The Sentra delivers on the most important aspects for a small sedan. It's stylish, comfortable and well stocked with features. Its performance is unremarkable, but otherwise the Sentra is a pretty solid choice, especially if safety and value are top priorities for you.
Mark Takahashi has worked in the automotive industry since 2001. He has written thousands of car-related articles and tested and reviewed hundreds of vehicles over the course of his career. Mark has also contributed to Motor Trend, Auto Aficionado, Chevy High Performance and several motorcycle magazines in various roles. Mark is also a juror on the North American Car, Truck and Utility Vehicle of the Year Awards and can be seen regularly on the Edmunds YouTube channel and sometimes representing the company in media interviews.
Rex Tokeshi-Torres has worked in the automotive industry for over 17 years. Rex is a vehicle testing technician and photographer at Edmunds and is responsible for coordinating vehicle testing and logistics, organizing data, and capturing photos for the site and social media. He has written over 100 vehicle-related articles and has rated, tested and reviewed hundreds of vehicles over the course of his career. He has also contributed content to Autobytel, Autotrader, Automobile, the Associated Press and DSport along with various motorsport teams. His affinity with cars started because of Hot Wheels and his love of modifying cars. He occasionally drives Subarus.
Pros
Comfortable ride
Improved cabin materials and design
Lots of standard safety and advanced tech features
Cons
Slow acceleration
Dated infotainment graphics
Mediocre emergency braking performance
What's new
No significant changes for 2023
Part of the eighth Sentra generation introduced for 2020
Overview
The 2023 Nissan Sentra is a tempting option among small and affordable sedans. As is the case with many cars in this class, the Sentra delivers a lot of features for the money and is loaded with up-to-date safety tech. Unfortunately, it's held back by a rather weak engine, an outdated infotainment system and longer-than-average braking distances.
Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2023 Nissan Sentra S 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl CVT) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $3.50 per gallon for regular unleaded in Ohio.
We would love to say these issues will be addressed in the 2023 model year, but the Sentra returns unchanged for 2023. As a result, we're confident you'd be better served by the Honda Civic, Kia Forte or Hyundai Elantra that are all ranked higher than the Sentra. These alternatives have their own faults, but they're much more forgivable, as noted in our Expert Rating of the Sentra below.
Edmunds Expert Rating
Our VerdictThe Edmunds Vehicle Testing Team evaluates a fresh batch of vehicles every week, pairing objective assessments at our test track with real-world driving on city streets, freeways and winding roads. The data we gather results in our Expert Ratings. They’re based on 30-plus scores that cover every aspect of the automotive experience.
Average
7.3
out of 10
edmunds TESTED
The Sentra delivers on the most important aspects for a small sedan. It's stylish, comfortable and well stocked with features. Its performance is unremarkable, but otherwise the Sentra is a pretty solid choice, especially if safety and value are top priorities for you.
How does the Sentra drive? Acceleration is not bad off the line, but the Sentra loses vigor as you gain speed. We measured a 0-60 mph time of 8.8 seconds. That's a little below average for the small sedan class but similar to other slowish cars such as the Kia Forte and Toyota Corolla. In routine driving, the Sentra's continuously variable automatic transmission is smooth and unobtrusive. But it doesn't provide much engine braking effect when you lift off the gas, so you might find yourself needing to use a little more of the brakes than you might expect when slowing down.
The brake pedal is smooth and easy to control in casual use. Emergency braking performance, however, is subpar. Our test Sentra needed 131 feet to stop from 60 mph. For context, the segment average is about 123 feet. Steering and handling are unremarkable but should suffice for the average owner for everyday use.
Comfort
7.5/10
How comfortable is the Sentra? Comfort is one of the Sentra's stronger attributes. The ride is very composed and easily smooths out road imperfections. This softness, though, can make the Sentra feel floaty at higher speeds. Road noise is ever present but never intrusive, and it's nothing the stereo can't easily cover.
The front seats have decent cushioning and support. The best seats in the house are shockingly found in the rear. They're plush, comfortable and accommodating for two average-size adults. The climate control system is not particularly powerful, but air flow coverage from the vents is good. Our test car did not have rear air vents, but that's typical for this class.
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How’s the interior? The controls are easily accessible for both driver and passenger and are simple to understand whether tuning the radio or adjusting the climate control. The 8-inch touchscreen is equally easy to read and use.
