2021 Nissan Sentra Review
Price Range: $13,750 - $21,998
View 145 more photos
View 145 more photos
View 145 more photos
View 145 more photos
View 145 more photos+141
Average
7.3
out of 10
edmunds TESTED
The 2021 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.
Price & Payment
Changing year will take you to a new page
Average price: $18,122
$
to$
Price
Pros
- Comfortable ride
- Improved cabin materials and design
- Lots of standard safety and tech features
Cons
- Slow acceleration
- Dated infotainment graphics
- Mediocre emergency braking performance
What's new
- Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are now standard on all trims
- Wi-Fi hotspot and remote services/control are offered on the top trim
- Part of the eighth Sentra generation introduced for 2020
Overview
The Nissan Sentra emerged with a new look in 2020, and with it came an improved ride quality and a nicer interior. That redesign certainly helped elevate the Sentra's standing in our eyes. This is a sensible small sedan that provides comfortable transportation on a budget. It's also well stocked with features. A collection of advanced driver safety features, including forward collision mitigation and blind-spot monitoring, comes standard on every Sentra, for example.
For sale near Ashburn, VA
68 listings
- $13,750good price$1,472 below market
- 76,037 miles
- 29 City / 39 Hwy MPG
- 25 mi away
- Back-up camera
- Bluetooth
- Blind Spot Monitorin...
- Tire Pressure Warnin...
- Parking sensors
Close
Located in Alexandria, VA
Certified 2021 Nissan Sentra S Fresh Powder 2.0L DOHC FWD AutomaticCharcoal Cloth.Clean CARFAX.Introducing our PASSPORT ONE PRICE program where ...
- Features and Specs:
- 33 Combined MPG (29 City/39 Highway)
- Listing Information:
- VIN:
- 3N1AB8BV1MY275719
- Stock:
- NV338972A
- Certified Pre-Owned:
- Yes
- Listed since:
- 06-12-2026
- $14,981
- 28,201 miles
- 29 City / 39 Hwy MPG
- 24 mi away
- Back-up camera
- Bluetooth
- Keyless Entry/Start
- Blind Spot Monitorin...
- Tire Pressure Warnin...
Close
Located in Arlington, VA
2021 NISSAN SENTRA!!! ONE OWNER CARFAX CERTIFIED, WARRANTY, NEW OIL CHANGE, NEW VA INSPECTION AND PRICED TO SELL $14981+$495 PROCESSING FEE = $ 15476...
- Features and Specs:
- 33 Combined MPG (29 City/39 Highway)
- Listing Information:
- VIN:
- 3N1AB8CV0MY213856
- Stock:
- H75107
- Certified Pre-Owned:
- No
- Listed since:
- 06-16-2026
For the 2021 Sentra, the most notable change is that Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are now standard across the model line, meaning that even the base version comes with these desirable smartphone integration systems. While the Sentra doesn't quite have the dynamic personality of the Mazda 3 or all the technology features of the Hyundai Elantra, it can otherwise easily meet your commuting needs and more. Check out the categories of our Expert Rating to learn more.
Edmunds Expert Rating
edmunds TESTED
by the Edmunds Experts
Average
7.3
out of 10
We drove the 2021 Nissan Sentra on our test track and on real roads. Our Edmunds team conducts rigorous independent vehicle testing, driving 500,000 miles a year.
Performance
6.5/10
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.
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.
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.
Interior
7.5/10
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-seat 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.
There's plenty of interior room for front occupants. Rear-seat 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.
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.
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.
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
7/10
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. Its top rivals, however, manage to be similarly comfortable and practical while delivering a driving experience that's more fun and enjoyable.
2021 Nissan Sentra trim level differences
The 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: Compare the 2021 Nissan Sentra trim levels in-depth.
Which Sentra trim does Edmunds recommend?
For an affordable sedan that's one step above what you might expect, we recommend the SV trim. It comes with some desirable features you can't get on the base trim, such as keyless entry and traffic adaptive cruise control, for not much more money.

