2022 Nissan Sentra Review
2022 Nissan Sentra Review
View more photos
View more photos
View more photos
View more photos
View more photos
+173
The 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.
Used Sentra for sale
Appraise This CarSee 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.
2022 Nissan Sentra Review
byRonald Montoya
Senior Consumer Advice Editor & Content Strategy
Ronald Montoya has worked in the automotive industry since 2008. He has written over a thousand car related articles and bought and sold over 100 vehicles over the course of his career. Ronald is a senior consumer advice editor and content strategy at Edmunds and has also contributed to the Associated Press. He has also been featured on ABC, NBC and NPR on a number of car shopping topics. He got his start in the auto industry by taking a part-time job at a car dealership, where he worked in the service and accounting department.
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
- New packages: Midnight Edition and All-Weather
- No other changes for 2022
- Part of the eighth Sentra generation introduced for 2020
Overview
The 2022 Nissan Sentra is a small, economical sedan that underwent a full redesign in 2020. Power is supplied by a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine and routed to the front wheels through a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT). Within the Nissan lineup, the Sentra is a step up from the smaller Versa and slots in just below the larger Altima.
Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2022 Nissan Sentra S 4dr Sedan (2.0L 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 $3.64 per gallon for regular unleaded in Ohio.
Monthly estimates based on costs in Ohio
$136/mo for Sentra S
Sentra S
vs
$187/mo
Avg. Midsize Car
The 2022 model year brings minimal changes to the Sentra. The only noteworthy changes are a couple of packages. The All-Weather package adds a number of convenience features to the SV trim for those in colder climates, while the Midnight Edition adds some contrasting black trim and black 18-inch wheels for the SR trim.
We like the Sentra for its smooth ride, better-than-average interior materials, and plentiful safety and tech features for the money. But it's hamstrung by slow acceleration, an out-of-date infotainment system, and rather long braking distances in a class dominated by the Honda Civic and newer competitors including the Kia Forte and Hyundai Elantra. Check out the categories of our test team's Expert Rating to learn more.
Edmunds Expert Rating
Our VerdictThe Edmunds Vehicle Testing Team evaluates a fresh batch of vehicles every week, pairing objective assessments at our test track with real-world driving on city streets, freeways and winding roads. The data we gather results in our Expert Ratings. They’re based on 30-plus scores that cover every aspect of the automotive experience.
Average
7.3
out of 10
edmunds TESTED
The 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.
Rated for you by America's best test team.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 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 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
7.0/10
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. But is top rivals manage to be similarly comfortable and practical while delivering a driving experience that's more fun and enjoyable.
Which Sentra does Edmunds recommend?
We recommend the SV trim with the All-Weather package. It comes with some desirable features you can't get on the base trim, such as dual-zone climate control, keyless entry, heated seats and traffic-adaptive cruise control.
2022 Nissan Sentra models
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:
S
The base model kicks off the Sentra line with:
- 16-inch steel wheels with wheel covers
- Push-button start
- Tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel
- Height-adjustable driver's seat
- 7-inch touchscreen
- Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone compatibility
- Four-speaker audio system
Standard safety features include:
- Blind-spot monitor (alerts you if a vehicle in the next lane over is in your blind spot)
- Lane departure warning (alerts you if the vehicle begins to drift out of its lane)
- Forward and rear collision mitigation with pedestrian detection (warns you of an impending collision and applies the brakes in certain scenarios)
SV
The midlevel trim brings with it an assortment of upgraded features:
- 16-inch alloy wheels
- Rear disc brakes (for better braking performance)
- Heated side mirrors
- Keyless entry
- Leather-wrapped steering wheel
- Upgraded driver information display
- 8-inch touchscreen
- Additional USB ports
- Six-speaker audio system
- Adaptive cruise control (maintains a driver-set distance between the Sentra and the car in front)
New for 2022 is an All-Weather package, which adds the following features:
- Dual-zone automatic climate control
- Remote engine start
- Heated front seats
- Heated steering wheel
You can also choose to add the SV Premium package that adds:
- 17-inch wheels
- Sunroof
- Quilted leather seats
- Power-adjustable driver's seat
SR
The top model in the lineup offers this equipment:
- Dual-zone climate control
- LED headlights and foglights
- Sportier exterior design with a rear spoiler
- Dark chrome grille
- 18-inch wheels
- Sport cloth seat trim with contrast orange stitching
The Midnight Edition package is exclusive to the SR trim. It includes:
- 18-inch black-painted alloy wheels
- Black-painted exterior trim and badging
The SR also has an available SR Premium package. It includes:
- Surround-view parking camera system (gives you a top-down view of the Sentra and its surroundings for tight parking situations)
- Upgraded LED headlights
- Sunroof
- Power-adjustable driver's seat
- Simulated leather upholstery with orange stitching
- Heated front seats and steering wheel
- Eight-speaker Bose audio system
- NissanConnect connectivity services with onboard Wi-Fi hotspot
Reliability Ratings 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
The average total annual cost for unscheduled repairs and maintenance across all model years of the Nissan Sentra from 2008-2022.$401/yr
vs. $416/yr
for Average Compact Car
for Average Compact Car
Frequency
The average number of times this model is brought into the shop for unscheduled repairs and maintenance in a single year. RepairPal calculates this metric by tracking millions of unique vehicles over multiple years to determine an average number of visits per year (omitting small routine visits, e.g., oil changes).0.94x/yr
vs. 1.01x/yr
for Average Compact Car
for Average Compact Car
Severity
The probability that a repair will be a major issue, meaning the repair costs 3x the average annual repair cost for all models. This threshold will be higher for vehicles that have higher labor rates and parts costs (such as a premium brand).11.2%
vs. 10.4%
for Average Compact Car
for Average Compact Car
powered by RepairPal Based on RepairPal reliability data as of 8/23/2023. Ratings are provided by RepairPal and Edmunds is not responsible for their accuracy.