There's plenty of interior room for front occupants. Rear legroom is among the most generous in the segment. Most drivers will find it easy to settle into a comfortable driving position thanks to the decent range of adjustments that come from the seat and steering wheel. Visibility is quite good to the front and sides, but the thick rear roof pillars and sloped rear window impede over-the-shoulder and rear visibility.
Technology
7.5/10
How’s the tech? The Sentra comes with many standard safety features and driver aids. Adaptive cruise control and a 360-degree parking camera system are still options, but overall Nissan's standard safety suite is pretty generous. We did, however, experience some glitches with the backup camera and one false alarm with the forward collision warning system in our test car.
The infotainment system is a little slow to respond and the graphics look dated, but you do get Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone integration as standard. Nissan does not offer an onboard navigation system.
Storage
7.5/10
How’s the storage? The Sentra's 14.3 cubic feet of trunk space is better than average for a small sedan. The 60/40-split rear seats fold down to help accommodate longer cargo items. But the only release is from the rear seat; there aren't any releases in the trunk. Also the seats don't fold completely flat, which can make loading longer objects, like a flat-screen TV, more of a hassle.
There's sufficient interior storage for small items, cups and bottles, although others including the Honda Civic and Volkswagen Jetta do this better. There's also a good amount of child seat space, but you might find the cushions make access a bit tight to car seat anchors.
Fuel Economy
6.5/10
How’s the fuel economy? The Sentra achieves an EPA-estimated 33 mpg combined (29 city/39 highway), which is about average for vehicle with a base engine in this class. We observed 28.7 mpg over three tank fills in our test vehicle, with a best fill of 32 mpg. That's slightly below what we expected given the EPA figures.
Value
7.5/10
Is the Sentra a good value? The Sentra offers compelling value. It comes well equipped with loads of standard tech and safety features and starts at a lower price than a lot of the class. The cabin looks upscale and the materials all feel pretty good. Our test car's build quality, however, was a bit lackluster, with some noticeable interior trim gaps the primary culprit.
Nissan gives you a three-year/36,000-mile basic warranty, a five-year/60,000-mile powertrain warranty and three years/36,000 miles of roadside assistance. All are typical for a non-luxury automaker.
Wildcard
7.0/10
The newest Sentra maintains its point A to B sensibility, but it looks much better doing it than prior generations. It makes for a solid daily driver with its comfortable and relatively upscale interior. But is top rivals manage to be similarly comfortable and practical while delivering a driving experience that's more fun and enjoyable.
Which Sentra does Edmunds recommend?
Nissan hasn't released official information on the 2023 Sentra as of this writing. We'll update our recommendation if anything changes, but based on last year's Sentra, we recommend the SV trim with the All-Weather package. It comes with some desirable features you can't get on the base trim, such as dual-zone climate control, keyless entry, heated seats and traffic-adaptive cruise control.
Nissan Sentra models
The 2023 Nissan Sentra is a small sedan available in three trims: the S, SV and SR. All versions are powered by a 149-horsepower four-cylinder engine mated to a continuously variable automatic transmission. The Sentra is front-wheel-drive only. Feature highlights include:
S
The base model kicks off the Sentra line with:
16-inch steel wheels with wheel covers
Push-button start
Tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel
Height-adjustable driver's seat
7-inch touchscreen
Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone compatibility
Four-speaker audio system
Standard safety features include:
Blind-spot monitor (alerts you if a vehicle in the next lane over is in your blind spot)
Lane departure warning (alerts you if the vehicle begins to drift out of its lane)
Forward and rear collision mitigation with pedestrian detection (warns you of an impending collision and applies the brakes in certain scenarios)
SV
The midlevel SV trim brings with it an assortment of upgraded features:
16-inch alloy wheels
Rear disc brakes (for better braking performance)
Heated side mirrors
Keyless entry
Leather-wrapped steering wheel
Upgraded driver information display
8-inch touchscreen
Additional USB ports
Six-speaker audio system
Adaptive cruise control (maintains a driver-set distance between the Sentra and the car in front)
An All-Weather package adds these features:
Dual-zone automatic climate control
Remote engine start
Heated front seats
Heated steering wheel
You can also choose to add the SV Premium package:
17-inch wheels
Sunroof
Quilted leather seats
Power-adjustable driver's seat
SR
The top model in the lineup upgrades the Sentra with:
Dual-zone climate control
LED headlights and foglights
Sportier exterior trim, including a rear spoiler
Dark chrome grille
18-inch wheels
Sport cloth seat trim with contrast orange stitching
The Midnight Edition package is exclusive to the SR trim. It includes:
18-inch black-painted alloy wheels
Black-painted exterior trim and badging
The SR also has an available SR Premium package. It includes:
Surround-view parking camera system (gives you a top-down view of the Sentra and its surroundings for tight parking situations)
Upgraded LED headlights
Sunroof
Power-adjustable driver's seat
Simulated leather upholstery with orange stitching
Heated front seats and steering wheel
Eight-speaker Bose audio system
NissanConnect connectivity services with onboard Wi-Fi hotspot
Spent alot of time researching cars before I decided the Sentra was the one. Nearly every review mentioned it was "underpowered". Since I drive to work and back and don't drive laps at Daytona I have had no issues with power. Merging, passing and regular driving is not a struggle and RPMs stay low during driving which keeps noise down. Car is super comfortable and quiet, the nasa seats … are awesome and all of the amenities like heated steering wheel are a class above so it really is extra nice. Love the look of the car, love everything about it. Since I do alot of driving for work when I am looking for a car I am looking for comfort and gas mileage and this fits the bill by a mile!
