2026 Nissan Sentra

Price Range: $22,600 - $27,990

Average

The 2026 Nissan Sentra is a solid and much-needed improvement for the brand's entry-level sedan. It's stylish and full of modern conveniences. But its underpowered engine and the lack of a hybrid option hold it back in a competitive class.Read full review

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Nissan Sentra for Sale

Pricing

Select year

Edmunds suggests you pay

$21,446

Edmunds suggested price is based on sales in VT thru 10/26/26, including destination fee, but not other dealer fees. Final assembly in Mexico.

Pros

Comfortable front seats
Comes well equipped with driver assistance features

Cons

Slow acceleration
Bumpy ride quality
Not as fuel-efficient as rivals

What's new

The Sentra has been redesigned for 2026
Updated interior and fresh styling
2026 model kicks off the ninth Sentra generation

Nissan Sentra Video Shorts

by Edmunds Test Team

Overview

Written by automotive expert Mark Takahashi

Updated: 11/8/2026

The Nissan Sentra starts a new chapter for 2026. Nissan has given the car a new look and an interior makeover while ensuring it remains one of the most affordable vehicles on the market. The Sentra is the smallest sedan in Nissan's lineup, slotting under the midsize Altima. The biggest step forward for the ninth-generation Sentra is its new interior, which benefits from improved materials and a large digital display atop the dashboard. You'll likely find the 2026 Sentra to be a more compelling sedan than it's been in the past.

Edmunds Expert Rating

edmunds TESTED

Driven, tested, rated by automotive expert Kurt Niebuhr

Average

6.2

out of 10

We drove the 2026 Nissan Sentra on our test track and on real roads. Our Edmunds team conducts rigorous independent vehicle testing, driving 500,000 miles a year.

Driving experience

4.9/10

How does it drive? The Sentra's underpowered engine spoils an otherwise pleasant experience. Our test car needed a sluggish 9.7 seconds to reach 60 mph. Even the Toyota Corolla is about a second quicker. You'll notice the Sentra's power deficit in real-world driving, too. You'll need to give it a lot of gas to merge and keep up with faster traffic. A more powerful engine would greatly improve the experience, but alas, Nissan does not have one to offer.

Another demerit is the Sentra's ride quality. It's bumpy on most roads, and you will feel many of the smaller bumps and road imperfections. But there are some positives to the Sentra's driving experience. Thanks to the available surround-view camera system, the Sentra is easy to park, and visibility is generally good even without the cameras.

Nissan fits the Sentra with lots of advanced driver aids, including ProPilot Assist, which includes adaptive cruise control and lane centering functions. We found the lane centering to be fairly basic, and because the engine is so underpowered, the adaptive cruise had trouble keeping up when the car in front accelerated away. Otherwise, the systems worked without fault or annoyance in our testing.

Comfort

5.7/10

How comfortable is it? The Sentra has impressively comfortable seats for a small sedan. Front seat passengers get ample space and a nice range of seat adjustments. The Sentra's swoopy low roof limits headroom in back, however, and makes it necessary to duck your head when getting in and out of the back seat. There is plenty of space to install child safety seats, although the top tether is behind an immovable headrest, so you'll have to go to the side to reach it.

We're happy to see some physical controls for the climate system, but instead of individual buttons, they reside behind a smooth, glossy black panel. They could be easier to use. Otherwise, the system works well to control cabin temperature. The Sentra does not have air vents for rear passengers.

Noise levels in our Sentra test car were lower than we expected for such a small car, and noise from the engine in particular is very well isolated from the cabin. However, if you find yourself near louder vehicles, much of their noise will enter the cabin.

In-cabin tech

7/10

How’s the tech? The Sentra benefits greatly from its dual 12.3-inch digital displays. Crisp and responsive, they give the Sentra one of the more modern-looking interiors in the class. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are both supported and can be connected wirelessly. Additionally, a wireless charging pad is available. An optional eight-speaker Bose audio system is also available. There are two USB-C ports up front, but only a single USB-C port is available for rear passengers.

Storage & cargo

7/10

How’s storage and cargo? The Sentra, with its 14.3-cubic-foot trunk, offers slightly more space than other compact sedans, providing ample room for assorted luggage and groceries. We appreciate the wide opening of the trunk, but due to the Sentra's swoopy styling, the opening is somewhat short, which could pose a problem for loading larger boxes. The seats fold fairly flat, and there's only a small hump to clear between the trunk and the back seat for longer items. If you pack the trunk full, the hinges could press against some of your cargo.

There are plenty of places for personal items in the Sentra thanks to its combination of cupholders, a deep center console, and a tray in front of the shifter. The door pockets are average in size.

Value

6/10

Is it a good value? The Sentra is more modern and refined than before, and in its lower trim levels, it represents a fairly good value. While it doesn't cost much to add a few features here and there, when optioned up like our SR trim test vehicle, the Sentra costs about the same as a nicely equipped Honda Civic with its available hybrid powertrain. The Civic is a better drive and far more fuel-efficient. Rivals like the Hyundai Elantra and Toyota Corolla are priced similarly but also offer hybrid options.

