2020 Nissan Sentra

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Rating6.7

Ranked #5 in 

Compact Sedan
Write Review
$19,310 - $21,650
Starting Price 
M. Hannigan's image
M. Hannigan 

Content Writer,

Updated on August 12, 2024

ProsConsWhat's New

Great cargo capacity

Subpar engine performance

Fully redesigned

Intuitive infotainment system

No available turbocharged engine

New platform

Lots of standard safety features

Doesn't handle as well as a Civic or Jetta

Multi-link rear suspension

Spacious & comfortable interior

New 2.0L engine

Outstanding reliability

Specs & Features

$19,310

price

149 hp @ 6400 rpm

horsepower

146 lb.-ft. @ 4400 rpm

torque

Continuously Variable-Speed Automatic

transmission

2.0L 4cyl FWD CVT

engine

-

basic warranty

Overview

The 2020 Nissan Sentra has been fully redesigned and is now available for sale at a starting price of  $19,310. It sits on a new platform while its exterior styling has been inspired by its elder sibling, the Maxima. Only three trims are offered for the new Sentra- S, SV, and SR. It also gets a new powertrain under the hood which is a 2.0L inline-4 engine that makes 149 hp and 146 lb-ft. of torque. Unfortunately, there is no turbocharged engine on offer. 

The cabin pleases your eyes with good-quality materials and a modern layout. The Sentra offers the best passenger space in the segment. On the safety front, the Sentra now bundles Safety Shield 360 which is basically a package of top driver-assist features. In the highly competitive compact sedan segment, the Sentra goes against the market leaders such as the Honda Civic, the Toyota Corolla, and the Hyundai Elantra

Buying Advice

The SV trim is more value for money for its price. It adds more features for just one grand more. Better still is the $2,460 Premium package that turns this car into something high class. You get quilted leather upholstery, a moonroof, a 6-way power driver's seat, a leather shift knob, 17-inch alloy wheels, and heated front seats that feel like it was pulled out of an Infiniti. 

Comparative Analysis against Competition

With its revamped style, smooth powertrain and impressive roster of features, the Sentra is a competent daily driver for folks on a budget- Cnet

The new Nissan Sentra is a compact sedan that has focussed its attention on creating a comfortable and streamlined user experience but the rudimentary engine is rather disappointing when you put your pedal to the metal. However, the infotainment system is quite appealing and intuitive. Also, the driver aids that were optional on the previous versions are now made standard. 

Although it is a good sedan, it still ranks below the segment leaders such as the Civic and the Corolla. One of the reasons for that could be due to a slightly higher depreciation value than the others. On the plus side, the Sentra is a low maintenance car so the total cost to own it is rounded off to $6,320 every year, which also includes repair, insurance, maintenance, etc. 

Features
6.0/10

Nissan is working hard to distinguish its vehicles with on-board technology, and the Sentra delivers- Motor1

For 2020, the Nissan Sentra is available in just three trims- S, SV, and SR. It starts from $19,310 for the S model while the top-end SR trim is priced at $21,650, excluding a $950 destination fee. The Sentra offers a long list of standard features, which is a nice touch but there are some packages available for higher trims to upgrade the feature list. 

The $2,170 Premium package in the SR trim adds heated front seats and steering wheel, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, a moonroof, synthetic leather upholstery, a 6-way power driver's seat, a surround-view camera, and an 8-speaker Bose sound system. The SV trim also has a package with the same name but offers more features and has a higher price. 

Trim S SV SR
MSRP (FWD) $19,310 $20,370 $21,650
Key Features Cloth upholstery Adds/ Upgrades to S trim Adds/ Upgrades to SV trim
  Manually adjustable front seats 7-inch digital driver's display LED low-beam headlights
  Bluetooth  8-inch touchscreen w/ smartphone integration 18-inch alloy wheels
  7-inch touchscreen 6-speaker stereo LED DRLs
  4-speaker stereo Dual-zone automatic climate control Exterior body cladding
  Voice recognition Heated exterior mirrors Premium cloth seats with orange stitching
  Nissan Safety Shield 360 16-inch alloy wheels  
  Halogen headlights Leather steering wheel  
  16-inch steel wheels Proximity keyless entry  
  Push-button start Satellite radio  
  Dual USB ports Remote engine start  
    Adaptive cruise control  

