2025 Nissan Sentra vs 2025 Tesla Model 3
The Tesla Model 3 wins clearly, 86.8 to 67.7, on fuel & range. The Nissan Sentra is ahead on safety.
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 Tesla Model 3
The 2025 Tesla Model 3 is sold in the U.S. as an electric midsize sedan with 4 EPA-rated configurations. Its longest-range version, the Model 3 Long Range RWD, …
2025 Tesla Model 3
Clear winThe Tesla Model 3 wins clearly, 86.8 to 67.7, on fuel & range. The Nissan Sentra is ahead on safety.
| Category · weight | 2025 Nissan Sentraoverall 67.7 | 2025 Tesla Model 3overall 86.8 | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pricenot compared | Specs not available | Specs not available | |||||||||
| Fuel & rangew 3 | 27.1 | 100 | |||||||||
EPA annual fuel cost and combined mpg / MPGe; EV range when both are electric. | |||||||||||
| Safetyw 4 | 82 | 70.2 | |||||||||
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 | 100 | 100 | |||||||||
Seats, cargo volume behind the 1st and 2nd rows, rear legroom. | |||||||||||
| Performancenot compared | Specs not available | Specs not available | |||||||||
| Tech & comfortnot compared | Specs not available | Specs not available | |||||||||
| Warrantynot compared | Specs not available | Specs not available | |||||||||
| Overall | 67.7 | 86.8 | |||||||||
Safety-only comparison · 3 of 7 categories compared · specs not available for Tesla Model 3
Nissan Sentra: base trim S FWD · Tesla Model 3: safety only (EPA and NHTSA record; specs not available). Pick a trim in the tool to compare any other trim.
Where the gap is
the biggest differences, from the scorecard's own numbersWhere the 2025 Tesla Model 3 wins
- It is rated 137 combined against 34 (EPA mpg or MPGe).
- It costs $1,400 a year less to fuel on the EPA's estimate ($550 against $1,950).
- It has the cleaner recall record (Safety Signal 85 against 76).
Where the 2025 Nissan Sentra answers
- It has drawn fewer owner complaints (32 against 124 filed with NHTSA).
What they share
- 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 | Nissan SentraS FWD | Tesla Model 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | ||
| Base MSRP (excludes destination) | $21,590 | — |
| Engine Basics | ||
| Aspiration | naturally aspirated | — |
| Cylinder count | 4 | — |
| Engine displacement | 1,997 cc | — |
| Engine type (full description) | 2.0L DOHC I4 | — |
| Fuel injection system | gdi mpi | — |
| Valve configuration | 4 valves per cylinder, Continuous Variable Valve Timing Control System | — |
| Engine Output | ||
| Horsepower | 149 hp | — |
| Torque | 146 lb-ft | — |
| Fuel Economy | ||
| MPG (city) | 30 mpg | — |
| MPG (combined) | 34 mpg | — |
| MPG (highway) | 40 mpg | — |
| Transmission | ||
| Final drive ratio | 5.034C | — |
| Transmission type | cvt | — |
| Dimensions Exterior | ||
| Ground clearance | 4.7 in | — |
| Overall height | 56.9 in | — |
| Overall length | 183 in | — |
| Overall width | 71.5 in | — |
| Wheelbase | 107 in | — |
| Cargo | ||
| Cargo volume behind 2nd row | 14.3 cu-ft | — |
| Total interior volume | 110 cu-ft | — |
| Seating | ||
| Passenger seating capacity | 5 | — |
| Headroom | ||
| Front headroom | 38.9 in | — |
| Second-row headroom | 36.7 in | — |
| Legroom | ||
| Front legroom | 43.8 in | — |
| Second-row legroom | 34.9 in | — |
| Weights | ||
| Curb weight (maximum) | 3,036 lbs | — |
| Curb weight (minimum) | 3,036 lbs | — |
| Gross vehicle weight rating | 3,957 lbs | — |
| Payload capacity | 921 lbs | — |
| Suspension | ||
| Front suspension type | Independent strut with coil springs | — |
| Rear suspension type | Multi-link independent | — |
| Steering | ||
| Steering type | Dual pinion electric power-assisted (vehicle-speed-sensitive) | — |
