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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 | $21,553–$27,382 |
Source: EPA FuelEconomy.gov & manufacturer data. Figures reflect base trim; actual specs vary by trim level.
The 2023 Nissan Sentra is a sedan that earns a Carivo score of 7.3/10 — rated Good. Its strongest dimension is Safety at 8.1/10, while Performance at 6.0/10 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. The reliability picture is solid rather than spectacular: 7.4/10, which puts it comfortably above the class median. Safety lands at 8.1/10 — solid, though some rivals offer more advanced driver-assist features as standard. Confirm official results for your trim at nhtsa.gov/ratings.
Performance at 6.0/10 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. At 7.1/10 for technology, the infotainment and driver-assist package does its job without setting benchmarks — check which features cost extra on lower trims.
Priced from $21,553–$27,382, 32 MPG, seating 5, the Nissan Sentra sits in the budget-friendly tier of the sedan market. Its value score of 8.0/10 confirms that the price reflects the quality — you're getting a lot for your money here. At 3 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.
Verdict: The 2023 Nissan Sentra sits in the middle of the field. Until its performance scores improve, stronger options exist at this price. Worth a look if it fits a specific need; otherwise use our compare tool against the segment leaders first.
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 2023 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 $21,553 starting price undercuts the segment's median of $27,664 by about 22%.
Rankings are recalculated as new vehicles and scores are added. See the full Sedan ranking → · Best Sedans under $25k →
Smart-money pick: the 2020 Nissan Sentra scores 7.2/10 — within striking distance of the 2023'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 (this review) | 7.3/10 | $21,553 | |
| 2022 | 7.3/10 | $20,886 | Read review → |
| 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 → |
The following recall campaign has 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.
| Air bags / Frontal / Driver side / Inflator module 27/02/2024 · 24V154000 | Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2024 Titan, Frontier, Infiniti QX60, Pathfinder, 2023-2024 Sentra, Versa, Kicks, Infiniti QX50, and 2023 Rogue vehicles. Due to a manufacturing issue, the driver's air bag inflator may absorb… |
|---|
Source: NHTSA recall database, fetched at page build time.
We rate the 2023 Nissan Sentra's reliability 7.4/10 — above the middle of the pack for this class. It has 1 NHTSA recall campaign on record for this model year (details in the recalls section above — repairs are free at dealers).
1 NHTSA recall campaign 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 2023 Nissan Sentra starts at $21,553 and ranges up to $27,382 across trims (MSRP when new). At 32 MPG, expect roughly $1,641/year in fuel at 15,000 miles/year.
Explore the full lineup of Nissan models scored by Carivo — ranked by overall score across reliability, safety, value, performance, and technology.