Although sedans have been declared dead many times over, Nissan’s venerable Sentra continues to hold its own against crossovers and SUVs. For 2026, the compact four-door gets fresh looks and a few premium touches.
Spy photos show a sharper-looking exterior highlighted by a sleek interpretation of the brand’s V-Motion grille. Upscale SR and SL trims add black accents, two-tone wheels, a spoiler, and a diffuser insert.
Exterior
Even as crossovers and SUVs have taken over the roads, sedans are hanging around, with a number of impressive compact models offering value for money. One of the most compelling options is the Nissan Sentra, and for 2026 it gets a fresh look inside and out to keep it competitive with newer rivals.
The biggest change is a rework of the exterior, with a pronounced fastback design and Nissan’s signature V Motion grille designed to make the compact sedan appear smaller and sportier than its competition. Thin daytime running lights and a narrow lip spoiler frame the bold grille, and two-tone paint schemes further enhance its updated appearance. The rear features one of the lowest trunk liftover heights in the class, improving practicality for everyday use.
Nissan also made sure to spruce up the interior, giving the Sentra a more mature appearance with higher-grade materials and contemporary designs throughout the cabin. The top-tier SL trim receives a power sunroof, heated steering wheel, automatic climate control, and faux-leather seating, and the Nissan Safety Shield suite of driver assistance technologies is now available across all trim levels. Updated tuning for the CVT transmission and revised dampers improve driving dynamics, while Pro-Pilot driver assistance software makes its first appearance on the Sentra.
The only carryover from the previous model is a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine producing 149 horsepower and paired to a continuously variable automatic transmission driving the front wheels. This powertrain may have been eclipsed by newer offerings in the segment, but it should still provide solid acceleration and decent fuel economy.
With its refreshed styling, improved trunk access, and the availability of Nissan’s ProPilot Assist system, the 2026 Nissan Sentra feels like a big step up from the outgoing model. It should give buyers a reason to choose it over some of the more modern competitors in this crowded segment, and a lot more fun behind the wheel than the antiquated car it replaced.
Interior
Nissan threw a lot of new exterior and interior upgrades at the 2026 Sentra to give it a more mature, upscale look that should help it stand out from compact sedan rivals like the Honda Civic and Toyota Corolla. The automaker didn’t change the car’s basic platform, however, which helps keep costs down.
For 2026, the Sentra gets a front fascia with diagonal slats that form a subtle V shape, and designers added a floating roof that adds to its upscale appearance. The rear tailgate has a lower liftover height than previous models, and the hatchback now opens wider for easier access to cargo.
Inside, the redesigned dashboard has a soft, premium feel and offers easy-to-use infotainment features. The standard 12.3-inch screen is larger than the old one and comes with wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, while SV and SR models upgrade to wireless connections. Three USB-C ports are also standard, while SR and SR Premium get an eight-speaker Bose premium audio system.
Nissan also beefed up the Sentra’s available driver-assistance tech. The SR and SR Premium trims now include the company’s ProPilot assist technology, which can help drivers maintain a safe distance from vehicles ahead and even steer, throttle, and brake for you. A 360-degree view camera and standard intelligent cruise control round out the package.
Expert Tip
In the SR and SR Premium trims, sporty red accents throughout the cabin and on the seat inserts highlight the car’s aggressive looks. Meanwhile, the dark-chrome V-motion grille and exclusive side sills, rear spoiler, and ambient lighting give the SR its own distinct look.
The cabin of the Sentra isn’t without its quirks, though. For example, the lack of hard, physical buttons for HVAC settings on the steering wheel can be frustrating. But most of the time, you can easily find the controls on the large touchscreen. Nissan says the 2026 Sentra has one of the lowest trunk liftover heights in the class, and a standard 60/40 split-fold rear seats offer plenty of versatile storage options.
Technology
Nissan’s Sentra sedan is well-known for offering a good number of desirable features at an affordable price. A full redesign for 2026 brings a fresh look and the latest driver assistance technology to this compact sedan, which should help it keep pace with segment stalwarts such as the Honda Civic and Toyota Corolla.
The redesigned Sentra is larger and more spacious than its predecessor, but it retains a similar wheelbase. That helps it deliver a comfortable ride with excellent passenger space for the class. Its exterior follows the same design language as other recent Nissan models, including the new Murano and Leaf. The front features a wider grin-shaped grille that looks more distinctive, while the headlights and body shape have been revised for a smoother look. A character line stretches from the headlights to the rear spoiler, helping the car look lower and more athletic.
All trims get a 12.3-inch infotainment center display that’s twice as bright as the previous model’s. Except for the base S trim, which gets a 7.0-inch driver display, the rest of the Sentras offer wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. There’s also a standard multi-view camera and a rearview monitor. Higher-trim versions can add ProPilot Assist active cruise control that can take over acceleration, steering, and braking on longer trips.
The 2026 Sentra’s 149-horsepower four-cylinder engine is unchanged, but the CVT transmission has been retuned for better power delivery and noise suppression. Nissan also tweaked the suspension and steering, giving the SR and SL trims a more sporty feel. A new Sport drive mode lets drivers use a steering wheel-mounted paddle shifter to sharpen powertrain responses for more responsive driving.
Buyers who prioritize safety can choose the available SR Safety Shield package, which includes blind spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert, lane departure warning, and forward emergency braking. An upgraded Intelligent Cruise Control is also available with ProPilot Assist on SV and SR trims. It can help maintain a set distance from vehicles ahead, steer the car if you veer off course, and even turn left at intersections with no traffic light.
Safety
Nissan designers had a difficult task with the ninth-generation Sentra: they needed to elevate the design and quality, while still maintaining the car’s youthful spirit. The result is a more mature appearance that aligns with recent Nissan designs like the Murano and Leaf. In addition to a smoother front grille and hood point, the new Sentra’s fastback design adds more rear legroom for passengers and improved cargo capacity.
The interior gets a significant upgrade too. All models get a dual 12.3-inch infotainment display, a significant improvement over the outgoing model’s available 8.0-inch unit. The displays have crisp graphics and illumination that Nissan claims is twice as bright. Nissan also offers a Bose premium sound system and wireless smartphone connectivity. But the Sentra keeps some of its physical controls for climate, audio, and other functions.
One of the biggest innovations is ProPilot Assist, which brings Nissan’s driver-assistance technology to a more affordable compact sedan. The system can manage steering, acceleration, and braking in stop-and-go traffic to reduce driver fatigue. ProPilot Assist is optional on the SR trim and standard on the top SL trim.
While the Sentra isn’t the first to introduce this tech, it should help keep Nissan’s best-selling sedan competitive against well-rounded rivals like the Honda Civic and Toyota Corolla. And since it’s not as expensive as many of the SUVs and crossovers that are stealing sedan sales, we think buyers will respond positively to its addition.
Under the hood, the 2026 Sentra keeps the same 149-horsepower four-cylinder engine and CVT transmission. However, it does have a more aggressive driving mode that enhances handling dynamics and a more responsive electric power steering system. And the top-level SL adds premium amenities, including ambient cabin lighting, a power sunroof, heated seats, and Nissan’s faux-leather upholstery with red stitching.
