2024 Nissan Sentra – usa.nissannews.com | Shop 2024 Nissan Sentra on Carsforsale.com
The 2024 Nissan Sentra comes in three trim levels and all three share the same 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine paired with a continuously variable transmission and front-wheel drive. New for 2024 is an updated front fascia, allow wheels, and a new Xtronic continuously variable transmission.
This compact sedan aims to attract buyers with a very low price and a great set of standard features like Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, automatic emergency braking, and more. The 2024 Nissan Sentra also comes standard with the Nissan Safety Shield® 360 advanced drivers assist features.
Great pricing
Upscale interior
Impressive safety tech
Bland powertrain
No AWD option
Questionable braking power
A cheap but not cheerful sedan
Nissan continues to offer the same 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine that it did from last year’s model. It makes 149 hp and 146 lb-ft of torque and sends that power to the front wheels only. New for this year is Nissan’s Xtronic continuously variable transmission which improves the fuel economy and smooth out the powertrain.
According to Nissan, the Sentra will get up to 30 mpg in the city and 40 on the highway. That’s a solid set of figures for a non-hybrid engine. Notably, Nissan hasn’t changed anything with regard to the performance characteristics of the Sentra. For instance, the base model gets drum brakes on the rear which is disappointing but an understandable cost-cutting measure. We’re a long way away from the glory days of the Sentra SE-R Spec-V.
The Sentra used a different CVT last year and we expect it to drive nearly identically now. Specifically, this little sedan is known for being underwhelming from behind the wheel. 149 hp isn’t very much in a car that weighs 3,100 pounds before adding people to the mix. The suspension is somewhat prone to slow reactions and body roll. We expect the steering and pedal feedback to be acceptable but nowhere near the front of the class.
Nissan does a great job of sprucing up the interior of this value-oriented sedan. The flat-bottomed steering wheel and clean dashboard design both feel upmarket and the zero gravity seats are among the most comfortable in the class. We really like the combination of the infotainment system along with a number of physical controls for volume, tuning, and climate. Small touches like available contrast stitching also add to the allure of the Sentra.
Both the front and rear seats offer ample headroom and legroom for most passengers. Notably, an available sunroof will shrink headroom space by a couple of inches. The Sentra features great visibility for the driver, up to three USB power ports, and cup holders for all passengers. Behind the rear seats, the trunk houses 14 cubic feet of storage. That makes it one of the most practical sedans available at this price point.
This small car features a smallish 7-inch infotainment screen if you get the base S model. In that case, it’ll also come with a 4.2-inch driver information display in the gauge cluster. Its comparable to other base infotainment system in its class, like in the 2024 Honda Civic. It is a simple but effective combination.
Buyers who step up to either the SV or the SR trim will get a 7-inch driver information display and an 8-inch infotainment screen. Both infotainment systems are bright and featureful with a straightforward menu and good response times. They also both leverage Android Auto and Apple CarPlay for those who prefer them.
The larger version also gets satellite radio. Most Sentras will come with four or six speakers but an eight-speaker Bose sound system is available too. In terms of safety tech, the Sentra is well-appointed.
Every Sentra comes with the Nissan Safety Shield 360. This advanced drivers system includes automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, blind spot warning, rear cross-traffic alert, lane departure warning, high beam assist, and rear automatic braking.
Those who want adaptive cruise control can get it as a standard feature on the SV and SR trim levels. It’s worth noting that the Sentra isn’t an IIHS award winner but with the adjustments that it received for 2024 that’s not totally off of the table for now. The NHTSA hasn’t released safety scores for it either.
The base Sentra kicks things off with 16-inch wheels, a height-adjustable driver’s seat, a 7-inch infotainment system, Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, four speakers, a 4.2-inch driver information display, one USB-A power port, cloth upholstery, and halogen headlights.
The SV includes 16-inch alloy wheels, rear disc brakes, keyless entry, a 7-inch driver information display, an 8-inch infotainment system, satellite radio, six speakers, a total of three USB power ports, and adaptive cruise control.
Finally, the SR adds a spoiler, dual-zone automatic climate control, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, LED headlights, 18-inch alloy wheels, remote start, heated front seats, heated exterior mirrors, and sport-cloth seats with contrast stitching.
The Sentra isn’t a bad value on its own but it still isn’t near the top of the compact sedan class. The Honda Civic drives much better but does cost considerably more. The Mazda3 also drives better and offers available AWD. Still, for those who just need the best car possible for the very least amount of cash, the Sentra is an interesting option thanks to great safety tech, awesome seats, and a very low price. Nissan even has an attractive lease offer on it right now..
2024 Nissan Sentra – usa.nissannews.com | Shop 2024 Nissan Sentra on Carsforsale.com
If there’s anything that the Sentra could benefit from it’s a more sporting or more fuel-efficient powertrain. Leaning in either direction would make it more attractive but could also drive the price up quite a bit.
Yes. The Nissan Sentra is a compact car. However, the car offers great legroom for it class.
Yes. The Nissan Sentra is a front-wheel drive car.
The Sentra starts at $20,630 and can cost in excess of $25,000 with every option and trim box checked.