Civic Type R vs Sentra
It’s Honda against Nissan in the compact car class, and the Civic Type R and the Sentra are the models carrying each flag. On balance, the Civic Type R is the stronger package: it leads in 2 out of 4 areas, most clearly in engine & performance.
At a glance
- Engine & Performance Civic Type R wins
- Fuel Economy & Range Sentra wins
- Space & Practicality Civic Type R wins
- Off-road & Towing Tie
- Engine & Performance10.0
- Fuel Economy & Range1.5
- Space & Practicality6.0
- 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 Type R has 166 hp more power
It’s a lopsided result (315 hp for the Civic Type R, 149 hp for the Sentra) and one of the main reasons to choose between them. Power is only part of the story; weight, gearing and torque delivery shape how quick a car feels.
-
The Civic Type R has 71% more cargo space
The spread here is large: 24.5 cu ft on the Civic Type R versus 14.3 cu ft on the Sentra. Expect to notice it. The Civic Type R’s larger cargo area makes family trips and big shopping runs easier.
-
The Sentra has better fuel economy
Of all the specs we compared, this is one where the Sentra makes its strongest case: 34 mpg against 24 mpg. The Sentra uses less fuel on the standard combined cycle, which matters most if you drive a lot.
-
The Civic Type R has 164 lb-ft more torque
The Civic Type R clearly leads on torque, and 310 lb-ft versus 146 lb-ft is a difference that reaches well beyond the spec sheet. The Civic Type R’s extra torque makes it more relaxed when fully loaded or towing.
-
The Sentra has room for 5 seats
The Sentra is slightly stronger on seats. The gap, 5 seats versus 4 seats, won’t change your life, but it isn’t nothing. Third-row seats are often best for kids, so check legroom figures if adults will sit there.
Design & Size
- Civic Type R 180.9 in × 74.4 in × 55.4 in
- Sentra 182.9 in × 71.5 in × 56.9 in
Dimensionally, these two are near twins.
Dimensions
| Spec | Civic Type R | Sentra |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 180.9 in | 182.9 in |
| Width (no mirrors) | 74.4 in | 71.5 in |
| Height | 55.4 in | 56.9 in |
| Wheelbase | 107.7 in | 106.6 in |
| Curb weight (from) | N/A (not specified) | 3,036 lb |
Engine & Performance
Civic Type R leads
On engine & performance, the gap between these two is wide, and it favors the Civic Type R. The Civic Type R steps ahead thanks to 166 hp more power. More power helps with merging, overtaking and climbing hills, especially with passengers and luggage on board. Weighing only engine & performance, the Civic Type R comes out ahead.
Total system output
Civic Type R: 315 hp Sentra: 149 hp The Civic Type R’s extra output gives it more in reserve when you need to get up to speed.
Torque
Civic Type R: 310 lb-ft Sentra: 146 lb-ft Electrified powertrains deliver torque instantly, so compare torque figures alongside the powertrain type.
Fuel Economy & Range
Sentra leads
When it comes to fuel economy & range, the Sentra is comfortably ahead. The Sentra answers with better fuel economy. Official figures rarely match real-world driving exactly, but the ranking between two cars tends to hold. If fuel economy & range is your priority, the Sentra is the car to pick.
Fuel economy (combined)
Civic Type R: 24 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 (highway)
Civic Type R: 28 mpg Sentra: 40 mpg The Sentra uses less fuel on the highway, a real saving on road trips and long commutes.
Space & Practicality
Civic Type R leads
This section belongs to the Civic Type R. In space & practicality, it leads the Sentra by a margin that’s hard to ignore. The Civic Type R takes this one with 71% more cargo space. Cargo space behind the rear seats is what you use every day for groceries, strollers and luggage. The Sentra delivers room for 5 seats. In short, the Civic Type R is the better-equipped car for space & practicality.