| Turning radius (curb-to-curb) | 19.1 ft | — |
| Brakes | ||
| Front brake diameter | 279 mm | — |
| Front brake type | Vented disc | — |
| Parking brake type | Foot brake | — |
| Rear brake diameter | 229 mm | — |
| Rear brake type | drum | — |
| Wheels | ||
| Wheel diameter | 16 in | — |
| Wheel material | steel | — |
| Wheel width | 6.5 in | — |
| Tires | ||
| Tire size | 205/60R16 | — |
| Fuel System | ||
| Fuel tank capacity | 12.4 gal | — |
| Minimum recommended octane | 87 | — |
| Connected Services | ||
| Connected services brand | NissanConnect | — |
| Shoulder Room | ||
| Front shoulder room | 56.4 in | — |
| Second-row shoulder room | 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
84 features · differences first, then sharedSafety27 differ · 27 listed
| Feature | Nissan SentraS FWD | Tesla Model 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Intelligent Forward Collision Warning | std | — |
| Rear Cross Traffic Alert | std | — |
| Driver and front passenger seat-mounted side-impact supplemental air bags | std | — |
| Lane Departure Warning with haptic steering wheel | std | — |
| Nissan Advanced Air Bag System with supplemental front air bags with seat belt sensors and occupant classification sensor | std | — |
| RearView Monitor | std | — |
| Roof-mounted curtain side-impact supplemental air bags with rollover sensor for front and rear-seat outboard occupant head protection | std | — |
| Rear passenger seat-mounted side-impact supplemental air bags | std | — |
| Anti-lock Braking System | std | — |
| Automatic Emergency Braking with Pedestrian Detection | std | — |
| Blind Spot Warning | 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 | — |
| High Beam Assist | std | — |
| Hill Start Assist | std | — |
| Intelligent Driver Alertness | std | — |
| Parking brake – Foot brake | std | — |
| Rear Automatic Braking | std | — |
| Rear Door Alert | std | — |
| Traction Control System | std | — |
| Vehicle Dynamic Control | std | — |
| Nissan Vehicle Immobilizer System | std | — |
| Tire Pressure Monitoring System – direct sensor type | std | — |
Infotainment13 differ · 13 listed
| Feature | Nissan SentraS FWD | Tesla Model 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Bluetooth® Hands-free Phone switches | std | — |
| 1 front USB connection port (Type A) with iPod® Interface | std | — |
| 4.2-inch multi-information display | std | — |
| 7-inch color touchscreen display | std | — |
| AM/FM/USB with 4 speakers | std | — |
| Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto™ | std | — |
| Audio switches | std | — |
| Auxiliary input jack | std | — |
| Bluetooth® hands-free phone system with Streaming Audio via Bluetooth® | std | — |
| Hands-Free Text Messaging Assistant | std | — |
| NissanConnect® Services (NissanConnect® Services, MyNISSAN app control) | opt | — |
| Radio Data System | std | — |
| Speed-sensitive volume control | std | — |
Convenience7 differ · 7 listed
| Feature | Nissan SentraS FWD | Tesla Model 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Remote Keyless Entry system with Push Button Ignition | std | — |
| 12-volt DC power outlet | 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 | — |
| Remote releases – trunk and fuel filler door | std | — |
Climate2 differ · 2 listed
| Feature | Nissan SentraS FWD | Tesla Model 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Air conditioning with in-cabin microfilter | std | — |
| Front window defroster | std | — |
Seating4 differ · 4 listed
| Feature | Nissan SentraS FWD | Tesla Model 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's seat 6-way manual | std | — |
| Cloth | std | — |
| Front passenger's seat 4-way manual | std | — |
| Rear seats 60/40-split fold-down | std | — |
