I drove the Nissan Sentra for a week — and the Civic and Corolla should be worried

I have fond memories of the Sentra back in the '90s, when it was still trying to prove itself against the Corollas and Civics of the world. Fast forward to 2026, and I’m finally getting the chance to test out Nissan’s sportier, more eye-catching Sentra.

This 4-door compact sedan ditches the boring, conventional styling of the Sentra I drove all those years ago, replacing it with a bolder aesthetic that aims to be a contender for car shoppers who want something beyond the basics without spending a fortune.

With a starting price of $22,600, the all-new 2026 Nissan Sentra certainly caught my attention for its affordability, especially compared to the higher prices I see with the best electric cars. I drove the top-of-the-line SR trim, which brings the as-tested price to $31,945 — a figure that is still attainable by today’s standards. Here’s why it proves entry-level cars don’t have to be boring.

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2026 Nissan Sentra: Specifications

2026 Nissan Sentra: Testing summary

One of the surprising things about the 2026 Nissan Sentra SR is that, despite not technically being a hybrid, it can get nearly the same fuel economy as others I’ve driven — just as long as you’re cognizant of your driving. I drove a total of 189.4 miles in my week’s worth of testing, achieving an average fuel economy of 28.6 mpg.

While that falls short of the average I got from last year’s Honda Civic Hybrid and Hyundai Elantra Hybrid, I attribute that to the colder weather and snowy conditions. That said, the 40.9 mpg highway average I got is pretty impressive for a non-hybrid vehicle.

2026 Nissan Sentra: What I Like

Much more aggressive design

I can't get over the sportier styling of the 2026 Nissan Sentra, which features a striking V-shaped grille that gives it a commanding stance. From the side, I really love how the aerodynamic sculpting of the body adds to its sleek vibe.

Other small touches, like the black-accented roof and 18-inch wheels, give it an aggressive aesthetic that ditches the "basic” feel of traditional economy cars. In fact, I'd go far to say that it has the best styling of any compact sedan I've tested.

Decent legroom in back

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Passengers in the rear seats can ride in comfort thanks to the generous amount of legroom. Even when the front seats are moved back slightly, there’s still plenty of space for passengers to sit without their knees scraping against the seatback.

For a compact sedan, it’s more than capable of comfortably carrying a family of four.

ProPilot Assist works nicely

There’s nothing “basic” about this compact sedan, as its adaptive cruise control system, ProPILOT Assist, does an extremely good job of assisting with the drive. I activated it on numerous occasions while on the highway, and it confidently keeps the vehicle centered in the lane while applying the necessary acceleration and braking to maintain cruising speed.

Unlike some other systems that tend to be aggressive when getting up to speed, ProPILOT Assist is much more smooth and moderate.

Responsive driving performance

Similar to its peers, like the Volkswagen Jetta GLI Autobhan and Honda Civic Sport Hatchback Hybrid, the 2026 Nissan Sentra SR offers a fun and exhilarating driving experience.

Powered by a 2.0-liter DOHC 16-valve 4-cylinder engine that delivers 149 hp, it provides great feedback from a standstill and gets to cruising speed in no time at all. No matter your driving level or experience, you’ll find it to be an easy drive from the outset.

Awesome value

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Owning a car is more costly than ever before, yet the 2026 Nissan Sentra SR has an attractive price point that will undoubtedly appeal to a wide range of buyers. It’s worth noting that the base trim, the Sentra S, shares the same engine as the SR but starts at a much more approachable $22,600.

The Sentra SR that I tested for a week brings the cost up to $31,945, but it comes with extra features that I think add significant value. These include leatherette seats with contrast stitching, a moonroof, interior accent lights, a 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster, a wireless charger, premium Bose audio, and the ProPILOT Assist system I mentioned earlier.

Some of the most affordable EVs I’ve tested cost about the same as this Sentra, but they often feel quite spartan in terms of features and aesthetics. In contrast, the Sentra SR is a stylish car packed with helpful technology and plenty of creature comforts.

2026 Nissan Sentra: What I Don't Like

Sport mode feels underpowered

Honestly, I was expecting a bit more bite when I switched into Sport Mode. I was actually shocked to discover that I had been driving in Standard Mode for the first few days, mainly because the acceleration felt so peppy and the handling was surprisingly sharp. Unfortunately, I was a bit disappointed that Sport Mode didn’t feel like a noticeable upgrade over Standard.

Lackluster sounds system

Despite the upgrade to the 8-speaker Bose Audio System, I found the actual performance somewhat underwhelming. While Bose systems are typically known for clarity, this setup lacked the thump and low-end depth I expected.

Even after diving into the equalizer settings to boost the mids and highs, the overall profile remained relatively flat and lacked the immersive punch found in some of its competitors.

2026 Nissan Sentra: Verdict

I know how it feels to drive a basic car, but as I’ve pointed out several times now, there’s nothing basic about the 2026 Nissan Sentra. The SR trim is a stylish, tech-forward evolution that ditches the economy car stereotype of most compact sedans.

While gas-conscious drivers might not get the 40+ mpg averages that true hybrid vehicles offer, I think there’s enough of a trade-off here by how well it drives. If you’re looking for a commuter that looks and feels more expensive than its sticker price suggests, the Sentra is finally a contender that should make Honda and Toyota very nervous.

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