Warranty coverage for the Sentra is pretty standard with three years/36,000 miles of bumper-to-bumper and five years/60,000 miles of powertrain coverage. Two years of free maintenance is included.

MPG

7/10

How’s the fuel economy? The Sentra gets an EPA-estimated 32 mpg or 33 mpg in combined city/highway driving depending on the trim level. This is one of the least efficient cars in its class, and we struggled to match the EPA's estimate in our real-world driving. Unfortunately, Nissan does not offer a hybrid powertrain. The Honda Civic, Hyundai Elantra and Toyota Corolla all offer a hybrid that boosts mpg for not much more money.

X factor

5/10

The latest Sentra is a more compelling small sedan than it's been in the past. Its sleek styling, comprehensive list of features, and improved interior materials are all welcome. It's too bad Nissan couldn't find a way to improve the Sentra's engine. The lack of power dulls our enthusiasm for what is otherwise an agreeable small sedan.

Save as much as $4,200 with Edmunds

2026 Nissan Sentra pricing in Bennington, VT

Edmunds suggests you pay

Build & Price

Buying Tips for the 2026 Nissan Sentra for November

The big story here is slow-selling new 2026 Sentra inventory, with about 3,400 cars nationwide and shoppers already landing roughly $2,000 off when you stack discounts and cash.

You can now save about $2,000 total on a 2026 Sentra. Buyers are already paying about $1,225 below MSRP, and Nissan adds a $750 customer cash rebate on top. That discount is pretty consistent across trims, though the SL looks slightly better on percentage savings.
New inventory is plentiful at about 3,400 vehicles nationwide, so you should have choices. The SV and SR make up the biggest share of new stock, while the base S is much thinner at about 300 units, so be flexible if you want the cheapest trim.
New Sentras are taking about 136 days to sell versus 34 days for the average new car, which points to low demand. That usually helps your leverage. Ask for a discount before discussing financing.
Financing is worth a look too, with special APR as low as 4.9% for 48 or 60 months for qualified buyers. If you lease, expect around $310 a month with about $3,500 due at signing.

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2026 Nissan Sentra trim level differences

The 2026 Nissan Sentra is a compact sedan that is available in four trim levels: S, SV, SR and SL. All are powered by a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine good for 149 horsepower. The engine is paired with a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT) that drives the front wheels. Compare the 2026 Nissan Sentra trim levels in-depth.

Which Sentra trim level does Edmunds recommend?

While affordability is the Sentra's operative word, even the base S trim might be a bit too close to a stripped-down rental car special. That's why we recommend stepping up to the SV trim. It adds a handful of upgrades that help it compete more evenly with rivals without costing much more than the S trim.

Competitors to consider

There's no shortage of choices among affordable compact sedans, and you'd be well served to check them out before committing to the 2026 Sentra. Our favorites are the Honda Civic and Hyundai Elantra, both of which deliver a better driving experience and nicer interior in every trim level. They're also available in more efficient and powerful hybrid models, which will save you money in the long run. The Kia K4 isn't available as a hybrid, but we also rank it considerably higher than the Sentra.

Edmunds spotlight: All of the Sentra's 2026 changes

The 2026 Nissan Sentra's styling is more distinctive, especially up front where a new grille mimics the look of Nissan's all-electric Ariya SUV. The Sentra's cabin has a modern look and updated technology features. Underneath, however, it carries over with only a few revisions. The updates include a retuned transmission for improved response and a stiffer chassis, which promises improved handling and comfort. While the changes certainly improve this compact sedan's appeal, they can't mask its rather disappointing performance and choppy ride quality over bumps. Check out our test team's exhaustive Expert Rating for more details.

Nissan Sentra Reviews

Owner Reviews

3.6

5 reviews

5(60%)

4(0%)

3(0%)

2(20%)

1(20%)

Owners Say

Overall, owner sentiment is mixed. Owners like that it is easy to drive, fun, smooth, and good on gas, with a nice-looking inside. Some owners also say it does the job well. But others had trouble with the screen and found the seat and steering wheel uncomfortable.

This summary is AI-generated from the text of owner reviews

See all 5 reviews of the Nissan Sentra

Write a vehicle review

Most Helpful Owner Review

I like it

Jim C, 04/14/2026

2026 Nissan Sentra S 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl CVT)

Bare bones sedan but it does the job. Acceleration is good. Interior is nice and clean. I got 38 mpg on a recent road trip. No complaints except for the price of gas.

Helpful shopping links

2026 Nissan Sentra video

The Redesigned Nissan Sentra Looks Like a Huge Step Up | 2026 Nissan Sentra First Look

The Sentra may be Nissan’s second-smallest sedan, but for 2026, it gets a big redesign. There’s all-new styling inside and out, upgraded tech and better interior materials — but is it enough to make the compact sedan competitive? Edmunds’ Brian Wong gets hands on with the new 2026 Nissan Sentra in this First Look video.

