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Independent review & score by Carivo
| Engine | 2.0L 4-Cylinder |
|---|---|
| Transmission | Automatic (variable gear ratios) |
| Drivetrain | Front-Wheel Drive |
| Fuel Type | Regular |
| City / Hwy MPG | 29 / 39 MPG |
| Combined MPG | 33 MPG |
| Est. Annual Fuel Cost | $2,050 |
| CO₂ Emissions | 268 g/mi |
| Seating Capacity | 5 passengers |
| Body Style | Sedan |
| Base Price | $20,220–$24,135 |
Source: EPA FuelEconomy.gov & manufacturer data. Figures reflect base trim; actual specs vary by trim level.
With an overall Carivo score of 7.3/10, the 2021 Nissan Sentra earns a Good rating among the sedans we've scored. Its strongest dimension is Safety at 7.9/10, while Performance at 6.2/10 is where it trails the competition most noticeably. It's a capable but unexceptional sedan — stronger alternatives exist if you're willing to shop the segment carefully.
Reliability and safety are the two dimensions that matter most for long-term ownership costs. Reliability comes in at 7.3/10 in our assessment — above the middle of the pack for this class, though not flawless. On safety it earns 7.9/10: respectable, if not class-leading — several competitors bundle more driver-assist tech as standard. Check your trim's official ratings at nhtsa.gov.
Performance at 6.2/10 is a genuine liability and a score that should factor heavily into any buying decision. The powertrain and chassis dynamics trail class rivals by a meaningful margin — don't overlook it. Technology comes in at 7.0/10 — functional and modern, with wireless connectivity and core ADAS features, though some competitors pack more standard tech at this price point.
Priced from $20,220–$24,135, 30 MPG, seating 5, the Nissan Sentra sits in the budget-friendly tier of the sedan market. Value lands at 7.9/10 — you get what you pay for, no more and no less, with a few rivals offering slightly better per-dollar returns. At 5 years old, it's worth checking whether a newer generation or refresh has addressed any weaker dimensions — compare it to the current model year before buying.
Bottom line: There's a case for the 2021 Nissan Sentra, but it needs the right buyer. Its performance scores trail the class, and several higher-rated rivals sell for similar money — comparison-shop before committing.
Carivo scores are our own editorial assessment, informed by NHTSA safety and recall records, EPA fuel-economy figures, and manufacturer-published specifications. Scores are reviewed periodically and updated when new data becomes available. See our full methodology →
The 2021 Nissan Sentra ranks #802 of 1310 sedans in the Carivo database — better than 39% of the segment. Its 7.3/10 overall score is 0.2 points below the segment average of 7.5/10. Its $20,220 starting price undercuts the segment's median of $27,664 by about 27%.
Rankings are recalculated as new vehicles and scores are added. See the full Sedan ranking → · Best Sedans under $25k →
Smart-money pick: the 2018 Nissan Sentra scores 7.0/10 — within striking distance of the 2021's 7.3 — and starts roughly $2,000 lower. If you don't need the newest model year, that's money better spent on a higher trim or kept in your pocket.
| Year | Score | Starting price (MSRP when new) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 7.5/10 | $22,886 | Read review → |
| 2025 | 7.5/10 | $22,886 | Read review → |
| 2024 | 7.4/10 | $22,220 | Read review → |
| 2023 | 7.3/10 | $21,553 | Read review → |
| 2022 | 7.3/10 | $20,886 | Read review → |
| 2021 (this review) | 7.3/10 | $20,220 | |
| 2020 | 7.2/10 | $19,553 | Read review → |
| 2019 | 7.2/10 | $18,887 | Read review → |
| 2018 | 7.0/10 | $18,220 | Read review → |
| 2017 | 7.1/10 | $17,553 | Read review → |
| 2016 | 7.0/10 | $16,887 | Read review → |
| 2015 | 7.0/10 | $16,220 | Read review → |
The following recall campaigns have been filed with NHTSA for this model and year. Recall repairs are performed free of charge by franchised dealers; check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
| Steering / Linkages / Tie rod assembly 17/06/2021 · 21V461000 | Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Sentra vehicles. The left and/or right tie rod may be bent. |
|---|---|
| Steering / Linkages / Tie rod assembly 15/08/2023 · 23V581000 | Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Sentra vehicles. The left and/or right tie rod may bend. |
| Back over prevention / sensing system / camera 08/09/2023 · 23V628000 | Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2019-2021 Altima and 2020-2021 Sentra vehicles. Damage to the camera harness can cause distortion or loss of the rearview camera display image. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the… |
Source: NHTSA recall database, fetched at page build time.
We rate the 2021 Nissan Sentra's reliability 7.3/10 — above the middle of the pack for this class. It has 3 NHTSA recall campaigns on record for this model year (details in the recalls section above — repairs are free at dealers).
3 NHTSA recall campaigns matched this model and year as of our latest check. Verify your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
It scores 7.3/10 overall, ranking #802 of 1310 sedans in our database (better than 39% of the segment). Stronger-scoring alternatives exist at similar prices — use our compare tool before committing.
The 2021 Nissan Sentra starts at $20,220 and ranges up to $24,135 across trims (MSRP when new). At 30 MPG, expect roughly $1,750/year in fuel at 15,000 miles/year.
Other sedans at a similar price point, ranked by Carivo score.
Explore the full lineup of Nissan models scored by Carivo — ranked by overall score across reliability, safety, value, performance, and technology.