Consumer reviews
Read what other owners think about the Used 2022 Nissan Sentra.
5 star(50%)
4 star(18%)
3 star(7%)
2 star(21%)
1 star(4%)
28 reviews
Trending topics in reviews
Most helpful consumer reviews
5 out of 5 stars
Premium all around
EvanW, 02/21/2022
2022 Nissan Sentra SR 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl CVT)
Spent alot of time researching cars before I decided the Sentra was the one. Nearly every review mentioned it was "underpowered". Since I drive to work and back and don't drive laps at Daytona I have had no issues with power. Merging, passing and regular driving is not a struggle and RPMs stay low during driving which keeps noise down. Car is super comfortable and quiet, the nasa seats … are awesome and all of the amenities like heated steering wheel are a class above so it really is extra nice. Love the look of the car, love everything about it. Since I do alot of driving for work when I am looking for a car I am looking for comfort and gas mileage and this fits the bill by a mile!
5 out of 5 stars
Just bought, but excellent bang for your buck
Michael, 06/09/2022
2022 Nissan Sentra SV 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl CVT)
Just purchased with 7 miles on it and now have 26 miles on it. First, the bad. I’m assuming there are a lot of different ways to option. I was looking at a versa that has remote start but my Sentra doesn’t. Both were SV models. I don’t really mind too much about remote start but would be nice to have. I don’t like the parking brake being the foot brake kind. Wish it either had the hand … brake or better yet had electronic brake with brake hold which we have on our Elantra and use it all the time. Also the driver seat should go back a bit more. I’m 6’1 and 210 pounds and fit fine but can’t stretch my left leg out unless it’s in between the parking brake and the brake pedal. It’s still comfortable but if I could move the seat back another inch it would be perfect to put on the foot well. Not a deal breaker or I wouldn’t have purchased it. No lane keep assist which is nice to have on the Elantra and the Sentra has lane departure warning so not sure why they couldn’t have added lane keep assist. The infotainment screen is great but I wish it were more angled toward the driver like in my Elantra rather than just straight on toward the back seat.
It seems like I’m complaining but it’s more nitpicking for a car that’s $22k before taxes/fees/etc.
Now the good. I love the drive. It’s smooth as silk. I know it’s a brand new car but it drives, in my opinion, better than my Elantra SEL that’s also a 2022 with 5k miles. The transmission and engine feel great and I feel connected to the road more so than my Elantra. I like the infotainment. It’s responsive with each button press and Apple CarPlay is instant when you press the button. It’s a little delayed in my Elantra but the Elantra has wireless CarPlay so there’s a bit of a delay and I’m assuming using the usb-c to lighting adapter is faster than usb-a but it’s extremely quick. The satellite presets are quick too and I love the replay feature that records 12 channels at once, two more than my Elantra.
The armrest is nicely padded and extremely deep. The versa I was looking at had a laughable arm rest and the storage was almost non existent. I know it’s different price points but I will definitely say it’s worth the extra $2k to get the Sentra over the versa and the arm rest is one of the many reasons to do so.
I really like the a/c vents and at max ac and max fan speed it’s extremely powerful. Probably the most powerful fans I’ve ever felt and they’re super powerful if you close the vents on the passenger side if you’re driving alone even at a lower fan speed setting.
The trunk is nicely sized and the mouth of the trunk going into the cabin is gigantic compared to the Elantra. You can fit big items in that area with zero resistance. It’s a compact car but doesn’t feel that way. I’m sure through the years car dealers have been stretching the compact segment more and more so where it could have been considered a full size maybe 20 years ago. I remember riding in like a ‘99 Sentra and it was super tiny in comparison.
