2021 Nissan Sentra

2021 Nissan Sentra Overview

Is the 2021 Nissan Sentra a Good Used Car?

Yes, the 2021 Sentra is a good option if you’re shopping for a used compact car. There are quite a few things to like about the Sentra, from its posh cabin and a wealth of safety features to its relatively smooth ride. Its projected ownership costs are lower than average as well.

However, the Sentra is held back by mediocre acceleration, a tiny trunk and a sluggish infotainment system. Better alternatives in this class include the 2021 Honda Civic, 2021 Mazda3 and 2021 Volkswagen GTI.

Compare the Sentra, Civic and GTI »

Pricing

How Much is a 2021 Nissan Sentra?

Based on listings for the 2021 Nissan Sentra, the average list price is $18,783. Prices range from $18,783 to $20,607 and vary depending on the vehicle’s condition, mileage, features, and location.

See the Best Used Car Deals »

2020 vs. 2021 Nissan Sentra: What's the Difference?

For 2021, Honda added Apple CarPlay and Android Auto to the Sentra’s standard features list. Also, a Wi-Fi hot spot was made available. Otherwise, the 2020 and 2021 models are essentially the same.

Compare the 2020 and 2021 Sentra »

Here are the key changes for the Nissan Sentra over the last few years:

• 2018: no major changes
• 2019: Apple CarPlay and Android Auto made available
• 2020: fully redesigned with a restyled interior and exterior, a 25-horsepower bump and more standard and available safety features; turbocharged engine and six-speed manual transmission discontinued
• 2021: standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto; a Wi-Fi hot spot became available

If you're considering an older model, be sure to read our 2018 Sentra, 2019 Sentra and 2020 Sentra reviews to help make your decision. You can learn about savings and discounts on used vehicles on our Best Used Car Deals page. Also, check out our review of the new Nissan Sentra, and take a look at our Best New Car Deals and Best New Car Lease Deals pages to see how much you can save on a new vehicle.

How Reliable Is the 2021 Nissan Sentra?

The 2021 Nissan Sentra has a predicted reliability score of 85 out of 100. A J.D. Power predicted reliability score of 91-100 is considered the Best, 81-90 is Great, 70-80 is Average and 0-69 is Fair and considered below average.

Read more about Sentra reliability »

Which Used 2021 Nissan Sentra Trim Is Right for Me?

The 2021 Nissan Sentra comes in three trims: S, SV and SR. Every model has a 149-horsepower 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT) and front-wheel drive.

The entry-level S trim has many standard infotainment and driver-assistance features, making it a suitable choice for most shoppers. However, if you want more comfort-oriented features, the SV trim adds conveniences like a rear-seat armrest with cup holders and dual-zone automatic climate control. The top-tier SR trim mostly adds cosmetic enhancements.

• Nissan Sentra S: Standard features include cloth upholstery, a 7-inch touch screen, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, a four-speaker stereo, a USB port, Bluetooth, forward collision warning, forward and reverse automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, lane-departure warning, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, automatic high-beam headlights, driver-attention monitoring and a rearview camera.
• Nissan Sentra SV: The SV trim adds a leather-wrapped steering wheel, an 8-inch touch screen, a 7-inch digital gauge cluster, satellite radio, a six-speaker stereo, two more USB ports, proximity keyless entry, dual-zone automatic climate control, remote start, adaptive cruise control and alloy wheels. When this trim was new, it was available with the SV Premium package, which includes genuine leather upholstery, heated front seats, a six-way power-adjustable driver’s seat, a moonroof and larger alloy wheels.
• Nissan Sentra SR: The top-of-the-line SR trim adds cloth upholstery with orange stitching, a rear spoiler, a chrome-tipped exhaust, a dark chrome grille and fog lights. The SR Premium package includes the contents of the SV Premium package plus synthetic leather upholstery, an eight-speaker Bose stereo, a Wi-Fi hot spot, a heated steering wheel and a surround-view parking camera system.

See 2021 Nissan Sentra trims and specs »

What Does Nissan's Certified Pre-Owned Warranty Cover?

Nissan offers a certified pre-owned program for vehicles six years old or less and with fewer than 80,000 miles. Eligibility is determined by the vehicle’s initial sale date. For its certified pre-owned vehicles, Nissan extends the original new-car warranty to seven years from the original sale date or 100,000 miles. To become certified pre-owned, each Nissan CPO vehicle must pass a 167-point inspection. Additional benefits like rental car reimbursement, a three-month SiriusXM satellite radio trial subscription, a Security+Plus Extended protection plan, towing, and 24-hour roadside assistance may be available. 

According to our research, Nissan’s CPO program is subpar. Most affordable auto manufacturers have programs that are more robust.

See the best CPO programs »

Extended Warranties for Nissan Cars, Trucks and SUVs

Not every used Nissan will qualify for a certified pre-owned warranty. However, there are options available if you want additional coverage after the manufacturer’s warranty has expired. 

Read more about extended car warranties »

2021 Nissan Sentra Safety

Score: 9.5/10

2021 Sentra Crash Test Results

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety gave the 2021 Nissan Sentra the highest rating of Good in all six crash tests. Depending on trim and options, the Sentra received the second-highest rating of Acceptable or the lowest rating of Poor for how well its headlights illuminate the road.

