14-05-2025
2026 Nissan Sentra Review: Expert Insights, Pricing, and Trims
Reviewed by Alex Leanse
Nissan is gearing up to reveal a redesigned 2026 Sentra. This compact sedan has existed in various forms since the early 1980s, and the current Sentra arrived for model year 2020.
Here's what to expect from the 2026 Nissan Sentra, which will compete against affordable compact sedans including the Honda Civic, Kia K4, and Toyota Corolla.
Future 2026 Sentra: What It Looks Like
All we've seen of the 2026 Sentra is a shadowy teaser image shared by Nissan, and some spy shots of a camouflaged prototype. From what we can tell, the car will remain recognizable as a Sentra, albeit with an evolved design. The bodywork looks edgy with defined edges and creases, but there's some soft elegance around the wheel arches and greenhouse.
Window glass looks large for a compact car. Hooked LED headlights will catch the eye, and there could be a trendy full-width taillight bar. Front and center will be a fresh interpretation of Nissan's corporate grille treatment.
Expect larger wheels on the 2026 Nissan Sentra SR, up to 19 inches from the already sizable 18s on the 2025 model.
New Engine
The 2026 Sentra could have the same engine as what the 2025 model has now: A 2.0-liter I-4 that produces 149 hp and 146 lb-ft of torque, all sent to the front wheels via a CVT automatic. In the 2025 Sentra, it provides 0-60 mph acceleration of 8.4 seconds and returns about 30/40 mpg city/highway.
If Nissan gives the 2026 Sentra new engine options, one possibility is for the 1.5-liter turbo I-3 engine that's currently used in the Nissan Rogue compact SUV. In that vehicle, it produces 201 hp and 225 lb-ft of torque, with a CVT and standard FWD or optional AWD. If that engine made its way into the Sentra, it would likely make the car a little quicker at the expense of fuel economy.
Nissan Sentra Hybrid? Hopefully
Nissan doesn't sell any hybrids in the U.S. as this is written, but that could finally change soon. In overseas markets, Nissan sells a so-called e-Power hybrid engine that combines a small three-cylinder engine with an electric motor.
Interestingly, the e-Power system is designed to provide acceleration only by the electric motor, while the engine works as a gas-fueled generator to charge the battery that powers the motor. We drove a new Nissan e-Power hybrid and thought the system has potential.
Hopefully, that technology makes its way into a future Nissan Sentra Hybrid to rival the Honda Civic Hybrid and Toyota Prius.
The Sentra is at its best in lower to mid-level trims; a hybrid could make the Nissan more of a value on higher and more expensive trims.
Safety Features
The new 2026 Sentra should come with driver-assist and active safety features such as automatic emergency braking, rear cross-traffic alert, blind-spot monitoring, lane-departure warning, automatic high beams, and rain-sensing windshield wipers.
Higher-end models could gain adaptive cruise control and lane-keep assist, along possibly with Nissan's ProPilot Assist technology, which allows for hands-free driving in certain road scenarios.
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