2025 Nissan Sentra vs 2026 Hyundai Elantra

$21,590 · Sedan

$22,625 · Sedan

Comparison Overview

Deciding between the refreshed 2025 Nissan Sentra and the redesigned 2026 Hyundai Elantra can be tough when both hover near the $22,000 mark. Buyers often wonder if marginal efficiency gains outweigh slightly lower horsepower in this segment. The Sentra starts aggressively at $21,590, undercutting the Elantra's $22,625 MSRP. Performance is similar, with the Sentra offering a slight edge in power delivery at 149 hp compared to the Elantra’s 147 hp, though the Elantra squeaks out a better combined 35 MPG versus the Sentra’s 34 MPG. While the Elantra is fractionally longer at 185.4 inches, the Sentra is slightly taller at 56.9 inches. Both offer nearly identical storage, with the Sentra boasting 14.3 cu ft of cargo space, making efficiency and pricing the primary deciding factors for most practical buyers.

Size Comparison

Performance

Fuel Efficiency

Full Specifications

Our Verdicts

🚗 Best for Commuters

2025 Nissan Sentra

The Nissan Sentra wins for commuters due to its lower starting MSRP of $21,590.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Best for Families

2025 Nissan Sentra

The Sentra provides slightly more vertical space with a height of 56.9 inches compared to the Elantra’s 55.7 inches.

🏎️ Best for Enthusiasts

2025 Nissan Sentra

The Sentra offers marginally more horsepower at 149 hp versus the Elantra's 147 hp.

💰 Best Value

2025 Nissan Sentra

The Sentra is the better value proposition, starting $1,035 cheaper than the Elantra.

Choose the Nissan Sentra if...

You prioritize the lowest initial cost, as the Sentra starts at $21,590.
You prefer a slightly peppier feel, as the Sentra delivers 149 hp.
You need the marginally greater headroom offered by the Sentra's 56.9-inch height.

Choose the Hyundai Elantra if...

You want the best fuel economy, boasting a combined 35 MPG.
You prefer a slightly longer vehicle footprint, as the Elantra measures 185.4 inches long.
You value the Elantra's marginally superior highway driving dynamics indicated by its 40 MPG highway rating, matching the Sentra.

Key Dimensions

Dimension	Nissan Sentra	Hyundai Elantra
Length	182.7"	185.4"
Width	71.5"	71.9"
Height	56.9"	55.7"
Wheelbase	106.6"	107.1"

Features Comparison

Safety

Feature	Nissan	Hyundai
Blind Spot Monitor	✓	✓
Lane Departure Warning	✓	✓
Rear Cross Traffic Alert	✓	✓
Driver Attention Alert	✓	✓
Pre-Collision Safety System	✓	✓
Dual Front Side-Mounted Airbags	✓	✓
Dual Rear Side-Mounted Airbags	✓	—
Front Head Airbags	✓	✓
Rear Head Airbags	✓	✓
Passenger Airbag Occupant Sensing Deactivation	✓	✓
Electronic Stability Control	✓	✓
Traction Control System	✓	✓
LATCH System	✓	✓
Rear Door Child Safety Locks	✓	✓
Anti-lock Brakes (ABS)	4-Wheel	4-Wheel
Front Ventilated Disc Brakes	✓	✓
Rear Drum Brakes	✓	—
Brake Assist	✓	✓
Tire Pressure Monitoring System	✓	✓
Automatic Headlights	✓	✓
Headlight Delay-Off	✓	—
Front Headrests	2	2
Front Height Adjustable Headrests	✓	✓
Rear Headrests	3	3
Rear Fixed Headrests	✓	✓
Rear Center 3-Point Seatbelt	✓	✓
Engine Immobilizer	✓	✓
Lane Keeping Assist System	—	✓
Rear Solid Disc Brakes	—	✓
LED Headlights	—	✓
Daytime Running Lights	—	✓
Anti-Theft Alarm System (Remote)	—	✓

Engine

Feature	Nissan	Hyundai
Base Engine Displacement	2.0 L	2.0 L
Number of Cylinders	inline 4	inline 4
Base Engine Type	gas	gas
Horsepower	149 hp @ 6400 rpm	147 hp @ 6200 rpm
Torque	146 lb-ft @ 4400 rpm	132 lb-ft @ 4500 rpm
Number of Valves	16	16
Camshaft Type	Double overhead cam (DOHC)	Double overhead cam (DOHC)
Variable Valve Timing	Variable	Variable
Fuel Injection Type	✓	—

Drive Train

Feature	Nissan	Hyundai
Transmission Type	continuously variable-speed automatic	continuously variable-speed automatic
Drivetrain Type	front wheel drive	front wheel drive

Fuel

Feature	Nissan	Hyundai
Fuel Type	regular unleaded	regular unleaded
EPA Fuel Economy (City/Highway)	30/40 MPG	31/40 MPG
EPA Fuel Economy (Combined)	34 MPG	35 MPG
EPA Driving Range (City/Highway)	372.0/496.0 mi.	384.4/496.0 mi.
Fuel Tank Capacity	12.4 gal.	12.4 gal.

