Choosing the right vehicle isn’t always easy, especially when comparing two high-quality cars like the Nissan Sentra VS Altima. Find out what drivers need to know when comparing two Nissan sedans to get the ride that fits their style.
Which One Is the Better Buy?
Nissan makes good cars, so it should come as no surprise that there’s no competition between the Sentra VS Altima in factors like reliability and safety. Both received the highest IIHS score and a 5/5 NHTSA safety rating and have all the essential driver assistance tech.
Interior Space and Comfort
Of course, the Sentra and Altima are sedans, so they have seating for five. They’re also similar in terms of amenities, featuring cloth seating on lower trim levels and leather seating, or even heated seats, when upgrading to higher ones.
There’s also no competition between Sentra VS Altima regarding technology. Both come standard with a 7” touchscreen display with Apple Carplay and Android Auto compatibility and can be upgraded to an 8” NissanConnect color display.
Where the two vehicles start to diverge is in their dimensions. The Sentra is noticeably smaller than the Altima, which means less rear legroom at 34.7” to the Altima’s 35.2. The smaller sedan’s cargo volume also takes a hit at 14.3 cu-ft vs 15.9.
Different Designs Appeal to Separate Classes of Drivers
On the inside, the two sedans may look similar. From the outside, they have different styles. Being the bigger sedan, the Altima is somewhat longer at 192.9” to the Sentra’s 182.7.
The differences in size are not what makes up most drivers’ minds on the Sentra VS Altima debate. The Altima’s styling is sleek and modern, while the Sentra’s is bold and aggressive.
While it’s OK to let personality play a role in choosing the right car, remember not to judge a book by its cover. The Sentra may have a bolder look, but it doesn’t beat out the competition beneath the hood.
The Altima Is Undeniably More Powerful
Most people trying to determine where they stand in the Sentra VS Altima debate aren’t looking for serious power, but having enough horsepower and torque to get around safely is still essential. Both sedans meet that requirement.
The Sentra has the smaller engine of the two sedans, powered by a 2.0L 4-cyl engine that puts out 149 hp and 146 lb-ft of torque. The Altima, on the other hand, can be outfitted with either a 2.5L 4-cyl or a 2.0L variable compression turbo engine.
Depending on the engine, the Altima can put out 182 to 248 hp and 178 to 273 lb-ft of torque. That more than makes up for the extra 408 lbs of weight it carries. Plus, the Altima is available in both FWD and intelligent AWD configurations.
Which Offers Better Value?
Deciding which Nissan sedan to choose can be challenging. We’ve pointed out what they both have in common and where the Altima shines, but it’s worth mentioning that the Sentra boasts a significantly lower starting MSRP, which makes a difference for buyers on a budget.
The good news is that there’s an easy way to decide which will be a better fit. Drivers can head to their local dealerships to look at both cars, see how they stack up, and take them out for a test drive.
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