2020 Nissan Sentra

The Nissan Sentra faces stiff competition from the highly competitive mid-size sedan market. The Honda Civic is the segment leader and the major competitor to the Nissan, followed by the Toyota Corolla and the Volkswagen Jetta. Let's see how the Sentra fares against the rivals.

The base model at $17,790 gets a 130 hp 1.8L engine which gets upgraded to 1.6L turbocharged engine at 188 hp output. All models get a 7-inch touchscreen as standard, while Android Auto and Apple CarPlay are not an option for the S trim. The top trim at $25,840 gets the Nismo treatment like better suspension, body styling, and bigger wheels.

We Recommend

The Nissan Sentra SR Turbo is the best value for money trim in the lineup. It has the best ratio of features to price with an Xtronic CVT, heated seats and power sunroof. However, just in case you want more power at your command,  the Turbo variant of the Nissan Sentra SR is always an option which comes with a turbocharged 1.6-liter Direct Injection Gasoline (DIG) 4-cylinder engine, and is capable enough to generate 188 hp, along with 177 lb.-ft. of torque for an additional $2000. 

Performance is not a Sentra strong suit 4 far from it. Acceleration is among the worst in the class, and braking and handling are simply acceptable. But it is free of overtly bad habits, so while unremarkable to drive, it isn't irritating during A-to-B transport either. - Edmunds

Engine and Transmission

Nissan is certainly not eyeing the enthusiast market with the Sentra, considering the platitudinous power band, and the engine noise which could be compared to a lullaby. However, if you consider vehicles merely as a means of transport and don't concern yourself with technicalities like throttle response or road-holding, the base variant of the Sentra is the one for you.

The Sentra gets amped up from 130 hp to 188 with a turbocharger, in the SR Turbo and the Nismo trims. This upgrade improves the 0-60 time for the ride and adds some grams of adrenaline to the otherwise dull ride. The price, however, comes as a downside for these variants. The Sentra's stock 1.8L I4 feels slothful, and bites in protest when you try to whip it beyond its limits. 

The six-speed manual is a respite from the otherwise uninspiring experience, but the CVT is another disappointment added to the list. The CVT transmission makes a desperate attempt to provide you the shifting feel, you will expect from an orthodox automatic ride, but fails terribly at the task. 

In comparison to the rest of the sedans, especially the Honda Civic and the Chevrolet Cruze, the Sentra lags behind by a mile. Not just in terms of pure horsepower, even the driving dynamics are far superior, making the Nissan feel outdated in 2020. The VW Jetta is another sedan worth mentioning, with the massive torque that the engine can churn out.

Acceleration

As futile as it may have seemed, Nissan did actually test out the Sentra in an acceleration test from 0-60. Not so surprisingly, the Nissan Sentra took 9.5 seconds to get to the 60 mph mark. The sedan goes on to complete the quarter of a mile distance in 17.4 seconds. The ride does not only disappoints in accelerating from a standstill. Pin the throttle while passing, and the scenario remains unchanged for the Nissan Sentra. 

The brawnier rival sedans are, as you would've guessed, faster in the sprint to 60 mph as compared to the 124 hp Sentra. The Volkswagen Jetta and the Chevrolet Cruze are the first ones to read 60 mph on their instrument cluster in 7.7 seconds, followed by the Mazda 3 sport and the Honda Civic. The Toyota Corolla, another sedan with a docile engine finishes next to the Nissan on the roster.

Ride and Handling

The tall sedan rocks like a boat about to capsize when you take it around a corner too fast. The electronic steering, detached from the wheels, giving you no feedback from the ground, although, it may not pose a problem for non-enthusiasts. Mirroring the steering feel the brakes just add fuel to the flame; the vague pedal response doesn't tend to mimic the actual braking forces on the car.

Climbing up the trim ladder to the R turbo and Nismo, the handling is a drastic improvement but given the price, the competitors exceed the current Sentra's capabilities. Although, the plush suspension manages to absorb most of the bumps, recuperating from them still poses a challenge.

The Sentra's tall and boxy body makes it even more difficult for the car to stay collected in the corners. The steering of the ride is extremely light and ignores the feedback portion just like our crush ignores us. Take the ride out for a spin on some windy day, and the car starts to tremble at high speeds. 

Braking

The pedal response is sadly not the only thing plaguing the brakes of the Nissan Sentra. The small discs, 11-inch up front and 9 at the back have a tough time stopping the boxy sedan, nor does the soft suspension do you any favors, with the amount of load transfer to the front as the sedan nose-dives under braking. Try stopping the ride under high speeds, and you will be introduced to major steering shake. 

In comparison, the sedans in the segment have a slight advantage of decently sized brake rotors and compliant suspensions which translate to better stopping distance from 70mph to standstill, with the Cruze and Mazda 3 being the highlights to this comparative.

Fuel-economy would certainly rank high up on the list of deciding factors for those looking for a pocket,-friendly, value-for-money sedan in this segment. After going through such a sacrificing performance, you may expect the Sentra to be at least act as your pocket's best friend, but guess what, you are going to get disappointed yet again. The mileage of the Nissan Sentra fails to amaze. 30 mpg is a good number, but the competitors can manage far better. 

Especially the Honda Civic, not only it has a peppy engine, its fuel economy is a staggering 36 miles to the gallon and an unbelievable 42 on the highways. Not far behind is the Volkswagen Jetta, the sedan with mammoth torque figures, can go up to 39 miles on the highway with a gallon in the tank.

