Compare the2026 Honda CivicVS 2026 Nissan Sentra

Using vehicle speed sensors and seat sensors, smart airbags in the Civic deploy with different levels of force or don’t deploy at all to help better protect passengers of all sizes in different collisions. The Civic’s side airbags will shut off if a child is leaning against the door. The Sentra’s side airbags don’t have smart features and will always deploy full force.

Both the Civic and the Sentra have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front and rear side-impact airbags, driver and front passenger knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, front wheel drive, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, driver alert monitors, available blind spot warning systems, rear parking sensors and rear cross-path warning.

The Honda Civic Hatchback has achieved the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s (IIHS) highest rating of “Top Safety Pick Plus” for the 2025 model year. This distinction is based on its exceptional performance in IIHS’ rigorous battery of safety tests. Specifically, it earned a “Good” rating in the latest, more stringent moderate overlap front crash test, a “Good” result in the updated side impact test, and an “Acceptable” score in the revised pedestrian crash prevention test. The Sentra has not yet been evaluated by the IIHS for 2025.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2025 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Honda vehicles are more reliable than Nissan vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Honda above average in long-term dependability. With 1 more problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, Nissan is rated below average.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ March 2025 Auto Issue reports that Honda vehicles are more reliable than Nissan vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Honda fourth in overall reliability. Nissan is ranked 12th.

The Civic Hybrid’s standard 2.0 DOHC 4-cylinder hybrid produces 51 more horsepower (200 vs. 149) and 86 lbs.-ft. more torque (232 vs. 146) than the Sentra’s 2.0 DOHC 4-cylinder.

On the EPA test cycle the Civic Sedan gets better mileage than the Sentra:

On the EPA test cycle the Civic Hatchback gets better mileage than the Sentra:

Regenerative brakes improve the Civic Hybrid’s fuel efficiency by converting inertia back into energy instead of wasting it. The Sentra doesn’t offer a regenerative braking system.

The Civic has a standard cap-less fueling system. The fuel filler is automatically opened when the fuel nozzle is inserted and automatically closed when it’s removed. This eliminates the need to unscrew and replace the cap and it reduces fuel evaporation, which causes pollution. The Sentra doesn’t offer a cap-less fueling system.

For better traction, the Civic has larger standard tires than the Sentra (215/55R16 vs. 205/60R16). The Civic Sport/Touring’s tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Sentra (235/40R18 vs. 215/50R17).

The Civic LX Sedan’s standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 55 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Sentra S/SV’s standard 60 series tires. The Civic Sport/Touring’s tires have a lower 40 series profile than the Sentra SR’s 45 series tires.

The Civic 2.0 has a standard space-saver spare (not available on Hybrid) so you can replace a flat tire and drive to have the flat repaired or replaced. A spare tire isn’t available on the Sentra; it requires you to depend on roadside assistance and your vehicle will have to be towed.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Civic’s wheelbase is 1.2 inches longer than on the Sentra (107.7 inches vs. 106.5 inches).

The Honda Civic may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs up to about 200 pounds less than the Nissan Sentra.

The Civic Sedan is 4.3 inches shorter than the Sentra, making the Civic easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The Civic Hybrid uses computer-generated active noise cancellation to help remove annoying noise and vibration from the passenger compartment, especially at low frequencies. The Sentra doesn’t offer active noise cancellation.

The Civic has 2.9 cubic feet more passenger volume than the Sentra (99 vs. 96.1).

The Civic has .4 inches more front headroom, 1 inch more front hip room, .8 inches more front shoulder room, .4 inches more rear headroom, 2.6 inches more rear legroom and 1.4 inches more rear shoulder room than the Sentra.

The Civic Sedan has a larger trunk than the Sentra (14.8 vs. 14.3 cubic feet).

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that Honda service is better than Nissan. J.D. Power ranks Honda 7th in service department satisfaction (above the industry average). With a 5% lower rating, Nissan is ranked 10th.

The Civic’s front power windows open or close fully with one touch of the switches, making it more convenient at drive-up windows and toll booths, or when talking with someone outside the car. The Sentra’s passenger windows don’t open or close automatically.

On a hot day the Civic’s driver can lower all the windows from a distance with the keyless remote or at the outside door handle. The driver of the Sentra can only operate the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

The Civic Sport Hybrid Touring’s standard wipers adjust their speed and turn on and off automatically according to the amount of rainfall on the windshield. The Sentra’s intermittent wipers change speed with vehicle speed, but can’t turn on and off or change speed based on changing rainfall.

Compared to traditional radio, the Honda Civic’s standard SiriusXM satellite radio provides an unmatched listening experience. Its extensive coverage guarantees consistent, crystal-clear reception across the continental U.S., and access to over 100 channels dedicated to a multitude of genres, including music, news, sports, talk shows, and comedy, many with only limited commercial breaks. Satellite radio costs extra on the Sentra.

The Honda Civic comes in sedan and four door hatchback bodystyles; the Nissan Sentra isn’t available as a four door hatchback.

According to iSeeCars.com the 2026 Honda Civic retains 72.11% of its original value after 5 years, significantly more than the 59.34% resale value of the 2026 Nissan Sentra after five years, which can save the Honda’s owner up to $2015 in depreciation.

Consumer Reports® recommends the Honda Civic, based on reliability, safety and performance.

The Civic was chosen as a Car and Driver’s “Top Ten” for 2025 and 10 more times in the last 42 years. The Sentra has never been chosen by Car and Driver in their “10Best” issue.

A group of representative automotive journalists from North America selected the Civic as the 2025 North American Car of the Year. The Sentra has never been chosen.

The Honda Civic outsold the Nissan Sentra by 56% during 2025.