2019 Nissan Sentra Lacks Excitement Yet Works

Name: 2019 Nissan Sentra
Brand: Nissan

Price Range: $6,990 - $17,998

Below Average

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Average price: $13,978

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Appraise My 2019 Nissan Sentra

Nissan Sentra model years

Nissan Sentra for Sale

Nissan Sentra types

Sedan
NISMO

Edmunds' Expert Review

by Calvin Kim

Pros

Spacious back seat and trunk for the class
Priced lower than many rivals
User-friendly control layout

Cons

Slow acceleration on most models
Lacks the latest in infotainment design and safety features
The seats aren't particularly suitable for taller drivers
Less engaging driving experience than many competitors

What's new

NissanConnect infotainment system is standard on Sentra SR, SL and Nismo models
New SV Special Edition package includes driver safety features, 17-inch wheels, disc brakes and other luxury features
Part of the seventh Sentra generation introduced for 2013

The 2019 Nissan Sentra doesn't attract much attention. It's not as popular in terms of sales as other top small sedans, and it's fair to say that its styling isn't as memorable. But depending on your needs, it could still be worth a look.

Continue reading Edmunds Expert Rating below

For sale near Ashburn, VA

56 listings

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2019 Nissan Sentra
SV Sedan
$8,475
fair price
$8 above market
- 99,700 miles
- 1 accident, 1 owner, personal use only
- 29 City / 37 Hwy MPG
- Ammoury Auto (19 mi away)
- Back-up camera
- Bluetooth
- Navigation
- Keyless Entry/Start
- Tire Pressure Warnin...
Close
Located in Falls Church, VA
Distinguished 2019 Nissan Sentra SV Sedan - Exceptional Value and IntegrityPresenting the refined 2019 Nissan Sentra SV Sedan, an embodiment of reliab...
AutoCheck Vehicle History Summary
Accident Free Vehicle: No
Personal Use Only: Yes
History Provider: AutoCheck
Title Details: Clean Title
Salvage Vehicle: No
Frame Damage: No
Theft History: No
Lemon Status: No
Free History Report: No
Features and Specs:
32 Combined MPG (29 City/37 Highway)
Listing Information:
VIN: 3N1AB7AP1KY418887
Stock: 2868
Certified Pre-Owned: No
2019 Nissan Sentra
S Sedan
$7,000
- 137,357 miles
- Frame damage reported, 4 owners, corporate fleet vehicle
- 29 City / 37 Hwy MPG
- Friendly Auto Deals (20 mi away)
- Back-up camera
- Bluetooth
- Tire Pressure Warnin...
- USB Inputs
- Trip Computer
Close
Located in Gaithersburg, MD
AutoCheck Vehicle History Summary
Accident Free Vehicle: No
Personal Use Only: No
History Provider: AutoCheck
Title Details: Issue reported
Salvage Vehicle: No
Frame Damage: Yes
Theft History: No
Lemon Status: No
Free History Report: No
Features and Specs:
32 Combined MPG (29 City/37 Highway)
Listing Information:
VIN: 3N1AB7AP9KY212555
Stock: 00095
Certified Pre-Owned: No

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There's a range of versions to satisfy drivers. The entry-level Sentra S is all about affordability, for instance, while the Nismo is meant to appeal to enthusiasts with its enhanced performance and handling capability. And no matter which Sentra you look at, know that you'll be getting a roomy interior, large trunk space, easy-to-use controls and a smooth ride.

There are some downsides to the Sentra. Most Sentras aren't much fun to drive, and Nissan's infotainment systems and advanced driver safety features are a little behind the times. The Sentra's top competitors generally have more content and performance for just slightly more money. Overall, though, the Sentra has enough appealing qualities to justify taking a look.

Edmunds' Expert Rating

6.9 / 10

Trim Tested: Fully rated version clarified

Each vehicle typically comes in multiple versions that are fundamentally similar. The ratings in this review are based on our full test of the Nissan Sentra SL (1.8L inline-4 | CVT automatic | FWD).

NOTE: Since this test was conducted in 2016, the current Nissan Sentra has received some revisions, including a more powerful optional turbocharged engine and new smartphone integration features. Our findings remain broadly applicable to this year's Nissan Sentra, however.

Scorecard

Overall	6.9 / 10
Driving	6.0
Comfort	7.5
Interior	8.0
Utility	8.0

Performance: Worst acceleration drags everything down

6.0

Performance 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

5.0

The 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

6.0

The 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

7.0

The 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

6.5

Body 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

7.5

The Sentra gets underway smoothly and humbly goes about its business in traffic or when running errands. It's an easy car to drive as long as you aren't in a hurry.

Comfort: Quiet ride, irritating high seats

7.5

The 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

6.5

The high-mounted seats might give a slightly more commanding view of the road, but they cut 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

7.5

Ride 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

7.5

The 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 automatic conspire to produce loud droning noises a bit reminiscent of an enormous blender.

