by Advantages: Affordable price, spacious interior, stylish interior
Disadvantages: Lack of a hybrid version, insufficient power, signs of cost-cutting in production
Context of the Affordable Sedan Market
Due to economic pressures and changing consumer preferences, the average price of a new car has risen to $50,080. This is a significant amount, and there are few affordable sedans left on the market. However, Nissan believes that compact sedans will regain popularity, which explains the arrival of the updated Sentra.
The new model features a bold design, an unexpectedly upscale interior, and sufficient space for four adults. However, it is not as new as it may seem and has certain compromises to reduce the price.
Quick Facts About the Model
Bold New Look
The eighth generation Sentra was exemplary in terms of design, but the exterior of the 2026 model evokes mixed reactions. The car features a wide V-motion grille with slim LED headlights that provide better illumination compared to old halogen lamps.
Designers added pronounced wheel arches and 16-18 inch diameter wheels. The base model received 16-inch steel wheels.
Michael Gauthier / Carscoops
The rear features LED taillights and a large trunk with an integrated spoiler. For fans of sporty style, the SR version is offered with a dark chrome grille, extended sills, and an additional spoiler.
Impressive Interior
The exterior may not appeal to everyone, but the interior of the new Sentra is executed at a high level. The top SL trim features two-tone TailorFit seats with white upholstery and dark blue accents, creating the feel of a higher-class car.
Standard equipment includes:
- Heated front seats and steering wheel
- Wireless smartphone charging
- Sunroof
- Dual-zone climate control
- Ambient lighting system with 64 colors
- 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster
- 12.3-inch multimedia system
- Premium 8-speaker Bose audio system
One of the interesting features is the built-in myQ garage door opener with geofencing, which automatically activates when approaching home.
Michael Gauthier / Carscoops
The Zero Gravity seats offer excellent support and adjustment. The rear row offers 34.8 inches of legroom, which is less than the Honda Civic, but sufficient for comfortable seating.
The 14.3 cubic foot trunk has one of the lowest load heights in its class. However, the rear seat folding mechanism needs refinement – after activation from the trunk, you still need to go to the cabin to fully fold the seats.
Familiar Engine – For Better or Worse
Under the hood remains the familiar 2.0-liter four-cylinder MR20DD engine producing 149 hp, paired with a continuously variable transmission. The CVT has been updated to provide smoother acceleration and more natural responses.
Michael Gauthier / Carscoops
This powertrain does not impress with dynamics, but provides acceptable acceleration, especially in the city. Fuel economy is up to 30 mpg city, 38 highway, and 33 combined, which is slightly worse than the previous model.
The lack of a hybrid version becomes a serious drawback compared to competitors. The Toyota Corolla offers a hybrid with fuel economy up to 53 mpg city, and the Honda Civic has both hybrid and sport versions.
Comfortable Everyday Use
The new Sentra is built on the CMF-CD platform with a 6% increase in structural rigidity. The electric power steering received a new 14.0:1 steering ratio for more precise response.
The suspension handles road imperfections well, remaining comfortable and controlled. Sport mode adds weight to the steering and makes the throttle response more aggressive.
The braking system now features ventilated discs front and rear instead of drum brakes. Engineers also worked on reducing noise and vibrations through improved insulation and reduced body hole sizes.
Michael Gauthier / Carscoops
Standard safety systems include automatic emergency braking, collision warning, and lane departure warning. More expensive versions get ProPILOT Assist – a driver assistance system that combines adaptive cruise control with lane keeping assist.
Affordability Does Not Mean Low Quality
The 2026 model is a step forward thanks to the improved interior, new technologies, and additional standard equipment. The Sentra remains a spacious car with fairly refined handling characteristics.
The base price is $22,400, which is $2,195 cheaper than the Honda Civic and $325 cheaper than the Toyota Corolla. The most popular is expected to be the SV version at $23,170, which includes LED lighting, remote start, alloy wheels, and two 12.3-inch screens.
Despite the lack of a hybrid version and some signs of cost-cutting, the 2026 Nissan Sentra remains an option with good value in the compact sedan segment, especially for buyers who do not plan to overpay for additional options.
Against the backdrop of general car price increases, the arrival of the updated Sentra at an affordable price may attract the attention of buyers looking for a balanced option for daily use. The work on noise insulation and the quality of the interior execution are particularly impressive, which is rare in this price range. Nissan’s offering demonstrates that even under cost constraints, it is possible to create comfortable and well-equipped cars, although some technical solutions indeed require updating to compete with modern counterparts.
