Nissan finally did it. The totally redesigned 2020 Nissan Sentra, arriving in showrooms in early January of 2020, will be a credible alternative to segment leaders such as the Toyota Corolla and the Honda Civic. Everything about the renovated Sentra is new and improved. The eighth generation Sentra rides on a unique new platform. It's powered by a highly modified version of the Rogue Sport engine and blends well with its Altima and Maxima sister sedans.
With the all-new platform, the Sentra is two inches wider and sits about two inches closer to the pavement. Although it's not exactly new to Nissan, the 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine powering the newest Sentra generates 20 percent more horsepower and 17 percent more torque than the 1.8-liter four banger it replaces. The fuel economy is slightly improved, as well.
With the selection of affordable sedans shrinking, brands who are still in the game are upping their game significantly. We see this in the redesigned 2020 Hyundai Sonata and now in the 2020 Sentra. The Sentra's new exterior look sports more lines and sharper creases than the outgoing version. The family V-motion grille fits between the Nissan signature boomerang headlights. We really like the available floating roof, which is black for orange, white and gray SR models. Inside, Nissan uses higher-grade materials and more expensive-feeling controls to highlight the improved interior. The cabin doesn't exactly pamper you, but it is an entry-level sedan, after all. Nissan's NASA-inspired Zero Gravity front seats and a flat-bottom steering wheel are also new additions.
Nissan's Safety Shield 360 safety suite, including automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, blind spot warning, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-departure warning, high-beam assist and automatic rear braking, is standard across the Sentra's three streamlined trim levels.
As Nissan's best-selling model, more than 6 million Sentras have rolled off showroom floors during its 37 years. At the media introduction of the 2020 Sentra in Santa Monica, California in December, Nissan executives were optimistic that the newest Sentra would build on the nameplate's success to the point they wouldn't rule out the possibility of the newest compact sedan actually growing market share. In any case, we believe the new Sentra is a leap forward in virtually every category. Some of the best news is that, even with all the added standard features, the entry-level S trim is only $410 more than the current S.
Nissan completely redesigned Sentra for 2020. See the 2020 Nissan Sentra models for sale near you
$20,015-$22,355
Every 2020 Nissan Sentra derives its go from a 149-hp 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine combined with the latest Nissan Xtronic CVT transmission. Peak torque is 146 lb-ft. Despite the more powerful engine and a bit of extra weight, the latest Sentra posts government-estimated fuel economy as good as or better than the outgoing sedan. S versions deliver 29 miles per gallon in the city, 39 mpg on the highway and 33 mpg in combined driving. Although moving up to the SV doesn't affect the city or highway mpg, it shaves 1 mpg from the combined number. SR models provide 28 mpg city/37 mpg hwy/32 mpg combined.
Nissan streamlined the trim-level count for 2020 to the S, SV and SR. Only two option packages (SV Premium and SR Premium) are available. Prices include the factory delivery charge.
The S ($20,015) comes fairly well equipped with 16-in steel wheels, Easy Fill Tire Alert, auto on/off halogen headlights, cloth seating, 6-way manual driver's seat, 4-way manual front-passenger seat, 60/40 split folding rear seat, full-power accessories, cruise control, remote keyless entry, push-button start, 12V power outlet, air conditioning, nine air bags, Safety Shield 360 safety technologies, Bluetooth connectivity, 7-in color touchscreen, 4-speaker audio system with speed-sensitive volume control, auxiliary input jack, CD player, USB port, hands-free text messaging and Siri Eyes Free voice recognition.
Stepping up to the SV ($21,195) adds or changes to 16-in alloy wheels, heated outboard mirrors with integrated LED turn signal indicators, premium cloth seating, six speakers, 8-in touchscreen, NissanConnect with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, satellite radio capability, two additional USB ports, dual-zone automatic climate control, adaptive cruise control and remote engine start.
