2018 Nissan Sentra Review
2018 Nissan Sentra Review





+162
Used Sentra for sale
BUILD & PRICEAdvertisement
NissanUSA.comNissan Sentra model years
Nissan Sentra types
- Sedan
- NISMO
See Edmunds pricing data
Has Your Car's Value Changed?
Used car values are constantly changing. Edmunds lets you track your vehicle's value over time so you can decide when to sell or trade in.
Edmunds' Expert Review

byWill Kaufman
Senior Editor and Content Strategist, CarMax
Will Kaufman has worked in the automotive industry since 2017. He has written hundreds of car-related articles and reviews over the course of his career. Will is a senior editor and content strategist for CarMax at Edmunds. Will has been featured in the Associated Press and a number of major outlets on the topics of infotainment and vehicle data, vehicle subscription services and autonomous vehicles. Will started his career in online publishing by writing and editing standardized test guides, but he has a lot more fun writing about cars.
Pros
- Spacious backseat and trunk for the class
- Priced lower than many rivals
- User-friendly control layout
Cons
- Slow acceleration on most models
- Seats aren't particularly suitable for taller drivers
- Less engaging driving experience than many competitors
What’s new
For 2018, Nissan has made minor adjustments to the Sentra's feature availability. Automatic emergency braking for imminent collisions is now standard on most Sentra trim levels.
Vehicle overview
The Nissan Sentra offers straightforward practicality and an appealing price. There's plenty of cargo space and lots of room for passengers. It's also an easy car to live with thanks to simple controls and a smooth driving experience.
Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2018 Nissan Sentra SV 4dr Sedan (1.8L 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 $3.35 per gallon for regular unleaded in Virginia.
Monthly estimates based on costs in Virginia
$128/mo
Sentra SV
vs
$171/mo
Avg. Midsize Car
That said, nothing about the Sentra stands out in the class. Its base engine is one of the slowest available, and even the optional turbocharged engine lags behind some competitors in terms of outright performance. There are also rival sedans that offer nicer interiors and greater degrees of comfort and technology.
A good example is the Kia Forte, which has an extensive list of optional features for a reasonable price. There's also the all-wheel-drive Subaru Impreza that has many excellent active safety features and driver aids available. Finally, the Honda Civic, when equipped with its available turbocharged 1.5-liter engine, is our overall favorite vehicle in the class.
Edmunds' Expert Rating
6.9 / 10The 2018 Nissan Sentra offers a roomy interior, a comfortable ride and easy-to-use technology. It's also affordably priced. That should be enough if all you want is basic transportation. But other top small sedans can match the Sentra in these areas and outdo it in performance and refinement.
Trim tested
Each vehicle typically comes in multiple versions that are fundamentally similar. The ratings in this review are based on our full test of the 2016 Nissan Sentra SL (1.8L inline-4 | CVT automatic | FWD).
NOTE: Since this test was conducted, the current Nissan Sentra has received some revisions, including a more powerful, optional turbocharged engine and some trim-level and package feature adjustments. Our findings remain broadly applicable to this year's Nissan Sentra.
Scorecard
Overall | 6.9 / 10 |
Driving | 6.0 |
Comfort | 7.5 |
Interior | 8.0 |
Utility | 8.0 |
Driving
6.0Performance is not a Sentra strong suit — far from it. Acceleration is among the worst in the class, and braking and handling are simply acceptable. But it is free of overtly bad habits, so while unremarkable to drive, it isn't irritating during A-to-B transport either.
Acceleration
5.0The base 1.8-liter engine offers poor acceleration whether from a standstill or when passing, with a 0-60-mph time of 10 seconds that makes the Sentra one of the slowest cars in the class. The significantly stronger turbocharged 1.6-liter should deliver a much better experience.
Braking
6.0The Sentra's overall performance inspires confidence, although the brakes require a light foot in traffic, where inputs can be sensitive. In our simulated-panic stop from 60 mph, the Sentra posted average performance for the class.
Steering
7.0The Sentra thankfully lacks the heavy at low speeds, light at high speeds steering effort of some other Nissan products. Effort is appropriate for easy commuting and maneuvering around parking lots. There's sufficient feedback, but class leaders do better.
