2025 Hyundai Elantra vs 2025 Nissan Sentra
Too close to call: Nissan Sentra 91.7 vs Hyundai Elantra 90.2 with these weights. The Hyundai Elantra is ahead on fuel & range. Raise the fuel & range weight from 3 to 3.8 and it flips.
2025 Hyundai Elantra
The 2025 Hyundai Elantra is sold in the U.S. as a hybrid and gas midsize sedan with 7 EPA-rated configurations. The most efficient version, the Elantra Hybrid B…
2025 Nissan Sentra
The 2025 Nissan Sentra is sold in the U.S. as a gas midsize sedan with 2 EPA-rated configurations. The most efficient version, the Sentra, is EPA-rated at 34 mp…
2025 Nissan Sentra
Toss-upToo close to call: Nissan Sentra 91.7 vs Hyundai Elantra 90.2 with these weights. The Hyundai Elantra is ahead on fuel & range. Raise the fuel & range weight from 3 to 3.8 and it flips.
| Category · weight | 2025 Hyundai Elantraoverall 90.2 | 2025 Nissan Sentraoverall 91.7 | |||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pricew 4 | 97.6 | 100 | |||||||||||||||
Base MSRP of the trim (or the model's lowest trim). Lower is better. | |||||||||||||||||
| Fuel & rangew 3 | 100 | 63.7 | |||||||||||||||
EPA annual fuel cost and combined mpg / MPGe; EV range when both are electric. | |||||||||||||||||
| Safetyw 4 | 87.4 | 91 | |||||||||||||||
NHTSA 5-Star rating, WhichTrim Safety Signal (open recalls by severity), owner complaints, standard driver-assist features (from the press kit, or from what the manufacturer filed with NHTSA where there is none). Open park-outside / do-not-drive advisories cost 25 points. | |||||||||||||||||
| Space & cargow 2 | 99.5 | 100 | |||||||||||||||
Seats, cargo volume behind the 1st and 2nd rows, rear legroom. | |||||||||||||||||
| Performancew 2 | 97 | 97.8 | |||||||||||||||
Horsepower, torque and horsepower per ton. | |||||||||||||||||
| Tech & comfortw 3 | 63.4 | 100 | |||||||||||||||
Standard (1) and optional (0.5) infotainment, convenience, climate and interior features from the manufacturer's press kit. | |||||||||||||||||
| Warrantynot compared | No data | No data | |||||||||||||||
| Overall | 90.2 | 91.7 | |||||||||||||||
Trim vs trim · 6 of 7 categories compared
Hyundai Elantra: base trim SE FWD · Nissan Sentra: base trim S FWD. Pick a trim in the tool to compare any other trim.
Raise the fuel & range weight from 3 to 3.8 and the answer flips.
Where the gap is
the biggest differences, from the scorecard's own numbersWhere the 2025 Nissan Sentra wins
- It lists more comfort and tech equipment (35.5 points against 22.5 on the press-kit count, standard = 1, optional = ½).
- It lists 27 standard driver-assist features against 20.
- It has drawn fewer owner complaints (32 against 35 filed with NHTSA).
Where the 2025 Hyundai Elantra answers
- It is rated 54 combined against 34 (EPA mpg or MPGe).
- It costs $700 a year less to fuel on the EPA's estimate ($1,250 against $1,950).
What they share
- 5 NHTSA stars.
- 5 seats.
Ranked by how far apart the two score on each measure, so a price gap and a horsepower gap are compared on the same scale. Every figure is on this page.
