​​Seven Reasons to Shop the Nissan Sentra​

Before SUVs dominated the industry, America primarily rolled in four-door sedans. The sedan still meets the needs of many people who don’t require large cargo space or look like they’re ready to conquer the Australian Outback. Many individuals simply need a vehicle that can take them to and from work or classes, carry a few passengers, and haul a week’s worth of groceries or household goods. Additionally, it would be helpful if this vehicle was affordable to run and operate. Dick Smith Nissan of Columbia offers seven reasons why the Sentra is a good candidate for the job. 

Capable Performance 

The Sentra has a 2.0-liter inline-four engine, delivering 149 hp and 146 lb-ft of torque. It’s not a drag racer, but it handles city and highway speeds quite well. The suspension is tuned mainly for comfort without feeling floaty, and it remains pretty quiet on the highway. 

Enhanced Transmission 

Nissan has been the industry’s leading supporter of Continuously Variable Transmissions (CVTs). CVTs operate efficiently with no power loss due to gear changes and provide the exact ratio needed for any situation. In 2024, Nissan enhanced the Sentra’s Xtronic CVT for smoother performance, adding idle start-stop to reduce fuel waste during red lights or traffic jams. 

Fuel Efficiency 

The Sentra provides efficient operation without the cost and complexity of turbochargers or hybrid drivetrains. It has an EPA-rated city/highway/combined mpg rating of 30/40/34 mpg for most models, with 30/38/33 for the sporty SR model and an operating range of 422 and 409 miles, respectively. It also runs just fine on regular fuel.  

Stylish Inside and Out 

The Sentra is the middle child in Nissan’s three-sedan lineup. Its exterior design conveys sleekness and capability. Its family resemblance to the larger Altima is so evident that the two models could easily be mistaken for each other at a glance. Well-finished details, available two-tone exterior color options, and attractive wheels all help the Sentra look more expensive than it actually is. 

The interior is well designed, featuring the expected infotainment touchscreen alongside practical physical buttons and knobs for functions that are better accessed that way. Bright trim accents the control panels, and (on SR and SV models) the three-spoke steering wheel livens up the cabin. This can be further enhanced with contrast red stitching on the SR model or quilted brown leather on the SV. 

Well Built—Says J.D. Power 

The J.D. Power 2025 U.S. Initial Quality Study (IQS) ranked Nissan as the highest among all mass-market brands and second overall. The Sentra ranked highest in initial quality for the Compact Car segment. 

Good Safety Credentials 

All Sentra models come standard with the Nissan Safety Shield 360 suite of safety and driver assistance technologies, including:  

• Automatic Emergency Braking with Pedestrian Detection 

• Rear Automatic Braking 

• Blind Spot Warning 

• Rear Cross Traffic Alert 

• Lane Departure Warning 

• High Beam Assist 

Additional features include Intelligent Forward Collision Warning and Intelligent Driver Alertness. Intelligent Cruise Control for highway driving is also available. In addition, the Sentra received an overall 5-star rating from NHTSA. 

Great Value 

Along with its Versa sedan sibling, the Sentra is among the most affordable vehicles on the market, with a starting price of $21,590 for the S model. Even the top-tier SR Midnight Edition has an MSRP of only $25,285. These prices beat comparable rivals from Honda, Toyota, and Hyundai. 

The Sentra is ready to be your trusted, well-made, stylish, and safety-minded daily driver with low operating costs. If that sounds like a fit for your transportation needs, visit Dick Smith Nissan of Columbia for a Sentra test drive.