Handling
6.5Body roll is largely managed, and overall handling is adequate although rivals provide a greater sense of control. The Sentra is just generally outmatched by most competitors on a windy road, though the stiffer-sprung SR Turbo and Nismo trims should fare better.
Drivability
7.5The Sentra gets under way smoothly and humbly goes about its business in traffic or when running errands. This is an easy car to drive as long as you aren't in a hurry.
Comfort
7.5The Sentra can be a quiet, comfortable-riding compact sedan. The trouble is that many rivals are as well, and they also provide superior marks in most other areas. The oddly high-mounted seats were an annoyance for several taller editors.
Seat comfort
6.5The seats are mounted high. This might give a slightly more commanding view of the road, but it cuts into the available headroom, especially for drivers of above-average height. The front seats are also quite flat yet simultaneously feel overstuffed with seat material.
Ride comfort
7.5Ride comfort is a strong suit for the Sentra. Small-but-sharp bumps in city driving are felt in the cabin, but not unbearably so, and the highway ride is smooth and composed.
Noise & vibration
7.5The Sentra can be impressively quiet for a small sedan as long as you go easy on the gas pedal. If you don't, the underpowered engine and CVT conspire to produce loud droning noises a bit reminiscent of an enormous blender.
Interior
8.0The Sentra is straightforward and user-friendly, with controls that don't require navigating any high-tech interface. Visibility is also quite good, and the trunk is large. It's one of the more sensible compact cars.
Ease of use
8.5The infotainment screen is small but refreshingly easy to use with straightforward, easy-to-read virtual buttons. Everything important is within reach from the driver's seat including the logical, albeit small, steering wheel controls.
Getting in/getting out
8.5Getting in and out of both the front and back seat is a breeze (the oddly high seats help in this way at least). Large door openings and high windows make for easy entry into this tall-roofed sedan.
Roominess
7.0The Sentra has a large back seat with plenty of space for adults. The seats, especially the front passenger one, are mounted noticeably high. People of above-average height reported feeling out of place. Shorter drivers may appreciate the view.
Visibility
8.0Large windows and mirrors provide good all-around visibility, and the standard rearview camera is a nice addition.
Quality
7.5The Sentra lacks the polish of a Honda Civic or VW Golf but is nevertheless good for the segment. Frequently touched surfaces (like the center console and elbow rests) are well-padded and made from quality materials. The plastic switchgear doesn't feel cheap or fragile.
Utility
8.0The 15.1-cubic-foot trunk is large for the class the class, and the Sentra's 60/40-split-folding seat adds some versatility. Center console storage and cupholders are sufficient, but nothing clever. The rear seat has clearly marked LATCH anchors.
Technology
The infotainment system is easy to use, but Android Auto and Apple CarPlay are missing. Automatic emergency braking is now standard on all trims, and a full suite of active safety technologies and driver aids are available on higher trim levels.
Which Sentra does Edmunds recommend?
Unless you're willing to opt for a manual transmission, the price difference between the automatic-equipped S and SV is so minor that we'd recommend going with the Sentra SV. It adds nicer upholstery and interior trimmings, a better stereo, dual-zone climate control, and a few other appealing upgrades without adding too much to the price. Though we're not fond of the sluggish base engine, the upgraded turbo engine is a pricey addition that lessens the Sentra's value proposition, especially compared to competitive cars.
2018 Nissan Sentra models
The 2018 Nissan Sentra sedan is offered in S, SV, SR, SR Turbo, Nismo, and SL trim levels. A 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine rated at 124 horsepower and 125 pound-feet of torque (130 horsepower and 128 lb-ft of torque with the S trim's manual transmission) is standard on the S, SV, SR and SL models. A six-speed manual transmission is standard on the S, and a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT) is optional on that model and standard on all other Sentras.
The base Sentra S comes with 16-inch steel wheels, automatic headlights, remote keyless entry, air conditioning, a height-adjustable driver seat, 60/40-split folding rear seatbacks, a tilt-and-telescoping steering column, cruise control, trip computer, a 5-inch central touchscreen, a rearview camera and Bluetooth audio connectivity. Automatic emergency braking for imminent front collisions is now also standard on all CVT-equipped Sentra trim levels, except the Nismo.
