2025 Nissan Sentra review
Nissan has been making the Sentra sedan since the early 1980s, proving its staying power across four decades and eight generations. The 2025 Nissan Sentra is a comfortable, affordable family or commuter car. It's also an attractive car that looks more expensive than it is. The compact Sentra will carry five passengers comfortably and offers a spacious trunk. The 2.0-liter engine and continuously variable transmission with front-wheel drive mean it's not the fastest compact sedan on the market, but the Sentra is a capable driver's car.
Explore the evolution of the Nissan Sentra
Get our expert take on used Nissan Sentra models, or view year-by-year changes.
Eight generation Nissan Sentra
The most recent generation of the Nissan Sentra is powered by a naturally aspirated 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine known for fuel economy. This engine is paired with a continuously variable automatic transmission driving the front wheels. Sentra provides seating for five passengers and a roomy 14.3-cubic-foot trunk. The rear seats can also fold down to enable even more cargo capacity when needed.
The Sentra is a compact sedan, larger than the subcompact Versa and smaller than the midsize Altima. There are no high-performance, coupe, or hatchback versions, making your configuration choices pretty straightforward. The Sentra is simply a small sedan suited to family or individual use. The Sentra returns an EPA-estimated 30 mpg in city driving, and up to 40 mpg on the highway
, rivaling some higher-priced hybrids. The Sentra is available in several trim levels ranging from the more basic to the sporty SR and SR Midnight Edition.Model highlights
2.0-liter engine
Continuously Variable automatic transmission
Front-wheel drive
Up to 40 mpg in highway driving
Seating for five
Seventh generation Nissan Sentra
The Nissan Sentra was completely redesigned for the 2013 model year, coming back as a larger and more spacious compact sedan. The seventh-generation Sentra also included improvements to fuel efficiency and infotainment technology. However, the performance models were discontinued, affirming the Sentra’s position as an economy family sedan in the Nissan lineup until 2017 when the SR Turbo trim returned.
The seventh-generation Sentra is powered by an efficient 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine with EPA-estimated fuel economy of 30 mpg in city driving and 39 mpg on the highway
. Also available is a 1.6-liter turbocharged engine. Both engine choices offer an available manual gearbox as well as the standard continuously variable automatic transmission. Both transmission choices drive the front wheels. There are six trim levels to choose from, with a wide variety of equipment and performance between them. Higher trim levels feature satellite navigation and keyless start.Model highlights
Standard 1.8-liter engine or optional 1.6-liter turbo
Available manual or continuously variable automatic transmission
Front-wheel drive
Seating for five
Six trim levels
Changes by year
Latest generation from 2020 - present
2025 Nissan Sentra
2024 Nissan Sentra
2023 Nissan Sentra
2022 Nissan Sentra
2021 Nissan Sentra
Highlights
Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto™ became standard on all trims
Wi-Fi hotspot available on higher trim models
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2020 Nissan Sentra
Highlights
First year of the redesigned latest-generation Nissan Sentra
New 2.0-liter engine
More refined interior
More standard driver-assistance technology
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Previous generation from 2013 - 2019
2019 Nissan Sentra
Highlights
NissanConnect infotainment became standard on higher trim levels
Available SV Special Edition package
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2018 Nissan Sentra
2017 Nissan Sentra
2016 Nissan Sentra
Highlights
Midcycle refresh updated exterior styling
Interior updates and new steering wheel as part of refresh
New driver information display on SV, SR, and SL trims
Available adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring
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2015 Nissan Sentra
Highlights
Cruise control, USB port, Bluetooth®, and automatic headlights became standard
SV trim added keyless entry/start, color audio display, rearview camera, satellite radio, and leather upholstery
SR trim added heated front seats and rear disc brakes
SL trim added rear disc brakes
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2014 Nissan Sentra
Highlights
Improved noise reduction on all trims
New front seats
Available smartphone integration
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2013 Nissan Sentra
Highlights
First year for all-new seventh-generation Sentra
Larger car with a roomier interior
SE-R and SE-R Spec V trims discontinued
New engines and transmission choices
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Looking for 2012 models or older?
CarMax only sells 2013 models and newer. But no matter the year, we'll happily buy your car.
Reliability
RepairPal gave the Nissan Sentra an overall reliability rating of 4 out of 5 stars, which RepairPal describes as Excellent. This rating ranks Nissan Sentra 16th out of 46 among Compact Cars.
RepairPal reports that the average total annual cost for repairs and maintenance on a Nissan Sentra is $401, compared to an average of $453 for Compact Cars and $591 for all the vehicles RepairPal considered in its dataset.
According to RepairPal, Nissan Sentra owners bring their vehicles into a repair shop for unscheduled repairs an average of 0.9 times per year, compared to an average of 1.1 times for Compact Cars and 1.3 times for all the vehicles RepairPal considered in its dataset.
RepairPal reported that the probability of a repair being a severe or major issue is 11% for the Nissan Sentra, compared to an average of 12% for Compact Cars and 14% for all the vehicles RepairPal considered in its dataset.
Jeff Zurschmeide has been an automotive journalist for more than 20 years, covering the new car business as well as motorsports and industry news. He lives in Tillamook, Oregon, at the confluence of great roads, nice weather, and plenty of space for a collection of strange old automobiles.
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Statements of fuel economy or EV range are based on EPA and other third-party estimates for vehicles when new. Fuel economy and EV range will degrade with time and vary based on age, driving conditions, vehicle history, and other conditions. See fueleconomy.gov for more info.
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