Model research hub
Nissan Sentra
MotorTrend rates the 2026 Nissan Sentra 9.0/10, ranking it #3 in Best Compact Sedans, saying a heavily updated Sentra arrives for 2026, ushering in a fresh version of the long-standing model that last saw a major redesign in 2020, with upgraded tech and significant styling revisions inside and out aimed at competitors including the Honda Civic, Toyota Corolla, and Kia K4, plus standard adaptive cruise control with ProPilot Assist and a standard 12.3-inch touchscreen, though the drivetrain carries over and there's still no hybrid option. Car and Driver says the new Sentra continues to offer lots of features for the money and is good-looking inside and out, building on its reputation for delivering a satisfying number of features and reasonable comfort at an affordable price, but it remains a disappointment in the engine room, with an underpowered engine, no hybrid powertrain option as in rivals, and an unexciting driving experience.
A heavily updated Sentra for 2026
MotorTrend (opens in a new tab) rates the 2026 Nissan Sentra 9.0/10, ranking it #3 in Best Compact Sedans, saying a heavily updated Sentra arrives for 2026, ushering in a fresh version of the long-standing model that last saw a major redesign in 2020, with upgraded tech and significant styling revisions inside and out aimed at competitors including the Honda Civic, Toyota Corolla, and Kia K4.
New standard tech: ProPilot Assist and a 12.3-inch screen
MotorTrend (opens in a new tab) says the 2026 Sentra gains standard adaptive cruise control with ProPilot Assist tech that can control acceleration, braking, and steering in certain situations, plus a standard 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment display, though the drivetrain carries over and there's still no hybrid option.
Good looks, disappointing engine room
Car and Driver (opens in a new tab) says the new Sentra continues to offer lots of features for the money and is good-looking inside and out, building on its reputation for delivering a satisfying number of features and reasonable comfort at an affordable price, but it remains a disappointment in the engine room, with an underpowered engine, no hybrid powertrain option as in rivals, and an unexciting driving experience.
Questions buyers ask
Is there a hybrid Nissan Sentra?
Car and Driver (opens in a new tab) says no, unlike some rivals.
What's new on the 2026 Nissan Sentra?
MotorTrend (opens in a new tab) says a heavy redesign with new styling, a standard 12.3-inch touchscreen, and standard ProPilot Assist adaptive cruise control.
Research map
Every major decision path.
The 2025 Nissan Sentra is built around 2.0L four-cylinder, rated at 149 horsepower across its compact sedan body style.
Explore this topic →02Trims and equipmentThe 2025 U.S. lineup has 3 trims.
Explore this topic →03Towing and capabilityThe 2025 Sentra seats 5 and is a Compact sedan.
Explore this topic →04Safety and ownershipNHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns and 30 owner complaints for the 2025 Sentra.
Explore this topic →Current model year
2025 Nissan Sentra
Every 2025 Sentra uses the same 149-horsepower 2.0L engine and CVT; the three trims separate by wheels, technology and appearance equipment.
Read specifications, trims, answers and sourcesModel-year archive
5 indexed Nissan Sentra model years.
| Model year | Trims | Open record |
|---|---|---|
| 2027 Nissan Sentra | 2027 record → | |
| 2026 Nissan Sentra | 2026 record → | |
| 2025 Nissan Sentra | 1 | 2025 record → |
| 2020 Nissan Sentra | 2020 record → | |
| 2018 Nissan Sentra | 2018 record → |
Background and safety record
What public sources say about the Nissan Sentra.
The Nissan Sentra is a series of automobiles manufactured by the Japanese automaker Nissan since 1982. Since 1999, the Sentra has been categorized as a compact car, while previously it occupied the subcompact class. Until 2006, Sentra was a rebadged version of the Japanese Nissan Sunny for markets outside of Japan, but since the 2013 model year, Sentra is a rebadged version of the Sylphy for markets outside of Japan.
- Recalls and problems
- On 16 August 2021, PROFECO and Nissan Mexicana issued a recall on 18,857 Sentras of model years 2020 and 2021 in Mexico, due to a manufacturing defect of the steering rods (left or right) which could be bent, resulting in a misalignment in the direction of the car, vibrations while driving, and the breakage of the component that would lead to loss of the unit control.
- Safety
- The Tsuru/Sentra in its most basic configuration with no airbags for Latin America received 0 stars for adult occupants and 0 stars for infants from Latin NCAP 1.0 in 2013.
- Powertrain
- The ninth generation Sentra is based on the same platform as the previous generation and carries over the same 2.0-liter MR20DD naturally aspirated inline-four engine producing 149 hp (111 kW) and 146 lb⋅ft of torque. The CVT is also carried over and is retuned for more linear power delivery.
Source: Nissan Sentra (Wikipedia); safety and recall figures from NHTSA.
