Starting at
Starting at
| 146 | Torque (lb-ft) | 138 |
| 44 | Front Legroom (in) | 42.3 |
| Yes | Zero Gravity Seats | No |
Sedans are the second best-selling body style, just after SUVs. They have been popular since the early decades of the automobile industry, useful for individual drivers and families, and packed with great value. Overall, sedans are more affordable than larger vehicles like trucks and SUVs. They also tend to be far more efficient with fuel, saving you time and money with fewer stops at gas stations. The trouble is there are so many brands and models to choose from when it comes to the selection of sedans in today's automotive market. So, how does a person narrow it down and find the perfect sedan at the perfect price?
Nissan and Honda are two of the most popular brands on the market, and both are experts in designing an affordable lineup of quality sedans. Each offers a midsize sedan with a starting price under $30,000 that are often compared to one another; the 2023 Nissan Sentra vs 2023 Honda Civic. The two models have plenty in common. They're similar in size, gas mileage, and features; however, the Nissan Sentra pulls ahead when it comes to interior dimensions, price, and a few other key features that could sway you toward this standout sedan.
Both vehicles offer plenty of safety and driver assistance technology. If you're debating between these two models, there's considerable evidence to choose the Nissan. While both are quality vehicles with excellent reputations, Nissan offers more bang for the buck. If you need a side-by-side comparison, look no further. Here is a close examination of how these two sedans stack up against each other and how the Sentra comes out on top.
The great part about these models is that each incorporates impressive performance blended with efficiency. With both models, you're getting behind the wheel of a sedan that grants you fewer stops at the pump and fewer dents to your wallet. The 2023 Nissan Sentra has one standard powertrain for this year's lineup; meanwhile, the 2023 Honda Civic offers two, and the second offers fewer miles to the gallon due to its larger size. Both vehicles offer similar horsepower; however, the Nissan inches ahead with a better torque rating than the Civic.
For 2023, the Nissan Sentra comes equipped with a 2.0L four-cylinder engine. It has an output of 149 hp and 146 lb-ft of torque. The powertrain uses an advanced balancer shaft to reduce vibration and deliver a smooth ride quality at any speed. The Sentra's transmission is one of its standout qualities: using an Xtronic continuously variable transmission (CVT), it feels "virtually gearless." This year's lineup has the newest version of the Xtronic CVT that features a Sport Mode setting with a more aggressive ability to shift gear ratios and enhance throttle responsiveness. You'll notice this quality the most as you enter freeways and seamlessly accelerate. The Sentra delivers all this power without sacrificing efficiency; the engine is good for an EPA-estimated 29 MPG in the city and up to 39 MPG on the highway.
The 2023 Honda Civic lineup includes two options for powertrains. The first configuration is a 2.0L in-line four-cylinder with an output of 158 hp and 138 lb-ft of torque. While it's got a few more horses than the Sentra, it's slightly more sluggish due to the lower torque measurement. The second available powertrain is a turbocharged 1.5L four-cylinder setup with 180 hp and 177 lb-ft of torque. The Civic does offer a CVT, but at a starting price that is roughly $3,000 more than the entry-level Sentra.
The Sentra and the Civic are among the smaller vehicles in those brands' respective lineups. However, through thoughtful design and smart use of space, Nissan and Honda have found ways to provide comfortable dimensions that work for a variety of different drivers. While each vehicle has noteworthy aspects, the Senta offers more inches where it counts. The overall size of the Nissan Sentra grants the driver and passengers more space when it comes to legroom and headroom, making it a better choice for taller drivers. The Senta and Civic have the same seating capacity of five passengers and rear-folding seats extending the available cargo space when you need to transport large items.
The outside measurements of these two vehicles are very similar, making tasks like parking and maneuvering tight spaces relatively comparable. The width of the Honda Civic measures 70.9 inches, while the Nissan Sentra comes in at 71.5 inches. They are also very close in length; 184 inches for the Civic, and 182.7 inches for the Sentra, making both vehicles ideal for when you have to parallel park.
For taller drives, the Nissan Sentra does happen to provide more headroom and legroom than the Civic. The front legroom for the Sentra driver measures 44.0 inches versus 42.3 inches on the Civic. As for headroom, the Sentra offers 38.9 inches in the front, compared to the Civic's 39.3 inches. While it may seem like a small difference in space, the Sentra comes ahead where it matters, especially regarding the ability to stretch out on those long trips on the open highway.
The 2023 Nissan Sentra and the 2023 Honda Civic come in various trim levels, offering different exterior and interior colors, packages, and options. While they are both priced affordably, the starting MSRP of the base-level Sentra is only $20,050, compared to the Honda Civic's starting price of $23,750. That's a significant price difference of over $3,000. They vary in how many trim levels are available, and as the trim levels go up, the Honda becomes even more expensive. If you're looking to get the most while still saving thousands, the Sentra offers a better overall value.
For 2023, the Nissan Sentra is available in four appealing trim levels, including the S, SV, SR, and SR Midnight Edition. The most expensive of these is the SR Midnight Edition; however, even with all the bells and whistles, this Sentra is still only $23,635. The base level still includes upscale touches like Zero Gravity seats that keep fatigue at bay, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility, soft yet durable cloth upholstery, a 7-inch touchscreen display, and a WiFi hotspot that keeps you connected on the go.
If you do decide to upgrade to one of the higher trim levels, you'll gain access to high-end features like a Bose premium audio system, Quick Comfort heated front seats and a heated steering wheel, Traffic Sign Recognition, leather-appointed seating with exquisite stitching, and much more.
The 2023 Honda Civic lineup includes the LX, Sport, EX, and Touring. The base model starts at an MSRP of $23,750, more expensive than the fully loaded Sentra SR Midnight Edition. As you continue to move through trim levels up to the most expensive Touring model, you can expect a sticker price of $30,350. The base level LX trim includes convenient features like Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility, a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment center, soft-to-the-touch cloth seating, and a 4-speaker audio system.
For the same price on the Sentra, you're getting a Bose 8-speaker audio system, leather upholstery, heated seats, and more. If you're willing to dish out a little over $30,000 for the Touring model, you'll get leather upholstery, wireless compatibility for your devices, a wireless phone charger, and the same Bose audio system as the Sentra.
If you're looking for the latest Nissan Sentra or any other great Nissan model, look no further than Newton Nissan South. Conveniently located in Shelbyville, we proudly serve drivers in Murfreesboro, Franklin, Shelbyville, and the surrounding areas of Tennessee. We are committed to providing a fun and hassle-free car shopping experience and delivering excellent customer service every step of the way.
To streamline the process for our customers, Newton Nissan South is a full-service dealership with everything from sales, financing, trade-in, and a parts and service department. Plus, our Newton Fastpass program allows customers to take the car shipping experience into their own hands and complete parts of the process from the comfort of their own homes.
Newton Nissan South is proud to offer an expansive inventory of the best Nissan models, including all the colors, options, and packages that help you turn your dream car into a reality. Once you've found the model that best suits your lifestyle and budget, the experts in our finance department will help match you to a competitive auto loan with a monthly payment that works for you.
Finally, Newton Nissan South has an onsite, state-of-the-art service department to keep your vehicle running like new for years to come. Our certified technicians treat each vehicle like their own, working diligently to quickly get you back on the road. Come experience the Newton Nissan South difference. Start your search today by browsing our website, giving us a call, or visiting our dealership. We look forward to working with you!
*Images, fuel economy, and other stats, may reflect higher trim levels, options, or features that may result in a higher cost from the starting MSRP.
MSRP excludes tax, license, registration, additional options, and possible destination charges. Dealers set own prices.
