Starting at
Starting at
| 137 HP | Starting Horsepower | 124 HP |
| 177-240 lb-ft | Torque | 125-177 lb-ft |
| Yes | Diesel Engine Available | No |
Compact cars are known for their efficiency, maneuverability, and onboard tech, and are popular vehicles for the everyday commuter or small family. In an incredibly crowded class, how can you determine which compact car is best for you? Two vehicles that are commonly compared in this class are the 2019 Chevy Cruze vs 2019 Nissan Sentra, and for good reason. Both vehicles offer generous standard technology, plenty of power, and are incredibly safe. But, who takes the win in this comparison?
The 2019 Chevy Cruze stands out among other compact cars for its incredibly high fuel economy ratings. When equipped with its turbo diesel engine, the Cruze earns up to 31 MPG in the city and 48 mpg on the highway. The Cruze also offers plenty of power with horsepower ratings of up to 153 hp with its turbocharged 4-cylinder engine. The new Cruze becomes an exceptionally good value when considering the standard entertainment technology onboard its base trim level, which includes a 7-inch touchscreen display, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. When it comes to safety, the 2019 Chevy Cruze does not disappoint and offers plenty of standard and available driver assist technology.
Meanwhile, the 2019 Nissan Sentra is also a strong contender in the compact car class. The Sentra offers high-performance specs, as well as a few nice standard entertainment features. It does offer a surprisingly low fuel economy ratings and a shorter list of onboard tech than the 2019 Chevy Cruze. The Sentra has also been criticized for poor acceleration and sensitive suspension, making for an uncomfortable and unenjoyable ride. However, the 2019 Nissan Sentra is an incredibly safe vehicle with an impressive list of available driver assist features.
While the 2019 Chevy Cruze takes the win in terms of efficiency and standard technology, the 2019 Nissan Sentra is a fierce rival. Ultimately, deciding between these two vehicles will come down to your personal preferences, but it’s important to perform a great deal of research before making a final decision. So, if you’re having trouble choosing between the 2019 Chevy Cruze vs 2019 Nissan Sentra, let’s get started with an in-depth comparison in the categories of performance, entertainment, and safety.
The 2019 Chevy Cruze and 2019 Nissan Sentra are close competitors when it comes to the category of performance. Both vehicles offer plenty of horsepower and responsive handling, however, the Cruze takes the win when it comes to fuel efficiency.
The 2019 Chevy Cruze is one of the most fuel-efficient vehicles in the compact car class due to its turbo diesel engine paired to a 9-speed automatic transmission. This configuration allows for fuel economy ratings of up to 31 MPG in the city and 48 MPG on the highway. Yet, the 2019 Chevy Cruze is also surprisingly powerful and offers up to 153 hp when equipped with its turbocharged 4-cylinder engine and 6-speed automatic transmission. The 2019 Chevy Cruze comes standard in front-wheel drive and equipped with a turbocharged 1.4L 4-cylinder engine. Critics note that the Cruze offers smooth and responsive handling, and is an especially enjoyable vehicle to drive on the highway. Drivers looking for a vehicle that will save them money at the gas pump without sacrificing performance will appreciate what the new Cruze has to offer.
The 2019 Nissan Sentra offers two engine options, including a 1.6L 4-cylinder engine and a 1.8L 4-cylinder engine. The Sentra’s 1.8L 4-cylinder engine produces up to 188 hp, however, critics note that the vehicle does not handle as well as many of its competitors and offers poor acceleration despite its available turbocharged engine. The 2019 Nissan Sentra also falls far behind many vehicles in the compact car class in terms of fuel efficiency, offering fuel economy ratings of 29 MPG in the city and 37 MPG on the highway. With the number of hybrid models and turbodiesel options on the rise, the fuel economy ratings of the Sentra fall short of many modern vehicles and make this vehicle’s available configurations seem considerably outdated. While the 2019 Nissan Sentra may offer more than the 2019 Chevy Cruze in terms of horsepower, the Cruze offers substantially higher efficiency and better handling.
