2022 Nissan Sentra Reviews, Pricing & Specs
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The 2022 Nissan Sentra does not stand out in one particular area, but it also has few—if any—shortcomings. The result is one well-rounded compact sedan.
A lot is asked of small sedans. It’s not just that they are expected to be competent, affordable machines that can accommodate a buyer on a budget. For the automaker, the small sedan body style is also the intended entry point for the brand. This is the car that is supposed to convince shoppers to keep buying from them as they move into different vehicles. The 2022 Nissan Sentra is the perfect entry point for Nissan, but it wasn’t always this way.
The 2022 Sentra sedan is two years removed from a significant 2020-model-year redesign. With such a focus on small crossovers and tight competition in the small-car segment, such a redesign sometimes gets lost in the shuffle of new vehicle debuts. So, two years into its new generation, how is the Sentra doing? And how does it stack up with a very competitive collection of new small sedans? Read on to find out.
As mentioned, the Sentra was redesigned for 2020, and it carries over into 2022 largely unchanged. The exterior looks like a downsized Altima, and that’s exactly the point. It’s low-slung, coupe-like, and modern. It’s also a huge improvement over the 2019-and-earlier Sentra, which felt more like a cartoonish three-box sedan. The current model is a well-honed execution of Nissan’s current design language. Though our test model came in a sedate gray paint scheme, the Sentra is offered in bold blue, burnt orange, and “Scarlett Ember” hues. Gray is also one of four colours offered with a contrasting black roof.
The interior is where the Sentra really shines. The modern-yet-simple layout is an ideal combination of form and function. The controls are easy to use and the trio of vents in the centre of the dash gives the Sentra an upscale look. The front cabin design is capped off by a touchscreen that rises from the dash and is intended to be the visual centrepiece.
Trims for the Sentra are S, SV, and SR. Standard features on the base S trim include 16-inch steel wheels with plastic covers, active grille shutters, halogen headlights, dual power heated side mirrors, power windows, power locks, remote keyless entry, pushbutton start, six-way manually adjustable driver’s seat, cloth upholstery, 60/40 split-fold rear seats, and a 4.2-inch advanced driver’s display. This trim also comes standard with a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
Moving up to the Sentra SV trim adds 16-inch alloy wheels, heated side mirrors with integrated turn signals, proximity keyless entry, premium cloth upholstery, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, and a larger 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system. The SV trim also has two conventional USB ports, a USB-C port, intelligent cruise control, dual-zone automatic climate control, and a three-month subscription to SiriusXM satellite radio.
The SR swaps out the 16-inch wheels for 18-inch alloy wheels. It also adds LED headlights with a unique LED design for the daytime running lights. Moving up to the SR also adds remote start, exterior side sills, unique front-and-rear bumper designs, a chrome exhaust tip, and black end-caps for the side mirrors. Inside, the SR trim adds sport cloth seats with orange accent stitching and a leather-wrapped shift knob.
For 2022, Nissan is also offering several special editions, including a Midnight Edition package for the Sentra SR, which we drove. It featured dark accents inside and out, including black 18-inch alloy wheels, a black rear spoiler, a black rear diffuser, and a dark grille emblem. It also features unique badging and LED fog lights.
Every 2022 Sentra model uses a 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine with power specs of 149 horsepower and 146 pound-feet of torque. In Canada, a six-speed manual transmission and a front-wheel drive (FWD) drivetrain are standard, while a continuously variable transmission (CVT) is available. Notably, the manual isn’t a base-model special: it’s also offered on the SR grade, a nod to the Canadian commitment to rowing one’s own gears.
This engine isn’t anything outstanding, but the CVT we tested manages power well. Press into the throttle, and the needle jumps as the transmission lets the revs fly.
Grasp the shifter and move your thumb to the back of the shift knob, and you’ll find a Sport button. It’s a bit hidden, but it doesn’t really matter. Pressing the Sport button does not really do much in terms of improving performance. But that’s just fine, as the base setup provides solid low-end acceleration and is also good on the highway. It’s not a standout in either setting, but it is satisfactory in both. That might seem like quite the measured compliment. However, compact cars tend to perform well in one setting at the expense of the other. The Sentra’s high-and-low-speed performance isn’t stellar, but it’s consistent.