Stepping up to the SV gets you 16-inch alloy wheels, keyless entry and ignition, upgraded cloth upholstery, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, dual-zone automatic climate control, a six-speaker sound system and satellite radio.
The SR gets 17-inch alloy wheels, rear disc brakes, a sport body kit including a rear spoiler, LED headlights (low beams), foglights, adaptive cruise control, heated mirrors, unique cloth upholstery and heated front seats.
For both the SV and SR, heated front seats and side mirrors, a sunroof and a 5.8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with navigation are optional.
The SR Turbo takes the SR trim and adds a turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder (188 hp and 177 lb-ft), mated to a choice of a six-speed manual or a specially calibrated CVT with a manual-shift mode. Nissan also adds a sport-tuned suspension, recalibrated steering, upgraded front brakes and a sunroof.
Optional upgrades for the SR and SR Turbo include leather upholstery, a power driver seat, an auto-dimming mirror, a power sunroof, the bigger touchscreen with navigation, blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert, and an eight-speaker Bose audio system with NissanConnect app connectivity.
The Sentra Nismo comes with the SR Turbo's features and adds a lot of Nismo-branded trim pieces such as a spoiler, 18-inch wheels, exhaust, grille and badges, along with a unique interior appearance package. It also comes standard with NissanConnect and the larger touchscreen, as well as the eight-speaker Bose stereo system.
The top-of-the-line SL loses the SR's sport-themed flourishes, keeps the 1.8-liter engine, and adds unique 17-inch alloy wheels plus the rear disc brakes, leather upholstery, a six-way power driver seat (with power lumbar adjustment), an auto-dimming rearview mirror, a moonroof, a larger 5.8-inch touchscreen with navigation and voice controls, NissanConnect, and the premium eight-speaker Bose stereo system. A blind-spot monitoring system with rear cross-traffic alert is also standard.
Consumer reviews
Read what other owners think about the Used 2018 Nissan Sentra.
5 star(42%)
4 star(12%)
3 star(8%)
2 star(23%)
1 star(15%)
26 reviews
Most helpful consumer reviews
5 out of 5 stars
Fun, fuel efficient, sporty. Sentra S Midnight pkg
Jeff, 04/10/2019
2018 Nissan Sentra S 4dr Sedan (1.8L 4cyl CVT)
Forget the previous review on size of tank. It is 13 gallons. We average 44 mpg on interstate and 33 around town. Do the math. Bought with midnight sport package. Wife loves it. As for tall I am 6’1 with long legs , I can sit in back seat and not bang my head. Tried Corollas and others...nada. The pump to raise and lower seat is interesting but it works. We do best eco mode on … interstate. Switch when you need more power. Wife’s iPhone and my iPad connects easily. Don’t get the dinky cheaper radio. We got the full screen with rear camera. Dealers tried to sell us a makeshift one on others. Getting used to the cvt. It all comes down to perspective.
4 out of 5 stars
Not a bad car
Robert, 03/15/2019
2018 Nissan Sentra SV 4dr Sedan (1.8L 4cyl CVT)
We bought this car cause we were in a bind and needed a second vehicle. Makes sure you have decent credit or you be stuck with the car value is only 13k on the car and we owe 21k we purchased this in May of 2018. There decent cars but not made for tall people at all and the paint is chipping in several places.
1 out of 5 stars
Engine died while driving
KeithW, 09/09/2019
2018 Nissan Sentra SV 4dr Sedan (1.8L 4cyl CVT)
I was driving a 2018 Sentra with 18,190 miles on it when this happened. I was driving on the downtown main street going at 10~20mph with frequent stops due to heavy traffic. The engine decided to shut down while I'm still driving, of which I'm so glad of the speed I was driving at that time, otherwise, it would be a lot worse than just honk from the cars behind, I could be in a fatal … accident. Having to rush to the court, I had to drive an hour to the court with this known issue with lots of anxiety. I got the car exchanged at the rental car company after attending the court and was talking to an old lady who had five Sentra in her life. She was complaining about newer Sentra (after 2012 or so), she also mentioned her daughter's Sentra wheel was locked while driving on the freeway and had to spend three thousand dollars to fix it. I am seriously playing safe to avoid Sentra at all cost. I'm surprised that there aren't that many complaints about this car as well.