2026 Nissan Pathfinder vs. 2026 Toyota Highlander: Midsize Three-Row Crossovers Compared

No, the Nissan Altima Isn't Dead for 2027

2026 Nissan Pathfinder vs. Infiniti QX60: Is Luxury Worth It?

Edmunds Tested: Electric Car Range and Consumption
Cost to Drive
Monthly estimates based on costs in Virginia
$146/mo for Sentra S
Sentra S
vs
$208/mo
Avg. Midsize Car
Reliability
The 2021 Nissan Sentra has a 3 years / 36,000 miles basic warranty and 3 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
for Average Compact Car
Frequency
0.94x/yr
vs. 1.01x/yr
for Average Compact Car
for Average Compact Car
Severity
11.2%
vs. 10.4%
for Average Compact Car
for Average Compact Car
powered by RepairPal
Recalls
3 recalls foundChecking 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:
- 23V628000
- Manufacturer Recall Number:
- R23C3
- Number of vehicles affected:
- 153376
- Defect Description:
- Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2019-2021 Altima and 2020-2021 Sentra vehicles. Damage to the camera harness can cause distortion or loss of the rearview camera display image. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility."
- Defect Consequence:
- A rearview camera that does not properly display an image can reduce the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Corrective Action:
- Dealers will inspect the rearview camera and harness for damage and replace them as necessary. If no damage is found, the dealer will apply protective tape and reroute the rearview camera harness. Repairs will be performed free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed October 19, 2023. Owners may contact Nissan's customer service at 1-800-867-7669. Nissan's number for this recall is R23C3.
- Recall Number:
- 23V581000
- Manufacturer Recall Number:
- R23B3
- Number of vehicles affected:
- 236238
- Defect Description:
- Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Sentra vehicles. The left and/or right tie rod may bend.
- Defect Consequence:
- A bent tie rod can break and cause a loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Corrective Action:
- Owners are advised to contact their dealer for transport assistance if they are experiencing an off-center steering wheel or vibration. As an interim repair, dealers will inspect and replace any bent or broken tie rods, free of charge. Once newly designed parts are available, dealers will replace both left and right tie rods, free of charge. Interim letters are expected to be mailed October 5, 2023. A second letter will be mailed once the final remedy is available. Owners may contact Nissan's customer service at 1-800-867-7669. Nissan's number for this recall is R23B3. This recall replaces and expands recall number 21V-461. Vehicles previously repaired under 21V-461 will need to have the new remedy completed.
- Recall Number:
- 21V461000
- Manufacturer Recall Number:
- PM985
- Number of vehicles affected:
- 138736
- Defect Description:
- Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Sentra vehicles. The left and/or right tie rod may be bent.
- Defect Consequence:
- A bent tie rod can break, causing a loss of steering control and increasing the risk of a crash.
- Corrective Action:
- Dealers will inspect and replace the left and/or right tie rods as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 5, 2021. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-867-7669. Nissan's number for this recall is PM985.
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
5(42%)
4(17%)
3(10%)
2(15%)
1(16%)
Most Helpful Owner Reviews
Trending topics
Wonderful car.
5 out of 5 starsWonderful car., 07/31/2020
2020 Nissan Sentra SV 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl CVT)
Nice ride and quiet cabin. Beautiful dashboard and instrument cluster at night. Sound system is stunning and the wind noise in the highway at 80 mph. Is Barely noticeable. I love it!
2020 Sentra, the best yet in its class
5 out of 5 starsD.Winters, 04/27/2020
2020 Nissan Sentra SR 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl CVT)
I traded a late model honda civic, for the new sentra, i found after two months owning it, that it handles better is much quieter on the highway, has a much more updated saftey package that is standard on all trim levels A step ahead of my Civic.
Elegand and Sleek Sedan
5 out of 5 starsEsteban, 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.
Great car better than my 2011 Sentra.
4 out of 5 starsM. Starks, 06/28/2020
2020 Nissan Sentra SV 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl CVT)
We picked ours up yesterday and put 140 miles on it. Has a lot of nice features for the money. Handles very well, better than I thought it would. The engine pulls along pretty good for 149 horsepower. The seats are comfortable but, you may be limited to fitting in them if you are a little wide do to the side bolsters. Everything is right at your finger tips but, the car can be a little … tough in spots to see out of. I would recommend getting one with the around view 360 for parking since you cannot tell where the front end is at. The car is low so you may damage it if you are not careful. The car is quiet and smooth to a point. The only drawback is like with most Nissan vehicles is the road noise from the tires on some highways. You would think they would add more sound deadning material in the floorboards. The trunk is bigger than expected also. The gas mileage is promising since it was already getting 34 miles to a gallon in all around driving. Since the car is not broken in yet I cannot use the cruise control. We will take it on a long trip this weekend to really test it. We are pleased with this Sentra it is a good car with a lot to like especially for the money if you can find one.