Just bought, but excellent bang for your buck
5 out of 5 stars
Michael, 06/09/2022
2022 Nissan Sentra SV 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl CVT)
Just purchased with 7 miles on it and now have 26 miles on it. First, the bad. I’m assuming there are a lot of different ways to option. I was looking at a versa that has remote start but my Sentra doesn’t. Both were SV models. I don’t really mind too much about remote start but would be nice to have. I don’t like the parking brake being the foot brake kind. Wish it either had the hand … brake or better yet had electronic brake with brake hold which we have on our Elantra and use it all the time. Also the driver seat should go back a bit more. I’m 6’1 and 210 pounds and fit fine but can’t stretch my left leg out unless it’s in between the parking brake and the brake pedal. It’s still comfortable but if I could move the seat back another inch it would be perfect to put on the foot well. Not a deal breaker or I wouldn’t have purchased it. No lane keep assist which is nice to have on the Elantra and the Sentra has lane departure warning so not sure why they couldn’t have added lane keep assist. The infotainment screen is great but I wish it were more angled toward the driver like in my Elantra rather than just straight on toward the back seat.
It seems like I’m complaining but it’s more nitpicking for a car that’s $22k before taxes/fees/etc.
Now the good. I love the drive. It’s smooth as silk. I know it’s a brand new car but it drives, in my opinion, better than my Elantra SEL that’s also a 2022 with 5k miles. The transmission and engine feel great and I feel connected to the road more so than my Elantra. I like the infotainment. It’s responsive with each button press and Apple CarPlay is instant when you press the button. It’s a little delayed in my Elantra but the Elantra has wireless CarPlay so there’s a bit of a delay and I’m assuming using the usb-c to lighting adapter is faster than usb-a but it’s extremely quick. The satellite presets are quick too and I love the replay feature that records 12 channels at once, two more than my Elantra.
The armrest is nicely padded and extremely deep. The versa I was looking at had a laughable arm rest and the storage was almost non existent. I know it’s different price points but I will definitely say it’s worth the extra $2k to get the Sentra over the versa and the arm rest is one of the many reasons to do so.
I really like the a/c vents and at max ac and max fan speed it’s extremely powerful. Probably the most powerful fans I’ve ever felt and they’re super powerful if you close the vents on the passenger side if you’re driving alone even at a lower fan speed setting.
The trunk is nicely sized and the mouth of the trunk going into the cabin is gigantic compared to the Elantra. You can fit big items in that area with zero resistance. It’s a compact car but doesn’t feel that way. I’m sure through the years car dealers have been stretching the compact segment more and more so where it could have been considered a full size maybe 20 years ago. I remember riding in like a ‘99 Sentra and it was super tiny in comparison.
My favorite things are the safety technology and the instrument cluster. I like how the tach and speedometer and analog and there’s a big digital cluster with a variety of info that you can see while driving, from the digital speedometer to the real time mpg. It’s really great. Our Elantra has the all digital cluster so Elantra wins there, but the Sentra is no slouch. I really like the variety of the various customization of the cluster. The adaptive cruise control is amazing. Have it on the Elantra and one reason I chose the Sentra over the versa. The 2k difference was worth it for that alone but I like the blind spot monitor on the inside instead of on the mirror. The backup camera could be better quality but honestly it does the job. As stated previously I wish it had lane tracing but not a big deal it doesn’t.
