Nissan Sentra

Nissan Sentra at a glance

All Nissan models, including the related Sylphy, are in our Nissan catalogue.

Generations of the Nissan Sentra

B11 to B14 (1982-1999)

The Sentra replaced the Datsun 310 in the United States in May 1982 and was the first Sentra with front-wheel drive; earlier Sunny models had driven the rear wheels. Production started in Zama, Japan, and moved to Smyrna, Tennessee, in April 1985. The second generation (B12) went into production in Smyrna on 12 August 1986; from 1989 its only engine was the 1.6-litre GA16i with 67 kW (90 hp).

The B13 of 1991 brought the first SE-R, a two-door with the 2.0-litre SR20DE: 104 kW (140 hp), 179 Nm and 0-60 mph in 7.6 seconds. In Mexico the B13 lived on as the Tsuru until May 2017; it was the country's best-selling car from 1997 to 2011 and about 1.85 million were built. Its age showed in 2016, when a crash test against a new Versa ended with a collapsed cabin. The B14 (1995-1999) was the last Sentra built in Smyrna.

B15 and B16 (2000-2012)

The fifth generation moved production to Aguascalientes, Mexico. It was the first Sentra in the compact class and was related to the Bluebird Sylphy and the European Almera N16. The main engine was a 1.8-litre with 94 kW (126 hp), while the SE-R and SE-R Spec V used a 2.5-litre with 123 kW (165 hp) and 130 kW (175 hp); the Spec V had a six-speed manual with a limited-slip differential.

The B16 of 2007 moved to Nissan's C platform, shared with the Qashqai, Rogue and X-Trail. It was 65 mm longer, 91 mm wider and 113 mm taller than the B15, and its interior volume was large enough for the US EPA to class it as a mid-size car. The 2.0-litre base engine made 104 kW (140 hp) and 199 Nm; the SE-R Spec V had 149 kW (200 hp).

B17 and B18 (2012-2025)

From the 2013 model year the Sentra became a version of the Chinese and Japanese Sylphy, revealed at the 2012 Beijing show. The base 1.8-litre produced 97 kW (130 hp) and 174 Nm, and for 2017 the SR Turbo and Nismo added a 1.6-litre turbo with 140 kW (188 hp) from the Juke. US sales peaked at 218,451 in 2017.

The B18, shown in Los Angeles in November 2019 and on sale from January 2020, introduced the 2.0-litre MR20DD with 111 kW (149 hp) and independent rear suspension in the Americas. A facelift for the 2024 model year added new front and rear styling and stop-start; US sales reached 152,659 in 2024.

B19 (since 2025)

The ninth Sentra was revealed on 23 September 2025 for the 2026 model year, with a fastback roofline and 15 mm more length. It keeps the 2.0-litre engine and a retuned CVT. Every version has a 12.3-inch central touchscreen; all but the S get a 12.3-inch digital instrument display and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. In China the related fifth-generation Sylphy uses a 1.6-litre with 99 kW (135 PS).

Engines, transmissions and performance

Torque figures for the B15 and B16 Spec V are converted from Nissan's lb-ft ratings. In the US the current Sentra comes only with the Xtronic CVT.

Dimensions, space and boot

The B19 is 15 mm longer than the B18 (4,641 mm), with a wheelbase 3 mm shorter. Our size comparison tool sets it against European compact saloons.

Fuel economy and running costs

The EPA rates the 2026 Sentra S and SV at 30 mpg city, 38 mpg highway and 33 mpg combined, about 7.1 l/100 km. The SR and SL, on larger wheels, are rated at 29/36/32 mpg, or about 7.4 l/100 km combined.

Trims, equipment and prices

The 2026 Sentra comes as S, SV, SR and SL. Nissan's US list prices from November 2025 are USD 22,600 (2025, about EUR 19,300) for the S, USD 23,370 (2025, about EUR 20,000) for the SV, USD 25,000 (2025, about EUR 21,400) for the SR and USD 27,990 (2025, about EUR 23,900) for the SL. Destination and handling add USD 1,245 (2025, about EUR 1,100). All versions have ten airbags and Nissan Safety Shield 360 with automatic emergency braking and pedestrian detection, blind spot intervention, lane departure prevention, traffic sign recognition and adaptive cruise control. ProPILOT Assist and the Intelligent Around View Monitor are available on the SL or with the SR Premium package; the top trims also offer an eight-speaker Bose system and a power moonroof.

Safety

The Sentra has not been tested by Euro NCAP. The IIHS named the 2022 Sentra a Top Safety Pick, with "Good" ratings in its small- and moderate-overlap, side and roof tests. Taiwan's TNCAP, based on the Euro NCAP 2017 protocol, scored the Taiwanese Sentra in 2025 at 93% for adult occupants, 77% for children, 80% for pedestrians and 70% for safety assist. Euro NCAP-rated alternatives are in our safety section.

Reliability and known issues

Our sources record a Mexican recall of 18,857 Sentras of the 2020-2021 model years in August 2021 for a steering rod defect. We found no other systematic faults documented well enough to report.

Rivals

In North America the Sentra's main rivals are the Toyota Corolla, Honda Civic and Hyundai Elantra. The larger Altima costs about USD 5,000 (2025, about EUR 4,300) more and adds up to 29 kW (39 hp).

Photo gallery