We Recommend

The SV trim is more value for money for its price. It adds more features for just one grand more. Better still is the $2,460 Premium package that turns this car into something high class. You get quilted leather upholstery, a moonroof, a 6-way power driver's seat, a leather shift knob, 17-inch alloy wheels, and heated front seats that feel like it was pulled out of an Infiniti

Fuel Economy
6.0/10

The 2020 Nissan Sentra more powerful powertrain is also more fuel-efficient, though not by much- The Car Connection

Fuel economy would certainly rank high up on the list of deciding factors for those looking for a pocket,-friendly, value-for-money sedan in this segment. The gas mileage of the Nissan Sentra will definitely impress you. It returns 29 MPG in the city and 39 MPG on a highway, which equates to a combined mileage of 33 MPG. 

The new 2.0L engine delivers great fuel economy and doesn't compromise on performance either. The Sentra comes fitted with a small fuel tank measuring 12.4 gallons in size meaning low fuel costs. Yet, it amazes with a driving range of 409 miles in mixed proportions. That puts it right in the middle of its class. 

Models

2020 Nissan Sentra

2020 Hyundai Elantra

2020 Toyota Corolla

2020 Honda Civic

MPG (City)

29

31

30

25

MPG (Highway)

39

41

38

36

MPG (Combined)

33

35

33

29

Fuel Tank Capacity(Gallon)

12.4

14.0

13.2

12.4

Range (City/Highway/Combined; Miles) 360/484/409 434/574/476 396/502/436 310/446/360

The Hyundai Elantra has the best fuel estimates and driving range in this competition courtesy to its large fuel tank. The Honda Civic's fuel economy with a manual transmission is less. When equipped with CVT, its fuel economy is equal to the Sentra. The Toyota Corolla is slightly less efficient than the Sentra but it is a good cruiser. 

Interior
6.0/10

There's real style here, even if the flat-bottomed steering wheel is now a bit of a design cliché- CarAndDriver

The cabin of the Nissan Sentra follows a very functional approach. The flat-bottom steering wheel, white stitching, and padded armrest, all feel upscale. The three circular air bends will remind you of Mercedes-Benz and the silver trim brightens up the cabin. Fit and finish are quite good, even the hard plastic on the lower part of the dash. Both cloth and leather upholsteries are available. For comfort, Nissan's Zero Gravity seats upfront promise to reduce fatigue. 

The high seats may not be so welcoming to the taller occupants, but it gives you great visibility from the driver's seat. A powered driver's seat with heated functionality is available. The Sentra is one of the biggest and buffiest sedans in the competition, thus providing the passengers with the best-in-class interior space. Even with three adults in the back, the cabin feels roomy. The insides of the Sentra are pretty quiet and muffles most of the engine noise.

On the tech end, only the S trim relies on a 7-inch touchscreen while the other two trims get a larger 8-inch display with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto functionality. The NissanConnect infotainment system is more straightforward than intriguing. It is intuitive and easy to use, even while driving, The touchscreen is fast and can be customized with the shortcuts you want. An 8-speaker Bose premium sound system is an exclusive option to the SR trim. 

Models

2020 Nissan Sentra

2020 Hyundai Elantra

2020 Toyota Corolla

2020 Honda Civic

Passenger Capacity

5

5

5

5

Front Row (Head/Shoulder/Leg) (in)

38.9/56.4/44.0 40.3/56.2/42.2 38.3/54.0/42.0 39.3/57.0/42.3

Second Row (Head/Shoulder/Leg) (in)

36.7/54.5/37.4

37.3/55.3/35.7

37.1/51.7/34.8

37.1/55.0/37.4

Cargo Space (cu-ft.) 14.3 14.4 13.1 15.1

The trunk of the Sentra has 14.3 cu-ft. of cargo storage, which is good for a compact sedan. You could also fold the rear seats for carrying longer items but the seats don't fold completely flat. The trunk opens wide opens which is an added benefit for storing bigger items. There is also decent interior storage offered in the Sentra. Other key highlights of the Sentra's cabin include:

  • Tilt & telescopic multi-function leather steering wheel
  • Manually-adjustable front seats
  • Dual-zone automatic climate control
  • Remote engine start
  • Rear center armrest with cupholders
  • Proximity keyless entry
  • 8-inch touchscreen w/ Apple CarPlay & Android Auto
  • 4 & 6-speaker stereo
  • 7-inch digital driver's display
  • Satellite radio

Also Read:

  • 2021 Nissan Pathfinder caught testing in camouflage

Exterior
6.0/10

Nissan’s signature V grille, the floating roof and sporty roofline all make it feel like part of the family- Kelly Blue Book

The first thing you're going to notice about the new Nissan Sentra is a brand new exterior styling. It looks is a down-scaled version of the Altima, which is a great thing. You get the typical V-motion grille but will be surprised to find fog lamps on the SR trim, which is something that all of the competition has completely eliminated. The grille blends into the crease along with the hood which flows into the windshield.