Specifications side by side
48 specs · manufacturer press kits| Spec | Hyundai ElantraSE FWD | Nissan SentraS FWD |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | ||
| Base MSRP (excludes destination) | $22,125 | $21,590 |
| Engine Basics | ||
| Aspiration | naturally aspirated | naturally aspirated |
| Cylinder count | 4 | 4 |
| Engine displacement | 1,999 cc | 1,997 cc |
| Engine type (full description) | 2.0L MPI Atkinson DOHC 16-valve Inline 4-cylinder | 2.0L DOHC I4 |
| Fuel injection system | gdi mpi | gdi mpi |
| Valve configuration | DOHC 16-Valve | 4 valves per cylinder, Continuous Variable Valve Timing Control System |
| Engine Output | ||
| Horsepower | 147 hp | 149 hp |
| Torque | 132 lb-ft | 146 lb-ft |
| Fuel Economy | ||
| MPG (city) | 32 mpg | 30 mpg |
| MPG (combined) | 36 mpg | 34 mpg |
| MPG (highway) | 41 mpg | 40 mpg |
| Transmission | ||
| Final drive ratio | 4.892 | 5.034C |
| Transmission type | Smartstream Intelligent Variable Transmission (IVT) | cvt |
| Dimensions Exterior | ||
| Ground clearance | 5.3 in | 4.7 in |
| Overall height | 55.7 in | 56.9 in |
| Overall length | 185 in | 183 in |
| Overall width | 71.9 in | 71.5 in |
| Wheelbase | 107 in | 107 in |
| Cargo | ||
| Cargo volume behind 2nd row | 14.2 cu-ft | 14.3 cu-ft |
| Total interior volume | 114 cu-ft | 110 cu-ft |
| Seating | ||
| Passenger seating capacity | 5 | 5 |
| Headroom | ||
| Front headroom | 40.6 in | 38.9 in |
| Second-row headroom | 37.3 in | 36.7 in |
| Legroom | ||
| Front legroom | 42.3 in | 43.8 in |
| Second-row legroom | 38 in | 34.9 in |
| Weights | ||
| Curb weight (maximum) | 2,868 lbs | 3,036 lbs |
| Curb weight (minimum) | 2,725 lbs | 3,036 lbs |
| Gross vehicle weight rating | 3,858 lbs | 3,957 lbs |
| Payload capacity | — | 921 lbs |
| Suspension | ||
| Front suspension type | MacPherson Strut | Independent strut with coil springs |
| Rear suspension type | Coupled Torsion Beam Axle | Multi-link independent |
| Steering | ||
| Steering type | Column-mounted Motor Driven Power Steering (C-MDPS) | Dual pinion electric power-assisted (vehicle-speed-sensitive) |
| Turning radius (curb-to-curb) | 17.7 ft | 19.1 ft |
| Brakes | ||
| Front brake diameter | 279 mm | 279 mm |
| Front brake type | ventilated disc | Vented disc |
| Parking brake type | Mechanical Cable | Foot brake |
| Rear brake diameter | 262 mm | 229 mm |
| Rear brake type | solid disc | drum |
| Wheels | ||
| Wheel diameter | 15 in | 16 in |
| Wheel material | forged alloy | steel |
| Wheel width | 6 in | 6.5 in |
| Tires | ||
| Tire size | 195/65R15 | 205/60R16 |
| Fuel System | ||
| Fuel tank capacity | 12.4 gal | 12.4 gal |
| Minimum recommended octane | 87 | 87 |
| Connected Services | ||
| Connected services brand | — | NissanConnect |
| Shoulder Room | ||
| Front shoulder room | 56.5 in | 56.4 in |
| Second-row shoulder room | 55.6 in | 54.5 in |
Green marks the better value where the direction is unambiguous (more room, more power, lower price). Blank rows are specs the press kit does not publish.
Equipment, feature by feature
124 features · differences first, then sharedSafety19 differ · 33 listed
| Feature | Hyundai ElantraSE FWD | Nissan SentraS FWD |
|---|---|---|
| Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist (FCA - camera only) w/ Pedestrian Detection | std | — |
| Intelligent Forward Collision Warning | — | std |
| Lane Departure Warning with haptic steering wheel | — | std |
| Lane Keeping Assist (LKA) & Lane Following Assist (LFA) | std | — |
| Driver Attention Warning (DAW) & High Beam Assist (HBA) | std | — |
| Rear passenger seat-mounted side-impact supplemental air bags | — | std |
| Safe Exit Warning (SEW) | std | — |
| Automatic Emergency Braking with Pedestrian Detection | — | std |
| Brake Assist | — | std |
| Child safety rear door locks | — | std |
| Driver and front passenger knee supplemental air bags | — | std |
| Easy-Fill Tire Alert | — | std |
| Electronic Brake force Distribution | — | std |
| Emergency inside trunk release | — | std |
| Intelligent Driver Alertness | — | std |
| Intelligent Speed Limit Assist (ISLA) | std | — |
| Parking brake – Foot brake | — | std |
| Rear Automatic Braking | — | std |
| Vehicle Stability Management (VSM) | std | — |
| Rear Cross Traffic Alert | std | std |
| Driver and front passenger seat-mounted side-impact supplemental air bags | std | std |
| Nissan Advanced Air Bag System with supplemental front air bags with seat belt sensors and occupant classification sensor | std | std |
