wiper. The Sentra doesn’t offer a rear wiper.

The Impreza’s LED headlights produce a whiter, brighter light (up to 3x) using five times less power than the Sentra’s standard halogen headlights. LED lights also light instantly and last over twenty times longer than halogen.

To help drivers see further while navigating curves, the Impreza has standard adaptive headlights to illuminate around corners automatically by reading vehicle speed and steering wheel angle. The Sentra doesn’t offer cornering lights.

The Impreza’s optional rear and side view mirrors have an automatic dimming feature. These mirrors can be set to automatically darken quickly when headlights shine on them, keeping following vehicles from blinding or distracting the driver. The Sentra offers an automatic rear view mirror, but its side mirrors don’t dim.

The Impreza 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 Impreza’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.

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the Subaru Impreza offers an optional wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console. The Sentra doesn’t offer wireless personal charging.