Go bold with the 2026 Nissan Sentra Credit: Allison BarfieldThe Nissan Altima can rest in peace as the redesigned 2026 Nissan Sentra steps in to fill its place with massive improvements.There was much mourning recently as Nissan announced it is discontinuing the Altima. But, in the newly redesigned 2026 Nissan Sentra we can rejoice: it is here to normalize making sedans popular again. Seriously, I've heard so many people complain that all of the cars are disappearing and rental car companies only offer bland SUVs now.After spending a week with the new Sentra driving around Asheville, North Carolina, I can confirm that this compact car will do more than simply scratch that sedan itch so many secretly have. It will also fill the gap left behind by the slightly larger much-loved Altima. Best of all, it does so with a fresh sporty style and affordable pricing, which ranges from $22,600 to $27,990.AdvertisementAdvertisementThis car is actually more affordable than the Nissan Kicks, the smallest SUV Nissan offers. However, it doesn't compromise on comfort. Buckle up for a quick rundown of everything you need to know about the Sentra as an efficient and modern daily driver with a convenient size for city commutes.First, The Potential 2026 Nissan Sentra DrawbacksMove over, the 2026 Nissan Sentra is coming in HOT! Credit: Allison Barfield – Credit: Allison BarfieldAs the 2026 Nissan Sentra impresses me as a well-rounded car, I have to get two things off my chest before we dive into all the good it has to offer. First of all, it doesn't have console-mounted rear seat air vents. Instead, the rear ducts are mounted under the floor. As a result, they aren't in a position to directly blow cold air onto passengers.This is better than not having any rear vents at all. But I noticed during hot, balmy North Carolina days that my rear passengers consistently felt too hot and kept rolling their windows down. That's fine if you're a windows-down type of person, although I'm not one. I don't want my hair blowing in the wind, and I don't want to have to turn my music up to hear it.The next strike really only makes a difference if you live in an area where you might have to drive in inclement weather situations. The 2026 Sentra isn't available with all-wheel drive. It still handled incredibly well when heavy bursts of rain covered the highway. The car felt stable and confident and didn't even start to slip or slide during afternoon thunderstorms. However, the Nissan Kicks is available with AWD and similar in price.Next, the Nissan Sentra Offers Plenty of SpaceAllison proving that the 2026 Nissan Sentra has plenty of space Credit: Allison BarfieldSure, the 2026 Nissan Sentra is a compact car, but don't be fooled. It provides more space than you think. The front seats are spacious with plenty of adjustment controls for short and taller folks to find the perfect driving and riding position. Then the second row is spacious enough for two average-sized adults to fit comfortably.AdvertisementAdvertisementI did the Mafia test for this car, which involves seeing how many bodies mobsters could fit in the trunk. At 5'1", I had plenty of space to roll around back there; you could easily fit two to three larger bodies. Or in nicer terms, there is tons of room for all of your luggage and bigger, bulkier items. The rear seats do fold forward to fit longer cargo pieces. There's 14.3 cubic feet of cargo space compared to 15.4 in the out-to-pasture Altima.The doors and trunk open wide, making it easy to load up those child seats and bulkier items. Plus, there is a generous amount of space for personal items thanks to the abundant center console, storage tray in front of the shifter, and deep door pockets. Also, there are eight cupholders around the cabin.Then The 2026 Sentra Is Comfortable And ConfidentLook at that confident style Credit: Allison BarfieldThe 2026 Nissan Sentra has a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with 149 hp and 146 lb-ft of torque, which may seem weak on paper. However, it's plenty of power to allow it to keep up with the Toyota Corolla and Subaru Crosstrek. I found that power is available on tap as needed for passing others and merging into traffic, especially while in Sport Mode instead of Eco.On that note, it gets an EPA-estimated 30 mpg in the city, up to 38 mpg on the highway, and 33 mpg combined. The 12.4-gallon tank has a range of about 446 to 471 miles in between fill-ups. So, based on your driving style, you might not find yourself having to stop at the gas station very often.AdvertisementAdvertisementIt also delivers a smooth ride quality to keep vibrations out of the cabin. The Nissan Sentra is surprisingly quiet for an economy sedan and provides a peaceful daily experience. While the comfortable seats keep complaints at bay for hours, the climate control system is strong and effective in most cases. Rear passengers on sweltering afternoons may feel differently.I'm impressed by the Sentra's tight turning radius, especially when combined with the 360-degree camera view. This sedan allows you to easily navigate around crowded parking lots and avoid obstacles with ease. Other features like blind-spot warning, automatic emergency braking, and rear cross-traffic alert work well without delivering overly sensitive or shrill alerts.Last But Not Least, The New Sentra Looks Great2026 Nissan Sentra interior is stylin' and profilin' Credit: Allison BarfieldI was asked multiple times if I had a Nissan because people were shocked by its attractive style inside and out. The 2026 Nissan Sentra SR catches the eye with available faux leather upholstery with a red accent stripe and contrast stitching. Premium materials cover the dash, as metal painted accents and the interior ambient lighting break up large blocks of solid color.The standard 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen is vibrant with a clear resolution. It looks great beside the available digital gauge cluster. The system is easy to connect to your smartphones too, but it's intuitive on its own. Plus, the wireless phone charging pad gives you the ability to ditch clutter by going cord-free.AdvertisementAdvertisementI won't pretend that the exterior isn't attractive, as the 2026 Nissan Sentra flexes a brand new attitude. Revised LED headlights and the white logo pop against the dark-chrome V-motion grille as the sleek fastback-style roofline promotes athletic confidence. The unique 16-inch wheels complete the look with a distinct style.As the Nissan Altima faces the end of its production run, the redesigned Nissan Sentra really steps up as a well-rounded and affordable option to take its place. It's comfortable, spacious, and has a fresh look and upgraded interior to prove that sedans can still be great in our SUV-obsessed cities.