5 Things The 2026 Nissan Sentra Does Better Than The Competition

 Despite recent mishaps, Nissan is still doing some things right. The latest example is the 13th-generation Sentra, which came out for the 2026 model year. The previous generation actually sold well, with over 260,000 examples sold in just the last two years. 

With a refreshed styling, spacious interior, generous standard equipment and safety suite, and reasonable price, the new Sentra is expected to solidify itself as a worthy, more affordable alternative to the Honda Civic and Toyota Corolla. Nissan’s compact sedan is an unlikely contender, given the brand’s current circumstances, but there are four things the Sentra does better than the competition.

Quiet and upscale-ish interior

When it comes to sub-$30,000 compact sedans, it is understandable if your expectations of quality and refinement are not high. Once you settle into the 2026 Nissan Sentra interior, however, it is a pleasant surprise. Noise insulation is surprisingly good, and even at highway speeds (75-80 mph), you can have a normal conversation. 

Another pleasant surprise is that all trim levels get the 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen, which matches the 12.3-inch, digital instrument cluster. There is no shabby-looking small screen that intentionally makes it obvious you went for the “poor spec”. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are also available. 

The most surprising part, however, is not the amount of digital displays, but the material quality. It is, by no means, premium, but everything feels sturdy and well-made (yes, in a Nissan). The two-spoke steering wheel is a carry-over from the Nissan Leaf, and features hard physical buttons (but not too many). The only gripe some people might have is the touch-sensitive panel on the center console, controlling the HVAC. 

Interior space that rivals and in some cases, surpasses the competition

Physically, the 2026 Nissan Sentra is no bigger than the outgoing 2025 model. However, it seems to make the most out of its interior space. Without boring you with detailed explanations, here’s how the 2026 Nissan Sentra stacks up to its main competitors in terms of interior space.

2026 Nissan Sentra interior dimensions

• Passenger volume - 96.1 cubic feet
• Total interior size - approx. 110 cubic feet
• Headroom (front / rear) - 39.3 / 36.7 cubic feet
• Legroom (front / rear) - 43.8 / 34.9 cubic feet
• Shoulder room (front / rear) - 56.2 / 54.6 cubic feet
• Hip room (front / rear) - 53.3 / 53.0 cubic feet
• Cargo volume (with rear seats up) - 14.3 cubic feet

2026 Honda Civic interior dimensions

• Passenger volume - 99 cubic feet
• Total interior size - N/A
• Headroom (front / rear) - 39.3 / 37.1 cubic feet
• Legroom (front / rear) - 42.3 / 37.4 cubic feet
• Shoulder room (front / rear) - 57 / 55 cubic feet
• Hip room (front / rear) - 54.3 / 48.9 cubic feet
• Cargo volume (with rear seats up) - 14.8 cubic feet

2026 Toyota Corolla interior dimensions

• Passenger volume - 88.6 cubic feet
• Total interior size - N/A
• Headroom (front / rear) - 38.3 / 37.1 cubic feet
• Legroom (front / rear) - 42 / 34.8 cubic feet
• Shoulder room (front / rear) - 54 / 51.7 cubic feet
• Hip room (front / rear) - 53.9 / 51.3 cubic feet
• Cargo volume (with rear seats up) - 13.1 cubic feet

2026 Hyundai Elantra interior dimensions

• Passenger volume - 99 cubic feet
• Total interior size - 113.6 cubic feet
• Headroom (front / rear) - 40.6 / 38.4 cubic feet
• Legroom (front / rear) - 42.3 / 38 cubic feet
• Shoulder room (front / rear) - 56.5 / 53.3 cubic feet
• Hip room (front / rear) - 54.7 / 50.5 cubic feet
• Cargo volume (with rear seats up) - 14.2 cubic feet

Surprisingly engaging

I am not saying the 2026 Nissan Sentra will score points with driving enthusiasts, but it is one of the more engaging cars amidst the frugal, uninspiring compact sedan offerings. Unfortunately, you still have only one transmission option, and yes, it is a Jatco CVT, which, according to some, will ruin the car’s long-term reliability, but for this model, it has been returned, so it is a bit more enthusiastic. 

Nissan engineers have done a good job setting up the chassis, which is now six percent stiffer. The Sentra has surprisingly sharp handling for a commuter car, and the ride quality is supple enough to make trips pleasant.

Related story: 265,000 Miles And No Problems In This 2019 Nissan Rogue. Have The Reliability Issues Been Blown Out Of Proportion?

The engine (like the platform) is a direct carry-over from the previous model. It is the MR20DD, which puts out the same 149 horsepower at 6,000 RPM and 146 pound-feet at 4,000 RPM as before. It would have been nice to have the option of a manual transmission, but that’s just one of the things I don’t like about the 2026 Nissan Sentra.  

Mileage is good, though. With a steady right foot, you can easily match the 30 MPG city (EPA) of the previous model. On a highway, you should be able to get 40 MPG. For now, Nissan isn’t planning a hybrid Sentra as it will raise the model’s price, and possibly hinder sales of another popular model - the Nissan LEAF.

Good safety rating and comprehensive safety suite 

According to the NHTSA, the 2026 Nissan Sentra gets the full five-star safety rating. This is partially down to the generous standard safety equipment. This includes forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, rear automatic braking, lane-departure warning, auto brake-hold, and more. 

Still affordable

With a starting MSRP of $23,645, you are getting a decent amount of car for the money, and it isn’t necessarily at the expense of quality. Nissan may have gotten this one right. The 2026 Sentra tops out at $29,235, making it somewhat competitively priced. That said, with models like the 2026 Toyota Corolla ($22,725 starting MSRP), 2026 Honda Civic (starting MSRP -$24,595), and 2026 Hyundai Elantra (starting MSRP 22,625), Nissan’s compact sedan will have an uphill battle. 

Moreover, none of the aforementioned companies are experiencing the same issues Nissan is currently facing. Nissan may have gotten this one right, but will it be enough? Let me know what you think in the comment section below? Would you consider the 2026 Nissan Sentra or go for a different model?

Image source: 2026 Nissan Sentra

Dimitar Angelov's automotive interests made him an expert in a wide variety of vehicles. Japanese brands like Toyota and Nissan are closest to his heart, although performance cars in general are his favorite segment, which is why he is constantly on the lookout for the best deals on the market. Dimitar Angelov's car passion and knack for the written word led him to complete a Master of Arts in Media and Communications, and classic car restoration. Dim is happy to get behind the wheel of any car and share his impressions. You can follow Dimitar on X, Linked-in, Instagram, and Facebook.