Interior10 differ · 10 listed
| Feature | Nissan SentraS FWD | Tesla Model 3 |
|---|---|---|
| 3-spoke urethane steering wheel | std | — |
| Assist grips (4) | std | — |
| Cargo area lamp | std | — |
| D-shaped steering wheel | std | — |
| Dual LED overhead front map lights | std | — |
| Front door pockets | std | — |
| Sliding center armrest | std | — |
| Sun visors with extensions and vanity mirrors | std | — |
| Inside rearview mirror Manual day/night | std | — |
| Manual tilt and telescoping | std | — |
Exterior11 differ · 11 listed
| Feature | Nissan SentraS FWD | Tesla Model 3 |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | — |
| Center High-Mount Stop Light | std | — |
| Chrome V-motion front grille | std | — |
| Halogen headlights | std | — |
| Intelligent Auto Headlights | std | — |
| Variable intermittent front wipers | std | — |
| Rear window defroster with indicator light and timer | std | — |
| Temporary spare tire in trunk 17 x 4T | std | — |
Powertrain4 differ · 4 listed
| Feature | Nissan SentraS FWD | Tesla Model 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Front-engine / front-wheel drive | std | — |
| Idle Stop/Start | std | — |
| MR20DD engine (DOHC, I4, 2.0L/1997cc, 149hp @ 6,000 RPM, 146 lb-ft @ 4,000 RPM, direct injection) | std | — |
| Xtronic CVT transmission | std | — |
Chassis6 differ · 6 listed
| Feature | Nissan SentraS FWD | Tesla Model 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Active Ride Control | std | — |
| Front brakes – Vented disc, 11.0 inch diameter x 0.9 inch thickness | std | — |
| Intelligent Ride Control | std | — |
| Intelligent Trace Control | std | — |
| Rear brakes – Drum, 9.0 inch diameter (S); Vented disc, 10.2 inch diameter x 0.31 inch thickness (SV, SR) | std | — |
| Twin tube shock absorbers | std | — |
Highlighted rows are where the two differ. Wording is the manufacturer's own.
Safety record
NHTSA recalls, complaints, NCAPNissan 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
Tesla Model 3
Top recalls
- high Electrical System 25V690000 · 12,963 vehicles
- moderate Electrical System 25V002000 · 239,382 vehicles
- minor Tires 24V935000 · 696,281 vehicles
Ownership
EPA, manufacturer warranty| Nissan SentraS FWD | Tesla Model 3 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $21,590 (base trim) | — |
| Price range across trims | $21,590 – $24,590 3 trims | — |
| Powertrains | GAS | BEV |
| EPA configuration compared | Sentra | Model 3 Long Range RWD |
| Combined mpg / MPGe | 34 | 137 |
| EPA annual fuel cost | $1,950 | $550 |
| EV range | — | 363 mi |
| Basic warranty | — | — |
| Powertrain warranty | — | — |
| Roadside assistance | — | — |
Common questions
Source: EPA, NHTSA and manufacturer press kitsWhich is better, the 2025 Nissan Sentra or the 2025 Tesla Model 3?
The Tesla Model 3 wins clearly, 86.8 to 67.7, on fuel & range. The Nissan Sentra is ahead on safety. On WhichTrim's default weights the 2025 Tesla Model 3 scores 86.8 and the 2025 Nissan Sentra 67.7. The weights are yours to change — move what you care about and the verdict recalculates on the page.
Which has the better safety record, the 2025 Nissan Sentra or the 2025 Tesla Model 3?
2025 Nissan Sentra: 5 NHTSA stars, grade C, 4 recalls. 2025 Tesla Model 3: no NHTSA rating yet, grade B, 3 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 Nissan Sentra and the 2025 Tesla Model 3?
Where the 2025 Tesla Model 3 wins: it is rated 137 combined against 34 (EPA mpg or MPGe), costs $1,400 a year less to fuel on the EPA's estimate ($550 against $1,950), and has the cleaner recall record (Safety Signal 85 against 76). Where the 2025 Nissan Sentra answers: it has drawn fewer owner complaints (32 against 124 filed with NHTSA). What they share: 5 seats.