2022 Nissan Sentra — Carivo review Representative photo — may show another model year
Sedan

2022 Nissan Sentra

Independent review & score by Carivo

Price Range $20,886–$28,190
Fuel Economy 31 MPG
Seating 5 passengers
Category Sedan
Est. Annual Fuel $1,694/yr
The 2022 Nissan Sentra scores 7.3/10 at Carivo, ranking #802 of 1310 sedans, with 2 NHTSA recalls on record and an estimated $1,694/year fuel cost.

Key Specifications — 2022 Nissan Sentra

Engine2.0L 4-Cylinder
TransmissionAutomatic (variable gear ratios)
DrivetrainFront-Wheel Drive
Fuel TypeRegular
City / Hwy MPG29 / 39 MPG
Combined MPG33 MPG
Est. Annual Fuel Cost$1,800
CO₂ Emissions269 g/mi
Seating Capacity5 passengers
Body StyleSedan
Base Price$20,886–$28,190

Source: EPA FuelEconomy.gov & manufacturer data. Figures reflect base trim; actual specs vary by trim level.

About the 2022 Nissan Sentra

Our scoring places the 2022 Nissan Sentra at 7.3/10 overall, which translates to a Good rating for this sedan. Its strongest dimension is Safety at 8.2/10, 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. We score reliability at 7.0/10 — better than most direct rivals, if short of the segment's best. The safety score of 8.2/10 is solid mid-pack territory. If advanced driver aids matter to you, compare standard equipment carefully and verify 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 scores 6.9/10 — the infotainment and driver-assist features feel dated against current-generation rivals. This is worth weighing if you prioritize connected features or modern safety tech.

Priced from $20,886–$28,190, 31 MPG, seating 5, the Nissan Sentra sits in the budget-friendly tier of the sedan market. Value is where it presses its advantage — 8.0/10, meaning the feature set and quality outrun the asking price. At 4 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.

Our take: The 2022 Nissan Sentra is a passable sedan but not a standout one. Weaknesses in technology and performance hold it back from being a strong recommendation. It may suit buyers with specific needs it serves well, but we'd encourage comparing at least two or three higher-scored alternatives before deciding.

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 →

How It Ranks Among Sedans

The 2022 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 $20,886 starting price undercuts the segment's median of $27,664 by about 25%.

Rankings are recalculated as new vehicles and scores are added. See the full Sedan ranking → · Best Sedans under $25k →

5-Year Cost Snapshot — 2022 Nissan Sentra

Fuel (75,000 miles)~$8,470 ($1,694/year at $3.50/gal)
Recall repairs$0 — 2 campaigns on record; recall work is always free at franchised dealers
InsuranceVaries widely by driver and state — always quote the exact trim before buying

We only print costs we can compute from sourced data (EPA fuel economy, NHTSA recalls). We don't estimate maintenance or depreciation — anyone who gives you one number for those is guessing.

Which Sentra Year Should You Buy?

Smart-money pick: the 2019 Nissan Sentra scores 7.2/10 — within striking distance of the 2022'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.

YearScoreStarting 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 (this review) 7.3/10$20,886
2021 7.3/10$20,220 Read review →
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 →

Pros & Cons — 2022 Nissan Sentra

✓ What it does well

  • Strong safety ratings from NHTSA and independent testers
  • Good overall value; holds its own against pricier alternatives in the segment
  • Accessible entry price makes it one of the more affordable options in the category

✗ Where it falls short

  • Reliability scores are mid-pack; some owners report higher-than-expected maintenance needs
  • Performance is a genuine liability — well below class rivals and worth factoring into any decision
  • Tech suite is functional but lags behind segment-best options; some features cost extra

NHTSA Recalls — 2022 Nissan Sentra (2 on record)

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 with our free VIN recall checker.

Structure / Body
12/06/2023 · 23V421000
Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2022 Sentra vehicles. The driver's side cowl area may have a missing or improper seal, which can allow water to leak inside the vehicle and corrode electrical components.
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.

Source: NHTSA recall database, fetched at page build time.

Own a 2022 Nissan Sentra that's been repaired repeatedly for the same problem? It may qualify under your state's lemon law — run the free lemon law check →

Common Questions — 2022 Nissan Sentra

Is the 2022 Nissan Sentra reliable?

We rate the 2022 Nissan Sentra's reliability 7.0/10 — above the middle of the pack for this class. It has 2 NHTSA recall campaigns on record for this model year (details in the recalls section above — repairs are free at dealers).

How many recalls does the 2022 Nissan Sentra have?

2 NHTSA recall campaigns matched this model and year as of our latest check. Verify your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Is the 2022 Nissan Sentra worth buying?

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.

How much does the 2022 Nissan Sentra cost?

The 2022 Nissan Sentra starts at $20,886 and ranges up to $28,190 across trims (MSRP when new). At 31 MPG, expect roughly $1,694/year in fuel at 15,000 miles/year.

Which Sentra years should you avoid?

Based on our year-by-year scoring, the weakest Sentra years we've rated are 2018 (7.0/10), 2016 (7.0/10), 2015 (7.0/10) — each at least half a point below the nameplate's best (7.5/10). See the full year table above before deciding.

What problems does the 2022 Nissan Sentra have?

The documented issues for the 2022 Nissan Sentra are its NHTSA recall campaigns, which involve: Structure, Steering (details in the recalls section above; repairs are free at dealers). For wear-and-tear patterns beyond recalls, owner forums are the best source — we only report what federal data documents.

Owner Essentials — Nissan Sentra

Practical extras owners actually buy. These are Amazon search links — as an Amazon Associate, Carivo earns from qualifying purchases at no cost to you.

All-weather floor mats → Dash cam → OBD2 scanner → Phone mount →

Get the Monthly Reliability Report

Once a month: which brands moved up or down our reliability rankings, new recalls worth knowing, and the smartest-money model years. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.

More Nissan Reviews

Explore the full lineup of Nissan models scored by Carivo — ranked by overall score across reliability, safety, value, performance, and technology.