Newsweek Says Nissan Sentra Is Wallet-Friendly Fun in an Efficient Package

The Nissan Sentra has been with us for 42 years and has spanned eight design generations, each one better than the last. While the current Sentra design dates back to 2019, it was significantly updated for 2024. Newsweek took a look at the new Sentra Nissan of Rochester and reported on what they found. 

Newsweek starts off with praise for the model’s styling enhancements for 2024. The grille and lower vent treatment were reshaped, and the headlights are new. There are also new wheels, and the SR model Newsweek tested had a black roof with some matching trim. You have to look closely to distinguish the Sentra from its Altima mid-size sedan sibling. 

The power plant for all Sentra models is a 2.0-liter inline-4 producing 149 horsepower and 156 lb-ft of torque. The figures won’t elicit a “wow!” from performance enthusiasts, but combined with the CVT Nissan has continuously perfected, it gets the Sentra around town just fine. Newsweek found that the Sentra “felt downright quick.” The lack of turbocharging also keeps the Sentra efficient, with 30 mpg city, 40 mpg highway, and 34 mpg combined on the S and SV models without any need for electric motors. As for the ride, Newsweek found: “It’s not sprung stiffly like a sports car, though, meaning it soaks up normal road imperfections without a hard jolt to the body or a complaint from the chassis.”

Inside, they found the Sentra to be “spacious for its class, plenty for the average family, even with kids.” They made note of the SR’s sporty flat-bottomed steering wheel and stylish round climate control vents, which recall the Nissan Z model. Nissan’s “Zero Gravity Seats” don’t actually defy any laws of physics but are “comfortable and supportive over a few hours’ drive.” They also make this note about the rear seats: ” The rear seatbelts are easy to latch for kids in booster seats, something most vehicles can’t say.” 

The infotainment screens on the dash are proportional to the vehicle’s size, with a 7-inch screen on base models and an 8-inch screen on upper trims. Smartphone integration is standard through a USB-C port with an additional USB-A port for charging.

All Sentra’s come standard with the Nissan Safety Shield 360, which includes:

• Front and rear emergency braking
• Blind spot warning
• Rear cross-traffic alert
• Lane departure warning
• Forward collision warning

The Forward Collision Warning system not only gives audio alerts but also creates a haptic warning through the steering wheel. The convenience of Adaptive Cruise Control is available on SV and above models. 

Newsweek concludes that the small sedan market is still alive in the face of crossovers. It provides a great deal of value for anyone looking for a safe, comfortable, and efficient ride. The Sentra S has a remarkably low starting MSRP of $21,180, with the SV and SR models being the most popular, several of which you will find at Nissan of Rochester.