The Sentra’s steering is well-weighted and cornering is pretty sharp for a car that is not promoted for its performance pedigree. The suspension does a decent job of soaking up most bumps in the road, though it will struggle with harsher conditions or the occasional deep pothole. In all, the Sentra is great for commuting, driving around town, and the occasional road trip.
The Sentra provides 404 litres of trunk space, which is better than many other small sedans. One of the few exceptions is the Kia Forte, which offers up to 433 litres of cargo space. In the Sentra, trunk space can be expanded thanks to a standard 60/40 split-fold rear bench. But unlike some rivals, which have flush load floors, the Sentra’s rear bench creates a ledge which might make it more difficult to slide some larger items through. Though the Sentra lacks a power-opening rear trunk, it does have the ability to remotely open via the key fob or a button on the left side of the dash. The trunk is seemingly spring-loaded, so then when you do hit the release button, it pops up as if it were a power-opening trunk.
The Sentra has two rows of spacious seating. The front seats have plenty of headroom and legroom and are quite comfortable. The rear seats also provide solid legroom and decent headroom (though not as much as the front row). The Sentra’s front row has large in-door cargo trays and in-door bottle holders. The centre console also has plenty of cupholders and trays for all of your gear.
The Sentra comes standard with a 7-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. It also includes a USB port and Bluetooth connectivity. The SV and SR trims come with a larger 8-inch touchscreen, which also has Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
No matter which size screen you select, the menu navigation is easy to follow and you have the benefit of conventional hard buttons along the bottom of the screen, as well as volume and tuning dials.
The only knocks against this system are that the graphics could use a bit of updating, and the lack of wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, which are becoming more common even in non-luxury vehicles. Consider that the Honda Civic offers wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, as well as wireless device charging, albeit only on certain higher trim levels.
The Sentra comes equipped with a solid list of standard driver-assistance features. These include forward and reverse automatic emergency braking, forward collision warning, pedestrian detection, driver drowsiness monitoring, lane-departure warning, and blind spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert. Our test model came with additional driver assistance features, such as a surround-view parking monitor and adaptive cruise control. The adaptive cruise control responds well to increases in the speed setting. The CVT makes for smoother acceleration than a conventional automatic transmission.
There are three distance settings for the optional adaptive cruise control and even the closest one puts a lot of distance between you and the car in front of you. More concerning, when the Sentra does reach that virtual boundary with the car in front of it, braking is so abrupt that it might have you thinking something is wrong.
The Sentra earns a best overall score of five out of five stars in testing by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) gave the Sentra its highest rating of "Good" across all of its crash testing. The IIHS also gave the Sentra its highest rating of "Superior" for the effectiveness of its driver-assistance features, but lower headlight ratings. Still, that was enough for a "Top Safety Pick" award.
The Sentra returns Natural Resources Canada-rated fuel consumption of 9.2 litres per 100 kilometres in city driving, 6.2 highway, and 7.9 combined with the manual transmission, while the CVT uses 8.0 L/100 km city, 6.0 highway, and 7.1 combined. In the Sentra SR those figures increase to 9.4/6.4/8.1 for the manual and 8.2/6.1/7.3 with the CVT. In our week of combined city and highway driving, our Nissan Sentra SR CVT test vehicle returns an average of 7.0 L/100 km. Though cars like the Honda Civic show better fuel consumption, the Sentra’s low-6.0 average on the highway in non-SR trims is commendable.
Base MSRP for the 2022 Nissan Sentra is $20,098 before the $1,710 destination charge, and $21,298 with the CVT. The Nissan Sentra SV starts at $22,998, and the range-topping SR trim starts at $23,898 with the manual and $24,998 with the CVT. Our SR test model came with the Midnight Edition packaging, which clocks in at $25,598. (U.S. specification shown; not all features are available in Canada.)
The Sentra is backed by a five-year/100,000-kilometre powertrain warranty.