Nissan Sentra at a glance
- Production
- 1982–present
- Class
- Subcompact car (1982–1999), Compact car (1999–present)
- Predecessor
- Datsun Sunny (B310)
- Also called
- Nissan Sunny (1982–2006), Nissan Tsuru (1984–2017), Nissan Sylphy (2013–present), Nissan Pulsar (2013–2017)
NHTSA rated the 2025 Nissan Sentra overall 5 of 5 stars, front crash 4 of 5 stars, side crash 5 of 5 stars, rollover 5 of 5 stars.
Recent recalls (8 campaigns across the latest model years)
- June 2026, Power Train:Driveline:Driveshaft. Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2025 Nissan Sentra vehicles. The front left-side driveshaft may not be fully seated in the continuously variable transmission (CVT) assembly, which can cause a transmission fluid leak and loss of drive power. Consequence: An unexpected loss of drive power can increase the risk of a crash. In addition, a driveshaft that is not fully engaged can result in a vehicle rollaway if the…
- March 2026, Seats. 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… Consequence: A loose seat may not restrain the occupant as intended, increasing the risk of injury during a crash.
- January 2026, Latches/Locks/Linkages:Doors:Latch. Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2025 Altima, Sentra, 2025-2026 Frontier, and 2026 Kicks vehicles. The door strikers may have been improperly welded and break, allowing the door to open while moving. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with… Consequence: A door that opens unexpectedly while the vehicle is in motion increases the risk of injury or a crash.
Owners filed 30 complaints with NHTSA for the 2025 Nissan Sentra, most often about unknown or other (6), power train (4), electrical system (4).
Year by year
The Nissan Sentra across 13 model years.
| Model year | Combined MPG/MPGe | EPA annual fuel cost | EPA records | NHTSA recalls | NHTSA complaints | NHTSA overall rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2027 Nissan Sentra | 32–33 | $1,950–$2,050 | 3 | |||
| 2026 Nissan Sentra | 32–33 | $1,900–$1,950 | 3 | 1 | ||
| 2025 Nissan Sentra | 33–34 | $1,850–$1,900 | 2 | 4 | 28 | 5 stars |
| 2024 Nissan Sentra | 33–34 | $1,850–$1,900 | 2 | 3 | 36 | 5 stars |
| 2023 Nissan Sentra | 32–33 | $1,900–$1,950 | 2 | 1 | 19 | 5 stars |
| 2022 Nissan Sentra | 32–33 | $1,900–$1,950 | 2 | 2 | 81 | 5 stars |
| 2021 Nissan Sentra | 32–33 | $1,900–$1,950 | 2 | 3 | 130 | 5 stars |
| 2020 Nissan Sentra | 32–33 | $1,900–$1,950 | 2 | 4 | 204 | 5 stars |
| 2019 Nissan Sentra | 27–32 | $1,950–$2,850 | 5 | 2 | 221 | 4 stars |
| 2018 Nissan Sentra | 27–32 | $1,950–$2,850 | 6 | 2 | 185 | 4 stars |
| 2017 Nissan Sentra | 27–32 | $1,950–$2,850 | 6 | 3 | 230 | 4 stars |
| 2016 Nissan Sentra | 30–33 | $1,900–$2,100 | 3 | 6 | 268 | 4 stars |
| 2015 Nissan Sentra | 30–33 | $1,900–$2,100 | 3 | 3 | 351 | 4 stars |
Year-to-year changes
What changed in the Nissan Sentra, one model year at a time.
| Step | EPA records | Combined MPG/MPGe, midpoint | Added | No longer listed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 to 2027 | Labels: Sentra SR, Sentra with Normal/Eco Modes, Sentra with Sport/Normal/Eco Modes | Labels: Sentra (2-mode), Sentra (3-mode), Sentra SL/SR | ||
| 2025 to 2026 | 2 to 3 | 33.5 to 32.5 | Labels: Sentra (2-mode), Sentra (3-mode), Sentra SL/SR | Labels: Sentra, Sentra SR |
| 2023 to 2024 | 32.5 to 33.5 | |||
| 2019 to 2020 | 5 to 2 | 29.5 to 32.5 | Labels: Sentra SR; Engines: 2L 4-cyl SIDI | Labels: Sentra Nismo; Engines: 1.6L 4-cyl SIDI, 1.8L 4-cyl; Transmissions: Automatic (AV-S7), Manual 6-spd; Fuels: Premium |
| 2018 to 2019 | 6 to 5 | |||
| 2016 to 2017 | 3 to 6 | 31.5 to 29.5 | Labels: Sentra Nismo; Engines: 1.6L 4-cyl SIDI; Transmissions: Automatic (AV-S7); Fuels: Premium | Labels: Sentra FE |
Buying used
What the Nissan Sentra recalls and complaints are about.
