2021 Nissan Sentra Review

　　

2021 Nissan Sentra Review

byRyan ZumMallenContributor

　　Ryan ZumMallen has worked in the automotive industry since 2012. He has written thousands of car-related articles and tested and reviewed hundreds of vehicles over the course of his career. Ryan has also contributed to Road & Track, Autoweek, Trucks.com and more. In 2019, Ryan published his first book, Slow Car Fast, on the millennial generation and its unique take on modern car culture.

　　The Nissan Sentra emerged with a new look in 2020, and with it came an improved ride quality and a nicer interior. That redesign certainly helped elevate the Sentra's standing in our eyes. This is a sensible small sedan that provides comfortable transportation on a budget. It's also well stocked with features. A collection of advanced driver safety features, including forward collision mitigation and blind-spot monitoring, comes standard on every Sentra, for example.

　　

Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2021 Nissan Sentra S 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl CVT) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $3.04 per gallon for regular unleaded in North Dakota.

Monthly estimates based on costs in North Dakota

　　$113/mo  for Sentra S

　　Sentra S

　　S 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl CVT) - $19,510 MSRPSV 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl CVT) (Most Popular) - $20,570 MSRPSR 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl CVT) - $21,850 MSRP

　　vs

　　$164/mo

　　Avg. Midsize Car

　　For the 2021 Sentra, the most notable change is that Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are now standard across the model line, meaning that even the base version comes with these desirable smartphone integration systems. While the Sentra doesn't quite have the dynamic personality of the Mazda 3 or all the technology features of the Hyundai Elantra, it can otherwise easily meet your commuting needs and more. Check out the categories of our Expert Rating to learn more.

　　zzdcar Expert Rating

　　Our VerdictThe zzdcar Vehicle Testing Team evaluates a fresh batch of vehicles every week, pairing objective assessments at our test track with real-world driving on city streets, freeways and winding roads. The data we gather results in our Expert Ratings. They’re based on 30-plus scores that cover every aspect of the automotive experience.

　　Average

　　7.3

　　out of 10

　　zzdcar TESTED

　　Rated for you by America's best test team.

　　

Performance

6.5/10

　　How does the Sentra drive? Acceleration is not bad off the line, but the Sentra loses vigor as you gain speed. We measured a 0-60 mph time of 8.8 seconds. That's a little below average for the small sedan class but similar to other slowish cars such as the Kia Forte and Toyota Corolla. In routine driving, the Sentra's continuously variable automatic transmission is smooth and unobtrusive. But it 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.

　　The brake pedal is smooth and easy to control in casual use. Emergency braking performance, however, is subpar. Our test Sentra needed 131 feet to stop from 60 mph. For context, the segment average is about 123 feet. Steering and handling are unremarkable but should suffice for the average owner for everyday use.

　　

Comfort

7.5/10

　　How comfortable is the Sentra? Comfort is one of the Sentra's stronger attributes. The ride is very composed and easily smooths out road imperfections. This softness, though, can make the Sentra feel floaty at higher speeds. Road noise is ever present but never intrusive, and it's nothing the stereo can't easily cover.

　　The front seats have decent cushioning and support. The best seats in the house are shockingly found in the rear. They're plush, comfortable and accommodating for two average-size adults. The climate control system is not particularly powerful, but air flow coverage from the vents is good. Our test car did not have rear air vents, but that's typical for this class.

　　

Interior

7.5/10

　　How’s the interior? The controls are easily accessible for both driver and passenger and are simple to understand whether tuning the radio or adjusting the climate control. The 8-inch touchscreen is equally easy to read and use.

　　There's plenty of interior room for front occupants. Rear-seat legroom is among the most generous in the segment. Most drivers will find it easy to settle into a comfortable driving position thanks to the decent range of adjustments that come from the seat and steering wheel. Visibility is quite good to the front and sides, but the thick rear roof pillars and sloped rear window impede over-the-shoulder and rear visibility.

　　

Technology

7.5/10

　　How’s the tech? The Sentra comes with many standard safety features and driver aids. Adaptive cruise control and a 360-degree parking camera system are still options, but overall Nissan's standard safety suite is pretty generous. We did, however, experience some glitches with the backup camera and one false alarm with the forward collision warning system in our test car.