In the category of entertainment, both the 2019 Chevy Cruze and 2019 Nissan Sentra offer advanced technology across their varying trim levels. However, the Cruze does offer a much more generous list of entertainment features on its base model.
Like other Chevy models, the Cruze offers an impressive amount of standard entertainment technology at an affordable price. With a starting price of just $17,995, the 2019 Chevy Cruze offers standard entertainment features including a 7-inch touchscreen display, a built-in WiFi hotspot, Bluetooth, and even Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, all for no additional cost. The Cruze also offers two standard USB ports and a variety of other upgradable features. However, many drivers and critics note that the technology onboard the base model is more than enough to keep any and all passengers entertained and connected. If you’ve been searching for a compact car with as much standard technology as possible, the 2019 Chevy Cruze is one of the best choices on the market.
The 2019 Nissan Sentra has a nice selection of standard entertainment features but seems a little bare when compared to the Chevy Cruze. Like its competitor, the Sentra offers a standard 7-inch touchscreen display, as well as Bluetooth. yet, only one USB port is offered and the standard 4-speaker sound system is particularly underwhelming. Drivers will also have to upgrade for an additional cost to enjoy Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, so drivers looking for a higher level of connectivity at an affordable price will want to opt for the 2019 Chevy Cruze. The Nissan infotainment system is praised for its user-friendliness and is available in a larger size among the higher trim levels.
Safety is an important automotive category for drivers considering to purchase a new vehicle. Thankfully, both the 2019 Chevy Cruze and 2019 Nissan Sentra are safe and reliable choices in the compact car class and feature plenty of driver assist technology.
The Chevy Cruze has consistently earned high-reliability ratings from J.D. Power. So, it’s not surprising that it has also consistently performed well with its safety and crash testing ratings from the IIHS and NHTSA. The 2019 Chevy Cruze comes standard with a rearview camera, as well as Teen Driver technology which allows parents to set volume and speed restrictions for their teen drivers. In terms of available features, the Cruze offers an extensive selection of driver assist technology, including lane departure warning, lane keep assist, forward collision warning, automatic high beams, and following distance indicator. Overall, the 2019 Chevy Cruze is an exceptionally safe and reliable vehicle no matter what model you choose, and it is offered at an affordable price.
The 2019 Nissan Sentra comes standard with only a rearview camera and received a 4 out of 5-star overall rating with the NHTSA. The Sentra does not offer a feature similar to Chevy’s Teen Driver technology, making it difficult for parents with teen drivers to monitor driving habits. The 2019 Nissan Sentra does offer plenty of available driver assist features onboard its higher trim levels, including forward collision warning, rear cross traffic alert, adaptive cruise control, and automatic emergency braking. While the 2019 Nissan Sentra is a safe vehicle in the compact SUV class, the 2019 Chevy Cruze offers more standard safety features and has a consistent reputation for reliability.
At McCluskey Chevy, we strive to serve our customers with every convenience possible during their car-buying experience. This begins with offering a wide selection of high-quality new and used Chevy vehicles that have been fairly priced in an easy-to-understand way. We won’t make our customers haggle for the ideal pricing on their next vehicle. Instead, we list only the lowest possible price for each and every vehicle on our lot and are upfront with any available specials and incentives that may apply. When it comes time to finance your vehicle, you’ll work with our expert finance team to secure a loan that works within your budget and goals. Even drivers with poor credit can receive financing from McCluskey Chevy, as our finance team is trained to provide loan options for all types of credit backgrounds. With the McCluskey Chevy service center, our customers can always return for maintenance and repairs and expect a high level of service utilizing only the highest quality parts. So, when it’s time to purchase your next vehicle, check out what McCluskey Chevy has to offer!
*Images, fuel economy, and other stats, may reflect higher trim levels, options, or features that may result in a higher cost from the starting MSRP.
MSRP excludes tax, license, registration, additional options, and possible destination charges. Dealers set own prices.