| Model year | Campaigns | Systems recalled | Warnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 1 | seats | None |
| 2025 | 4 | seats; visibility (windshield); latches/locks/linkages (doors); 1 more | None |
| 2024 | 3 | air bags (frontal); power train (driveline); visibility (windshield) | None |
| 2023 | 1 | air bags (frontal) | None |
| 2022 | 2 | structure (body); steering (linkages) | None |
| 2021 | 3 | steering (linkages); back over prevention (sensing system) | None |
| 2020 | 4 | steering (linkages); exterior lighting (headlights); back over prevention (sensing system) | None |
| 2019 | 2 | back over prevention (sensing system); exterior lighting (brake lights) | None |
| 2018 | 2 | back over prevention (sensing system); exterior lighting (brake lights) | None |
| 2017 | 3 | air bags; electrical system (ignition); exterior lighting (brake lights) | None |
| 2016 | 6 | air bags (sensor); air bags (frontal); electrical system (wiring); 2 more | None |
| 2015 | 3 | latches/locks/linkages; air bags (sensor) | None |
| System | Complaints | Share of all complaints | Worst model year |
|---|---|---|---|
| power train | 496 | 28% | 2015 (172) |
| electrical system | 325 | 18% | 2019 (64) |
| unknown or other | 317 | 18% | 2015 (54) |
| engine | 236 | 13% | 2015 (68) |
| service brakes | 194 | 11% | 2018 (40) |
| forward collision avoidance | 178 | 10% | 2020 (60) |
Trim by trim
Every 2026 Nissan Sentra trim side by side.
| Trim | Drive | Engine | Horsepower | Torque (lb-ft) | Curb weight (lb) | Max towing (lb) | Combined mpg | Base price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| S | FWD | 2.0-liter 4-cylinder | 149 | 146 | 3,097 | – | 34 | $23,845 |
| SV | FWD | 2.0-liter 4-cylinder | 149 | 146 | 3,097 | – | 33 | $24,615 |
| SR | FWD | 2.0-liter 4-cylinder | 149 | 146 | 3,153 | – | 33 | $26,245 |
| SL | FWD | 2.0-liter 4-cylinder | 149 | 146 | 3,177 | – | 33 | $29,235 |
Source: Kelley Blue Book specifications for the 2026 model year; base price is KBB's national base price where its list carries the trim by the same name. A dash means KBB lists no figure.
Specifications by year
Power, weight and towing for every Nissan Sentra model year.
| Model year | Trims | Engines | Horsepower | Curb weight (lb) | Max towing (lb) | Fuel tank (gal) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 4 | 2.0-liter 4-cylinder | 149 | 3,097–3,177 | – | 12.4 |
| 2025 | 3 | 2.0-liter 4-cylinder | 149 | 3,036–3,084 | – | 12.4 |
| 2024 | 3 | 2.0-liter 4-cylinder | 149 | 3,036–3,084 | – | 12.4 |
| 2023 | 3 | 2.0-liter 4-cylinder | 149 | 3,036–3,084 | – | 12.4 |
| 2022 | 3 | 2.0-liter 4-cylinder | 149 | 3,036–3,084 | – | 12.4 |
| 2021 | 3 | 2.0-liter 4-cylinder | 149 | 3,036–3,084 | – | 12.4 |
| 2020 | 3 | 2.0-liter 4-cylinder | 149 | 3,045–3,084 | – | 12.4 |
| 2019 | 6 | 1.8-liter 4-cylinder / 1.6-liter 4-cylinder (Turbo) | 124–188 | 2,889–3,090 | – | 13.2 |
| 2018 | 6 | 1.8-liter 4-cylinder / 1.6-liter 4-cylinder (Turbo) | 124–188 | 2,874–3,090 | – | 13.2 |
| 2017 | 6 | 1.8-liter 4-cylinder / 1.6-liter 4-cylinder (Turbo) | 124–188 | 2,857–3,076 | – | 13.2 |
| 2016 | 5 | 1.8-liter 4-cylinder | 130 | 2,857–2,943 | – | 13.2 |
| 2015 | 5 | 1.8-liter 4-cylinder | 130 | 2,864–2,923 | – | 13.2 |
Source: Kelley Blue Book specifications for each model year. A range covers every trim KBB lists that year; a dash means KBB lists no figure.