5 out of 5 stars
Cures most of the ills of the non-turbo Sentra
Mitch, 07/31/2018
2018 Nissan Sentra SR TURBO 4dr Sedan (1.6L 4cyl Turbo CVT)
About 8 years ago I leased a 2010 Sentra at the request of my wife, who was in love with the basketball color leather seats. It was the lamest car I ever owned (slow, no style, low tech even for then). Forward to 2018, when it came time to turn in my leased 2016 Jetta Sport for a new compact car. We tested the usual suspects: 2018 Honda Civic Turbo, 2018 Mazda3, 2019 Jetta. The Civic … was by far the best car, but Honda dealers believe that their cars are made of gold, with diamond accents (first quote for basic turbo sedan, no money down, was $580.00 per month!) so the Honda was eliminated. The Mazda3 was a nice car (I had previously leased THIRTEEN Mazdas over 20 years, so I'm a fan) but didn't really feel impressed. The 2019 Jetta was nicely done, but the weak engine was a turn off. Finally, we went to our local Nissan dealer where we leased a 2017 Maxima (great car) at a fantastic price. My wife again suggested a Sentra, except this time the SR Turbo. A winner! Fast, comfortable, good looking, handles well, fully loaded (premium package with CVT) and much less expensive than all the others.
2018 Sentra Highlights
Sedan
S
Combined MPG | 30 MPG |
---|---|
Cost to Drive | $137/month |
Seating | 5 seats |
Drivetrain | front wheel drive |
Engine Type | Gas |
Warranty | 3 years / 36,000 miles |
Safety
Our experts like the Sentra models:
- Automatic Emergency Braking
- Applies the brakes to avoid low-speed collisions when forward-facing sensors detect an obstacle.
- Intelligent Cruise Control
- Adjusts the speed of the car automatically to maintain a constant distance from the vehicle in front.
- Rear Cross-Traffic Alert
- Alerts the driver to traffic moving behind the vehicle when in reverse.
NHTSA Overall Rating
4 out of 5 starsThe National Highway Transportation Safety Administration offers independent analysis.
- Frontal Barrier Crash RatingOverall4 / 5Driver4 / 5Passenger4 / 5
- Side Crash RatingOverall5 / 5
- Side Barrier RatingOverall5 / 5Driver5 / 5Passenger5 / 5
- Combined Side Barrier & Pole RatingsFront Seat5 / 5Back Seat5 / 5
- RolloverRollover4 / 5Dynamic Test ResultNo TipRisk Of Rollover11.8%
IIHS Rating
The Insurance Institute of Highway Safety uses extensive crash tests to determine car safety.
- Small Overlap Front Driver-Side TestGood
- Small Overlap Front Passenger-Side TestNot Tested
- Moderate Overlap Front Test – OriginalGood
- Moderate Overlap Front Test – UpdatedNot Tested
- Side Impact Test – OriginalGood
- Side Impact Test – UpdatedNot Tested
- Roof Strength TestGood
- Rear Crash Protection / Head RestraintGood
People who viewed this also viewed
4.5 average Rating out of 21 reviews. |
Starting at $23,450 |
See Inventory |
Starting at $15,830 |
See Inventory |
5.0 average Rating out of 2 reviews. |
Starting at $25,490 |
See Inventory |
More about the 2018 Nissan Sentra
Used 2018 Nissan Sentra Overview
The Used 2018 Nissan Sentra is offered in the following submodels: Sentra Sedan, Sentra NISMO. Available styles include SV 4dr Sedan (1.8L 4cyl CVT), S 4dr Sedan (1.8L 4cyl CVT), SR 4dr Sedan (1.8L 4cyl CVT), SL 4dr Sedan (1.8L 4cyl CVT), SR TURBO 4dr Sedan (1.6L 4cyl Turbo CVT), S 4dr Sedan (1.8L 4cyl 6M), NISMO 4dr Sedan (1.6L 4cyl Turbo CVT), NISMO 4dr Sedan (1.6L 4cyl Turbo 6M), and SR TURBO 4dr Sedan (1.6L 4cyl Turbo 6M). Pre-owned Nissan Sentra models are available with a 1.8 L-liter gas engine, with output up to 124 hp, depending on engine type. The Used 2018 Nissan Sentra comes with front wheel drive. Available transmissions include: continuously variable-speed automatic.
