Civic vs Sentra
Put the Civic next to the Sentra and you have Honda and Nissan going after exactly the same compact car crowd. If you were hoping for a knockout, this isn’t it. The Civic and the Sentra stay within reach of each other almost everywhere.
At a glance
- Engine & Performance Sentra wins
- Fuel Economy & Range Civic wins
- Space & Practicality Tie
- Off-road & Towing Tie
- Engine & Performance0.1
- Fuel Economy & Range6.4
- Space & Practicality5.1
- Engine & Performance0.4
- Fuel Economy & Range5.9
- Space & Practicality4.9
Spec scores (0 to 10) are calculated from manufacturer specs against other models in the same class. See how the formula works. They are not reviews or user ratings.
Key Differences
-
The Civic has better fuel economy
This one is close enough that other factors could outweigh it, but on paper the Civic leads with 36 mpg to 34 mpg. The Civic uses less fuel on the standard combined cycle, which matters most if you drive a lot.
-
The Sentra has 13 lb-ft more torque
Only a little separates them: 146 lb-ft on the Sentra, 133 lb-ft on the Civic. Electrified powertrains deliver torque instantly, so compare torque figures alongside the powertrain type.
-
The Civic has better city fuel economy
It’s a fine margin, and it favors the Civic (32 mpg versus 30 mpg). Hybrids often shine in the city, and the Civic has the better rating here.
Design & Size
- Civic 184.8 in × 70.9 in × 55.7 in
- Sentra 182.9 in × 71.5 in × 56.9 in
The Sentra is the larger car of the two, while the Civic is the more compact choice.
Dimensions
| Spec | Civic | Sentra |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 184.8 in | 182.9 in |
| Width (no mirrors) | 70.9 in | 71.5 in |
| Height | 55.7 in | 56.9 in |
| Wheelbase | 107.7 in | 106.6 in |
| Curb weight (from) | N/A (not specified) | 3,036 lb |
Engine & Performance
Sentra leads
The engine & performance comparison is tighter than it first looks, with the Sentra marginally ahead. The Sentra makes its case with 13 lb-ft more torque. More torque means stronger pulling from low speeds, which you feel when accelerating from a stop or climbing grades. Anyone shopping mainly on engine & performance should start with the Sentra.
Torque
Civic: 133 lb-ft Sentra: 146 lb-ft The Sentra’s extra torque makes it more relaxed when fully loaded or towing.
Fuel Economy & Range
Civic leads
The Civic is the clear pick if fuel economy & range is what you care about most. Here the Civic offers better fuel economy. Official figures rarely match real-world driving exactly, but the ranking between two cars tends to hold. That makes the Civic the natural choice for buyers focused on fuel economy & range.
Fuel economy (combined)
Civic: 36 mpg Sentra: 34 mpg Better combined fuel economy lowers your running costs every week, and the savings add up over years of ownership.
Fuel economy (city)
Civic: 32 mpg Sentra: 30 mpg In town, driving style has a big effect, but the Civic starts from a better baseline.
Space & Practicality
Too close to call
Swap one for the other and you’d lose nothing on space & practicality. This section won’t settle the choice, so weigh the other areas more heavily.
Off-road & Towing
Too close to call
Side by side, the off-road & towing figures for the Civic and the Sentra barely differ. If off-road & towing was going to be your tiebreaker, you’ll need a different one.
Safety & Tech
The safety & tech comparison is about what’s inside rather than how much. See the table for the Civic’s and the Sentra’s entries.
Full Specifications
Engine & Performance
| Spec | Civic | Sentra |
|---|---|---|
| Powertrain | Gas | Gas |
| Engine | 2.0L I4 | 2.0L I4 |
| Total system output | 150 hp | 149 hp |
| Torque | 133 lb-ft | 146 lb-ft (winner) |
| Transmission | CVT | CVT (Xtronic) |
| Drivetrain | FWD | FWD |
Fuel Economy & Range
| Spec | Civic | Sentra |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel economy (combined)EPA estimate where available | 36 mpg (winner) | 34 mpg |
| Fuel economy (city) | 32 mpg (winner) | 30 mpg |
| Fuel economy (highway) | 41 mpg | 40 mpg |
| Fuel tank | 12.4 gal | 12.4 gal |
Space & Practicality
| Spec | Civic | Sentra |
|---|---|---|
| Seats | 5 seats | 5 seats |
| Cargo (behind rear seats) | 14.8 cu ft | 14.3 cu ft |
| Rear legroom | N/A (not specified) | 34.90 in |
Off-road & Towing
| Spec | Civic | Sentra |
|---|---|---|
| AWD / 4WD available | No | No |
Safety & Tech
| Spec | Civic | Sentra |
|---|---|---|
| Largest touchscreen | 9 in | N/A (not specified) |
| Driver-assist suite | Honda Sensing | Nissan Safety Shield 360 |
| Basic warranty | 3 yr / 36,000 mi | 3 yr / 36,000 mi |
Dimensions
| Spec | Civic | Sentra |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 184.8 in | 182.9 in |
| Width (no mirrors) | 70.9 in | 71.5 in |
| Height | 55.7 in | 56.9 in |
| Wheelbase | 107.7 in | 106.6 in |
| Curb weight (from) | N/A (not specified) | 3,036 lb |
Price
| Spec | Civic | Sentra |
|---|---|---|
| Starting MSRP | $24,695 | N/A (not specified) |
“N/A” means the manufacturer does not specify the value or we could not confirm it. Figures marked “manufacturer rating” are the maker’s own claims, not our measurements.
Which One Should You Buy?
Choose the Civic if…
- you want better combined fuel economy (36 mpg vs 34 mpg)
- you mostly drive in town (32 mpg vs 30 mpg in the city)
- you value compactness over sheer size
Choose the Sentra if…
- you want more pulling power from low speeds (146 lb-ft vs 133 lb-ft of torque)
- you like more of everything, size included
- you’re comfortable with how Nissan does things
Also Compared
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I buy the Civic or the Sentra?
The Civic wins more of the areas we compared, so it’s the safer pick unless you need 13 lb-ft more torque, which only the Sentra offers.
Is the Civic bigger than the Sentra?
It’s the Sentra that is larger: 182.9 × 71.5 × 56.9 in, versus 184.8 × 70.9 × 55.7 in for the Civic.
Executive Summary
Brand loyalty aside, I tried to judge the Civic and the Sentra purely on what they offer. To me, the standout is that the Civic offers better fuel economy. To be fair, the Sentra has 13 lb-ft more torque, and that’s not nothing.
If fuel economy & range is your thing, the Civic fits. If engine & performance matters more, the Sentra makes more sense.
My pick: the Civic, unless you’d trade the rest for 13 lb-ft more torque.
Personal opinion based on the data above. Your priorities may differ.