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Independent review & score by Carivo
| Seating Capacity | 5 passengers |
|---|---|
| Body Style | Sedan |
| Base Price | $22,886–$28,252 |
Source: EPA FuelEconomy.gov & manufacturer data. Figures reflect base trim; actual specs vary by trim level.
The 2026 Nissan Sentra is a sedan that earns a Carivo score of 7.5/10 — rated Recommended. Its strongest dimension is Value at 8.4/10, while Performance at 6.4/10 is where it trails the competition most noticeably. It's a solid all-rounder that delivers across most dimensions without obvious deal-breakers.
Reliability and safety are the two dimensions that matter most for long-term ownership costs. The reliability picture is solid rather than spectacular: 7.3/10, 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 6.4/10 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 7.0/10 for technology, the infotainment and driver-assist package does its job without setting benchmarks — check which features cost extra on lower trims.
Priced from $22,886–$28,252, 32 MPG, seating 5, the Nissan Sentra sits in the budget-friendly tier of the sedan market. Its value score of 8.4/10 confirms that the price reflects the quality — you're getting a lot for your money here. As the current model year, it benefits from the latest updates and full manufacturer warranty coverage.
Verdict: Nothing about the 2026 Nissan Sentra will scare a sensible buyer off. Keep an eye on performance if those matter to you; otherwise it does what a good sedan should — quietly and competently.
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 2026 Nissan Sentra ranks #585 of 1310 sedans in the Carivo database — better than 55% of the segment. Its 7.5/10 overall score is exactly at the segment average of 7.5/10. Its $22,886 starting price undercuts the segment's median of $27,664 by about 17%.
Rankings are recalculated as new vehicles and scores are added. See the full Sedan ranking →
Across the Sentra model years we've scored, the 2026 holds its position — we didn't find an older year that delivers similar scores for meaningfully less money.
| Year | Score | Starting price (MSRP when new) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 (this review) | 7.5/10 | $22,886 | |
| 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 | 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.
| Seats 13/03/2026 · 26V145000 | Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2026 Kicks and Sentra vehicles. The hook bracket of the front seat frames may be insufficiently welded, which can cause the front seat frames to become loose. As such, these vehicles fail to comply… |
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Source: NHTSA recall database, fetched at page build time.
Explore the full lineup of Nissan models scored by Carivo — ranked by overall score across reliability, safety, value, performance, and technology.