Honking horns, bumper-to-bumper traffic, and the feeling of stress every time you think about your morning drive into work have many commuters wishing they were working from home again. Your drive to work may be hectic, it may be long, it may be filled with stops to drop the kids off at school, or it may consist of mentally preparing for the day ahead. No matter what, the car you choose to travel in can make all the difference in the world, and when it comes to two of the best compact options, the Nissan Sentra and the Honda Civic reside at the top. If you’re on the hunt for your next comfortable commuter, you’ll want to pay attention to these two models. When comparing the 2022 Nissan Sentra vs the 2022 Honda Civic, which compact sedan is better equipped to handle your daily drive?
When You Have a Long Commute, You Need a Car That’s Comfortable
Perhaps one of the most important aspects of your commute is comfort because you never know how long it’s going to take for traffic to dissipate after work lets out. It helps to travel in comfort, and in the 2022 Nissan Sentra, that won’t be a problem, with upscale cabin space dotted with stylish appointments, not to mention the coziest Zero-Gravity front seats you’ve ever experienced. Heated quilted leather seating materials, a 6-way power-adjustable driver’s seat, plus ample space to get comfortable for that long journey home makes the Sentra a top pick for many commuters.
The Honda Civic also boasts a favorable interior, but keep in mind you’ll most likely need to upgrade to its higher-level trims to enjoy all of the luxurious features. In addition, the Civic’s style edges more on modern minimalism, which causes many to consider whether or not it’s a bit too plain and if it should have been amped up just a bit, especially in its more basic trims. Either way, you can expect a spacious cabin, with leather-trimmed appointments throughout, as well as heated front seats and other cozy elements.
Your Drive Should Be Smooth
Another important aspect of your commute is ride quality because, let’s face it, who has time for a boring ride, especially after being cooped up in a meeting all afternoon, right? The 2022 Nissan Sentra showcases a lovely ride, with its 2.0L four-cylinder engine offering up nice acceleration, while its independent rear suspension and choice of 16-18-inch wheels offer up a sturdy performance, which comes in handy when navigating inclement weather or loads of traffic. In addition, its braking system is exceptionally fine-tuned, which is a definite help, especially during stop-and-go commutes. Plus, when you’re ready to finally open it up on the road once traffic has cleared, you’ll be able to do just that in Sport Mode, which enhances its throttle response to make for a more exciting ride home.
Although not quite as quick as the 2021 model, the 2022 Civic showcases a clean ride with your choice of two engines: a 2.0L four-cylinder or a 1.5L turbocharged version. The Civic also features wheel-mounted paddle shifters for a more controlled ride; however, it’s a disappointment that they’re made of flimsy plastic pieces.
Your Commute Shouldn’t Cost You a Fortune in Gas
No commuter wants a gas-guzzler, especially if your commute consists of backed-up traffic in the city or frequent travels down the interstate, which is why many choose a compact sedan due to the incomparable fuel efficiency that can be expected. The 2022 Nissan Sentra is not only easy to drive and maneuver through traffic, it’s also extremely efficient, getting around 29 MPG in the city and 39 MPG on the highway. Like the Sentra, the Civic also proves its efficiency, able to get up to 31 MPG city and 40 MPG highway with its comparable base engine. As you can see, both are in line with one another, meaning that it really comes down to driveability.
Your Vehicle Should Make Your Commute Easy
Cargo and storage solutions really come in handy, whether you’re looking to stay organized during your trip to work or you’re transporting your workmates on carpool duty. You’ll find that the Nissan Sentra offers an abundance of features, designed with the everyday commuter in mind, like 60/40-split rear seats to handle more materials for work and a roomy trunk, able to offer 14.3 cubic feet of cargo space. It’s also incredibly comfortable for all on board, offering up 34.7 inches of rear-seat legroom so that your workmates can remain undeniably comfortable, even in dense traffic.
The 2022 Honda Civic sits lower and wider, which allows it to feel more open and airy inside. A Trunk Tray with Dividers also helps you stay organized when hauling around briefcases, gym bags, and other necessities for the day. With comparable cargo volume to the Sentra, 14.8 cubic feet of storage space in the Civic, both sedans are similar when it comes to overall space.
Staying Connected on the Road Is Important
While you’re commuting, it helps to be able to stay in tune with everything going on during your day, whether it’s an early meeting or planning the night’s dinner on your way home from the office. That’s where technology really comes in to save the day. In the 2022 Nissan Sentra, you’ll be able to enjoy some of the most cutting-edge tech features, many of which come standard, to make the most out of your time behind the wheel.
Smartphone integration, Bluetooth technology, a WiFi Hotspot, and more allow you to stay on top of the day’s tasks effortlessly. Plus, add-ons like Google Assistant, Alexa, and more available through NissanConnect Services deliver even more value to your drive, allowing you to add to your grocery list, make dinner reservations, and even unlock the front door, all from your vehicle.
In the 2022 Civic, you’ll find many of the same connectivity features, like Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, as well as navigation and the HondaLink app to stay on top of your vehicle’s performance. A Bose premium sound system is also available to maximize your ride to and from work, while a wireless charging pad allows you to keep your devices charged up and ready to go any time of the day.
Nothing Is More Important Than Safety When You’re on the Road
Safety should always be a priority while commuting, and the 2022 Nissan Sentra showcases one of the best safety systems on the market with its Nissan Safety Shield 360 suite. Six safety features come standard in the Sentra, including Blind Spot Warning, Lane Departure Warning, and more, while its class-exclusive Intelligent Around View Monitor provides unmatched visibility all the way around your vehicle, which really comes in handy when navigating busy roadways.
The Civic has its own safety features through the HondaSensing suite, which includes many of the safety options you can expect to find in a modern-day vehicle. However, we’re disappointed that it doesn’t offer a 360-degree camera, like that found in the Sentra, to really aid in everyday commutes and beyond.
The Most Capable Commuter
It’s true that the 2022 Nissan Sentra and the 2022 Honda Civic have much in common; however, there are stark differences that make one better than the other. With its sleek style inside and out, providing absolute comfort during any ride, matched with its easy driving dynamics and stellar technology, our pick lies with Nissan. The Sentra is the go-to compact commuter, in our opinion, when it comes to overall quality, plus all of the extras included to make any journey safer, not to mention more fun. The Civic not having a 360-degree camera, as well as it missing the mark with its interior styling, are two of the major reasons that it didn’t pull ahead in our competition. When you want a compact sedan that offers it all during your commute, you’ll find it in the 2022 Nissan Sentra.
