Compact cars still pose strong competition to their compact SUV competitors. Many buyers prefer a traditional sedan over a pseudo-SUV that can’t tackle anything more than a high curb. As a result, there are plenty of excellent options for buyers. Two examples are the 2023 Hyundai Elantra and the 2023 Nissan Sentra.
The 2023 Elantra is based on 2020’s CN7 generation. It was selected as the North American Car Of The Year in 2021 and is assembled in Montgomery, Alabama. The 2023 Sentra is based on the B18 generation of Nissan's long-running nameplate, which debuted in 2019.
Which one is ahead in the best compact car race? We'll attempt to answer that question by considering their interior, performance, and safety offerings in this 2023 Elantra vs. Sentra matchup. If you have more questions about the 2023 Elantra, contact the sales team of Tuscaloosa Hyundai. We will gladly provide all the answers and arrange a viewing.
Right off the bat, the 2023 Elantra beats the 2023 Sentra in terms of cabin space. The Hyundai has 100 cubic feet to offer, while the Nissan can only cough up 97 cubic feet. Remember, 3 cubic feet can make a noticeable difference when you have five adults in the cabin. In terms of cargo space, both models evenly match, with 14 cubic feet on offer.
While the 2023 Sentra looks conventional in terms of dashboard design, the 2023 Elantra feels like it's from a segment or two above. Sporting a futuristic outlook with an optional 10.3-inch digital instrument cluster, it also has an 8-inch touchscreen for its infotainment system, with a 10.3-inch upgrade on offer. The 2023 Sentra offers a 7-inch touchscreen with an 8-inch upgrade option. Both cars come with Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto™ compatibility, and Dual-zone climate control is another nicety you'll find.
The 2023 Elantra uses a 2.0-liter naturally aspirated 4-cylinder engine with 147 horsepower in its base trim. This is sent to the front wheels via a CVT gearbox. For performance seekers, there’s the N-Line variant. This sees a turbocharged 1.6-liter 4-cylinder with 201 horsepower driving the front wheels via a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission.
Want more? Check out the 2023 Elantra N with a turbocharged 2.0-liter 4-cylinder that develops 275 horsepower and can be had with a six-speed manual or an eight-speed automatic transmission. There's even an overboost function called N Grin Shift that temporarily ups output to 286 horsepower. For those who seek efficiency and calm, the 2023 Elantra Hybrid offers a 1.6-liter engine plus an electric motor and six-speed dual-clutch transmission. The combined output is 139 horsepower, and EPA combined figures touch 50mpg.
The 2023 Sentra is dull in comparison. There's only a 2.0-liter naturally aspirated 4-cylinder with 149 horsepower on offer, and drive goes to the front wheels via a CVT gearbox. There's no high-performance variant, nor is there a hybrid variant. The EPA rates the 2023 Sentra at 32 mpg on the combined cycle, less than the 35 mpg that the 2.0-liter 2023 Elantra is rated at.
The 2023 Elantra and the 2023 Sentra come with airbags, automated emergency braking, lane departure warning, child safety locks, daytime running lamps, stability control, and brake assist as standard. You can also option adaptive cruise control with a lane-centering function on the 2023 Elantra.
The 2023 Elantra is the winner of this Hyundai vs. Nissan comparison. It has more space, tech, and a broader range of powertrains than the 2023 Sentra. Now, it’s time to see it for yourself at the showroom of Tuscaloosa Hyundai in Tuscaloosa, AL. There, you can test drive the new Elantra and see what it’s all about.