The IIHS uses a different scale for grading collision avoidance features. The Sentra earned the highest rating of Superior for its standard vehicle-to-vehicle front crash prevention system, while the standard vehicle-to-pedestrian system received the midtier rating of Advanced.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration gave the Sentra an overall safety rating of five out of five stars, with five stars in the side crash and rollover tests and four stars in the frontal crash test.

Standard driver-assistance features:

• Lane-departure warning
• Forward collision warning
• Forward and reverse automatic emergency braking
• Pedestrian detection
• Rearview camera
• Driver-attention monitoring
• Blind-spot monitoring
• Automatic high-beam headlights

Available driver-assistance features:

• Adaptive cruise control
• Surround-view parking camera system

2021 Nissan Sentra Recalls

There are no major recalls for the 2021 Nissan Sentra at this time.

See more information on Nissan Sentra safety recalls »

2021 Nissan Sentra Versus the Competition 

2021 Nissan Sentra vs. 2021 Honda Civic

The 2021 Honda Civic is a highly rated compact car that has a lot to offer. It’s available in sedan and hatchback body styles, and both offer more cargo space than the Sentra. The Honda also offers lively engines and athletic handling, making it more enjoyable to drive, and it gets better fuel economy estimates. Go with the Civic. It’s the all-around better choice.

Compare the Sentra and Civic »

2021 Nissan Sentra vs. 2021 Toyota Corolla

The 2021 Toyota Corolla and Sentra both provide lackluster acceleration, but the Corolla steps ahead of the Sentra thanks to its availability in both hatchback and sedan body styles and its user-friendly infotainment system. While neither is at the top of its class, we recommend the Corolla.

Compare the Sentra and Corolla »

Compare the Sentra, Civic and Corolla »

2021 Sentra Performance

How Does the 2021 Nissan Sentra Drive? 

The engine in the 2021 Sentra is fine when driving around town, and the ride quality is adequate, but it feels underpowered on the highway and drones loudly during acceleration. Handling is par for the course. Body motions are controlled, there’s a good amount of steering feedback, and the brakes are strong.

Critics are divided on the transmission. Some say it is smooth, while others argue that it contributes to the lethargic powertrain.

• Engine: 149-horsepower 2.0-liter four-cylinder
• Drivetrain: front-wheel drive
• Transmission: continuously variable automatic (CVT)

2021 Nissan Sentra Gas Mileage

The Sentra gets average fuel economy for the compact car class. The S and SV models return 29 mpg in the city and 39 mpg on the highway, while the SR trim gets 28/37 mpg city/highway.

Read more about Sentra performance »

2021 Sentra Interior

2021 Sentra Interior Quality

The 2021 Sentra has an upscale and modern interior with a blend of soft and hard plastics, a sporty steering wheel and rounded air vents that give off a luxury vibe. For a compact car, this cabin has a high-quality feel, and it’s a nice place to sit.

How Many People Does the 2021 Sentra Seat?

The Sentra seats five people. The front seats are comfortable and well-cushioned. While both rows provide enough legroom for taller folks to feel comfortable, rear headroom is a bit tight for adults, and it can feel especially confining on longer trips.

Standard seating features:

• Cloth upholstery

Available seating features:

• Synthetic or genuine leather upholstery
• Six-way power-adjustable driver’s seat
• Heated front seats
• Leather-wrapped steering wheel
• Heated steering wheel

How Many Child Car Seats Fit in the 2021 Nissan Sentra? 

The Sentra comes with two complete sets of LATCH connectors for the rear outboard seats and a tether anchor for the rear middle seat, and you can borrow a lower anchor from the adjoining seats. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety gave this LATCH system the highest rating of Good+, which indicates that it's among the easiest and most versatile to use.

2021 Nissan Sentra Features

This Nissan’s infotainment system has simple menus and is easy to reach while driving. However, it can be a bit finicky. The touch screen isn’t always responsive, some climate controls require multiple button presses, and the graphics are dated.

• Standard infotainment features: a 7-inch touch screen, Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, a four-speaker stereo, Bluetooth and a USB port
• Available infotainment features: an 8-inch touch screen, a Wi-Fi hot spot, two more USB ports, satellite radio and a stereo with six or eight speakers
• Additional standard features: push-button start and remote keyless entry
• Other available features: a 7-inch digital gauge cluster, proximity keyless entry, remote start, dual-zone automatic climate control and a moonroof

See 2021 Nissan Sentra specs »

Read more about Sentra interior »

2021 Nissan Sentra Dimensions

Nissan Sentra Cargo Space

The Sentra’s trunk has 14.3 cubic feet of space, which is below average for the compact car segment. Even the subcompact 2021 Nissan Versa offers more room.

Nissan Sentra Length and Weight

• Length: 15 feet, 2 inches 
• Curb weight: 3,036 to 3,084 pounds
• Gross vehicle weight rating: 3,957 to 4,001 pounds

Where Was the 2021 Nissan Sentra Built?

Nissan built the 2021 Sentra in Mexico.

Why You Can Trust Our Reviews

U.S. News & World Report has been ranking the best cars, trucks and SUVs since 2007, and our staff has more than 75 years of combined experience in the auto industry. This 2021 Sentra review combines 24 professional reviews with concrete data like performance specs, fuel economy estimates and safety ratings.