2022 Nissan Sentra | Affordable Commuter Car!!

Overview

No longer an econo-box languishing in rental car anonymity, the 2022 Nissan Sentra finally has the style and personality to run alongside its compact peers. Nissan overhauled its small sedan two years ago, infusing it with the deep grille and flowing lines of its Maxima and Murano stablemates, and similar levels of comfort.

The Sentra's cabin is among the nicest in its class with supremely comfortable seats, handsome dash layout, soft-touch materials, and contrast stitching accents. The Mazda 3 may be the only one better. The ride is smooth, and a suite of advanced driver aids, impressive at this price point, also comes standard.

But the Sentra lacks spirit. Its stylish exterior hides a relatively anemic engine and transmission package, and handling is only average. There's only one engine choice, no hybrid alternative, and no answer to the spunky turbos and fuel-sipping competitors like Honda Civic, Hyundai Elantra and Toyota Corolla. The sport-oriented SR trim adds only 18-inch wheels and a firm suspension, undermining an otherwise pleasant ride quality. It won't get you anywhere in a hurry, but the Sentra is still an attractive package that's priced right.

 

What's New for 2022

A Midnight Edition package (blacked-out wheels and trim) is available for the SR trim, while the SV trim can add comforts to cold-climate driving with the All-Weather package.

 

Approximate MSRP might be changed based on location

 

Model	Engine Type	MSRP
Sentra S	2.0L I4 Engine (AWD)	$20,905.00*
Sentra SV	2.0L I4 Engine (AWD)	$21,695.00*
Sentra SR	2.0L I4 Engine (AWD)	$23,495.00*

 

Trims and Pricing

The 2022 Nissan Sentra is available in three trim levels: S, SV, and SR. The Nissan S is the most popular model, but the SV is our pick for best value. We'll explain why.

S

Pricing starts at $20,535 for the Sentra S, including a $975 destination fee. The base Sentra comes with a 7-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, one USB port, and keyless entry with push-button start. It's also equipped with a full suite of active-safety features, such as forward-collision warning with pedestrian detection and automatic braking, lane-departure warning, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert, which also has automatic braking.

SV

The SV starts at $21,595 and it's worth the extra cost for adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go capability and lane-centering (Nissan's ProPilot Assist), an 8-inch touchscreen, satellite radio, passive keyless entry, dual-zone automatic climate control, two additional USB ports, alloy wheels, and rear disc brakes.

The optional SV Premium package ($1,860) is a bigger indulgence, but includes quilted leather upholstery, heated front seats, a sunroof, and a power driver's seat. The new All-Weather package ($590) adds dual-zone climate control, heated front seats and steering wheel, and remote start.

SR

The SR, for $23,125, doesn't cost much more than the SV, but much of what it buys is a different look rather than more features. The SR gets dark exterior trim, 18-inch wheels, a rear spoiler, lower body sill extensions, LED headlights and fog lights, and a specific cloth interior with orange stitching. The SR's Premium package adds a sunroof, a heated steering wheel, heated front seats, faux-leather upholstery, a power driver's seat, Bose premium audio, a Wi-Fi hotspot, and a surround-view monitor, among other items.

The new Midnight Edition package ($695) includes a blacked-out grille, rear spoiler, and exterior trim, and 18-inch black wheels.

Engine and Performance

Under the hood of every Sentra sits a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine making 149 horsepower and 146 pound-feet of torque. Like most Nissans, it's hooked to a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT) that drives the front wheels. The powertrain is the Sentra's least-compelling aspect. Acceleration, particularly on the highway, is leisurely, and you can't be shy about working this engine. It's not as bad in town, and the CVT does mimic the shift pattern of a conventional transmission to cut down on the typical high-rpm droning.

The latest Sentra has an independent rear suspension, so the ride quality is more controlled than expected for a small car. But anyone seeking sportiness will find it lacking. Hustle the Sentra around a corner and there's considerable body lean. However, the steering feels properly weighted and direct. The Sentra SR purports to be the sporty version, but other than its larger wheels, it's mechanically no different. There's nothing here to rival the engaging demeanor of the Mazda 3 or the Honda Civic.

Fuel Economy

The Environmental Protection Agency estimates the 2022 Nissan Sentra's mileage at 29 mpg in the city and 39 mpg on the highway for the S and SV models, with the SR slightly lower at 28/37 mpg city/highway. That's not quite as good as rivals like the Honda Civic and Toyota Corolla. The Hyundai Elantra can break the 30-mpg mark in the city and top 40 mpg on the highway.