Cargo (behind rear seats)
Civic Type R: 24.5 cu ft Sentra: 14.3 cu ft Cargo figures are measured in different ways by different makers, so small gaps may not show in practice.
Seats
Civic Type R: 4 seats Sentra: 5 seats Extra seats mean you can take more people along without taking a second car.
Off-road & Towing
Too close to call
There’s no meaningful winner in the off-road & towing section; the two are too close to separate. On off-road & towing alone, you can’t go far wrong with either.
Safety & Tech
Names, not numbers: the safety & tech rows below show what each one is built with, and it’s worth reading them side by side.
Full Specifications
Engine & Performance
| Spec | Civic Type R | Sentra |
|---|---|---|
| Powertrain | Gas | Gas |
| Engine | 2.0L turbo I4 | 2.0L I4 |
| Total system output | 315 hp (winner) Most powerful in class | 149 hp |
| Torque | 310 lb-ft (winner) Most torque in class | 146 lb-ft |
| Transmission | 6-speed manual | CVT (Xtronic) |
| Drivetrain | FWD | FWD |
Fuel Economy & Range
| Spec | Civic Type R | Sentra |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel economy (combined)EPA estimate where available | 24 mpg | 34 mpg (winner) |
| Fuel economy (city) | 22 mpg | 30 mpg (winner) |
| Fuel economy (highway) | 28 mpg | 40 mpg (winner) |
| Fuel tank | 12.4 gal | 12.4 gal |
Space & Practicality
| Spec | Civic Type R | Sentra |
|---|---|---|
| Seats | 4 seats Fewest seats in class | 5 seats (winner) |
| Cargo (behind rear seats) | 24.5 cu ft (winner) Biggest cargo area | 14.3 cu ft |
| Rear legroom | N/A (not specified) | 34.90 in |
Off-road & Towing
| Spec | Civic Type R | Sentra |
|---|---|---|
| AWD / 4WD available | No | No |
Safety & Tech
| Spec | Civic Type R | 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 Type R | Sentra |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 180.9 in | 182.9 in |
| Width (no mirrors) | 74.4 in | 71.5 in |
| Height | 55.4 in | 56.9 in |
| Wheelbase | 107.7 in | 106.6 in |
| Curb weight (from) | N/A (not specified) | 3,036 lb |
Price
| Spec | Civic Type R | Sentra |
|---|---|---|
| Starting MSRP | $46,895 Priciest in class | 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 Type R if…
- you merge, overtake or climb hills with a full load (315 hp vs 149 hp)
- you want more cargo space behind the rear seats (24.5 cu ft vs 14.3 cu ft)
- you want more pulling power from low speeds (310 lb-ft vs 146 lb-ft of torque)
Choose the Sentra if…
- you drive a lot and want lower running costs (34 mpg vs 24 mpg combined)
- you regularly carry extra passengers (5 seats vs 4 seats)
- you want better highway fuel economy (40 mpg vs 28 mpg)
- you want better city fuel economy (30 mpg vs 22 mpg)
Also Compared
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I buy the Civic Type R or the Sentra?
The Civic Type R makes more sense overall. Consider the alternative only if you specifically want better fuel economy, where the Sentra has the edge.
Which is larger, the Civic Type R or the Sentra?
The Civic Type R and the Sentra are so close in size that you’d struggle to tell them apart on dimensions alone.
Executive Summary
Whenever Honda and Nissan go head to head, I learn something about what each one cares about, and the Civic Type R and the Sentra are no exception. I keep coming back to one thing: the Civic Type R gets 166 hp more power. There’s a bonus as well: the Civic Type R has 71% more cargo space. Don’t write off the Sentra entirely: it has better fuel economy.
Match the strength to your habits (engine & performance for the Civic Type R, fuel economy & range for the Sentra), and you won’t go far wrong.
My pick: the Civic Type R, unless you care more about better fuel economy than anything else, in which case the Sentra earns its place.
Personal opinion based on the data above. Your priorities may differ.