Nissan has been making compact sedans for well over 50 years, and it shows. One of the most enjoyable drives I’ve had lately was the 2025 Nissan Sentra SR. Here’s what Headlight.News learned after spending a week in the classic Nissan sedan.
Though one of the segment’s oldest models, Sentra remains surprisingly fresh.
Nissan has been making compact sedans for well over 50 years, and it shows. One of the most enjoyable drives I’ve had lately was the 2025 Nissan Sentra SR.
The basic Sentra was redesigned for the 2020 model year, so it’s due for a refresh in the next year or two, but overall this is still an amazing value for the price.
In a market where the typical vehicle was driven off the dealer lot in April for almost $48,000, Sentra starts at $22,730 with required fees, but for that price you get a comfortable, attractive sedan with seating for five passengers and up to 40 MPG in highway fuel economy. The 2.0-liter engine doesn’t lay down big horsepower numbers, but you won’t notice any lack of power in ordinary driving.
Design
For 2025, Sentra starts at $22,730, including delivery fees.
From the outside, the Sentra is an attractive up-to-date design. All Nissan products have a sporty, even rakish design language, and the Sentra also has a fastback roofline that is smooth but still provides adequate space in the back seat. You won’t ever feel like you bought the ugly duckling with a Sentra, or any Nissan product.
Inside, the Sentra is quiet and comfortable. Most trims offer cloth seating surfaces, which is cool in summer and warm in winter. The SR trim offers standard heated front seats, which is even better. Those are optional on the mid-grade SV trim as well.
Another feature worth mentioning is the optional dual camera drive recorder – a built-in version of the dash cams that are becoming increasingly popular. You can have your Sentra made with this camera that records what’s happening in front of the car and inside the vehicle, as well. This is handy in the event of a collision and also protects against break-ins when you’re not with your car.
Powertrain
Sentra’s 2.0-liter powertrain delivers 149 hp and 146 lb-ft of torque.
As mentioned, the engine is a 2.0-liter unit, rated at 149 horsepower and 146 pound-feet of torque. Power is passed to the front wheels through a continuously variable transmission.
CVTs don’t always win over reviewers due to their tendency to “rubber band,” in other words, revving up more quickly than the vehicle actually accelerates. But Nissan has done a reasonably good job improving its gearbox in recent years and that helps Sentra translate modest engine power into decent performance.
The real plus: CVT can allow the engine to run at its most efficient range to deliver the best balance of fuel economy and acceleration. For 2025, the EPA estimates Sentra will get 30 mpg in the city, 40 on the highway – though the SR trim loses 2 mpg in its highway rating.
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Safety and Technology
Depending upon the trim you’ll get a 7- or 8-inch touchscreen.
Even the least expensive Sentra offers Nissan’s Safety Shield 360 advanced safety tech, and full Apple/Android phone integration with a seven-inch touchscreen infotainment system.
The Sentra we had for testing was the sporty SR trim, which doesn’t net you any special engine or driveline, but you do get LED headlights and another inch of touchscreen size. You can add an optional 360-degree around-view camera, but basic driver assistance like blind spot monitoring comes on all trims.
The base Sentra comes with an acceptable 7.0-inch touchscreen for the infotainment system and you don’t have to spend more to get features like Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, as well as Bluetooth phone connectivity. Trade up to the SV or SR packages and the screen grows to 8 inches and you get more USB ports, front an back. Tech options include satellite radio, a WiFi hotspot and an 8-speaker Bose audio system.
Driving Impressions
Zero Gravity seats make for a comfortable long-distance trip.
On the road, the Sentra is pleasant to drive, offering easy access to front and back seats, and a quiet ride even on the Northwest’s comparatively rough roads.
No, it’s not a rocket, taking about 9 seconds to launch from 0 to 60, but it comes in about mid-pack in its segment. There’s enough engine power to feel sporty, but you’re still enjoying that great fuel economy.
One of the nicest features on the Sentra: Nissan’s “Zero Gravity” seats. They’re spacious and surprisingly comfortable, even on long drives. That’s a real standout in a segment where many competing models make you feel like you need to visit a masseuse or chiropractor – or both – after spending a few hours on the road.
Visibility is excellent and parking is a snap.
Wrap Up
Sentra goes up against several worthy competitors, including the Toyota Corolla.
The 2025 Nissan Sentra remains one of the Japanese brand’s most popular models for a variety of reasons, including an affordable base price, good fuel economy and plenty of features for what you pay.
Trim levels start at the basic S, mid-grade SV, sporty SR, and the top SR Midnight Edition. Even the Midnight Edition carries a basic sticker price of $25,285, so your top price with a good selection of options is still well under $30,000.
While the Nissan sedan does have some tough competition – notably the Toyota Corola – that makes any Sentra a great deal. And the top trims are an especially good value for your money.
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