Auto enthusiasts mainly care about one thing – performance. The majority of actual car shoppers couldn’t care less about zero-to-60 mph times or handling capability. To non-car people, what they want is something with modern tech features, a comfortable ride, pleasant seats, and decent fuel economy. For the more rational shoppers out there who find value in other criteria beyond performance, the 2026 Nissan Sentra may just fit the bill.
If we’re speaking candidly to one another, the last-gen Sentra wasn’t a good car. Its comfortable seats, affordable price tag, and standard safety features kept it relevant in a competitive segment, but it wasn’t the type of vehicle shoppers, even non-car people, pined for. The fully redesigned 2026 Nissan Sentra fixes a lot of what the last-gen model got wrong, making it a far better vehicle than before.
What the 2026 Nissan Sentra Gets Right
Nissan’s done a great job of focusing on what actual shoppers want with the 2026 Sentra’s redesign. Shoppers who wrote the old Sentra off because it wasn’t good should revisit the compact sedan, because it almost feels like an entirely different car.
Knockout Styling
The fact that Nissan came out with a fully redesigned Sentra in the age of SUVs and electric vehicles is peculiar in itself. But the way that Nissan gave the Sentra stunning styling is another oddity. The Sentra is a good-looking car that turns heads and even – I couldn’t believe it myself – garners compliments.
Loaded With Tech
The 2026 Nissan Sentra is packed to the gills with impressive tech features. The SR trim in the press fleet was rocking Nissan’s latest infotainment system with dual 12.3-inch displays. The infotainment system looks slick and has intuitive menus. The small sedan also came with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a Bose audio system, and a wireless charging pad. The list of equipment represents a well-rounded roster of features for a compact sedan.
Relatively Affordable Pricing
New cars have become far too expensive. Average people are being priced out of new cars at an alarming rate, but the 2026 Nissan Sentra keeps the dream alive with a price tag that undercuts the competition. With a starting price tag of $23,645, the 2026 Sentra is one of the more affordable options in the compact class. The SR trim we tested cost $31,255 – far more expensive than a base Sentra, but still plenty affordable for a new car.
Comfortable, Competent, and Capable
Despite being an affordable compact car, the 2026 Nissan Sentra manages to do a lot well. On the road, it has a comfortable ride; for passengers, it features roomy, yet comfortable seats; and as a daily driver, it’s easy to maneuver, while coming with features that make it pleasant on the daily commute.
What the 2026 Nissan Sentra Doesn’t Do Well
As good as the 2026 Nissan Sentra is, it’s not faultless. In fact, it’s a bad car if you’re looking for something with performance or great fuel economy figures.
Snoozefest To Drive
Nissan may have overhauled the 2026 Sentra, but it didn’t touch the car’s engine. The sedan still comes with a 149-horsepower 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine and a continuously variable automatic transmission. It’s a dull setup that results in a car that’s boring at best to drive. Performance happens to be the Sentra’s largest weakness.
Where’s The Hybrid?
Honda and Toyota most noticeably offer their compact cars with hybrid powertrains, but Nissan’s not at that point yet. Because of that, the Sentra lags behind leaders when it comes to fuel economy. Its combined fuel economy figure of up to 33 mpg, though, is one of the higher figures for the compact segment when you compare pure gas models to one another.
Verdict
There’s no getting around the fact that the 2026 Nissan Sentra is woefully underpowered and dull to drive. If you, however, prefer to have a vehicle that’s affordable, comfortable, and well-equipped over one that’s powerful, you’ll be pleasantly surprised to know that the 2026 Sentra could be what you’re looking for.