2026 Nissan Sentra Features & Specs

Trim:

Base MSRP Excludes Destination Fee	$22,600
Engine Type	Gas
Combined MPG	33 MPG
Cost to Drive	$158/month
Seating	5 seats
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place	14.3 cu.ft.
Drivetrain	front wheel drive
Warranty	3 years / 36,000 miles

See all features & specs

Reliability

The 2026 Nissan Sentra has a 3 years / 36,000 miles basic warranty and 1 recall. RepairPal gives it a reliability rating of 4 out of 5, ranks it #16 out of 46 among Compact Cars.

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

1 recall 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:: 26V145000
Manufacturer Recall Number:: PMA64
Manufactured from:: 2025-12-20 to 2026-01-03
Number of vehicles affected:: 15
Defect Description:: Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2026 Kicks and Sentra vehicles. The hook bracket of the front seat frames may be insufficiently welded, which can cause the front seat frames to become loose. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) numbers 207, "Seating Systems" and 210, "Seat Belt Assembly Anchorages."
Defect Consequence:: A loose seat may not restrain the occupant as intended, increasing the risk of injury during a crash.
Corrective Action:: Dealers will replace the front seat assemblies, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed May 1, 2026. Owners may contact Nissan's customer service at 800-647-7261. Nissan's number for this recall is PMA64. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on March 13, 2026.

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

Compare the Nissan Sentra

Nissan Sentra
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Safety

Key safety features on the Sentra include:

Back-up camera
Blind Spot Monitoring
Lane Departure Warning
Alarm
Tire Pressure Warning
Stability Control
Pre-collision safety system
Post-collision safety system

Research other Sentra years

FAQ

Is the Nissan Sentra a good car?

The Edmunds experts tested the 2026 Sentra both on the road and at the track, giving it a 6.2 out of 10. Edmunds’ consumer reviews show that the 2026 Sentra gets an average rating of 4 stars out of 5 (based on 5 reviews) What about cargo capacity? When you're thinking about carrying stuff in your new car, keep in mind that the Sentra has 14.3 cubic feet of trunk space. And then there's safety and reliability. Edmunds has all the latest NHTSA and IIHS crash-test scores, plus industry-leading expert and consumer reviews to help you understand what it's like to own and maintain a Nissan Sentra. Learn more

What's new in the 2026 Nissan Sentra?

According to Edmunds’ car experts, here’s what’s new for the 2026 Nissan Sentra:

The Sentra has been redesigned for 2026
Updated interior and fresh styling
2026 model kicks off the ninth Sentra generation

Learn more

Is the Nissan Sentra reliable?

To determine whether the Nissan Sentra is reliable, read Edmunds' authentic consumer reviews, which come from real owners and reveal what it's like to live with the Sentra. Look for specific complaints that keep popping up in the reviews, and be sure to compare the Sentra's 4-star average consumer rating to that of competing vehicles. Learn more

Is the 2026 Nissan Sentra a good car?

There's a lot to consider if you're wondering whether the 2026 Nissan Sentra is a good car. Edmunds' expert testing team reviewed the 2026 Sentra and gave it a 6.2 out of 10. Our consumer reviews show that the 2026 Sentra gets an average rating of 4 stars out of 5 (based on 5 reviews). Safety scores, fuel economy, cargo capacity and feature availability should all be factors in determining whether the 2026 Sentra is a good car for you. Learn more

How much should I pay for a 2026 Nissan Sentra?

The least-expensive 2026 Nissan Sentra is the 2026 Nissan Sentra S 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl CVT). Including destination charge, it arrives with a Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) of about $22,600.

Other versions include:

S 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl CVT) which starts at $22,600
SV 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl CVT) which starts at $23,370
SR 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl CVT) which starts at $25,000
SL 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl CVT) which starts at $27,990

Learn more

What are the different models of Nissan Sentra?

If you're interested in the Nissan Sentra, the next question is, which Sentra model is right for you? Sentra variants include S 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl CVT), SV 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl CVT), SR 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl CVT), and SL 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl CVT). For a full list of Sentra models, check out Edmunds’ Features & Specs page. Learn more

Cost to Drive

Monthly estimates based on costs in Vermont

$158/mo

$237/mo

Avg. Midsize Car

Calculate my fuel costs

2026 Nissan Sentra

Pricing

Pros

Cons

What's new

Nissan Sentra Video Shorts

Overview

Edmunds Expert Rating

Driving experience

Comfort

In-cabin tech

Storage & cargo

Value

MPG

X factor

Buying Tips for the 2026 Nissan Sentra for November

2026 Nissan Sentra trim level differences

Which Sentra trim level does Edmunds recommend?

Competitors to consider

Edmunds spotlight: All of the Sentra's 2026 changes

Nissan Sentra Reviews

Owner Reviews

Owners Say

Most Helpful Owner Review

2026 Nissan Sentra video

2026 Nissan Sentra Features & Specs

Reliability

Reliability Rating by RepairPal

Recalls

Warranty

Compare the Nissan Sentra

Check a dealer's price

Safety

Key safety features on the Sentra include:

FAQ

Is the Nissan Sentra a good car?

What's new in the 2026 Nissan Sentra?

Is the Nissan Sentra reliable?

Is the 2026 Nissan Sentra a good car?

How much should I pay for a 2026 Nissan Sentra?

What are the different models of Nissan Sentra?

Cost to Drive