2026 Nissan Sentra

The Nissan Sentra starts a new chapter for 2026. Nissan has given the car a new look and an interior makeover while ensuring it remains one of the most affordable vehicles on the market. The Sentra is the smallest sedan in Nissan's lineup, slotting under the midsize Altima. The biggest step forward for the ninth-generation Sentra is its new interior, which benefits from improved materials and a large digital display atop the dashboard. You'll likely find the 2026 Sentra to be a more compelling sedan than it's been in the past.

The 2026 Nissan Sentra's styling is more distinctive, especially up front where a new grille mimics the look of Nissan's all-electric Ariya SUV. The Sentra's cabin has a modern look and updated technology features. Underneath, however, it carries over with only a few revisions. The updates include a retuned transmission for improved response and a stiffer chassis, which promises improved handling and comfort. While the changes certainly improve this compact sedan's appeal, they can't mask its rather disappointing performance and choppy ride quality over bumps. Check out our test team's exhaustive Expert Rating for more details.

There's no shortage of choices among affordable compact sedans, and you'd be well served to check them out before committing to the 2026 Sentra. Our favorites are the Honda Civic and Hyundai Elantra, both of which deliver a better driving experience and nicer interior in every trim level. They're also available in more efficient and powerful hybrid models, which will ultimately save you money in the long run. The Kia K4 isn't available as a hybrid, but we also rank it considerably higher than the Sentra.