DecodedCars2026 Nissan Sentra
Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2026 models.
- Class
- Midsize Cars
- Body styles
- 4dr Sedan
- Engines
- 2.0L 4-cyl
- Horsepower
- 149 hp
- Transmission
- CVT
- Drivetrain
- Front-Wheel Drive
- Seats
- 5
- Fuel
- Regular Gasoline
- MPG (best)
- 33 combined · 30 city / 38 hwy
- Length
- 183.5 in
- Curb weight
- 4,087 lb
- NHTSA rating
- Not rated
- Recalls
- 1 campaign
Pros & cons
What's good
- Lots of standard safety tech5 of 5 key driver aids standard on the versions we checked.
Watch out for
- Modest powerUp to 149 hp, versus about 188 hp for similar 2026 models.
Calculated from EPA, NHTSA and vPIC data against 10 similar 2026 models — not a review. How we calculate this →
Overview
The 2026 Nissan Sentra is a midsize car offered with a 2.0L 4-cyl engine and front-wheel drive.
It measures about 184 inches long and 72 inches wide on a 106-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 4,087 lb.
EPA rates its most efficient version at 33 MPG combined (30 city / 38 highway), 6% better than the 2026 midsize car average of 31.2 MPG, for an estimated $2,050 a year in fuel.
It has 1 recall campaign on file and owners have filed 19 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the unknown or other.
What changed for 2026
- Lightest version 1034 lb heavier
Compared with 2025; trim, feature and price changes aren't covered. See the 2025 Sentra →
Trims, performance & features
Trims
Safety & driver-assist features
Built in: Aguascalientes, Aguascalientes
NHTSA vPIC, as reported by the manufacturer for 4 2026 Sentra configurations; may not list every trim. How we calculate this →
Dimensions & weight
| Body | Length | Width | Height | Wheelbase | Track F / R | Curb weight | Weight F/R |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4dr Sedan | 183.5 in | 71.7 in | 57.1 in | 106.3 in | 62.6 / 62.6 in | 4,087 lb | 62/38 |
Transport Canada CVS (Open Government Licence – Canada), Canadian-market figures.
Will it fit your garage? Check with your measurements →Engines, MPG & running costs
| Version | Engine | Transmission | Drive | City / Hwy / Comb | vs. class | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sentra (3-mode) | 2.0L 4-cyl | Automatic (variable gear ratios) | Front-Wheel Drive | 30 / 38 / 33 | +6% | $2,050 | 268 |
| Sentra (2-mode) | 2.0L 4-cyl | Automatic (variable gear ratios) | Front-Wheel Drive | 30 / 38 / 33 | +6% | $2,050 | 269 |
| Sentra SL/SR | 2.0L 4-cyl | Automatic (variable gear ratios) | Front-Wheel Drive | 29 / 36 / 32 | +3% | $2,100 | 278 |
EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2026 EPA class average. How we calculate this →
Safety ratings & technology
NHTSA has not published 5-Star ratings for the 2026 Nissan Sentra.
Similar 2026 midsize cars
| Model | Best MPG / range | NHTSA overall | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 Nissan Sentra (this car) | 33 MPG | Not rated | 1 |
| 2026 Toyota Corolla | 50 MPG | Not rated | 1 |
| 2026 Honda Civic | 49 MPG | Not rated | 1 |
| 2026 Toyota Prius | 57 MPG | Not rated | 1 |
| 2026 Honda Prelude | 44 MPG | Not rated | 0 |
| 2026 Hyundai Elantra | 54 MPG | Not rated | 4 |
| 2026 Subaru WRX | 22 MPG | Not rated | 0 |
Recalls (1)
Seats · Mar 13, 2026
NHTSA campaign 26V145000 · 15 vehicles
- Problem
- 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 with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) numbers 207, "Seating Systems" and 210, "Seat Belt Assembly Anchorages."
- Risk
- A loose seat may not restrain the occupant as intended, increasing the risk of injury during a crash.
- Fix
- Dealers will replace the front seat assemblies, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 18, 2026. Owners may contact Nissan's customer service at 800-647-7261. Nissan's number for this recall is PMA64. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on March 13, 2026.
Not every 2026 Nissan Sentra is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.
Owner-reported problems
Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.
Other Sentra years
Compare all years →| Year | MPG (best) | Length | Overall | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2027 Sentra | 33 | 183.5 in | Not rated | 0 | 0 |
| 2025 Sentra | 34 | 182.7 in | ★★★★★ | 4 | 31 |
| 2024 Sentra | 34 | 182.7 in | ★★★★★ | 3 | 41 |
| 2023 Sentra | 33 | 182.7 in | ★★★★★ | 1 | 20 |
| 2022 Sentra | 33 | 182.7 in | ★★★★★ | 2 | 81 |
| 2021 Sentra | 33 | 182.7 in | ★★★★★ | 3 | 133 |
| 2020 Sentra | 33 | 182.7 in | ★★★★★ | 4 | 207 |
| 2019 Sentra | 32 | 182.3 in | ★★★★★ | 2 | 223 |
| 2018 Sentra | 32 | 182.3 in | ★★★★★ | 2 | 185 |
| 2017 Sentra | 32 | 182.3 in | ★★★★★ | 3 | 231 |
| 2016 Sentra | 33 | 182.3 in | ★★★★★ | 6 | 270 |
| 2015 Sentra | 33 | 182.3 in | ★★★★★ | 3 | 352 |
Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or Nissan. How we calculate this →