Owning it
Oil, fluid and wheel-nut figures for the Nissan Sentra.
| Model year | Engine oil | Brake fluid | Wheel-nut torque | A/C refrigerant | Key-fob battery |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2027 | 0W-20 (4.4 qt) | – | – | – | – |
| 2026 | 0W-20 (4.4 qt) | – | – | R-1234yf | – |
| 2025 | – | – | 83 lb-ft | – | – |
| 2024 | – | – | 83 lb-ft | – | – |
| 2023 | – | DOT 3 | 83 lb-ft | – | – |
| 2022 | – | DOT 3 | 83 lb-ft | – | – |
| 2021 | – | DOT 3 | 83 lb-ft | R-1234yf | – |
| 2020 | – | DOT 3 | 83 lb-ft | R-1234yf | – |
| 2017 | 0W-20 | – | – | R-134a | – |
| 2016 | 0W-20 | – | – | R-134a | – |
Source: the manufacturer's owner's manual for each model year. A dash means that year's manual gave no single value for it, for instance one that lists two oil grades or two key types.
Model-year recall record
Nissan Sentra: which model years carry more or fewer federal safety recalls.
More recalls than this model’s own average
- 2016 Nissan Sentra : 6 recalls on file, most commonly affecting airbags and electrical system.
| Model year | Federal recalls on file | Complaints on file | Recalls most commonly affected |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 1 | not available | seats |
| 2025 | 4 | 28 | seats, visibility/wipers, door latches, powertrain |
| 2024 | 3 | 36 | airbags, powertrain, visibility/wipers |
| 2023 | 1 | 19 | airbags |
| 2022 | 2 | 81 | structure, steering |
| 2021 | 3 | 130 | steering, backup camera |
| 2020 | 4 | 204 | steering, exterior lighting, backup camera |
| 2019 | 2 | 221 | exterior lighting, backup camera |
| 2018 | 2 | 185 | backup camera, exterior lighting |
| 2017 | 3 | 230 | electrical system, airbags, exterior lighting |
| 2016 | 6 | 268 | airbags, electrical system, exterior lighting |
| 2015 | 3 | 351 | airbags, door latches |
Method: recall counts and their affected components come from the NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation: Recalls API, queried by exact make, model and model year. Complaint counts come from the NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation: Complaints API, same query pattern. Data pulled 2026-09-04.
Known gap: the NHTSA complaints API did not return data for Nissan Sentra model year 2026 when queried for this page: the request itself failed upstream, not returning a genuine zero. Those years are marked "not available" above instead of shown as clean; recall counts for those years are unaffected and come from the separate recalls API, which returned data for every year listed.
Check open recalls by VIN for one particular vehicle.
Q01Is there a best year to buy a Nissan Sentra?
Recall count alone can't answer that: it says nothing about a specific vehicle's price, mileage, accident history or maintenance record. What federal data can say: 2016 carried more. See the model-year table on this page for the exact counts and what they cover.
Q02Which Nissan Sentra model years should I watch for recalls?
The 2016 Nissan Sentra has 6 federal recalls on file, most commonly affecting airbags, electrical system, exterior lighting. Always confirm the open/completed status of every campaign for the specific VIN: a recall on this list may already be repaired on the vehicle in front of you.
Q03What are common recall-related problems on the Nissan Sentra by model year?
2026: seats. 2025: seats, visibility/wipers, door latches, powertrain. 2024: airbags, powertrain, visibility/wipers. 2023: airbags. 2022: structure, steering. 2021: steering, backup camera.
Q04Why do some Nissan Sentra model years show "not available" for complaints?
The NHTSA complaints API did not return data for Nissan Sentra model year 2026 when queried for this page: the request itself failed upstream instead of the count genuinely being zero. Recall counts for those years are unaffected; they come from a separate NHTSA endpoint that returned data for every year listed.
Diagnosing one of these symptoms? The recalled systems above map to this site’s own ownership desks: general, evidence-first guidance that applies regardless of whether the specific vehicle in front of you was ever part of a recall campaign: Buying, records and recalls, Climate and electrical, Brakes, tires and steering, Transmission and drivetrain.
2016 Nissan Sentra owners specifically: see Buying, records and recalls and Climate and electrical.
Trim ladder
1 Nissan Sentra trim, each with its own page.
Compared with
Models this Nissan Sentra is most often compared with.
Nearest Nissan models
Other Nissan models.
Frequent questions
Answers with their conditions intact.
Q01How many trims does the 2025 Sentra come in?
The 2025 Nissan Sentra (compact sedan) comes in 3 trims: S, SV, SR.
Q02What are the 2025 Sentra trims?
The 2025 Nissan Sentra trims are S, SV, SR, listed from the entry S up to the top SR.
Q03What engine or powertrain does the 2025 Sentra use?
The 2025 Nissan Sentra is built around 2.0L four-cylinder, rated at 149 horsepower across its compact sedan body style.
Q04How much horsepower does the 2025 Sentra have?
The 2025 Nissan Sentra is rated at 149 horsepower (2.0L four-cylinder).
Q05Is AWD or 4WD available on the 2025 Sentra?
The 2025 Nissan Sentra is offered with FWD.