Overview
The Sentra is one of Nissan's best-sellers thanks to its roomy trunk and cabin, ample advanced safety features and nice price. Last year, the compact sedan received updated front-end styling and improved fuel economy. As it enters the fifth year of its current generation, the Sentra will likely mark time until a more comprehensive redesign in 2026, when we'd expect to see some styling and infotainment upgrades, such as a larger touchscreen and new software. But one rumored change could broaden the 2025 Sentra's appeal ahead of a redesign: more power.
Edmunds spotlight: Smaller but saucier engine
Like many high-volume automakers, Nissan has big global plans to electrify. And while a Sentra EV for the U.S. is probably still beyond the horizon, a quicker and sportier Sentra may not be. The current model is one of today's best compact car values — stylish, comfortable, and surprisingly classy inside. But swift it isn't. One possible update would be a more powerful trim level using the turbocharged 1.5-liter three-cylinder engine used in the Rogue crossover. This 201-horsepower engine propels the Rogue from zero to 60 mph in about 8 seconds, nearly a second faster than the Sentra in our testing. Combining turbo performance with the Sentra's lighter mass could make for a much spicier small sedan. Nissan has hinted at higher-performance Sentra variants before, most recently at the 2023 SEMA Show.
Competitors to consider
A sportier Sentra has been a missing ingredient in Nissan's lineup, especially among tough rivals like the Honda Civic, Hyundai Elantra and Toyota Corolla, all which offer performance versions that transcend their econo-car missions. A 200-hp Sentra, while not blindingly quick, would be within striking range of alternatives like the Honda Civic Si, Hyundai Elantra N and Toyota GR Corolla. And given Nissan's pricing structure, a snappier Sentra would probably still remain one of the best values in the class.