That pricing puts it in a more affordable position than class leaders such as the Honda Civic and Mazda3, and more closely follows the Kia Forte and Hyundai Elantra. But the Kia and Hyundai are better vehicles than the Sentra. The current Sentra is a quantum leap over the vehicle it replaced, but it almost feels like too little too late. This is a car that should have arrived in the marketplace several years ago.
Is the Sentra a competent, attractive, and comfortable compact new car? Yes, it certainly is. It just happens to exist in a segment with many excellent rivals. The Sentra finally gives Nissan an entry-level sedan that it can be proud of, though. If you are interested in a Nissan and are on a budget, the Sentra's technology, safety features, and ride comfort make it a solid choice.
Note: Images show a US model.
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2022 Nissan Sentra Pricing
Trims & specs
Air Conditioning
Single front air conditioning zones
Airbags
Dual front airbags · Dual front knee airbags · Passenger airbag deactivation: occupant sensing deactivation · Rear side airbags · Rear side curtain airbags
Audio System
Antenna Type: element · Voice recognition audio system · Auxiliary audio input: jack · AM/FM radio · Total Number of Speakers: 4
Brakes
ABS: 4-wheel · Front brake diameter: 11.0 · Front brake width: 0.9 · Front brakes: ventilated disc · Rear brake diameter: 9.0 · Rear brakes: drum
Comfort Features
Floor Material: carpet · Shift knob trim: simulated alloy · Steering wheel trim: urethane
Convenience Features
Assist handle: rear · Center console: front console with armrest and storage · Cupholders: front · Multi-function remote: keyless entry · One-touch windows: 1 · Power outlet(s): 12V front · Power steering: speed-proportional · Power windows: lockout button · Reading lights: rear · Steering wheel: tilt and telescopic · Steering wheel mounted controls: phone · Storage: sunglasses holder · Vanity mirrors: dual
Driver Seat
Manual adjustments: 6
Drivetrain
Axle ratio: 5.25
Engine
Alternator: 110 amps · Battery: maintenance-free
Exterior Features
Door handle color: body-color · Exhaust: hidden exhaust · Front bumper color: body-color · Grille color: chrome accents · Mirror color: body-color · Rear bumper color: body-color · Window trim: chrome
Headrests
Front headrests: adjustable · Number of front headrests: 2 · Number of rear headrests: 3
In Car Entertainment
Connected in-car apps: Google POIs · Infotainment: Android Auto ready · Infotainment screen size: 7 in.
Instrumentation
Fuel economy display: range · Instrument cluster screen size: 4.2 in. · Warnings and reminders: lamp failure
Lights
Headlights: Auto on/off
Mirrors
Exterior mirrors: manual folding · Inside rearview mirror: manual day/night
Passenger Seat
Manual Adjustments: 4
Rear Seats
Type: 60-40 split bench
Safety
Automatic emergency braking: rear · Camera system: rearview · Child seat anchors: LATCH system · Cross Traffic Alert: rear · Crumple zones: front · Parking sensors: rear · Pre-Collision Warning System: vibrating steering wheel · Pre-collision warning system: pedestrian detection · Rearview monitor: in dash
Seatbelts
Emergency locking retractors: front and rear · Front seatbelts: 3-point · Seatbelt force limiters: front · Seatbelt pretensioners: front · Seatbelt warning sensor: driver and passenger · Second row seatbelts: 3-point
Seats
Driver seat manual adjustments: reclining · Front seat type: bucket · Passenger seat manual adjustments: reclining · Rear seat folding: split · Upholstery: cloth
Security
Power door locks: anti-lockout
Spare Tire
Mount Location: inside · Size: temporary
Spare Wheel
Rim Type: steel
Steering
Steering ratio: 15.3 · Turns lock-to-lock: 2.5
Suspension
Front Arm Type: lower control arms · Front Shock Type: twin-tube gas shock absorbers · Front Spring Type: coil springs · Front Stabilizer Bar: diameter 22 mm · Front Suspension Classification: independent · Front Suspension Type: MacPherson struts · Rear Shock Type: twin-tube gas shock absorbers · Rear Spring Type: coil springs · Rear Suspension Classification: independent · Rear Suspension Type: multi-link · Rear stabilizer bar: diameter 27 mm