Interior: Simple controls beat tech clutter

8.0

The 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

8.5

The 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

8.5

Getting in and out of both the front and back seat is a breeze — the oddly high seats help in this way at least. The large door openings make for easy entry into this high-roofed sedan.

Roominess

7.0

The 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

8.0

Large windows and mirrors provide good all-around visibility, and the standard rearview camera is a nice addition.

Quality

7.5

The Sentra lacks the polish of a Honda Civic or VW Golf but is nevertheless good for the segment. Frequently touched surfaces (such as the center console and elbow rests) are well-padded and made from quality materials. The plastic switchgear doesn't feel cheap or fragile.

Storage: Big trunk, basic interior storage

8.0

The 15.1-cubic-foot trunk is large for the class, and the Sentra's 60/40-split folding seat allows for some versatility. Center console storage and cupholders are sufficient but nothing clever. The rear seat has clearly marked LATCH anchors.

Technology: Infotainment and safety tech shine

The infotainment system is easy to use, and this year most Sentras come with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. Automatic emergency braking is 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?

For most economy sedan shoppers, we think the Sentra SR will work out well. It features modern technology with enough luxury conveniences to ease the daily grind. Compared to the SV and S models, the SR features LED headlights, adaptive cruise control and heated seats.

Compare 2019 Nissan Sentra trim levels

2019 Nissan Sentra models

The 2019 Nissan Sentra sedan is offered in S, SV, SR, SR Turbo, Nismo and SL trim levels. The basic S is a bargain, but it doesn't lack for features. Moving up to the SV, SR and SL trim levels gets you additional amenities. The SR Turbo and Nismo trims are equipped similarly to the SR but get a more powerful engine and other sport-enhancing modifications.

A 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine rated at 124 horsepower and 125 pound-feet of torque (130 hp 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 trim and standard on all other Sentras.

The base Sentra S comes with 16-inch steel wheels, automatic headlights, air conditioning, a height-adjustable driver's seat, 60/40-split folding rear seatbacks, a tilt-and-telescoping steering column, cruise control, trip computer, a 7-inch central touchscreen, a rearview camera, a USB port, and a four-speaker sound system. Automatic emergency braking for imminent front collisions is also standard on all CVT automatic-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, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone integration, and a six-speaker sound system with satellite radio.

Optional for the SV is the SV Special Edition package. It bundles 17-inch wheels, rear disc brakes, a sunroof, illuminated sun visors, blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert.

Compared to the SV, the SR gets a sport body kit, LED headlights, foglights, adaptive cruise control, heated mirrors, and unique cloth upholstery. For the SR, an optional Premium package adds the sunroof, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert, a power driver's seat, leather upholstery, and an eight-speaker Bose sound system.

The SR Turbo takes the SR trim and equips it with a turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder (188 hp and 177 lb-ft) that's mated to a choice of a six-speed manual or a specially calibrated CVT automatic with a manual-shift mode. Nissan also includes a sport-tuned suspension, recalibrated steering, upgraded front brakes and a sunroof. An optional Premium package is available for the SR Turbo as well.

The Sentra Nismo comes with the SR Turbo's features and adds unique Nismo-branded trim pieces such as a spoiler, 18-inch wheels, exhaust, grille and badges, along with an exclusive Nismo interior appearance package. It also comes standard with 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 gains just about all of the optional features listed above plus heated front seats and mirrors.

Cost to Drive

Monthly estimates based on costs in Virginia

$164/mo

$220/mo

Avg. Midsize Car

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Has Your Car's Value Changed?

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Model

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Reliability

The 2019 Nissan Sentra has a 3 years / 36,000 miles basic warranty and 2 recalls. RepairPal gives it a reliability rating of 4 out of 5, ranks it #16 out of 46 among Compact Cars. Below you’ll find our owner reviews.

Reliability Rating by RepairPal

4 out of 5 stars4/5Excellent

#16 out of 46 among Compact Cars

RepairPal Reliability Ratings are based on the actual cost, frequency, and severity of unscheduled repairs and maintenance on make/model data for select 2008-2022 vehicles. The reliability of a specific vehicle may vary depending on its maintenance and driving history, model year, trim, and features.

Cost

$401/yr

vs. $416/yr
for Average Compact Car

Frequency

0.94x/yr

vs. 1.01x/yr
for Average Compact Car

Severity

11.2%

vs. 10.4%
for Average Compact Car

Recalls

2 recalls found

Checking if a car has a recall is simple. Just type the car's VIN number into the NHTSA website (https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls). If there's an unrepaired recall, you'll see it there.

If a recall shows up, just call your local car dealer. They'll know about the recall and will work with the car maker to fix it for free (if the recall happened within 10 years of the car being first sold).

