2020 Nissan Sentra review

2020 Nissan Sentra Review: 

Consistently priced lower than rivals like the Honda Civic, Hyundai Elantra, and Mazda3 on both the new and used markets, the Sentra offers excellent value, often making a newer or higher-trim model attainable. That said, this value comes with compromises in a less-than-engaging drive and a dated-feeling infotainment system.

The Sentra has a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with a continuously variable transmission, or "CVT" for short. It is the only engine available for the Sentra, whereas several of its competitors offer more powerful, more fuel-efficient, or even hybrid engines, albeit at a higher cost. 

As a redesigned model for 2020, the eighth-generation Sentra brought sleeker exterior styling, a more premium-feeling interior, a more powerful engine, a digital information cluster, and a suite of standard driver aids. 

• Technology

• Comfort

• Cargo and storage

• Ease of use

• Driving

What tech does the 2020 Nissan Sentra have?

Connectivity

The base S trim gets a standard seven-inch touchscreen, plus a single USB-A port. Moving up to the SV trim gets you a larger eight-inch screen and Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto™, plus two USB-A ports and one USB-C port. Wireless smartphone connectivity is not available on any trim, but that's not necessarily a bad thing because being plugged in reduces input lag and ensures that your phone is always charged.

Sentra SR trims with the Premium package receive an upgraded eight-speaker Bose premium audio system (up from the standard four-speaker system). Edmunds editors found it to be an improvement over the entry stereo system, but at the same time, it won't exactly blow you away with its audio quality.

If you want your Sentra to feel a bit more high-tech, we should note that, the following model year (2021), Nissan offered its NissanConnect® Services package on SR trims with the Premium package, a tech upgrade that adds an in-car Wi-Fi hotspot, remote door lock/unlock via a smartphone app, and remote engine stop-start via a smartphone app, provided you pay the subscription fee. 

Infotainment

Edmunds' reviewers noted that while the menus were easy enough to understand, the overall resolution of the infotainment system felt dated and not what you might expect in a modern car made in the last few years. The touchscreen was slow to respond to commands, and on a couple of occasions during testing, the screen crashed. That may not be the case for everyone, but it is something to consider when making a decision.

Driver-Assist Tech

The Sentra's standard driver-assist features include forward collision warning with automatic braking, which warns of an impending frontal collision and can apply the brakes in certain situations. It also has standard rear automatic braking, which automatically applies the brakes to help avoid an imminent collision with an object detected behind the vehicle; blind-spot warning with rear cross-traffic warning, which alerts the driver to vehicles in the blind spot during a lane change as well as to approaching traffic when reversing; and lane departure warning, which alerts the driver if the vehicle begins to unintentionally drift out of its lane.

The SV trim and higher get adaptive cruise control, which maintains a preset distance between the Sentra and the car in front. SR models with the Premium package also come with a 360-degree camera system, which provides a top-down view of the Sentra and its surroundings in tight parking situations.

How comfortable is the 2020 Nissan Sentra? 

Front Seating

Nissan boasts that its Zero Gravity front seats are designed to hold passengers in a more supportive posture that improves comfort. Edmunds' editors found the front seats to have decent cushioning and support, offering plenty of room on the sides, so that you rarely feel like you're brushing elbows with your passenger. Most drivers will find it easy to settle into a comfortable driving position since there is a range of adjustments you can make to the seat and steering wheel. 

Heated side mirrors come standard on the SV trim and higher. Heated seats are available on SV and SR trims with their respective Premium packages; however, the Sentra SR Premium package adds a heated steering wheel.

Rear Seating

Believe it or not, the most comfortable seats in the Sentra are actually in the back. These super-plush rear seats have no trouble fitting two average-sized adults, and you'll find some of the best legroom in the small sedan category back there.

Ride Quality and Interior Noise

A comfortable ride is one of the Sentra's top qualities. Its suspension handles bumps and road imperfections well, so highway cruising is smooth and relaxed, even if it feels a little floaty sometimes. Edmunds' editors, as well as a few customer reviews, noted that the Sentra has a slightly noisier-than-average cabin when on the highway, but it isn't a deal-breaker, and the radio can easily mask it.

Does the 2020 Nissan Sentra have good storage?

Cargo 

The Sentra offers 14.3 cubic feet of trunk space, placing it near the top among small sedans. While its 60/40-split rear seats fold down for longer items, they can only be released from the rear seat, as there are no releases in the trunk itself. Additionally, the seats do not fold completely flat, which can complicate the loading of larger, longer objects such as a flat-screen TV.

Storage

The Sentra offers a sufficient amount of storage space for small items. Up front, the cubby ahead of the shifter is generously sized for larger phones, the center console bin is deep, though not very long or wide, and the front door pockets, while slim, include a decent bottle holder. There is also a small pocket right next to the driver's seat, perfect for loose items or small change. Rear passengers benefit from slightly larger door pockets and bottle holders than those in the front.

How easy is the 2020 Nissan Sentra to use?

Entry, Exit, and Car Seats

Getting in and out of the front seats is relatively easy due to the wide door openings and solid clearance for average-height people. The rear seats, however, can be a bit more challenging to access. While the door opening is adequate, it tends to feel smaller due to the Sentra's rear-sloping roofline and thickly cushioned rear seats, which are great from a comfort perspective but raise the passengers a bit higher than usual. 

The Sentra's spacious back seat comes in handy if you need to install a child safety seat, although you might have a bit of a tricky time accessing the car seat anchors due to the thick seat cushions.

Interior Layout and Visibility

Both the driver and passenger benefit from easily accessible and straightforward controls, whether adjusting the climate control or tuning the radio. While the AC system lacks significant power, the airflow coverage from the vents is good. But like many vehicles in this class, the Sentra lacks rear air vents.

Visibility is good up front and on the sides, thanks to a large windshield, generous windows, and well-placed mirrors. However, rear visibility is a bit more challenging. The thick rear pillars can obstruct over-the-shoulder visibility, and the downward-sloping roofline, upward-sloping rear decklid, the third brake light, and the rear seat middle headrest all converge into a hump that makes it harder to see.

What’s the 2020 Nissan Sentra like to drive?

Driving

The Sentra's 149-horsepower four-cylinder feels powerful from a dead stop and doesn't feel strained at low speeds. However, power runs out rather quickly, and you'll find yourself needing more room when trying to pass on the freeway. The Edmunds-tested 8.8-second run to 60 mph is on the low side in this segment.

In routine driving, however, the Sentra's continuously variable automatic transmission is smooth and doesn't get in the way. Edmunds' editors noted that the transmission doesn't provide much engine braking effect when you lift off the gas, so you might find yourself needing to use a little more of the brakes than you might expect when slowing down. Steering and handling are unremarkable but should be sufficient for the average owner in everyday use.

Fuel Economy/Electric Efficiency

The Sentra's EPA-estimated combined fuel economy of 32-33 mpg is typical for a compact vehicle in this class with a standard engine. Edmunds testing showed slightly lower real-world results, averaging 28.7 mpg over the course of three fill-ups, with a top result of 32 mpg.

EPA Fuel Economy Estimates