2013 Nissan Sentra vs. Its Competition

Meta Rating 7.2 out of 10

Get FREE Price Quote
What’s this?

What’s this? X

Our expert editors build comparisons like this one to make it easy for you to understand the small handful of cars you should compare to whatever car you are already looking at. You get general thoughts on each car you should consider plus an easy way to compare basic information for yourself.

Bengt Halvorson

Deputy Editor BIO

Bengt Halvorson is Deputy Editor of High Gear Media's portfolio of car sites, overseeing the production of reviews, evaluating vehicles firsthand... More

LATEST ARTICLE
2014 Fiat 500L: Stylish, Room For Five, Starts Below $20,000
Considering the Kia Soul, MINI Countryman, or Nissan Juke? You might want to hold out another few... Read More

#2LEADERBOARD RANK
2662ARTICLES CONTRIBUTED
108COMMENTS POSTED

Oct 25, 2012

If the new 2013 Nissan Sentra is aiming to be more of a 'little big car,' its closest rival could actually end up being the Chevrolet Cruze, which feels large, comfortable, and refined compared to some of these other compact sedans.

Meanwhile, both the Ford Focus and Hyundai Elantra have managed to stand out in the market in part because of their designs, but otherwise there are different reasons for the appeal of these cars.

The Focus is one of the sportiest-driving small cars in this class, and likely to be much more so than the Sentra, while the Elantra is established as one of the value and feature leaders.

Taking a step back, the Honda Civic and Toyota Corolla are the Sentra's traditional competition.

The latest Civic gets reasonably good gas mileage but fails to impress for design, features, or refinement, and while the Corolla remains an affordable, reliable, and comfortable pick, it fails to impress in most other ways.

2013 Nissan Sentra Get FREE Price Quote	2013 Chevrolet Cruze Get FREE Price Quote	2013 Ford Focus Get FREE Price Quote	2013 Hyundai Elantra Get FREE Price Quote	2012 Honda Civic Get FREE Price Quote	2012 Toyota Corolla Get FREE Price Quote
Quick Specs
Meta Rating
7.2 The 2013 Nissan Sentra looks poised to become more of a 'premium' compact sedan, emphasizing spaciousness, comfort, and features over outright sportiness.	8 The 2013 Chevrolet Cruze is one of the smartest picks for anyone wanting practicality, comfort, and safety in a compact sedan—although it's missing the fun-to-drive edge of some other models.	8.8 Whether or not you consider the exciting new ST performance model, the 2013 Ford Focus lineup is evidence that small cars don't have to feel so appliance-like.	8.4 Civic who? Corolla what? The Hyundai Elantra's one of the new standard bearers in the compact class, with 38-mpg fuel economy, better safety, and class-leading standard features.	7 The 2012 Honda Civic is a little more spacious, comfortable, and economical, but it's now one of the blandest of the bunch.	7.2 For those who want frugal, trouble-free transportation but have no want of excitement, the 2012 Toyota Corolla fits the bill.
MSRP From
$15,990	$17,130	$16,200	$16,695	$15,955	$16,130
Gas Mileage
27 MPG City / 39 MPG Hwy	22 MPG City / 42 MPG Hwy	23 MPG City / 38 MPG Hwy	28 MPG City / 38 MPG Hwy	22 MPG City / 41 MPG Hwy	26 MPG City / 34 MPG Hwy
Engine
Gas I4	Gas I4	Gas I4	Gas I4	Gas I4	Gas I4
EPA Class
Compact	Midsize Cars	Compact	Midsize cars	Compact Cars	Compact
Style Name
4-Door Sedan I4 Manual S	4-Door Sedan Man LS	4-Door Sedan S	4-Door Sedan Man GLS (Ulsan Plant) Ltd Avail	4-Door Man DX	4-Door Sedan Man L (Natl)
Drivetrain
Front Wheel Drive	Front Wheel Drive	Front Wheel Drive	Front Wheel Drive	Front Wheel Drive	Front Wheel Drive
Passenger Capacity
5	5	5	5	5	5
Passenger Doors
N/A	4	N/A	4	N/A	N/A
Body Style
4 Door Sedan	Sedan	Sedan	Sedan	Sedan	4 Door Sedan
Transmission
Manual	Manual	Manual	Manual	Manual	Manual