Telematics
Electronic messaging assistance: with read function · Phone: voice activated · Phone wireless data link: Bluetooth
Tires
Type: all season
Tires and Rims
Wheels: steel
Wheels
Wheel covers: full
Windows
Front wipers: variable intermittent · Power windows: with safety reverse
Air Conditioning
Single front air conditioning zones
Airbags
Dual front airbags · Dual front knee airbags · Passenger airbag deactivation: occupant sensing deactivation · Front side airbags · Rear side curtain airbags
Audio System
Antenna Type: diversity · Voice recognition audio system · Auxiliary audio input: iPod/iPhone integration · Touch screen display radio · Satellite Radio: SiriusXM · Total Number of Speakers: 6
Brakes
ABS: 4-wheel · Front brake diameter: 11.0 · Front brake width: 0.9 · Front brakes: ventilated disc · Rear brake diameter: 10.2 · Rear brake width: 0.31 · Rear brakes: disc
Comfort Features
Armrests: rear center folding with storage · Floor Material: carpet · Shift knob trim: urethane · Steering wheel trim: leather
Convenience Features
Adaptive stop and go cruise control: semi-automatic · Assist handle: front · Center console: front console with armrest and storage · Cruise control: adaptive · Cupholders: front · Multi-function remote: trunk release · One-touch windows: 1 · Power outlet(s): 12V front · Power steering: speed-proportional · Power windows: lockout button · Reading lights: rear · Steering wheel: tilt and telescopic · Steering wheel mounted controls: audio · Storage: door pockets · Vanity mirrors: dual
Driver Seat
Manual adjustments: 6
Drivetrain
Axle ratio: 5.25
Engine
Alternator: 110 amps · Battery: maintenance-free
Exterior Features
Door handle color: body-color · Exhaust: hidden exhaust · Front bumper color: body-color · Grille color: chrome accents · Mirror color: body-color · Rear bumper color: body-color · Window trim: chrome
Headrests
Front headrests: adjustable · Number of front headrests: 2 · Number of rear headrests: 3
In Car Entertainment
Connected in-car apps: SiriusXM Weather · Infotainment: Apply CarPlay ready · Infotainment screen size: 8 in.
Instrumentation
Fuel economy display: MPG · Instrument cluster screen size: 7 in. · Warnings and reminders: low oil pressure
Lights
Headlights: Halogen
Mirrors
Exterior mirrors: heated · Inside rearview mirror: manual day/night
Passenger Seat
Manual Adjustments: 4
Rear Seats
Type: 60-40 split bench
Safety
Automatic emergency braking: front · Camera system: rearview · Child seat anchors: LATCH system · Cross Traffic Alert: rear · Crumple zones: rear · Parking sensors: rear · Pre-Collision Warning System: vibrating steering wheel · Pre-collision warning system: pedestrian detection · Rearview monitor: in dash
Seatbelts
Emergency locking retractors: front and rear · Front seatbelts: 3-point · Seatbelt force limiters: front · Seatbelt pretensioners: front · Seatbelt warning sensor: driver and passenger · Second row seatbelts: 3-point
Seats
Driver seat manual adjustments: reclining · Front seat type: bucket · Passenger seat manual adjustments: reclining · Rear seat folding: split · Upholstery: premium cloth
Security
Power door locks: anti-lockout
Spare Tire
Mount Location: inside · Size: temporary
Spare Wheel
Rim Type: steel
Steering
Steering ratio: 15.3 · Turns lock-to-lock: 2.5
Suspension
Front Arm Type: lower control arms · Front Shock Type: twin-tube gas shock absorbers · Front Spring Type: coil springs · Front Stabilizer Bar: diameter 22 mm · Front Suspension Classification: independent · Front Suspension Type: MacPherson struts · Rear Shock Type: twin-tube gas shock absorbers · Rear Spring Type: coil springs · Rear Suspension Classification: independent · Rear Suspension Type: multi-link · Rear stabilizer bar: diameter 27 mm
Telematics
Electronic messaging assistance: with read function · Phone: voice activated · Phone wireless data link: Bluetooth