What's a good price on a Used 2018 Nissan Sentra?
Price comparisons for Used 2018 Nissan Sentra trim styles:
- The Used 2018 Nissan Sentra S is priced between $11,575 and$19,998 with odometer readings between 18125 and105364 miles.
- The Used 2018 Nissan Sentra SV is priced between $8,995 and$20,998 with odometer readings between 14461 and108050 miles.
- The Used 2018 Nissan Sentra SR is priced between $16,998 and$19,998 with odometer readings between 34033 and86305 miles.
- The Used 2018 Nissan Sentra SL is priced between $14,990 and$19,990 with odometer readings between 41215 and82189 miles.
- The Used 2018 Nissan Sentra NISMO is priced between $19,990 and$19,990 with odometer readings between 52256 and52256 miles.
Shop with Edmunds for perks and special offers on used cars, trucks, and SUVs near Ashburn, VA. Doing so could save you hundreds or thousands of dollars. Edmunds also provides consumer-driven dealership sales and service reviews to help you make informed decisions about what cars to buy and where to buy them.
Which used 2018 Nissan Sentras are available in my area?
Shop Edmunds' car, SUV, and truck listings of over 6 million vehicles to find a cheap new, used, or certified pre-owned (CPO) 2018 Nissan Sentra for sale near. There are currently 70 used and CPO 2018 Sentras listed for sale in your area, with list prices as low as $8,995 and mileage as low as 14461 miles. Simply research the type of car you're interested in and then select a used car from our massive database to find cheap prew-owned vehicles for sale near you. Once you have identified a used vehicle you're interested in, check the AutoCheck vehicle history reports, read dealer reviews, and find out what other owners paid for the Used 2018 Nissan Sentra.
Can't find a used 2018 Nissan Sentras you want in your area? Consider a broader search.
Find a used Nissan Sentra for sale.
Find a used Nissan for sale.
Find a used certified pre-owned Nissan Sentra for sale.
Find a used certified pre-owned Nissan for sale.
Should I lease or buy a 2018 Nissan Sentra?
Is it better to lease or buy a car? Ask most people and they'll probably tell you that car buying is the way to go. And from a financial perspective, it's true, provided you're willing to make higher monthly payments, pay off the loan in full and keep the car for a few years. Leasing, on the other hand, can be a less expensive option on a month-to-month basis. It's also good if you're someone who likes to drive a new car every three years or so.
Check out Nissan lease specials
Check out Nissan Sentra lease specials
Related Used 2018 Nissan Sentra info
Vehicle reviews of used models
- Subaru Crosstrek 2021 Review
- Subaru Forester 2020 Review
- Subaru Forester 2021 Review
- Subaru Impreza 2020 Review
- Subaru Impreza 2021 Review
Shop similar models
- Hyundai Accent 2022
- Mitsubishi Mirage-g4 2022
- Volkswagen Passat 2022
- Toyota Camry 2023
- Volkswagen Jetta 2023
Shop used vehicles in your area
- Used BMW X5 M 2010
- Used Tesla Roadster 2008
- Used Saab 9-3 Griffin 2008
- Used BMW X5 M 2016
- Used Audi A5 2010
- Used Chevrolet Express Cargo 2004 For Sale
- Used Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution 2011
- Used Mazda Mazdaspeed 3 2007 For Sale
- Used Mazda MX-5 Miata 2009 For Sale
- Used Lexus LS 500 2005
Popular new car reviews and ratings
- Honda HR-V 2023
- 2023 Hyundai Tucson
- Ford Mustang 2023
- 2023 Subaru Crosstrek
- Sprinter Van
- Volvo XC60
- 2023 Forte
- 2023 Hyundai Elantra
- 2022 300
- Cadillac XT6
Research recent models from same make
- Nissan Rogue
- Nissan Pathfinder
- Used Nissan Altima
- Nissan Kicks
- Nissan Versa
- Nissan 400Z
- Nissan Armada Interior
- Nissan Murano
- Nissan Maxima
- Leaf S
Research similar vehicles
- RS3
- Mercedes Benz CLS
- Rolls Royce Ghost
- Honda Civic Sport
- Camry
- Honda Accord
- Tesla Model 3 Price
- C 63 Amg For Sale
- Charger
- 2023 Civic