I know I only had the car for a couple of hours and put 20 miles on it but don’t sleep on it. I never owned a Nissan and frankly was scared to but I was okay with getting it since it has a long warranty and I take care of my cars with maintenance. I usually go with Hyundai but they never got back to me so I put an inquiry into Nissan and within 5 minutes had an appointment an hour from the phone call and with 3 hours of the appointment papers we’re signed after I took the versa, kicks and Sentra on 10 mile test drives. The technology and safety features are great and really worth considering purchasing new. I probably wouldn’t buy a used anything these days but if you can get a new one at a decent price then go for it. I look forward to ownership for the next few years.
Elegand and Sleek Sedan
5 out of 5 stars
Esteban, 04/27/2021
2021 Nissan Sentra SR 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl CVT)
I was looking for a practical car for my long commute (76 miles RT) The Corolla SE and Nissan Kicks SV were at the top of my list. I test drive the corolla first and didn't like it, the car was just ok. I continued to Honda and test drive a Civic (Sport) in red, the driving dynamics were by far superior to the Corolla. The Civic is sporty and sexy on the outside and well appointed and … comfortable inside. I almost bought this car, but my wife didn't want the Civic. The following day, I went to Nissan to try the kicks and told my reluctant wife that the Mazda CX-30 was next on our list. Upon arrival at Nissan, we spotted a beautiful two-toned dark red kicks SV with a black roof, the car was really nice, had plenty of room on the second row and trunk, but the engine was severely under powered. Then we spotted an electric blue Sentra SV (which was never on my list or my wife's), it came with a premium package (ivory leather seats, power seats, sun roof, Michelin tires) we test drive this car and got blown away by the experience (peppy engine), the Sentra cornered sharp curves like nothing, since it is a new model (been on the market for few months now) as opposed to the 4-year old Civic, the interior was superior to the Civic as well. It is very elegant, everything is in the right position and visibility is superb, you definitely get more car for the money. We were so impressed with the test drive that decided on the spot that the Sentra was the car we were buying. In the showroom, they had a metalic orange Sentra SR with a black roof, LED lights, lower suspension, spoiler and other add ons to make it look very sporty. We bought this car and got a great deal from Nissan ($21.5k, 0%, 60 months) After few hundred miles, I like this car even better, it is really elegant, the interior is comfortable, roomy (my 12 and 14 year old daughters love all the space they have in the back) and it comes with all the latest technologies. Nissan did a good job with this car for sure. On the negative side, its hard to find something to say here, but there are few minor things for consideration: (1) MPG is listed as 29/39 on the SV and 28/37 on the SR, which is the trim that I have, but I am getting only 29-30 (average) so far, which is below the 32-33 MPG I was hoping/expecting. (2) at highway speed, sometimes I get a vibration on the steering wheel for a second or two, it might have to do more with the Hancock tires on the SR (I test drove the SV with Michelin tires and never felt the vibration), and lastly (3) the light sensor is super sensitive, when I drive underneath overpasses sometimes the dash goes dark (low light mode) and comes right back to high light mode (for contrast) when receives sun light again, I wish Nissan engineers had tuned this feature for a lag of 20-30 seconds or so, so it doesn't change light modes so fast, but some drivers might like this feature instead. I am really happy with this car, it has everything at a really good price, without unnecessary trade offs, it is roomy, agile, elegant and sporty.
LUV my Nissan Sentra…for good reasons!
5 out of 5 stars
Bassdude, 04/01/2022
2022 Nissan Sentra SV 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl CVT)
I’ve owned a lot of different cars, makes and models over the years, but never a Nissan. Read pro reviews on this model, checked it out anyway. Bought it new a month + ago. Really love everything about my Sentra relative to the pricing for my SV…tremendous value. Why? This car delivers (for its size, class, price) great styling, ride, handling, quiet, plenty of the power one needs for … standard driving, great seats, interior design and ergonomics, dash readout just right mix of standard and electronics, excellent touchscreen display. Love it!
We have a limited number of reviews for the 2023 Nissan Sentra, so we've included reviews for other years of the Sentra since its last redesign.
