Starting at $18,915
5/10
C/D RATING
Specs
Photos
Chris Doane Automotive
|Car and Driver
5/10 C/D RATING
Specs
Photos
- Highs Soft ride, spacious rear seat, now available with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
- Lows Higher-powered models are overpriced, minimal driver engagement, generally feels outdated.
- Verdict A bland choice for people who prize value over style.
Overview
The 2019 Nissan Sentra is like Cream of Wheat: By itself, it's unexciting and basic in form, but it gets the job done. The Sentra is a comfortable and cheap ride that goes about its business without any fuss, and its reputation as a reliable and sensible choice helps it sell in big numbers. But better alternatives with more personality—such as the Honda Civic and the Mazda 3—are available from other automakers. The Sentra's less expensive versions offer little more than the basics, while the SR Turbo and NISMO variants bring modern features and decent performance thanks to their more powerful turbo engine. But at the end of the day, dressed-up Cream of Wheat is still Cream of Wheat.
What's New for 2019?
Nissan moves the needle ever so slightly for 2019 by adding desirable options. Finally, the Sentra is available with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration on all but the base model. Every version now has a 7.0-inch touchscreen with the NissanConnect interface, which improves functionality and adds a more modern aesthetic versus previous years. The SV version also adds a new Special Edition package that includes 17-inch wheels, rear disc brakes, a sunroof, and driver assists such as adaptive cruise control and a blind-spot monitor. An all-new Sentra went on sale as a 2020 model, and it improves on the 2019 model.
Pricing and Which One to Buy
The price of the 2019 Nissan Sentra starts at $18,915 and goes up to $24,145 depending on the trim and options.
Although the speed-thirsty demons inside of us beg for the SR Turbo's more powerful engine, we believe it costs too much. The bottom-rung S model makes the most sense for those seeking the sensible economy that the Sentra provides. To add an incremental amount of engagement, we'd stick with the six-speed manual transmission. Every S version includes a 7.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system, automated emergency braking, and keyless entry.
Engine, Transmission, and Performance
Likes: Turbocharged version offers some zip, comfortable ride.
Dislikes: Anemic base engine, disappointing transmissions, uninspired driving experience.
It says something that a car wearing an Eco badge—the Hyundai Elantra—is quicker than the base Sentra in our testing. The Sentra's 1.8-liter is slow, and it barks in protest when it's pushed. The six-speed manual transmission adds a modicum of spice to an otherwise mind-numbing experience, and the continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT) attempts to mimic the shifting feel of a conventional automatic by using simulated shift points. The turbocharged engine provides significant improvement in off-the-line speed and response times, but the models powered by it are too expensive to justify.
Within minutes of driving a Sentra, it's immediately obvious why it placed dead last in a Car and Driver five-car comparison test of the segment's heavyweights. Although the sportier Sentra SR Turbo and NISMO models peg the needle on the fun meter, the car's core incompetence peeks through at every level, in every trim. Its tall, boxy body tips and rolls in curves, and its steering is light and devoid of feeling. Still, the average consumer might find the base model comfortable enough. The brake pedal on the base-level Sentra stops the car but bringing it to rest smoothly is more difficult due to its soft and vague feel.
Fuel Economy and Real-World MPG
The Sentra would seem to have all the right stuff to be a green-mileage monster. It's small, it offers a fuel-efficiency-oriented CVT, and it's powered by either of two small four-cylinder engines. While the base engine exceeded its EPA highway rating during our real-world testing, many competitors did even better.
Interior, Infotainment, and Cargo
Likes: Spacious rear-seat legroom, available Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, competitive carry-on luggage capacity.
Dislikes: Awkward driver's seating position, flip-down rear seats don't fold completely flat.
The Sentra is one of the biggest cars in the segment, but its interior space is no greater than most competitors in this class. Its interior design is basic and plain, and it's immediately obvious that it was built for yesteryear. Whiny powertrains and a dearth of sound deadening allow road noise to become an issue on the highway. The Sentra's interior was the loudest among the rivals we tested.
The low-end Sentra has an infotainment system with a 7.0-inch touchscreen that includes Bluetooth, USB and auxiliary ports, and voice-recognition software. The rest of the lineup has standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. An eight-speaker Bose sound system is also available on certain models.
With 15 cubic feet of trunk space, the Sentra is excellent for carrying your stuff. A 60/40 split-folding rear seat expands capability, but it does not fold into a flat load floor, making it less useful. The Sentra's front cabin lacks the cubby space a basic commuter car should have.
Safety and Driver-Assistance Features
Overall Safety Rating (NHTSA)
View Crash Test Results
While the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety named the Sentra a Top Safety Pick for 2018, it earned a four-star rating from the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration. Consumers will be happy to know that even the entry-level model comes standard with automated emergency braking. More versions are available with even more driver-assistance features, but many rivals have better options. The Nissan's key safety features include:
- Available blind-spot monitor and rear cross-traffic alert
- Standard automated emergency braking
- Available adaptive cruise control
Warranty and Maintenance Coverage
Nissan offers warranty coverage that is typical of the class, but the Hyundai Elantra and the Kia Forte's 10-year or 100,000-mile powertrain warranty blow the rest of the competition out of the water.
- Limited warranty covers 3 years or 36,000 miles
- Powertrain warranty covers 5 years or 60,000 miles
- No complimentary scheduled maintenance
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