New Nissan Sentra Promises More Than Just a Low Price
Nissan has pulled the wraps off the new Sentra, a compact saloon that aims to revive its shrinking segment with bolder styling and an unexpectedly rich equipment list. In the United States, prices start at 22,400 dollars (around 20,900 euros), making it one of the most affordable yet technologically complete cars in its class. Unfortunately, it won’t be offered in Europe at all.
The new Sentra shakes off the greyness of its predecessors. The latest generation comes with wider proportions and a sharper front end, framed by a black-finished V-motion grille that adds a dose of sportiness. The SR trim takes things further with gloss-black details, side skirts, and 18-inch alloys, while the SL brings a softer touch with a glass roof, dual-zone climate control, and TailorFit-stitched seats that lend the cabin a semi-premium atmosphere.
High-tech cabin with a touch of luxury
Step inside and you’re greeted by a pair of 12.3-inch screens, offering sharp resolution and quick response times on par with more expensive rivals. Standard equipment includes wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, three USB-C ports, and optional wireless charging. Nissan also added a few features usually reserved for premium brands: 64-colour ambient lighting, touch-sensitive climate controls, and an integrated myQ garage door controller that lets you open or close the door directly from the central display.
The Sentra now comes with ProPILOT Assist, which helps maintain distance and lane position in heavy traffic, a first for this model. Blind Spot Intervention alerts the driver to potential side collisions, while Intelligent Forward Collision Warning can detect hazards before they become a problem.
Efficient and surprisingly lively
Fuel economy is rated at up to 7.8 litres per 100 kilometres (30 mpg city, 38 mpg highway). SV, SR, and SL versions include a Sport mode that sharpens steering response and throttle input. It’s not a sports car, but for a compact saloon, the Sentra feels unexpectedly eager to move.
US pricing and trims
Sentra S – 22,400 dollars (approx. 20,900 euros)
Sentra SV – 23,170 dollars (approx. 21,600 euros)
Sentra SR – 25,000 dollars (approx. 23,300 euros)
Sentra SL – 27,990 dollars (approx. 26,100 euros)
The new Sentra arrives at a time when compact saloons are losing ground in the US, yet many buyers still want an affordable, straightforward car without excessive tech overload. Nissan seems to have found that niche, while rivals like the Honda Civic and Toyota Corolla edge further upmarket. With its balance of price, equipment, and genuine usability, the Sentra could win back some of those who had already switched from sedans to crossovers.
It feels like a quiet comeback for the compact car — a model that dares to just be a car again, not a rolling digital lifestyle device.