We have a limited number of reviews for the 2021 Nissan Sentra, so we've included reviews for other years of the Sentra since its last redesign.
2021 Sentra Features & Specs
S
| MSRP (New) Excludes Destination Fee | $19,510 |
|---|---|
| Engine Type | Gas |
| Combined MPG | 33 MPG |
| Cost to Drive | $146/month |
| Seating | 5 seats |
| Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place | 14.3 cu.ft. |
| Drivetrain | front wheel drive |
| Warranty | 3 years / 36,000 miles |
Safety
Our experts like the Sentra models:
- Intelligent Forward Collision Warning
- Sounds an alert if sensors detect an imminent front collision. Can also apply the brakes if the driver does not react quickly.
- Rear Automatic Braking
- Applies the brakes if sensors detect an imminent collision with an object behind the car.
- Intelligent Cruise Control
- Slows down or speeds up to maintain a set distance between the Sentra and the car in front.
NHTSA Overall Rating
5 out of 5 starsThe National Highway Transportation Safety Administration offers independent analysis.
- Frontal Barrier Crash RatingOverall4 / 5Driver5 / 5Passenger3 / 5
- Side Crash RatingOverall5 / 5
- Side Barrier RatingOverall5 / 5Driver5 / 5Passenger5 / 5
- Combined Side Barrier & Pole RatingsFront Seat5 / 5Back Seat5 / 5
- RolloverRollover5 / 5Dynamic Test ResultNo TipRisk Of Rollover9.9%
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 TestGood
- Moderate Overlap Front Test – OriginalGood
- Moderate Overlap Front Test – UpdatedNot Tested
- Side Impact Test – OriginalGood
- Side Impact Test – UpdatedAcceptable
- Roof Strength TestGood
- Rear Crash Protection / Head RestraintGood
People who viewed this also viewed
| 4.5 average Rating out of 17 reviews. |
| Starting at $24,695 |
| 4.7 average Rating out of 3 reviews. |
| Starting at $22,625 |
| 4.1 average Rating out of 7 reviews. |
| Starting at $23,125 |
Related Used 2021 Nissan Sentra info
Shop by model trim
Vehicle reviews of used Nissan Sentra
Shop similar used models
- Used Toyota Corolla 2026
- Used Hyundai Elantra 2026
- Used Kia K4 2026
- Used Nissan Altima 2026
- Used Nissan Versa 2025
- Used Chevrolet Malibu 2025
- Used Hyundai Accent 2023
- Used Mitsubishi Lancer 2017
- Used Buick Verano 2017
Shop used vehicles in your area
Research newer models of Nissan
Other models
- Used Chevrolet Silverado-3500 in Fairfax, VA 2006
- Used GMC Yukon-Xl in Linden, NJ 2026
- Used Toyota Matrix in Mount Airy, NC 2013
- Used Chevrolet Impala in Bristol, VA 2020
- Used Saturn Sky in Accident, MD 2009
- Used Volkswagen New-Beetle in Huntsville, AL 2010
- Used Chevrolet Silverado-1500 in Durham, NC 2026
- Used Jeep Grand-Cherokee in Granite City, IL 2026
- Used Jeep Compass in Newport Beach, CA 2026
- Used Nissan Kicks in Walnut Creek, CA 2026
- New Lexus GX for Sale in Saint George, UT
- New Nissan Rogue-Plug-In-Hybrid for Sale in Cleveland, OH
- New Alfa-Romeo Tonale for Sale in Camarillo, CA
- New Honda Odyssey for Sale in Union City, NJ
- New Land-Rover Defender for Sale in College Station, TX
- New Infiniti QX65 for Sale in Morrisville, NC
- New Mercedes-Benz SL for Sale in Canton, MA
- New Cadillac Escalade-Esv for Sale in Boca Raton, FL
- New Dodge Charger for Sale in West Orange, NJ