My favorite things are the safety technology and the instrument cluster. I like how the tach and speedometer and analog and there’s a big digital cluster with a variety of info that you can see while driving, from the digital speedometer to the real time mpg. It’s really great. Our Elantra has the all digital cluster so Elantra wins there, but the Sentra is no slouch. I really like the variety of the various customization of the cluster. The adaptive cruise control is amazing. Have it on the Elantra and one reason I chose the Sentra over the versa. The 2k difference was worth it for that alone but I like the blind spot monitor on the inside instead of on the mirror. The backup camera could be better quality but honestly it does the job. As stated previously I wish it had lane tracing but not a big deal it doesn’t.
I know I only had the car for a couple of hours and put 20 miles on it but don’t sleep on it. I never owned a Nissan and frankly was scared to but I was okay with getting it since it has a long warranty and I take care of my cars with maintenance. I usually go with Hyundai but they never got back to me so I put an inquiry into Nissan and within 5 minutes had an appointment an hour from the phone call and with 3 hours of the appointment papers we’re signed after I took the versa, kicks and Sentra on 10 mile test drives. The technology and safety features are great and really worth considering purchasing new. I probably wouldn’t buy a used anything these days but if you can get a new one at a decent price then go for it. I look forward to ownership for the next few years.
5 out of 5 stars
Elegand and Sleek Sedan
Esteban, 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.
5 out of 5 stars
LUV my Nissan Sentra…for good reasons!
Bassdude, 04/01/2022
2022 Nissan Sentra SV 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl CVT)
I’ve owned a lot of different cars, makes and models over the years, but never a Nissan. Read pro reviews on this model, checked it out anyway. Bought it new a month + ago. Really love everything about my Sentra relative to the pricing for my SV…tremendous value. Why? This car delivers (for its size, class, price) great styling, ride, handling, quiet, plenty of the power one needs for … standard driving, great seats, interior design and ergonomics, dash readout just right mix of standard and electronics, excellent touchscreen display. Love it!
We have a limited number of reviews for the 2022 Nissan Sentra, so we've included reviews for other years of the Sentra since its last redesign.
2022 Sentra Highlights
S
Base MSRP Excludes Destination Fee | $19,950 |
---|---|
Engine Type | Gas |
Combined MPG | 33 MPG |
Cost to Drive | $136/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
4.8 average Rating out of 37 reviews. |
Starting at $23,950 |
5.0 average Rating out of 2 reviews. |
Starting at $16,680 |
4.0 average Rating out of 6 reviews. |
Starting at $26,000 |
Related Used 2022 Nissan Sentra info
Vehicle reviews of used models
- Used BMW X6 M 2015
- Used Volkswagen Golf 2010
- Used Audi S6 2013
- Used Lexus IS 200t 2013
- Used Kia Forte 2011 For Sale
Shop similar models
- Used Mitsubishi Lancer
- Used Honda Civic
- Used Chevrolet Malibu
- Used Hyundai Accent
- Used Mitsubishi Mirage-g4
Shop used vehicles in your area
- Used Nissan Sentra 2018
- Used Nissan Sentra 2012
- Used Nissan Sentra 2019
- Used Nissan Sentra 2016
- Used Nissan Sentra 2010
- Used Nissan Sentra 2011
- Used Nissan Sentra 2015
- Used Nissan Sentra 2014
- Used Nissan Sentra 2013
- Used Nissan Sentra 2017
Popular new car reviews and ratings
- Volvo S60 Car
- 2023 Prius
- Mazda CX 9
- Infiniti QX60
- Jaguar F Pace
- Cadillac XT 6
- 2025 Toyota Prius News
- Land Rover Evoque
- SUV BMW X7
- Ford ST Edge
Research other models of Nissan
- GTR GT R
- Maxima Sedan
- Nissan Pathfinder SUV
- Murano SUV
- Nissan Altima
- Nissan Kicks
- Frontier Pickup
- Nissan Armada
- Nissan Sentra Car
- 2023 Armada
Research similar vehicles
Other models
- Used BMW X4-M in San Marcos, TX
- Used Ford Transit-Crew-Van in Hyattsville, MD
- New Subaru Crosstrek for Sale in Jeffersonville, IN
- Used Jeep Compass in Gig Harbor, WA
- Used BMW 3-Series-Gran-Turismo in Plainfield, IN
- Used Dodge Ram-Pickup-1500 in Independence, MO
- Used Ford F-450-Super-Duty in El Cerrito, CA
- Used Suzuki Aerio in Lehi, UT
- New Chevrolet Malibu for Sale in Winder, GA
- Used Kia Sorento-Plug-In-Hybrid in Durango, CO