The Sentra is one of the biggest cars in the segment, but its interior space is no greater than most competitors in this class. Its interior design is basic and plain, and it's immediately obvious that it was built for yesteryear. - Car and Driver

Seating and Comfort

The cabin of the compact sedan follows a very functional approach; its comfortable and quiet despite the lack of luxuries that would overburden the price. However, by no means does this set the Nissan apart from the rest of the competition, who follow the same trend. The high seats may not be so welcoming to the taller occupants, but it gives you great visibility from the driver's seat. The front seats feel a bit too flat, and overstuffed. The ride may follow all the comfort-traits of a conventional sedan, but it cannot be really called comfortable when eyeing long tours. The Sentra is one of the biggest and buffiest sedan in the competition, thus providing the passengers with the best-in-class interior space. the insides of the Sentra is pretty quiet and muffles most of the engine noise. However, push the pedal a little too hard, and the underpowered engine and CVT starts to revolt, sending a lot of grunt to the ride's cabin.

The cabin is roomy and good for long rides, even with three adults in the back, To keep the headroom sufficient, the boxy sedan is made quite tall, which undermines the handling. The seats are well-cushioned, but you can't expect Mercedes level comfort or Porsche level bolstering from the Nissan.

Infotainment System

The center-console is ergonomically well laid-out and goes heavy on the tech end. The 2020 model gets a 7-inch touchscreen standard across all trim levels with either Android Auto or Apple CarPlay. The infotainment is intuitive and easy to use, even while driving, a departure from the complicated tech most sedans now have. The Sentra's infotainment panel is more straightforward than intriguing. All the controls are pretty easy to use and can be navigated through easily without deviating much of your concentration towards them.

Interior Features

• 7" Touch-Screen Display
• Bluetooth Hands-Free Phone System
• Siri Eyes Free
• Rearview Monitor
• Integrated Key With With Remove Keyless Entry And Trunk Release
• Tilt And Telescoping Manually Adjustable Steering Column

Cargo Capacity

The Sentra's versatility shines through with the cargo space Nissan offers at the back of this compact sedan. The 15 cubic feet volume is among the best the segment offers. However, the tall sedan makes loading and unloading cargo a workout session.

The Honda civic closely rivals the cargo volume of the Sentra followed closely by the Chevrolet Cruze. However, the Mazda 3 and Corolla disappoint with smaller than average trunk for a mid-size sedan.

While Nissan's Maxima and Altima have undergone redesigns with sharp new looks, the Sentra is still a styling generation behind the top-tier trims pack visual flair like LED daytime running lights, rear spoilers, and more. - Car Connection

Design and Dimensions

Upfront you'd be greeted by Nissan's iconic trapezoidal chrome grille, followed by a tall boxy sedan eerily reminiscent of the Versa with more bogy lines running across the hood and fenders. However, the uninspiring design won't turn heads like the Honda or the Mazda 3 with edgier designs. 

The Sentra sports top of the line ground clearance with 6.4-inches under the chassis. It's not particularly a good thing since the sedans are not meant to be taken off-road. The Sentra is on the heavier side compared to the competitors as well.

Exterior Features

• 16" Steel Wheels With Wheel Covers
• Intelligent Auto Headlights
• Halogen Headlights
• Dual Power Outside Mirrors

The Nissan comes with a plethora of assist and crash mitigation features to keep you safe behind the wheel. The 2020 model gets a few features as standard which used to be optional. The features available are:

• Electronic Stability Control (ESC)
• ABS And Driveline Traction Control
• Side Impact Beams
• Dual Stage Driver And Passenger Seat-Mounted Side Airbags
• Low Tire Pressure Warning
• Dual Stage Driver And Passenger Front Airbags
• Curtain 1st And 2nd Row Airbags
• Airbag Occupancy Sensor
• Rear Child Safety Locks
• Outboard Front Lap And Shoulder Safety Belts -inc: Rear Center 3...
• Back-Up Camera

Nissan Sentra vs Honda Civic

The Civic is an all-rounder sedan; not only it has a fun and peppy engine, but it also has good, comfortable interiors, heavy on the tech, and versatile on the cargo volume. The Nissan comparatively has a much weaker stand against the Honda. The 130hp engine feels uninspiring and the manual transmission is much better on the Civic. Ride and Handling through the city as well as highways are dynamic and fun as well as light on your pockets with the Honda.

Nissan Sentra vs Volkswagen Jetta

The German sedan comes with a torque-rich engine, which makes it fun to drive and pull away from stoplights. The sedan, however, does not compromise with comfort or practicality with the 14.4 cubic feet trunk at the back. With premium interiors, the Jetta feels otherworldly compared to the hard plastics in the Sentra's cabin. On the tech end, however, the infotainment in the Sentra is far better compared to the outdated Jetta.

Nissan Sentra vs Chevrolet Cruze

The small footprint of the Cruze translates to better maneuverability and handling through tight city corners and parking lot. However, the small sedan does not sacrifice passenger capacity or cargo volume. The engine packs more punch than the Sentra's base model engine. Overall the Cruze is a slightly better package than the Sentra.

With better options at the dealers like the Honda Civic and Chevrolet Cruze, the Nissan Sentra does not offer value for money as the engineers may have intended. The GT-R fanboys hoping to settle for the Nismo trim of the Sentra would be disappointed as well. While the former has been dubbed the 'supercar slayer9 the latter struggles against the basic sedans. In this segment, the Nissan Sentra is clearly not among the top contenders.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What is the 5-year cost of owning a Nissan Sentra?

The 5-year cost to own a Nissan Sentra is around $30,000.

Does Nissan provide roadside assistance with the Sentra?

Yes, the Nissan Sentra offers Roadside Assistance Benefits, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, for emergency roadside assistance.