2026 Sentra Review: Big Tech, Bold Design, Everyday Fun

The 2026 Nissan Sentra is built to turn everyday drives into something you actually look forward to. The stance is lower and sleeker, the surfacing is sharper, and the evolved V-motion face flows into new slim projector LED headlights that throw more light without shouting for attention. Unlock it and the lighting animates a welcome pattern across the beams and signals, setting the tone before you even pull the handle. Along the sides, the well-balanced character line visually lowers the car, while tight wheel openings, shaped mirrors, flat underbody covers, and tire deflectors quietly trim drag. Wheel designs in 16, 17, or 18 inches add motion even at a standstill, and the color palette runs from Imperial Bronze and Scarlet Ember to two-tone combos with a Super Black roof.

Inside, Sentra finally looks and feels like the tech-savvy daily you want to live with. Class-exclusive available dual 12.3-inch displays form a crisp, modern cockpit, paired with a segment-first touch-sensitive climate panel that keeps the dash clean. The main infotainment screen is two times brighter than before for easy reading in tough light, and Nissan wisely keeps core physical buttons where you expect them. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto arrive on SV and up, while an eight-speaker Bose system on SL and SR Premium fills the cabin with confident sound. There are three USB-C ports, available wireless phone charging, soft-touch TailorFit upholstery, 64-color ambient lighting, and best-in-class front legroom so taller drivers can actually relax. The trunk is friendly, too, with one of the lowest liftover heights in the class and an opening shaped to swallow strollers or golf bags without wrestling.

Convenience extends past the curb. The available Nissan Intelligent Key with approach unlock and walkaway locking (standard on SR and SL; optional on SV) handles entry and locking automatically. New native myQ integration lets you open, close, and check up to three compatible garage doors from the touch screen, with smart prompts that pop up as you arrive or leave thanks to geofencing.

If you like the sportier look, the SR turns up the attitude with an exclusive front fascia finished in dark chrome, a blacked-out center section, black side sills, 18-inch alloys, a rear spoiler, and a two-tone roof. The reintroduced SL leans premium with asymmetrical-quilted TailorFit synthetic leather-appointed seats, stylish 17-inch wheels, dual-zone climate, a power sunroof, ambient lighting, a heated steering wheel, and an auto-dimming mirror. SV, SR, and SL add a drive mode selector with Sport mode tuned in the U.S. for sharper throttle, quicker steering feel, and more assertive CVT behavior when you want a little extra punch.

Safety and driver assistance land solidly in the “standard” column. Nissan Safety Shield 360 is included, and the 2026 model adds Blind Spot Intervention that can actively help if you begin changing lanes into another vehicle. Intelligent Cruise Control is standard across the range, and available ProPILOT Assist (SL and SR Premium) helps manage acceleration, braking, and steering support in traffic and on long highway stretches. You also get Automatic Emergency Braking with Pedestrian Detection, class-exclusive Intelligent Forward Collision Warning, Lane Departure Prevention, High Beam Assist, Traffic Sign Recognition, and 10 airbags.

Under the hood, the formula is familiar but refined: a 2.0-liter inline-four with 149 horsepower and 146 lb-ft, paired to a retuned Xtronic CVT. The calibration aims for smoother, more natural acceleration, while idle stop/start helps trim fuel use in city driving. The chassis steps up with an independent strut front and multi-link rear suspension, standard rear disc brakes, and a stiffer body — rigidity increases by 6 percent — for quieter cruising and more confident response. New shock valving mutes harsh impacts, the steering wheel’s dynamic damper filters road buzz, and tighter body openings reduce noise. EPA figures will come later, but the intent is clear: make the Sentra calmer, tighter, and more fun without sacrificing the daily stuff that makes ownership easy.