Video: 2026 Nissan Sentra Review: Do You Really Need a Crossover?

And I don't know about you, but every single time an automaker announces or releases an updated or refreshed version of one of its sedans, I breathe a little sigh of relief, given the ongoing sales dominance of the crossover SUV. But despite people's love for the large and lifted, you know, people still buy these compact four-door sedans. In 2025 alone, so far, Nissan has sold over 120,000 units of the outgoing version of the Nissan Sentra. And so, given this pretty sharp-looking redesign, I think the sales success is gonna continue. But I also think there might be some serious competition from elsewhere in Nissan's lineup. I think the call might be coming from inside the house this time. But, you know, we're gonna talk about it. Let's get into it. (upbeat music) Yes, it's the Nissan Kicks, the automaker's own subcompact crossover, that, in my opinion, poses the biggest danger to the new Sentra, despite those fairly strong sales of the outgoing sedan. Now, compare the base, no-option 2026 Sentra to the base 2026 Kicks, and you'll find only a $280 difference between the two, with the Sentra a smidge cheaper, with a starting price of $23,645. This is definitely apples to oranges, but that's also the whole point. With both, you get similar levels of equipment, refinement, and an almost identical powertrain, but the Kicks packs more space and functionality than the Sentra, as it is a crossover SUV. So from a car-as-a-tool approach, as most cars in this price point are, the Kicks is almost a no-brainer. So maybe the new Sentra makes its case in how it drives. When you've only driven trucks and SUVs, and you get into a subcompact or compact sedan, you are probably gonna be surprised at just how much more fun and characterful and nice to drive sedans are these days. Now, unless you're getting in something like a Civic Type R or like a GR Corolla, it's not necessarily gonna be fast, but it's just gonna be nicer to drive, and it's gonna be kind of more refined. This is definitely more of a kind of softer, muted, cushy entry in the segment. Everything feels great. The steering is nice. It's electric power steering, but it's got very little play in it, and it's not too fast, not too slow. It's a good feel. It's comfortable. On the highway, we were doing, you know, highway speed, 75, 80 miles an hour. Full conversation in here, didn't have to raise our voices, and you can't say that about every little buzzy four-cylinder vehicle that you buy. Now, speaking of engines, this does have a shared platform and powertrain with the outgoing Sentras. It means it's got the same 149 horsepower and 147 pound-feet of torque through a continuously variable transmission. So yeah, it's not the fastest, and it's not the most exciting, but it absolutely gets the job done. Nissan has done a great job in isolating that buzzy four-cylinder from the cabin, and really the whole driving experience, which goes a long way in elevating this away from its, well, relatively cheap price tag. You know, and beyond driving, it is just generally a nice place to spend some time in. Now, no matter which trim you pick, and in this case, we are in the kind of more sporty and aggressive-looking SR trim. All Sentras are gonna have the same 12.3-inch infotainment display here in the center, which is best in segment. I like the new two-spoke steering wheel. It's kind of shared with the Leaf, a little slightly flat bottom here. I like the dual digital display here on the dash. Nissan's acclaimed zero-gravity seats. Yeah, they're pretty comfortable. And if you've been avoiding sedans for the idea that maybe you and your passengers might not be comfortable with headroom compared to a crossover, I think there's plenty of space in here. I'm 5'11", and I've got plenty of legroom, shoulder room, all that, which is no surprise, given this has the best legroom in the segment. I like the materials. I like the presentation. I like that there are a lotta hard buttons on the steering wheel here. But if I had to levy a complaint about this space, not the biggest fan of the touch-capacitive panel here on the lower part of the center stack dash that controls the climate functions. And if you do happen to creep into the higher grades, you're gonna get some nice creature comforts. You've got auto brake hold, your wireless device charging, heated seats, and a heated steering wheel. This is gonna be used for commuting, and for commuting purposes, this is a nice car. If you can, load it out. I know it's kinda obvious, but, no, it's a nice place to spend some time. You know, I stand by the idea that, with prices sometimes being so close between some sedans and some crossovers, it's almost kind of a dumb decision to not get the crossover, based on all that extra utility and space. But I think I'm missing the whole point here. I would rather have a sedan, and I know a whole lot of other buyers would as well. I mean, take the new Sentra. This is certainly more stylish and better to look at than any crossover that's near it in price. And it sure does drive nice. You know what, I'm gonna flip it. Unless you really need, truly need that extra space and utility offered by an SUV, skip the crossover, get the sedan. You're just gonna have a better time. Now, with that, I definitely have some more stuff to say about the new 2026 Nissan Sentra, but for my full thoughts and review, you gotta go to cars.com/news.