Nissan says the strengths of the new 2026 Sentra include a combination of distinctive design, practical technologies and overall value.
The award-winning compact sedan’s styling goes futuristic, says Nissan, blending curb appeal and function. The automaker reintroduces the premium SL grade and says the Sentra will come with numerous available features, some it claims are class leading.
Connectivity is provided by what Nissan says are class-exclusive available dual 12.3-in. (31-cm) screens, as well as wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto (SV, SL, SR grades). Nissan Safety Shield 360 safety technologies are standard.
The Sentra, also available in base S trim, will arrive in U.S. showrooms later this year.
Sharp surfaces and a well-balanced character line that visually lowers the car give it a more dynamic, sophisticated look, Nissan says, adding lines from the V-motion grille extend into the lighting signature, with new slim-projector LED headlights providing both enhanced light output and a more subtle design blending into the Sentra’s nose.
The shaping of the trunk and rear fenders helps control air flow to reduce the rear wake behind the car, while flat floor covers and tire deflectors enhance aerodynamic efficiency, the automaker says.
Interior highlights include a segment-first touch-sensitive climate-control panel and an infotainment display two times brighter than that of the outgoing Sentra, Nissan says. The car retains several core physical buttons, while display functions can be operated using steering-wheel-mounted switches or by touching the center display.
The 2026 Sentra has three USB-C ports for charging phones or other devices. The SL grade and SR Premium package include an 8-speaker Bose premium audio system.
Other interior features of the redesigned Sentra include an available power tilt/slide sunroof, a class-exclusive 64-color customizable ambient lighting system, a heated steering wheel, heated front seats and wireless phone charging, a first for the nameplate. Drivers will benefit from best-in-class front legroom, Nissan claims.
The reintroduced SL grade has the ambient lighting as well as an auto-dimming rearview mirror, a power tilt/slide sunroof, 17-in. alloy wheels and asymmetrical-quilted synthetic leather-appointed seats.
The sporty SR grade, meanwhile, gets 18-in. wheels, blacked-out trim, ambient lighting and a rear spoiler.
Standard safety and driver-assistance technology now includes Blind Spot Intervention, which can actively help avoid a collision if the driver attempts to change lanes when a car is in the Sentra’s blindspot, Nissan says. Intelligent Cruise Control is standard on all Sentra grades. Available ProPilot Assist, offered on SL grade or as part of the SR Premium package, should ease commuting in stop-and-go traffic and, on long trips, helps control acceleration, braking and steering if necessary, the automaker claims.
Other standard safety and driver assistance technologies include automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, intelligent forward collision warning, lane departure prevention, high-beam assist, traffic sign recognition and 10 standard airbags.
The 2026 Sentra’s powertrain continues to be a 2.0L inline 4-cyl., with output of 149 hp and 146 lb.-ft. (198 Nm) of torque unchanged from the 2025 model. The powertrain also remains equipped with standard idle stop/start to help save gas in city driving. The Xtronic continuously variable transmission has been retuned for the 2026 model year to deliver “a more natural, smooth acceleration feel,” Nissan says, adding in the U.S., a new Sport drive mode in SV, SR and SL models has been tuned for sharper throttle responses and more thrilling shifting patterns.