| RearView Monitor | std | std |
| Roof-mounted curtain side-impact supplemental air bags with rollover sensor for front and rear-seat outboard occupant head protection | std | std |
| Anti-lock Braking System | std | std |
| Blind Spot Warning | std | std |
| High Beam Assist | std | std |
| Hill Start Assist | std | std |
| Rear Door Alert | std | std |
| Traction Control System | std | std |
| Vehicle Dynamic Control | std | std |
| Nissan Vehicle Immobilizer System | std | std |
| Tire Pressure Monitoring System – direct sensor type | std | std |
Infotainment16 differ · 18 listed
| Feature | Hyundai ElantraSE FWD | Nissan SentraS FWD |
|---|---|---|
| 1 front USB connection port (Type A) with iPod® Interface | — | std |
| 4.2-inch multi-information display | — | std |
| 7-inch color touchscreen display | — | std |
| 8-inch Display Audio system with 6 speakers, High Resolution Touchscreen, AM/FM/HD, Wireless Apple CarPlay & Android Auto | std | — |
| AM/FM/USB with 4 speakers | — | std |
| Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto™ | — | std |
| Auxiliary input jack | — | std |
| Bluetooth® hands-free phone system with Streaming Audio via Bluetooth® | — | std |
| Bluetooth® hands-free phone system with Voice Recognition | std | — |
| Dual USB ports (1 USB charge + data, 1 USB-C charge) | std | — |
| Hands-Free Text Messaging Assistant | — | std |
| In-glass AM/FM antenna | std | — |
| NissanConnect® Services (NissanConnect® Services, MyNISSAN app control) | — | opt |
| Radio Data System | — | std |
| Speed-sensitive automatic volume control | std | — |
| Speed-sensitive volume control | — | std |
| Bluetooth® Hands-free Phone switches | std | std |
| Audio switches | std | std |
Convenience9 differ · 9 listed
| Feature | Hyundai ElantraSE FWD | Nissan SentraS FWD |
|---|---|---|
| Remote Keyless Entry system with Push Button Ignition | — | std |
| 12-volt DC power outlet | — | std |
| 12-volt Outlet (below HVAC controls) | std | — |
| Battery saver | — | std |
| Cruise control with steering wheel-mounted switches | — | std |
| Power door locks with auto-locking feature | — | std |
| Power windows – Driver-side one-touch auto up/down with auto reverse | — | std |
| Power Windows with Driver's auto-down, illuminated power window switches | std | — |
| Remote releases – trunk and fuel filler door | — | std |
Climate4 differ · 4 listed
| Feature | Hyundai ElantraSE FWD | Nissan SentraS FWD |
|---|---|---|
| Air conditioning with in-cabin microfilter | — | std |
| Front window defroster | — | std |
| Manual Air Conditioning | std | — |
| PTC Heater | std | — |
Seating5 differ · 7 listed
| Feature | Hyundai ElantraSE FWD | Nissan SentraS FWD |
|---|---|---|
| 1-piece bench folding rear seatback with fixed center headrest and outer headrests | std | — |
| Front passenger's seat 4-way manual | — | std |
| Rear seats 60/40-split fold-down | — | std |
| Seat folding release in trunk | std | — |
| Seating capacity: 5 | std | — |
| Driver's seat 6-way manual | std | std |
| Cloth | std | std |
Interior13 differ · 15 listed
| Feature | Hyundai ElantraSE FWD | Nissan SentraS FWD |
|---|---|---|
| 4.2-inch color (TFT-LCD) | std | — |
| 3-spoke urethane steering wheel | — | std |
| Assist grips (4) | — | std |
| Cargo area lamp | — | std |
| D-shaped steering wheel | — | std |
| Door scuff: Step Plate (plastic) | std | — |
| Dual LED overhead front map lights | — | std |
| Front door pockets | — | std |
| Sliding center armrest | — | std |
| Steering wheel: Urethane | std | — |
| Sun visors with extensions and vanity mirrors | — | std |
| Carpeted Floor Mats | opt | — |
| Trip Computer (Distance to Empty, Average Fuel Consumption, Average Vehicle Speed, Elapsed time) | std | — |
| Inside rearview mirror Manual day/night | std | std |
| Manual tilt and telescoping | std | std |
Exterior18 differ · 20 listed
| Feature | Hyundai ElantraSE FWD | Nissan SentraS FWD |
|---|---|---|
| Dual LED Projector Headlights | std | — |
| 15 x 6.0J Alloy wheels | std | — |
| 16-inch steel with cover, 16 x 6.5-inch wheels | — | std |
| 205/60R16 all-season tires | — | std |
| Body-color door handles | — | std |
| Body-color power outside mirrors | — | std |
| Bulb Rear Tail Lights | std | — |
| Center High-Mount Stop Light | — | std |
| Chrome V-motion front grille | — | std |
| Dual Power, Two-Tone outside mirrors (Body color top + Black bottom) | std | — |