The new Sentra is 2 inches lower and wider than the outgoing Sentra. For an FWD car, it carries the balanced proportions and low shoulder lines of an RWD car. The top-end SR trim has an option of a contrasting black roof and 18-inch alloy wheels, which look very sleek. The lower trims sit on 16-inch alloys. The taillights echo the headlights just as the trunk lid mirrors the V-shaped grille. 

Models

2020 Nissan Sentra

2020 Hyundai Elantra

2020 Toyota Corolla

2020 Honda Civic

Curb Weight (lbs)

3,047 2,844 2,910 2,762

Length (in)

182.7

181.9 182.3 182.7

Width (in)

71.5

70.9

70.1

70.9

Height (in)

56.9 56.5

56.5

55.7

Ground Clearance (in)

4.8 5.3 5.1

6.7

Wheelbase (in)

106.8

106.3

106.3

106.3

The Honda Civic has a high ground clearance for a compact sedan. The Toyota Corolla's wide wheelbase doesn't aid in rear-seat space but instead offers a stable ride. Despite weighing less than the Sentra, the Hyundai Elantra's on-road performance is very sluggish. Some other exterior features are:

  • 16 & 18-inch alloy wheels
  • LED auto high-beam headlights
  • LED DRLs
  • Puddle lamps
  • Fog lamps
  • Heated exterior mirrors
  • Black grille with chrome accents
  • Rear decklid
  • Chrome trim
  • Chrome exhaust tips

Safety
7.0/10

The Sentra comes with many standard safety features and driver aids- Edmunds

The Nissan Sentra has a strong build quality due to which impressive safety ratings from both safety agencies. NHTSA rated it five stars for its overall safety. IIHS recognized it as their Top Safety Pick for 2020 as it received 'Good' ratings in all crash tests. The only exception being the headlights were rated 'Acceptable'. 

The Sentra now comes standard with Nissan's Safety Shield 360 which includes a plethora of standard assist and crash mitigation features to keep you safe behind the wheel. The 10-airbag system in the Sentra can protect passengers in both rows. For its price, the Sentra offers a lot of value in terms of safety. Some of them are:

  • Rearview camera
  • Surround-view camera
  • Blind-spot monitor
  • Rear cross-traffic alert
  • Adaptive cruise control
  • Forward & reverse automatic emergency braking
  • Driver attention monitor
  • Rear seat reminder
  • Forward collision warning
  • Pedestrian detection
  • Lane departure warning

Competition
7.0/10

2020 Nissan Sentra vs 2020 Honda Civic

The Honda Civic is an all-rounder sedan. Its optional turbocharged engine is peppy and much more engaging with manual transmission The Civic is also known for its agile handling. The Civic also has a pleasing interior and is heavy on the tech. Its cargo space is among the best in the class. It also matches the Sentra in terms of safety. Therefore, the Civic is a great pick. 

2020 Nissan Sentra vs 2020 Toyota Corolla

The Toyota Corolla is one of the toughest rivals of the Sentra. It ranks better due to its strong reliability and a bevy of driver-assist systems. Even on the base trim, it offers Apple CarPlay whereas the Sentra doesn't. The Sentra's strengths against the Corolla are a spacious rear row, more trunk volume, better fuel efficiency, and a long list of standard features. 

2020 Nissan Sentra vs 2020 Hyundai Elantra

The Hyundai Elantra is similarly priced as the Sentra but in most aspects, the latter is a better pick. The base engine in the Sentra is responsive but the Elantra's optional turbocharged engine is peppier. The Sentra's rear row offers more legroom but its cargo space is slightly less than the Elantra. The Sentra is also a better choice for safety-conscious people as it offers more standard driver aids. 

Final Verdict

So much is going on for the 2020 Nissan Sentra. It's genuinely stylish, its cabin is upscale and one of the roomiest and most comfortable cars in the segment. However, it should still offer a turbocharged engine and a manual transmission like the Honda Civic. Plus, it should also add some more technology like it's already done in the Altima but altogether, the new Sentra is a major upgrade and is a good value for money.  