Tires
Type: all season
Tires and Rims
Wheel type: aluminum alloy
Windows
Front wipers: variable intermittent · Power windows: with safety reverse
Air Conditioning
Automatic climate control front air conditioning · Dual front air conditioning zones
Airbags
Dual front airbags · Dual front knee airbags · Passenger airbag deactivation: occupant sensing deactivation · Front side airbags · Front side curtain airbags
Audio System
Antenna Type: diversity · Voice recognition audio system · Bluetooth auxiliary audio input · AM/FM radio · Satellite Radio: SiriusXM · Total Number of Speakers: 6
Brakes
ABS: 4-wheel · Front brake diameter: 11.0 · Front brake width: 0.9 · Front brakes: ventilated disc · Rear brake diameter: 10.2 · Rear brake width: 0.31 · Rear brakes: disc
Comfort Features
Armrests: rear center with cupholders · Floor Material: carpet · Shift knob trim: simulated alloy · Steering wheel trim: leather
Convenience Features
Adaptive stop and go cruise control: semi-automatic · Assist handle: rear · Center console: front console with armrest and storage · Cruise control: adaptive · Cupholders: rear · Multi-function remote: proximity entry system · One-touch windows: 1 · Power outlet(s): USB front · Power steering: speed-proportional · Power windows: lockout button · Reading lights: front · Steering wheel: tilt and telescopic · Steering wheel mounted controls: phone · Storage: sunglasses holder · Vanity mirrors: dual
Driver Seat
Manual adjustments: 6
Drivetrain
Axle ratio: 5.25
Engine
Alternator: 150 amps · Battery: maintenance-free
Exterior Features
Door handle color: body-color · Exhaust tip color: chrome · Front bumper color: body-color · Grille color: chrome accents · Mirror color: black · Rear bumper color: body-color · Rear spoiler: decklid · Rear spoiler color: body-color · Window trim: chrome
Headrests
Front headrests: adjustable · Number of front headrests: 2 · Number of rear headrests: 3
In Car Entertainment
Connected in-car apps: Google POIs · Infotainment: NissanConnect · Infotainment screen size: 8 in.
Instrumentation
Fuel economy display: range · Instrument cluster screen size: 7 in. · Warnings and reminders: low oil pressure
Lights
Daytime running lights: LED · Front fog lights: LED · Headlights: LED
Mirrors
Exterior mirrors: heated · Inside rearview mirror: manual day/night
Passenger Seat
Manual Adjustments: 4
Rear Seats
Type: 60-40 split bench
Safety
Automatic emergency braking: rear · Camera system: rearview · Child seat anchors: LATCH system · Cross Traffic Alert: rear · Crumple zones: front · Parking sensors: rear · Pre-Collision Warning System: vibrating steering wheel · Pre-collision warning system: pedestrian detection · Rearview monitor: in dash
Seatbelts
Emergency locking retractors: front · Front seatbelts: 3-point · Seatbelt force limiters: front · Seatbelt pretensioners: front · Seatbelt warning sensor: driver and passenger · Second row seatbelts: 3-point
Seats
Driver seat manual adjustments: reclining · Front seat type: bucket · Passenger seat manual adjustments: reclining · Rear seat folding: split · Upholstery: premium cloth
Security
Power door locks: anti-lockout
Spare Tire
Mount Location: inside · Size: temporary
Spare Wheel
Rim Type: steel
Steering
Steering ratio: 15.3 · Turns lock-to-lock: 2.5
Suspension
Front Arm Type: lower control arms · Front Shock Type: twin-tube gas shock absorbers · Front Spring Type: coil springs · Front Stabilizer Bar: diameter 22 mm · Front Suspension Classification: independent · Front Suspension Type: MacPherson struts · Rear Shock Type: twin-tube gas shock absorbers · Rear Spring Type: coil springs · Rear Suspension Classification: independent · Rear Suspension Type: multi-link · Rear stabilizer bar: diameter 27 mm
Telematics
Electronic messaging assistance: with read function · Phone: voice activated · Phone wireless data link: Bluetooth
Tires
Type: all season
Tires and Rims
Wheel type: aluminum alloy
Windows
Front wipers: variable intermittent · Power windows: with safety reverse