| Grille: Black | std | — |
| Halogen headlights | — | std |
| Intelligent Auto Headlights | — | std |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | std | — |
| Variable intermittent front wipers | — | std |
| Window Belt Moldings: Black | std | — |
| Automatic Headlamp Control | std | — |
| Solar Glass | std | — |
| Rear window defroster with indicator light and timer | std | std |
| Temporary spare tire in trunk 17 x 4T | std | std |
Powertrain5 differ · 7 listed
| Feature | Hyundai ElantraSE FWD | Nissan SentraS FWD |
|---|---|---|
| 2.0L MPI Atkinson DOHC 16-valve Inline 4-cylinder (147 HP @ 6200, 132 lb-ft @ 4500) | std | — |
| Drive Mode Select: Normal / Sport / Smart | std | — |
| MR20DD engine (DOHC, I4, 2.0L/1997cc, 149hp @ 6,000 RPM, 146 lb-ft @ 4,000 RPM, direct injection) | — | std |
| Smartstream Intelligent Variable Transmission (IVT) | std | — |
| Xtronic CVT transmission | — | std |
| Front-engine / front-wheel drive | std | std |
| Idle Stop/Start | std | std |
Chassis11 differ · 11 listed
| Feature | Hyundai ElantraSE FWD | Nissan SentraS FWD |
|---|---|---|
| Active Ride Control | — | std |
| Column-mounted Motor Driven Power Steering (C-MDPS) | std | — |
| Front brakes – Vented disc, 11.0 inch diameter x 0.9 inch thickness | — | std |
| Front brakes: Ventilated Disc 11.0" | std | — |
| Front suspension: MacPherson Strut | std | — |
| Intelligent Ride Control | — | std |
| Intelligent Trace Control | — | std |
| Parking Brake Type: Hand lever / Mechanical Cable | std | — |
| Rear brakes – Drum, 9.0 inch diameter (S); Vented disc, 10.2 inch diameter x 0.31 inch thickness (SV, SR) | — | std |
| Rear suspension: Coupled Torsion Beam Axle | std | — |
| Twin tube shock absorbers | — | std |
Highlighted rows are where the two differ. Wording is the manufacturer's own.
Safety record
NHTSA recalls, complaints, NCAPHyundai Elantra
Top recalls
- critical Electrical System 26V308000 · 54,337 vehicles
- high Air Bags 26V254000 · 2,931 vehicles
Nissan Sentra
Top recalls
- high Power Train 26V410000 · 946 vehicles
- high Latches/Locks/Linkages 26V023000 · 26,432 vehicles
- high Seats 25V153000 · 199 vehicles
- moderate Visibility 25V807000 · 41,797 vehicles
Ownership
EPA, manufacturer warranty| Hyundai ElantraSE FWD | Nissan SentraS FWD | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $22,125 (base trim) | $21,590 (base trim) |
| Price range across trims | $22,125 – $35,850 10 trims | $21,590 – $24,590 3 trims |
| Powertrains | HEV, GAS | GAS |
| EPA configuration compared | Elantra Hybrid Blue | Sentra |
| Combined mpg / MPGe | 54 | 34 |
| EPA annual fuel cost | $1,250 | $1,950 |
| EV range | — | — |
| Basic warranty | — | — |
| Powertrain warranty | — | — |
| Roadside assistance | — | — |
Common questions
Source: EPA, NHTSA and manufacturer press kitsWhich is better, the 2025 Hyundai Elantra or the 2025 Nissan Sentra?
Too close to call: Nissan Sentra 91.7 vs Hyundai Elantra 90.2 with these weights. The Hyundai Elantra is ahead on fuel & range. Raise the fuel & range weight from 3 to 3.8 and it flips. On WhichTrim's default weights the 2025 Nissan Sentra scores 91.7 and the 2025 Hyundai Elantra 90.2. The weights are yours to change — move what you care about and the verdict recalculates on the page.
Which is cheaper, the 2025 Hyundai Elantra or the 2025 Nissan Sentra?
The 2025 Nissan Sentra starts lower — $21,590 against $22,125, a gap of $535 at the trims compared here. Both are manufacturer MSRPs before destination, options and dealer charges.
Which has the better safety record, the 2025 Hyundai Elantra or the 2025 Nissan Sentra?
2025 Hyundai Elantra: 5 NHTSA stars, grade C, 2 recalls. 2025 Nissan Sentra: 5 NHTSA stars, grade C, 4 recalls. Crash ratings come from NHTSA's own tests; the grade is WhichTrim's read of the recall record, and the two can disagree.
What are the biggest differences between the 2025 Hyundai Elantra and the 2025 Nissan Sentra?
Where the 2025 Nissan Sentra wins: it lists more comfort and tech equipment (35.5 points against 22.5 on the press-kit count, standard = 1, optional = ½), lists 27 standard driver-assist features against 20, and has drawn fewer owner complaints (32 against 35 filed with NHTSA). Where the 2025 Hyundai Elantra answers: it is rated 54 combined against 34 (EPA mpg or MPGe) and costs $700 a year less to fuel on the EPA's estimate ($1,250 against $1,950). What they share: 5 NHTSA stars and 5 seats.