Trims

    S
    $19,310 onwards
    • 7-Inch touchscreen
    • Am/Fm stereo, Radio
    • Blind-Spot monitor
    • Four-Speaker audio system
    • Lane departure warning
    • Manual front air conditioning
    SV
    $20,370 onwards
    • Feated front seats
    • Leather upholstery
    • Led headlights
    • Power driver's seat
    • Sunroof
    SR
    $21,650 onwards
    • 8-Inch touchscreen
    • Adaptive cruise control
    • Dual-Zone climate control
    • Keyless entry
    • Leather-Wrapped steering wheel

Compare to similar cars

Price

$19,310- $21,650

Engine

Gasoline

Rating

6.68

Horsepower

149 hp @ 6400 rpm

Torque

146 lb.-ft. @ 4400 rpm

Capacity

5

Read Review

$19,300- $24,150

Gasoline

6.54

147 hp @ 6200 rpm

132 lb.-ft. @ 4500 rpm

5

Read Review

$18,695- $26,295

Gasoline

7.56

152 hp @ 6000 rpm

145 lb.-ft. @ 4000 rpm

5

Read Review

$19,600- $25,550

Gasoline

7.65

139 hp @ 6100 rpm

126 lb.-ft. @ 3900 rpm

5

Read Review

$18,895- $30,745

Gasoline

6.71

147 hp @ 5000 rpm

184 lb.-ft. @ 1400 rpm

5

Read Review

$17,890- $23,090

Gasoline

6.64

147 hp @ 6200 rpm

132 lb.-ft. @ 4500 rpm

5

Read Review

$25,900- $31,650

Gasoline

5.56

201 hp @ 6800 rpm

180 lb.-ft. @ 3600 rpm

5

Read Review

$21,500- $28,900

Gasoline

7.9

186 hp @ 6000 rpm

186 lb.-ft. @ 4000 rpm

5

Read Review

2020 Nissan Sentra vs competitor's 0-60

    Car Name
    0-60 MPH
    Quarter Mile
    Top Speed
    SourceCompare
    9.1 sec17 sec120 mph
    7.2 sec15.5 sec126 mph
    2020 Mazda 3

    Ranked #2

    7.5 sec15.8 sec130 mph
    7.7 sec16 sec-
    7.7 sec15.8 sec123 mph
    9 sec17 sec-

    2020 Nissan Sentra vs competitor's MPG

      Car Name
      MPG City
      MPG Highway
      MPG Combined
      Fuel Tank Capacity
      Range (C/H)
      SourceCompare
      29 mpg39 mpg33 mpg12.4 gal.359.6/483.6 mi.
      31 mpg40 mpg34 mpg14 gal.434/574 mi.
      30 mpg40 mpg34 mpg13.2 gal.396/528 mi.
      30 mpg38 mpg33 mpg13.2 gal.396/501.6 mi.
      31 mpg37 mpg31 mpg14 gal.378/518 mi.
      2020 Mazda 3

      Ranked #4

      27 mpg35 mpg30 mpg13.2 gal.343.2/462 mi.

      2020 Nissan Sentra vs competitor's dimensions

        Car Name
        Length
        Width
        Height
        Ground Clearance
        Wheelbase
        SourceCompare
        182.7 in.71.5 in.56.9 in.4.8 in.106.8 in.
        185.1 in.70.8 in.57.4 in.5.6 in.105.7 in.
        2020 Mazda 3

        Ranked #2

        183.5 in.70.7 in.56.9 in.5.5 in.107.3 in.
        182.7 in.70.9 in.56.5 in.5.3 in.106.3 in.
        182.7 in.70 in.57.3 in.5.1 in.105.1 in.
        182.3 in.70.1 in.56.5 in.5.1 in.106.3 in.

