DecodedCarsHonda Civic vs Nissan Sentra
2026 Honda Civic vs 2026 Nissan Sentra — two midsize cars compared on efficiency, size, safety and reliability.
The short version
The Honda Civic is more fuel-efficient: 49 vs 33 MPG combined in its best version.
That works out to about $700 a year less in fuel for the Honda Civic (EPA estimate, 15,000 miles).
The Nissan Sentra is the bigger car, about 4 inches longer.
Across all model years since 2005, the Nissan Sentra has had fewer recall campaigns (32 vs 43).
The two cars
The 2026 Honda Civic is a midsize car offered with 3 engines (2.0L 4-cyl, 1.5L 4-cyl turbo and 2.0L 4-cyl turbo), including a hybrid version and front-wheel drive. It measures about 184 inches long and 71 inches wide on a 108-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 3,067 lb (1.5l 4dr Sedan).
The 2026 Nissan Sentra is a midsize car offered with a 2.0L 4-cyl engine and front-wheel drive. It measures about 184 inches long and 72 inches wide on a 106-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 4,087 lb.
Buying used? The 2024 Civic and the 2023 Sentra have the fewest problems in our data; avoid the 2016 Civic and the 2015 Sentra.
Basics
Efficiency
Performance & space
Safety & reliability
Interest
Green = clearly better. Prices are not included. How we calculate this →
Which one should you choose?
Choose the Honda Civic if…
- You want lower fuel bills (49 vs 33 MPG)
- You want something easier to park (4 in shorter)
- You want a hybrid or electric option
- You want more standard driver-assist tech
Choose the Nissan Sentra if…
- You want more room (4 in longer)
- You put reliability history first (32 vs 43 recalls since 2005)
Pros & cons of each
2026 Honda Civic
- Excellent fuel economyUp to 49 MPG combined — 57% better than the average 2026 midsize car (31.2 MPG).
- Hybrid version availableOffered as a hybrid as well as gas.
- Lots of standard safety tech5 of 5 key driver aids standard on the versions we checked.
2026 Nissan Sentra
- Lots of standard safety tech5 of 5 key driver aids standard on the versions we checked.
- Modest powerUp to 149 hp, versus about 188 hp for similar 2026 models.
Full 2026 Honda Civic specs →Full 2026 Nissan Sentra specs →Compare fuel costs for your driving →Compare size & garage fit →