Comfort & Convenience

Feature	Nissan	Hyundai
Push Button Start	✓	—
Tilt and Telescopic Steering Wheel	✓	✓
Audio Controls on Steering Wheel	✓	✓
Cruise Control on Steering Wheel	✓	✓
Electric Power Steering	✓	✓
Rear View Camera	✓	✓
Rear Parking Sensors	✓	—
Cruise Control	✓	✓
Front Cupholders	✓	✓
Front Door Pockets	✓	✓
Rear Door Pockets	✓	✓
Single Zone Climate Control	✓	—
Interior Air Filtration	✓	—
Dual Vanity Mirrors	✓	✓
Air Conditioning	—	✓

In Car Entertainment

Feature	Nissan	Hyundai
Infotainment Display	7.0 in	8.0 in
AM/FM Stereo	✓	✓
Speaker System	4	6
Android Auto (Wired)	✓	—
Apple CarPlay (Wired)	✓	—
USB Port	✓	✓
USB Port with External Media Control	✓	✓
Speed Sensitive Volume Control	✓	✓
Android Auto (Wireless)	—	✓
Apple CarPlay (Wireless)	—	✓

Power Feature

Feature	Nissan	Hyundai
One-Touch Power Windows	1	1
Remote Keyless Entry	✓	✓
Heated Mirrors	✓	✓

Frontseats

Feature	Nissan	Hyundai
Front Head Room	38.9 in.	40.6 in.
Front Leg Room	44.0 in.	42.3 in.
Front Shoulder Room	56.4 in.	56.5 in.
Front Hip Room	53.5 in.	53.4 in.
Seat Material: Cloth	✓	—
Front Seat Type: Bucket	✓	✓
Driver Seat Manual Adjustments	6-way	6-way
Driver Seat Height Adjustment	✓	✓
Passenger Seat Manual Adjustments	4-way	4-way
Seat Material: Premium Cloth	—	✓
Passenger Seat Height Adjustment	—	✓

Rearseats

Feature	Nissan	Hyundai
Rear Head Room	36.7 in.	37.3 in.
Rear Leg Room	34.7 in.	38.0 in.
Rear Shoulder Room	54.5 in.	55.6 in.
Rear Hip Room	53.3 in.	50.5 in.
Split-Folding Rear Seatback	✓	—
Folding Rear Seatback	—	✓

Tires and Wheels

Feature	Nissan	Hyundai
Wheel Material	Steel	Alloy
Wheel Cover Type	Full	—
Wheel Size	16 x 6.5 in	15 x 6.0 in
Tire Type	All Season	All Season
Tire Size	P205/60R H	195/65R15
Spare Tire Type	Temporary	Temporary
Spare Tire Location	Inside Mounted	Inside Mounted

Suspension

Feature	Nissan	Hyundai
Four-Wheel Independent Suspension	✓	—
Front Stabilizer Bar	✓	—
Rear Stabilizer Bar	✓	—
Front Suspension Type	—	Independent
Stabilizer Bar	—	✓

Warranty

Feature	Nissan	Hyundai
Basic Warranty	3 yr./ 36000 mi.	5 yr./ 60000 mi.
Drivetrain Warranty	5 yr./ 60000 mi.	10 yr./ 100000 mi.
Corrosion/Rust Warranty	5 yr./ unlimited mi.	7 yr./ unlimited mi.
Roadside Assistance	3 yr./ 36000 mi.	5 yr./ unlimited mi.
Complimentary Scheduled Maintenance	2 yr./ 24000 mi.	—

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about comparing the 2025 Nissan Sentra and 2026 Hyundai Elantra.

Is the fuel economy difference between these two sedans significant?

It's minor but measurable; the 2026 Hyundai Elantra gets 35 MPG combined, while the 2025 Nissan Sentra scores 34 MPG combined. Both use regular unleaded fuel, making the operational difference negligible for most drivers.

Which car is better for storing luggage?

The storage is nearly identical; the Sentra offers 14.3 cubic feet of cargo capacity, which is just 0.1 cu ft larger than the Elantra’s 14.2 cu ft. Neither vehicle has a substantial advantage here.

How much more powerful is the Nissan Sentra than the Elantra?

The Sentra has a slight advantage with 149 horsepower compared to the Elantra's 147 horsepower. Additionally, the Sentra produces more torque at 146 lb-ft versus the Elantra's 132 lb-ft.

What is the price difference between the base models?

The 2025 Nissan Sentra has a lower MSRP starting at $21,590. The 2026 Hyundai Elantra begins at $22,625, meaning the Sentra is $1,035 less expensive upfront.

Are these cars significantly different in size for city parking?

No, they are very similar in dimension; the Sentra is 182.7 inches long and 71.5 inches wide, while the Elantra is slightly longer at 185.4 inches and wider at 71.9 inches. Maneuverability should be comparable.

Do either of these sedans offer different driving setups?

Both the 2025 Sentra and 2026 Elantra come standard with a continuously variable-speed automatic transmission (CVT) and are front-wheel drive vehicles, suggesting a very similar driving feel for daily use.