2023 Nissan Sentra

Overview

The compact Nissan Sentra’s value proposition is simplicity itself: it looks and feels more expensive than it is and offers a host of desirable features, all for a low sticker price. Just don’t expect it to be fun to drive. Its price advantage over its compact-class competitors grows significantly in the higher trim levels, but its performance remains torpid because all Sentras are equipped with a weakling 149-hp 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine and continuously variable transmission driving their front wheels. Neither a manual transmission nor all-wheel drive are available. Competitors like the Mazda 3 and Honda Civic offer engines with considerably more punch and are more engaging to pilot but what the Sentra lacks in thrills it makes up for with myriad safety features, a comfy ride, and excellent fuel economy. No doubt, that’s attractive enough for many value-seeking small-car shoppers.

What’s New for 2023?

Nissan hasn’t made any notable changes to the Sentra sedan for the 2023 model year.

Pricing and Which One to Buy

We’d go with the mid-level SV trim that’s only about $1200 more than the base model. It adds a larger 8.0-inch touchscreen, adaptive cruise control, and dual-zone automatic climate control. We’d also upgrade it further with the SV Premium package that adds 17-inch aluminum wheels, heated front seats, quilted leather upholstery, a leather shift knob, a power-adjustable driver’s seat, and a sunroof.

Engine, Transmission, and Performance

Every Sentra is powered by a 149-hp 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine that pairs with a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT) and front-wheel drive. While the gearless automatic simulates traditional gearchanges, it doesn’t alter the fact that the Sentra we tested was noisy and slow, especially when trying to pass at highway speeds. There’s not a lot of entertainment behind the wheel, either. Steering effort is weighty and predictable, but it’s nowhere near as communicative as in rivals such as the Honda Civic and Mazda 3. The Nissan features an independent rear suspension and wheel sizes that range from 16 to 18 inches. The version we drove rolled on the largest set, which contributed to a firm ride quality and excessive road noise. Still, the Sentra is comfortable and compliant for daily commutes and weekend trips. We were especially impressed with its braking system. It delivered reassuring pedal feel and solid stopping power from 70 mph, coming to a halt in a class-competitive 170 feet.

Fuel Economy and Real-World MPG

The 2023 Nissan Sentra is estimated to earn up to 29 mpg in the city and 39 mpg on the highway. Those figures drop to 28 mpg city and 37 highway on the sporty SR trim. Still, the Nissan is just as efficient as some competitors that also are powered by a 2.0-liter four-cylinder and CVT, but the Toyota Corolla tops the list with 31 mpg city and 40 highway. The Sentra SR that we ran on our 75-mph highway fuel-economy route—part of our extensive testing regimen—matched its government highway rating at 37 mpg. However, the Corolla XSE sedan we tested returned an even more frugal 41 mpg. For more information about the Sentra’s fuel economy, visit the EPA’s website.

Interior, Comfort, and Cargo

Inside, the Sentra has one of the prettier designs in this segment. The driver faces a set of simple analog gauges that sandwich a 7.0-inch display on all but the base model. The center of the dashboard hosts a trio of circular air vents above sturdy climate controls. The interior materials are a mix of soft and hard plastics, but the former cover the surfaces that count and help mask the rest. Models appointed with the quilted leather upholstery look especially upscale, even though they’re at odds with the sporty-car, flat-bottom steering wheel. Nissan also coddles passengers in the front with its extra-comfy Zero Gravity seats, which are spacious, pliant, and supportive. Opting for the available sunroof cuts into the cabin’s headroom but otherwise, adults have ample space in the front and back. We also managed to fit seven carry-on suitcases in the Sentra’s 14-cubic-foot trunk; that’s one more than the Corolla sedan held.

The Car and Driver Difference

Infotainment and Connectivity

A touchscreen sprouts from the middle of every Sentra’s dashboard, and it’s supplemented by physical volume and tuning knobs. While the base model features a 7.0-inch display with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, the rest have an 8.0-inch unit as well as USB access in the front and back seats. The latter system is also compatible with better options such as SiriusXM satellite radio, an eight-speaker Bose stereo, and a Wi-Fi hotspot.

How to Buy and Maintain a Car

Safety and Driver-Assistance Features

Nissan packs its compact sedan with a load of standard driver-assistance technology. Shoppers can also get adaptive cruise control and a 360-degree camera system on all but the base model. For more information about the Sentra’s crash-test results, visit the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) websites. Key safety features include:

Standard forward-collision warning and automated emergency braking Standard blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert Standard rear automated emergency braking

Warranty and Maintenance Coverage

Nissan offers a competitive, albeit unremarkable, limited and powertrain warranty. However, compact rivals from Kia and Hyundai have much better coverage. Likewise, both Toyota and Volkswagen come with complimentary maintenance.

Limited warranty covers three years or 36,000 miles Powertrain warranty covers five years or 60,000 miles No complimentary scheduled maintenanceArrow pointing downArrow pointing down

Specifications

SPECIFICATIONS

2020 Nissan Sentra SR Premium

VEHICLE TYPE
front-engine, front-wheel-drive, 5-passenger, 4-door sedan

PRICE AS TESTED
$25,325 (base price: $22,355)

ENGINE TYPE
DOHC 16-valve 2.0-liter inline-4, aluminum block and head, direct fuel injection

Displacement: 122 cu in, 1997 cc

Power: 149 hp @ 6400 rpm

Torque: 146 lb-ft @ 4400 rpm

TRANSMISSION
continuously variable automatic

CHASSIS
Suspension (F/R): struts/multilink
Brakes (F/R): 11.0-in vented disc/10.2-in disc
Tires: Hankook Kinergy GT, 215/45R-18 89V M+S

DIMENSIONS
Wheelbase: 106.8 in
Length: 182.7 in
Width: 71.5 in
Height: 57.0 in 
Passenger volume: 97 cu ft
Trunk volume: 14 cu ft
Curb weight: 3122 lb

C/D TEST RESULTS
Rollout, 1ft: 0.3 sec
60 mph: 9.2 sec
100 mph: 26.3 sec
Rolling start, 5–60 mph: 9.4 sec
Top gear, 30–50 mph: 5.1 sec
Top gear, 50–70 mph: 6.1 sec
1/4-mile: 17.0 sec @ 83 mph
Braking, 70–0 mph: 170 ft
Roadholding, 300-ft-dia skidpad: 0.88 g

EPA FUEL ECONOMY
Combined/city/highway: 32/28/37 mpg

More Features and Specs