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In the small sedan class, you simply can't do any better than the Honda Civic. As the Edmunds Top Rated Sedan, the Civic leads the way with strong overall performance, a large trunk, and commendable fuel economy estimates. While we're not fans of the Honda's occasional false alarm from its safety tech, the Civic easily outclasses the Sentra.
Both the Sentra and Kia Forte get you a lot of features for the money and have identical fuel economy estimates. The Sentra may have a more comfortable ride quality, but the Forte has it beat in overall performance and offers a much better infotainment system and a longer warranty.
The Hyundai Elantra surpasses the Sentra when it comes to value for the money. The Elantra gains an advantage from its better fuel economy, easy-to-use infotainment system and superior warranty coverage. Yet the Hyundai suffers from similarly slow acceleration and liberal use of hard plastics inside.
Sensible, spacious and fuel-efficient are three of the best descriptors we can think of for the current Nissan Sentra. Despite its compact footprint, the Sentra offers passenger room and cargo capacity on par with some larger, midsize sedans. And with strong fuel economy ratings and a host of standard and available advanced driver aids, the Sentra continues to make a good case for itself, even with rivals like the Honda Civic and Mazda 3.
The Sentra had a full redesign only three years ago, so it's unlikely Nissan is going to make any major adjustments to its formula for 2023. Not that we wouldn't like to see some changes. For starters, the Sentra could use a bit more power. Even if it comes at the small expense of some fuel economy, the Sentra is just plain slow when compared to its competition. And, moving inside, we'd really like to see Nissan's newest infotainment system integrated into the Sentra's dashboard. These two changes alone would likely vault the Sentra up multiple positions in our small sedan rankings.
For those of you too lazy to click the link, those rankings are currently dominated by the Honda Civic, with the Kia Forte and Hyundai Elantra close behind. Honda has once again executed a masterclass of packaging, engineering and efficiency with the current Civic, while the offerings from Kia and Hyundai boast tremendous value with huge warranties and plenty of standard features.
Edmunds says
It's unlikely we'll see any significant changes for the 2023 Nissan Sentra, which is a shame since there's not much keeping the Nissan Sentra from being closer to the top of our small sedan rankings. If you value a comfortable ride and spacious interior over driving dynamics and the latest tech, though, the Sentra should definitely be on your short list.
FAQ
Is the Nissan Sentra a good car?
The Edmunds experts tested the 2023 Sentra both on the road and at the track, giving it a 7.3 out of 10. Edmunds’ consumer reviews show that the 2023 Sentra gets an average rating of 4 stars out of 5 (based on 31 reviews) What about cargo capacity? When you're thinking about carrying stuff in your new car, keep in mind that the Sentra has 14.3 cubic feet of trunk space. And then there's safety and reliability. Edmunds has all the latest NHTSA and IIHS crash-test scores, plus industry-leading expert and consumer reviews to help you understand what it's like to own and maintain a Nissan Sentra. Learn more
What's new in the 2023 Nissan Sentra?
According to Edmunds’ car experts, here’s what’s new for the 2023 Nissan Sentra:
No significant changes for 2023
Part of the eighth Sentra generation introduced for 2020
To determine whether the Nissan Sentra is reliable, read Edmunds' authentic consumer reviews, which come from real owners and reveal what it's like to live with the Sentra. Look for specific complaints that keep popping up in the reviews, and be sure to compare the Sentra's 4-star average consumer rating to that of competing vehicles. Learn more
Is the 2023 Nissan Sentra a good car?
There's a lot to consider if you're wondering whether the 2023 Nissan Sentra is a good car. Edmunds' expert testing team reviewed the 2023 Sentra and gave it a 7.3 out of 10. Our consumer reviews show that the 2023 Sentra gets an average rating of 4 stars out of 5 (based on 31 reviews). Safety scores, fuel economy, cargo capacity and feature availability should all be factors in determining whether the 2023 Sentra is a good car for you. Learn more
How much should I pay for a 2023 Nissan Sentra?
The least-expensive 2023 Nissan Sentra is the 2023 Nissan Sentra S 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl CVT). Including destination charge, it arrives with a Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) of about $20,200.
Other versions include:
S 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl CVT) which starts at $20,200
SV 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl CVT) which starts at $21,420
SR 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl CVT) which starts at $23,090
If you're interested in the Nissan Sentra, the next question is, which Sentra model is right for you? Sentra variants include S 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl CVT), SV 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl CVT), and SR 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl CVT). For a full list of Sentra models, check out Edmunds’ Features & Specs page. Learn more