Recall Number:: 21V135000
Manufacturer Recall Number:: PM971
Number of vehicles affected:: 807376
Defect Description:: Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2016-2019 Nissan Sentra vehicles. The brake light switch may become contaminated, preventing the circuit from closing and the brake lights from illuminating.
Defect Consequence:: The brake lights may not illuminate, increasing the risk of a crash.
Corrective Action:: Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will replace the brake light switch and install a protective grommet, free of charge. Remedy parts are expected to become available Fall 2021. Interim notices informing owners of the safety risk are expected to be mailed beginning April 7, 2021. Owners will receive a second notice when the remedy becomes available. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800867-7769. Nissan's number for this recall is PM971.

Recall Number:: 19V654000
Manufactured from:: 2018-05-01 to 2019-04-30
Number of vehicles affected:: 1228830
Defect Description:: Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Nissan Altima, Armada, Frontier, Kicks, Leaf, Maxima, Murano, NV, NV200, Pathfinder, Rogue, Rogue Sport, Sentra, Titan, Titan Diesel, Versa Note and Versa Sedan vehicles, as well as Infiniti Q50, Q60, QX30 and QX80 vehicles. Additionally included are 2019 Nissan GT-R and Taxi and Infiniti QX50, QX60, Q70, Q70L vehicles. The back-up camera and display settings can be adjusted such that the rear view image is no longer visible and the system will retain that setting the next time the vehicle is placed in reverse. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 111, "Rear Visibility."
Defect Consequence:: The lack of an image in the back-up camera display increases the risk of a crash.
Corrective Action:: Nissan will notify owners in phases, having dealers update the back-up camera settings software, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin October 21, 2019 and all affected VINs should be activated by November 11, 2019. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-867-7669 or INFINITI customer service at 1-800-662-6200.

Warranty

3 years / 36,000 miles Basic Warranty

Basic Warranty: 3 years / 36,000 miles
Drivetrain Warranty: 5 years / 60,000 miles
Rust Warranty: 5 years / unlimited miles
Roadside assistance Warranty: 3 years / 36,000 miles

Nissan Sentra Reviews

Owner Reviews

3.1

53 reviews

5(28%)

4(16%)

3(13%)

2(18%)

1(25%)

See all 53 reviews of the Nissan Sentra

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Most Helpful Owner Reviews

2019 Sentra Features & Specs

Type:

Sedan

Trim:

MSRP (New) Excludes Destination Fee	$17,990
Engine Type	Gas
Combined MPG	30 MPG
Cost to Drive	$164/month
Seating	5 seats
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place	15.1 cu.ft.
Drivetrain	front wheel drive
Warranty	3 years / 36,000 miles

See all features & specs

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

The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration offers independent analysis.

Frontal Barrier Crash Rating
Overall4 / 5
Driver4 / 5
Passenger4 / 5
Side Crash Rating
Overall5 / 5
Side Barrier Rating
Overall5 / 5
Driver5 / 5
Passenger5 / 5
Combined Side Barrier & Pole Ratings
Front Seat5 / 5
Back Seat5 / 5
Rollover
Rollover4 / 5
Dynamic Test ResultNo Tip
Risk Of Rollover11.8%

IIHS Rating

The Insurance Institute of Highway Safety uses extensive crash tests to determine car safety.

Small Overlap Front Driver-Side Test
Good
Small Overlap Front Passenger-Side Test
Not Tested
Moderate Overlap Front Test – Original
Good
Moderate Overlap Front Test – Updated
Not Tested
Side Impact Test – Original
Good
Side Impact Test – Updated
Not Tested
Roof Strength Test
Good
Rear Crash Protection / Head Restraint
Good

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2019 Nissan Sentra Lacks Excitement Yet Works

Price & Payment

Edmunds' Expert Review

Pros

Cons

What's new

For sale near Ashburn, VA

AutoCheck Vehicle History Summary

AutoCheck Vehicle History Summary

Edmunds' Expert Rating

Trim Tested: Fully rated version clarified

Scorecard

Performance: Worst acceleration drags everything down

Acceleration

Braking

Steering

Handling

Drivability

Comfort: Quiet ride, irritating high seats

Seat comfort

Ride comfort

Noise & vibration

Interior: Simple controls beat tech clutter

Ease of use

Getting in/getting out

Roominess

Visibility

Quality

Storage: Big trunk, basic interior storage

Technology: Infotainment and safety tech shine

Which Sentra does Edmunds recommend?

2019 Nissan Sentra models

Cost to Drive

Reliability

Reliability Rating by RepairPal

Recalls

Warranty

Nissan Sentra Reviews

Owner Reviews

Most Helpful Owner Reviews

2019 Sentra Features & Specs

Safety

People who viewed this also viewed