We Tested the 2026 Nissan Sentra: Great Value, Sharp Handling, and One Big FlawMotorTrendAlisa PriddleTue, September 22, 2026 at 1:00 PM UTCAdd us on Google2026 Nissan Sentra First Test: Mostly Charmingwilliam walker - MotorTrendLovely interiorExcellent valueHandles wellCarryover powertrain can feel underpoweredWind and tire noiseLong braking distanceIf you're in the market for an affordable sedan, add the Nissan dealership to your itinerary and check out the 2026 Nissan Sentra. It's come a long way.We recently tested a Nissan Sentra SL, the top trim of the compact sedan. Starting at less than $30,000, it won't make you feel like you compromised. Our SL, even decked out, only came to $30,990.AdvertisementAdvertisementSure, the Sentra is still on the same platform as before, and the 2026 update carries over the 2.0-liter naturally aspirated I-4 engine and continuously variable transmission. That means output is only 149 horsepower and 146 lb-ft of torque in a world where so many vehicles at least start their performance specs in the 200s. And it doesn't have a hybrid with extra boost from an electric motor to help it off the line.The Sentra needed a leisurely 9.0 seconds to hit 60 mph, whereas the new 2026 Kia K4 we also recently tested, with a 1.6-liter I-4 but turbocharged, did the scoot in 7.0 seconds with its 190 hp and 195 lb-ft. Strangely, our recent testing of a 2026 Sentra SR sprinted in 8.3 seconds. Rounding out the field, the base Honda Civic Sport is the slowest, and the Toyota Corolla runs quicker than the Sentra.Lengthening the trial doesn't help. The Sentra SL covers a quarter mile in 16.9 seconds; the Sentra SR did it in 16.5 seconds, and the Kia in 15.4.william walker - MotorTrendBraking from 60 mph was not good. Taking 133 feet to stop from that speed is unacceptably long. But in regular driving, the brakes felt effective and natural. Notably, the Sentra SR we previously tested had a stopping distance of 119 feet, which is much more palatable.Driving the 2026 Sentra SLWe took the Sentra on a high-speed oval and gunned it to 100 mph. It gets off the line with a little pluck but takes a while to get to speed. Once there, it's happy and stable. Few buyers will be able to try this, but the car will get along fine at normal highway speeds.AdvertisementAdvertisementRide and handling are surprisingly good and punch above their weight. The Sentra proved to be fun on a handling course. It corners flat and exhibits agility and lightness, with smooth simulated shifts from the somewhat buzzy engine and CVT. A lot of road and wind noise make their way into the cabin, but it's not out of line for vehicles at this price point. Steering is heavy and surprisingly direct.Drive modes are easy to select from the button on the center console, which also provides a deep storage space.The Sentra is a well-rounded and honest car. It isn't pretending to be something it's not, but it also doesn't use its value proposition as an excuse to use cheap plastics in an all-black interior. Materials are built to a price, but an attractive use of color and detailing means it doesn't look cheap.william walker - MotorTrendCabin Dressed to ImpressIn fact, it looks great. Nissan recently started putting quilted leather seats in its models, and that's the case in the Sentra. Our test car wore a lovely blue, gray, and beige combination with white quilted seats, asymmetric stitching, and flashes of wood trim. It might be the nicest cabin in its segment.AdvertisementAdvertisementThe quality carries into the rear seats, though you'll find few amenities back there—USB ports of both types but no air vents or seat-back pockets. The trunk is downright huge, able to swallow a lot of gear.The new Sentra comes with a lot of features and tech for the price.The driver display and center touchscreen look like one big continuous screen with physical buttons for volume and tuning on the center console. The 12.3-inch touchscreen is 4.3 inches larger than before, and the 12.3-inch driver display grew by 5.3 inches, now featuring crisp and easy-to-read graphics. The new infotainment system is a big improvement and competitive with the rest of the market. It has wireless phone charging, it's easy to pair a phone, and the audio system is good quality.william walker - MotorTrendMaking ProPilot Assist AttainableThe Sentra now has Nissan's ProPilot Assist advanced driver assistance system, which pairs intelligent cruise control with steering assist, impressive for a vehicle in this segment. It's standard on the SL trim and optional on the SR. ProPilot kept the vehicle in its lane and at speed. On one section of road, it flashed a message that the road was slippery—it wasn't—and the system deactivated. But it came back online within minutes and had no more hiccups. On unmapped roads, it provided cruise control but not lane keep assistance.AdvertisementAdvertisementThe 2026 Sentra is one of the few cars to achieve the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety's Top Safety Pick and performed well in crash testing by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.The Sentra is a charming sedan that should appeal to the buyer seeking an affordable, efficient, and honest car. It is a well-conceived, inexpensive car that delivers what buyers pay for. The quality of its drive and its cabin suggest Nissan is getting its mojo back. Now it just needs to add a hybrid.Photo credit: william walker - MotorTrendPhoto credit: william walker - MotorTrendPhoto credit: william walker - MotorTrendPhoto credit: william walker - MotorTrendAdvertisementAdvertisementPhoto credit: william walker - MotorTrendPhoto credit: william walker - MotorTrendPhoto credit: william walker - MotorTrendPhoto credit: william walker - MotorTrendAdvertisementAdvertisementPhoto credit: william walker - MotorTrendPhoto credit: william walker - MotorTrendPhoto credit: william walker - MotorTrendPhoto credit: william walker - MotorTrendAdvertisementAdvertisementPhoto credit: william walker - MotorTrendPhoto credit: william walker - MotorTrendPhoto credit: william walker - MotorTrendPhoto credit: william walker - MotorTrendAdvertisementAdvertisementPhoto credit: william walker - MotorTrendPhoto credit: william walker - MotorTrendPhoto credit: william walker - MotorTrend