Sentra vs Impreza
It’s Nissan against Subaru in the compact car class, and the Sentra and the Impreza are the models carrying each flag. The two pull in different directions. The Sentra is built around fuel economy & range, while the Impreza is stronger on space & practicality.
At a glance
- Engine & Performance Tie
- Fuel Economy & Range Sentra wins
- Space & Practicality Impreza wins
- Off-road & Towing Impreza wins
- Engine & Performance0.4
- Fuel Economy & Range5.9
- Space & Practicality4.9
- Engine & Performance0.5
- Fuel Economy & Range4.4
- Space & Practicality7.9
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
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The Impreza has 43% more cargo space
For cargo (behind rear seats), the Impreza leads by a wide margin: 20.4 cu ft versus 14.3 cu ft. Cargo space behind the rear seats is what you use every day for groceries, strollers and luggage.
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The Sentra has better fuel economy
It’s a small lead (34 mpg versus 30 mpg), but it’s real, and it goes to the Sentra. Better combined fuel economy lowers your running costs every week, and the savings add up over years of ownership.
-
The Sentra has better highway fuel economy
This is a headline difference. With 40 mpg to the Impreza’s 34 mpg, the Sentra has a lead that’s easy to see on paper and in practice. Speed, wind and load affect highway use a lot, but the official rating is a fair comparison point.
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The Sentra has better city fuel economy
The Impreza isn’t far behind at 27 mpg, but the Sentra’s 30 mpg still comes out ahead. City fuel economy matters most if your driving is mostly short trips, traffic and stop-and-go commutes.
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The Impreza has available all-wheel drive
Whether it matters depends on your habits, but only one of these two gives you available all-wheel drive: the Impreza. All-wheel drive helps you get going on slippery roads, but good tires matter just as much for stopping and turning.
Design & Size
- Sentra 182.9 in × 71.5 in × 56.9 in
- Impreza 176.2 in × 70.1 in × 58.1 in
If you already know the size you like, the Sentra and the Impreza should suit you equally.
Dimensions
| Spec | Sentra | Impreza |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 182.9 in | 176.2 in |
| Width (no mirrors) | 71.5 in | 70.1 in |
| Height | 56.9 in | 58.1 in |
| Wheelbase | 106.6 in | 105.1 in |
| Curb weight (from) | 3,036 lb | N/A (not specified) |
Engine & Performance
Too close to call
Both the Sentra and the Impreza cover engine & performance equally well on paper. The takeaway: engine & performance is not where these two differ.
Fuel Economy & Range
Sentra leads
This is one of the Sentra’s strongest areas. On fuel economy & range, the Impreza falls well short. The Sentra takes this one with better fuel economy. The Sentra uses less fuel on the standard combined cycle, which matters most if you drive a lot. Prioritize fuel economy & range, and the Sentra is where you should land.
Fuel economy (combined)
Sentra: 34 mpg Impreza: 30 mpg Official figures rarely match real-world driving exactly, but the ranking between two cars tends to hold.
Fuel economy (highway)
Sentra: 40 mpg Impreza: 34 mpg Highway fuel economy matters if you cover long distances at steady speeds.
Space & Practicality
Impreza leads
If space & practicality is high on your list, the Impreza makes the stronger case by a wide margin. The Impreza steps ahead thanks to 43% more cargo space. The Impreza’s larger cargo area makes family trips and big shopping runs easier. Anyone shopping mainly on space & practicality should start with the Impreza.
Cargo (behind rear seats)
Sentra: 14.3 cu ft Impreza: 20.4 cu ft Cargo figures are measured in different ways by different makers, so small gaps may not show in practice.
Off-road & Towing
Impreza leads
By a small margin, the Impreza is the stronger of the two in this area. The Impreza delivers available all-wheel drive. Available all-wheel drive improves traction in rain, snow and on loose surfaces. On off-road & towing alone, the Impreza gets the nod.
AWD / 4WD available
Sentra: no Impreza: yes The Impreza offers all-wheel drive; the Sentra doesn’t, which matters if you face harsh winters.
Safety & Tech
For safety & tech, the differences are in the specifics (component names and types), so the table is the place to look.
Full Specifications
Engine & Performance
| Spec | Sentra | Impreza |
|---|---|---|
| Powertrain | Gas | Gas |
| Engine | 2.0L I4 | 2.0L flat-4 |
| Total system output | 149 hp | 152 hp |
| Torque | 146 lb-ft | 145 lb-ft |
| Transmission | CVT (Xtronic) | CVT |
| Drivetrain | FWD | AWD |
Fuel Economy & Range
| Spec | Sentra | Impreza |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel economy (combined)EPA estimate where available | 34 mpg (winner) | 30 mpg |
| Fuel economy (city) | 30 mpg (winner) | 27 mpg |
| Fuel economy (highway) | 40 mpg (winner) | 34 mpg |
| Fuel tank | 12.4 gal | N/A (not specified) |
Space & Practicality
| Spec | Sentra | Impreza |
|---|---|---|
| Seats | 5 seats | 5 seats |
| Cargo (behind rear seats) | 14.3 cu ft | 20.4 cu ft (winner) |
| Cargo (seats folded) | N/A (not specified) | 55.3 cu ft |
| Rear legroom | 34.90 in | N/A (not specified) |
Off-road & Towing
| Spec | Sentra | Impreza |
|---|---|---|
| Ground clearance | N/A (not specified) | 5.10 in |
| AWD / 4WD available | No | Yes (winner) |
Safety & Tech
| Spec | Sentra | Impreza |
|---|---|---|
| Driver-assist suite | Nissan Safety Shield 360 | Subaru EyeSight |
| Basic warranty | 3 yr / 36,000 mi | 3 yr / 36,000 mi |
Dimensions
| Spec | Sentra | Impreza |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 182.9 in | 176.2 in |
| Width (no mirrors) | 71.5 in | 70.1 in |
| Height | 56.9 in | 58.1 in |
| Wheelbase | 106.6 in | 105.1 in |
| Curb weight (from) | 3,036 lb | 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 Sentra if…
- you drive a lot and want lower running costs (34 mpg vs 30 mpg combined)
- you want better highway fuel economy (40 mpg vs 34 mpg)
- you want better city fuel economy (30 mpg vs 27 mpg)
Choose the Impreza if…
- you haul strollers, luggage or sports gear every week (20.4 cu ft vs 14.3 cu ft)
- you want all-wheel drive available
- you trust Subaru and want to keep things familiar
Also Compared
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better for most people, the Sentra or the Impreza?
Neither wins outright. Choose the Sentra if fuel economy & range matters most, or the Impreza if space & practicality does.
Which is larger, the Sentra or the Impreza?
Size is essentially a tie. The official dimensions of the Sentra and the Impreza differ only marginally.
Executive Summary
The Sentra versus the Impreza is a matchup I find genuinely interesting, because Nissan and Subaru made different bets. What I like most about the Sentra here is better fuel economy. On top of that, the Sentra adds better city fuel economy. Where the Impreza fights back is 43% more cargo space.
The Sentra makes sense for anyone who values fuel economy & range; the Impreza for anyone who values space & practicality.
My pick: the Sentra for fuel economy & range, the Impreza for space & practicality, and no wrong answer between them.
Personal opinion based on the data above. Your priorities may differ.