        2020 Nissan Sentra vs competitor's trunk space

          Car Name
          Trunk Capacity
          Passenger Volume
          Max Trunk Volume
          SourceCompare
          14.3 cu.ft.96 cu.ft.-
          15.3 cu.ft.96 cu.ft.80.1 cu.ft.
          2020 Mazda 3

          Ranked #2

          13.2 cu.ft.92.8 cu.ft.47.1 cu.ft.
          12.4 cu.ft.89.3 cu.ft.13.5 cu.ft.
          14.4 cu.ft.95.8 cu.ft.12.9 cu.ft.
          13.1 cu.ft.88.6 cu.ft.-

          2020 Nissan Sentra vs competitor's cargo space

            Car Name
            Cargo Volume
            Cargo Volume w/ Seat Area
            Max Cargo Volume
            SourceCompare
            -14.3 cu.ft.-
            -13.1 cu.ft.-
            -12.3 cu.ft.-
            12.9 cu.ft.14.4 cu.ft.12.9 cu.ft.
            80.1 cu.ft.15.3 cu.ft.80.1 cu.ft.
            2020 Mazda 3

            Ranked #6

            47.1 cu.ft.13.2 cu.ft.47.1 cu.ft.

            2020 Nissan Sentra vs competitor's towing capacity

              Car Name
              Payload Capacity
              Weight
              SourceCompare
              910 lbs.3047 lbs.
              889 lbs.2707 lbs.
              825 lbs.2910 lbs.
              1323 lbs.2976 lbs.
              2020 Mazda 3

              Ranked #1

              1008 lbs.3071 lbs.
              1080 lbs.2844 lbs.

              2020 Nissan Sentra Sedan Problems, Issues, Complaints, Recalls, and which year to avoid?

              4

              Recalls

              0

              Investigations

              188

              Complaints
              Overall Safety Rating
              Read More

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              #10

              2020 Nissan Sentra User Reviews

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              POPULAR TAGS

              ZA

              Zachary Arsenault

              2020 Nissan Sentra

              S 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl CVT)

              Not Rated

              User Overall Rating

              Posted On: August 4, 2024

              Great car if you buy an extended warranty

              Pros - ["Great interior and infotainment system", "Good amount of power for a four cylinder", "Blind spot monitoring"]

              Cons - ["Lots of electrical issues", "Transmission feels clunky sometimes when braking at low speeds", "Remote start is very finnicky"]

              This is an amazing car overall, but they are known to have some electrical issues. Sometimes the windows won't roll up which is supposedly an issue with the master switch or something along those lines. That and if I close the trunk too hard my backup camera won't turn on and the infotainment screen turns blue. Those have been my two biggest complaints with this vehicle. The transmission feels a ...

              Not Rated
              Features
              Not Rated
              Interior
              Not Rated
              Design
              Not Rated
              Safety
              Not Rated
              Reliability
              Not Rated
              Deal Value
              Not Rated
              Dealer Review

              JP

              Jonathan Perry

              2020 Nissan Sentra

              S 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl CVT)

              Not Rated

              User Overall Rating

              Posted On: July 10, 2024

              Great Car but had a few recalls that had to be fixed, but other than that it is a great car.

              Pros - ["It gets wonderful Gas mileage", "It is a very Comfortable vehicle"]

              Cons - ["Could use more Storage space", "There were a couple recalls on the car that had to be fixed"]

              It is a great small car, gets wonderful gas mileage and is such a smooth riding car, it could do with bigger storage space, and other than the recalls the dealership had to fix it is honestly the best car I've ever owned.

              Not Rated
              Features
              Not Rated
              Interior
              Not Rated
              Design
              Not Rated
              Safety
              Not Rated
              Reliability
              Not Rated
              Deal Value
              Not Rated
              Dealer Review

              BJJ

              Billy J Jones

              2019 Nissan Sentra

              S 4dr Sedan (1.8L 4cyl 6M)

              Not Rated

              User Overall Rating

              Posted On: August 25, 2024

              Excellent gas milage!

              Pros - ["Excellent gas milage ( 35-40 miles per gallon)", "Low maintenance", "Air conditioner works great!"]

              Cons - ["Uncomfortable seats", "Sometimes underpowered. Especially in urban areas where traffic is thick and heavy", "The cabin is cramped. When I'm driving and need to look out the side windows, I have to bed. Down to see out the windows"]

              I like my 2019 Nissan Sentra. To me me, all the Nissan vehicles that I woned were reliable. And this vehicle is no exception. I travel in highways a lot and my Nissan Sentra gets at 35-40 mpg. It is a smooth ride. But I don't like the seats due to being uncomfortable.

              Not Rated
              Features
              Not Rated
              Interior
              Not Rated
              Design
              Not Rated
              Safety
              Not Rated
              Reliability
              Not Rated
              Deal Value
              Not Rated
              Dealer Review