The Nissan Sentra has long provided great value in the compact sedan segment, offering comfortable and reliable transportation at an excellent price. The Sentra received a full redesign for the 2020 model year featuring more tech, safety, and comfort features than ever all at a competitive price.
New for 2021, Nissan made Apple CarPlay and Android Auto standard on all trims and made available a Wi-Fi hotspot and remote services/control on the top trim.
- PROS:
- Comfortable ride
- Improved cabin materials and design
- Lots of standard safety and tech features
- CONS:
- Slow acceleration
- Dated infotainment graphics
- Mediocre emergency braking performance
The 2021 Sentra stands apart from the previous generation with use of a larger and more powerful engine and key suspension enhancements.
The fuel-efficient 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine replaces the previous generation 1.8-liter design. Horsepower is rated at 149 hp, an increase of 20 percent over the previous model. The powerplant’s 146 lb.-ft of torque represents a 17 percent increase.
All 2021 Sentra models come equipped with the latest generation Xtronic transmission. The Sentra’s acceleration feel is enhanced with a D-mode step shift program that simulates shifts, giving a more natural acceleration feeling without holding a high rpm constant, letting rpms build as speed builds. The D-step logic control helps provide enhanced drivability with a stable, natural and crisp shift feel.
Fuel economy is rated at 29 mpg city, 39 mpg highway and 33 mpg combined for the S and SV grades and 28 mpg city, 37 mpg highway and 32 mpg combined for the SR grade.
For 2021, the Sentra grade walk includes S, SV and SR grades. Just two option packages are offered.
Sentra S includes 16-inch steel wheels with full covers, remote keyless entry with push button start, Apple CarPlay® integration and Android Auto™ and much more.
Sentra SV adds 16-inch aluminum-alloy wheels with 205/60R16 all-season tires, NissanConnect with an 8.0-inch color touchscreen display, 6-speaker audio system, Dual Zone Auto Climate Control, Intelligent Cruise Control, upgraded cloth interior and more.
The sporty Sentra SR includes 18-inch aluminum-alloy wheels with 215/45R18 all- season tires, dark chrome V-motion grille, LED headlights with LED Daytime Running Lights, LED fog lights, sport cloth interior with orange stitching, rear spoiler and lower body side sill extensions.
The SV Premium Package includes 17-inch aluminum-alloy wheels, power sliding glass moonroof with tilt feature, quilted leather-appointed seats (front and rear), 6-way power driver’s seat with 2-way power lumbar, heated front seats and leather shift knob.
The SR Premium Package features thin projector LED headlights with LED Daytime Running Lights, power sliding glass moonroof with tilt feature, heated steering wheel, heated front seats, Prima-Tex™-appointed seats (front and rear), 6-way power driver’s seat with 2-way power lumbar, 8-speaker Bose® Premium Audio System, Intelligent Around View® Monitor, auto-dimming rearview mirror, sunvisors with illuminated vanity mirrors, Wi-Fi hotspot and NissanConnect Services.