　　The infotainment system is a little slow to respond and the graphics look dated, but you do get Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone integration as standard. Nissan does not offer an onboard navigation system.

　　

Storage

7.5/10

　　How’s the storage? The Sentra's 14.3 cubic feet of trunk space is better than average for a small sedan. The 60/40-split rear seats fold down to help accommodate longer cargo items. But the only release is from the rear seat; there aren't any releases in the trunk. Also the seats don't fold completely flat, which can make loading longer objects, like a flat-screen TV, more of a hassle.

　　There's sufficient interior storage for small items, cups and bottles, although others including the Honda Civic and Volkswagen Jetta do this better. There's also a good amount of child seat space, but you might find the cushions make access a bit tight to car seat anchors.

　　

Fuel Economy

6.5/10

　　How’s the fuel economy? The Sentra achieves an EPA-estimated 33 mpg combined (29 city/39 highway), which is about average for vehicle with a base engine in this class. We observed 28.7 mpg over three tank fills in our test vehicle, with a best fill of 32 mpg. That's slightly below what we expected given the EPA figures.

　　

Value

7.5/10

　　Is the Sentra a good value? The Sentra offers compelling value. It comes well equipped with loads of standard tech and safety features and starts at a lower price than a lot of the class. The cabin looks upscale and the materials all feel pretty good. Our test car's build quality, however, was a bit lackluster, with some noticeable interior trim gaps the primary culprit.

　　Nissan gives you a three-year/36,000-mile basic warranty, a five-year/60,000-mile powertrain warranty and three years/36,000 miles of roadside assistance. All are typical for a non-luxury automaker.

　　

Wildcard

7.0/10

　　The newest Sentra maintains its point A to B sensibility, but it looks much better doing it than prior generations. It makes for a solid daily driver with its comfortable and relatively upscale interior. Its top rivals, however, manage to be similarly comfortable and practical while delivering a driving experience that's more fun and enjoyable.

　　

Which Sentra does zzdcar recommend?

For an affordable sedan that's one step above what you might expect, we recommend the SV trim. It comes with some desirable features you can't get on the base trim, such as keyless entry and traffic adaptive cruise control, for not much more money.

　　

2021 Nissan Sentra models

The Sentra is a small sedan available in three trims: the S, SV and SR. All versions are powered by a 149-horsepower four-cylinder engine mated to a continuously variable automatic transmission. The Sentra is front-wheel-drive only. Feature highlights include:

　　S

　　The base model kicks off the Sentra line with:

　　16-inch steel wheels Push-button start Tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel Height-adjustable driver's seat 7-inch touchscreen Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility Four-speaker audio systemStandard safety features include:

　　Blind-spot monitor (alerts you if a vehicle in the next lane over is in your blind spot) Lane departure warning (alerts you if the vehicle begins to drift out of its lane) Forward collision mitigation with pedestrian detection (warns you of an impending collision and applies the brakes in certain scenarios)SV

　　The midlevel trim brings with it an assortment of upgraded features:

　　Alloy wheels Rear disc brakes (for better braking performance) Heated side mirrors Keyless entry Leather-wrapped steering wheel Upgraded driver information display 8-inch touchscreen Dual-zone climate control Additional USB ports Six-speaker audio system Adaptive cruise control (maintains a driver-set distance between the Sentra and the car in front)You can also choose to add the SV Premium package that adds:

　　17-inch wheels Sunroof Leather upholstery Power-adjustable driver's seat SR

　　The top model in the lineup offers this equipment:

　　LED headlights and foglights Sportier exterior design with a rear spoiler 18-inch wheelsThe SR also has an available SR Premium package. It includes:

　　Sunroof Power-adjustable driver's seat Heated steering wheel Surround-view parking camera system (gives you a top-down view of the Sentra and its surroundings for tight parking situations) Simulated leather upholstery Eight-speaker Bose audio system NissanConnect connectivity services with onboard Wi-Fi hotspot

　　

2021 Sentra Highlights

Trim: SSVSRS

　　

Base MSRP	$19,510
Engine Type	Gas
Combined MPG	33 MPG
Cost to Drive	$113/month
Seating	5 seats
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place	14.3 cu.ft.
Drivetrain	front wheel drive
Warranty	3 years / 36,000 miles