The SV Premium Package includes projector LED headlights, LED daytime running lights, 17-in alloy wheels, power moonroof, quilted leather seating, 6-way power-adjustable driver's seat with 2-way lumbar, heated front seats and a leather shift knob.
On top of the SV equipment, the SR ($22,355) adds 18-in alloy wheels, reflector LED headlights, LED daytime running lights, exterior body cladding and sport-cloth seats with orange stitching.
The SR Premium Package includes everything in the SV Premium Package (removing the LED daytime running lights) and adds an 8-speaker Bose Premium Audio System, 360-degree Nissan Around View monitor and auto-dimming interior rearview mirror.
Sentra provides all the usual safety systems, such as stability control, traction control, antilock brakes and so forth. Every Sentra comes with nine airbags and the Safety Shield 360, which includes automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, blind spot warning, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-departure warning, high-beam assist and automatic rear braking.
No third party in the U.S. has crash tested the Sentra.
For the first time in its storied history, the 2020 Sentra doesn't feel like the entry-level sedan that it is. The materials inside the passenger compartment are better, with plenty of soft-touch surfaces. Workmanship in our preproduction test Sentras was also quite good. The extra width really shined in terms of hip and shoulder room. You can spend all day in those zero-gravity front seats without feeling an ounce of fatigue. The cabin is quiet enough when cruising, but putting a foot into the throttle will initiate noticeable engine racket.
No one should expect an entry-level sedan to perform like a speed racer. This Sentra is a bit quicker than the one it's replacing, but we'd like more zip. Around town, it was fine. Getting it on the open road, particularly when attempting to pass slower traffic on a two-lane highway, didn't exactly fill us with joy. A CVT is the only transmission choice and Nissan provided it with shift points to give the illusion of shifting, but there was still that high revving sensation when putting a foot into it.
We found the handling surprisingly athletic. The new steering system is quicker than before. Regarding the new Sentra, Autotrader's Brian Moody said that Nissan has done an excellent job of moving the Sentra up a few notches. It's not a sport sedan, but it does have a sporty enough disposition to be fun when you want it to. The real improvements are in the area of ride comfort. The cabin is quiet, and there is a civility to the car that gives it a mini-Altima vibe. There's a little noticeable road noise for backseat passengers, but up front, a normal conversation is possible without having to raise your voice.'
All in all, it's an improved driving experience over past Sentras, and it's certainly as good as the base-engine models of many of its rivals.
Weighing price against the new Sentra's few shortcomings, we aren't disappointed. It checks all the boxes for the average small-sedan driver. Cargo capacity under the truck lid is a healthy 14.3 cu ft. Folding down the split rear seat adds even more cargo space.
2020 Honda Civic -- As the arguable leader of this segment, the Civic offers a superb combination of space, fuel economy, performance, quality and feature content. It's also available in three body styles.
2020 Mazda3 -- Offering available AWD, this highly stylized small car comes as a sedan or a hatchback. It's a blast to drive and delivers terrific mileage and a comfy cabin.
2020 Hyundai Elantra -- Value is still a Hyundai watchword. The Elantra follows the value strategy and also provides that exceptional Hyundai warranty.
2020 Toyota Corolla -- Also all new for 2020, the Corolla sedan provides Toyota Safety Sense 2.0 as standard. It also offers a manual transmission.
Used Nissan Altima – If you like the Sentra but want a bit more space, as well as get-up-and-go capabilities, a used Altima is a good place to start. Solid styling, comfortable seats and loads of safety technology highlight Sentra's bigger sibling.
We think the 2020 Sentra is a pretty good deal in any of the three trim levels. However, the sweet spot is the SV. The amount of extra standard equipment over and above the base S for $1,100, is just too good to pass up. Moody added, "The SR does offer a stiffer, sportier ride thanks to bigger wheels with more aggressive tires, but it's the comfort of the SV that we think will appeal to most people." Find a Nissan Sentra for sale