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Nissan is in a peculiar spot. Between the divisive reputation for quality and reliability, and the financial issues, the Japanese carmaker is seemingly on its last leg. That said, Nissan still makes some decent cars that are good sellers. For 2026, the Sentra entered its ninth generation, and on the surface, it did a lot of things right. I think the design is interesting enough and the cabin is as upscale as it can be for a car that starts at $23,645 (and tops out at $29,235).
I have no doubt that the Sentra will snatch a few buyers off the Honda Civic, Mazda 3, and the likes (like its predecessor). In 2023, Nissan sold 109,195 and in 2024, that number jumped to 152,659. Despite many thinking that Nissan will be among the car brands that could disappear in the near future, Nissan is currently king when it comes to affordable models.
There are plenty of reasons why the new Nissan Sentra has a bright future ahead of it, but I also see it as something of a half-effort on certain fronts. Here are three problems I see with the Sentra, and how it could have turned out even better.
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No manual transmission
Despite the odds, some carmakers are listening to people and reintroducing the manual transmission for certain models. This isn’t exclusive to performance models either, as some mainstream models like the Mazda 3 also offer a manual transmission (in some trims).
We can all agree that one of the biggest issues with Nissan’s mainstream models is the dreaded Jatco CVT. All continuously variable transmissions are boring to drive, but the one Nissan uses seems to have the worst reputation of all when it comes to reliability.
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While I don’t expect Nissan to fit the nine-speed automatic in its more affordable models, they could have offered the choice of a manual transmission. The more affordable Nissan Versa has a stick and a third pedal, so why doesn’t the Sentra? A nice six-speed would have been good to have, as many people still enjoy the engagement of a stick shift, even if it results in a lower MPG figure (which isn’t always the case).
An SE-R performance variant would have brought some of the brand's exciting past back
The Nissan Sentra has always been a good commuter car, but with compact performance sedans and hot hatchbacks like the Toyota GR Corolla and Hyundai Elantra N around, I can’t help but wish Nissan had come up with its own spiced-up Sentra, like the 2002 SE-R model. The SR trim adds all the visuals, but takes it a step further and gives us a slightly sportier suspension with a 2.0-liter turbo-four.
Unfortunately, Nissan’s KR20DDET VC (variable compression) Turbo engine, while exciting on paper, is known for major issues with bearing wear. The company issued a recall that supposedly fixed the issue, but owners still report major problems, resulting in a class-action lawsuit.
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The Sentra’s inline-four is refined and frugal, but barely competitive
The 2026 Nissan Sentra’s engine is a direct carry-over from the previous model (as is the platform). The 2.0-liter, MR20DD, normally-aspirated inline-four features direct injection and dual variable valve timing (VVT). It makes 149 horsepower at 6,000 RPM and 146 pound-feet at 4,000 RPM.
Official fuel economy ratings for the 2026 Sentra are not published yet, but since the engine is carried over from the previous model, we can expect around 34 MPG combined (EPA) with 30 MPG in the city and 40 MPG on the highway.
The engine’s redeeming feature is that it is surprisingly refined and smooth for a four-cylinder unit, but the power output is barely competitive. Models like the new Kia K4 and Honda Civic offer turbocharged engines with 180 to 200 horsepower, and even the normally-aspirated Toyota Corolla packs 169 horsepower from its normally-aspirated 2.0-liter engine, in non-hybrid form.
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What are your thoughts on the 2026 Nissan Sentra? Let us know what you like or dislike about it, and what you would change, in the comment section below.
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.
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