The 2022 Nissan Sentra is one of the few cars left that you can buy new for under $20,000. As the market careens into uncharted territory, there are still a few holdouts. Between the chip shortage, COIVD-19 Lockdowns, and general inflation, the new car market keeps breaking new car price average records. Thankfully, there are cheap options available, like the 2022 Nissan Sentra. But is the Sentra worth it? 

How much is the 2022 Nissan Sentra? 

Although the 2022 Nissan Sentra did not get any significant upgrades, Nissan gave the Sentra a Midnight Edition starting at $19,510. However, the destination fee tacks on an extra $975, but even that is cheaper than almost any other destination fees. 

Is the 2022 Nissan Sentra a good car? 

According to KBB, the Sentra landed sixth out of the nine best small cars list. KBB assures that although the Sentra falls in the middle of the pack, there is plenty of value here. “Refined driving dynamics, a long equipment list, and an extensive suite of automated safety technologies” is what landed the Sentra in its place of budget glory. 

The 2022 Sentra gets the same 149-hp four-cylinder engine hooked up to a CVT. While the powerplant isn’t all that thrilling, KBB says the suspension is surprisingly sophisticated for a car at this price point. Its surprisingly nimble footing comes, in part, from the multi-link rear suspension set up. 

Is the 2022 Nissan Sentra a safe car? 

The Nissan Safety Shield 360 system comes standard on the Sentra. This safety suite includes automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, automatic rear braking, blind-spot warning with rear cross-traffic alert, lane departure warning, and automatic on/off headlights with automatic high beams. 

The 2022 Sentra earned a five-star safety rating from the NHTSA, and also the IIHS named the Sentra a 2021 Top Safety Pick. The 2022 Nissan Sentra is a safe car by all metrics. 

What is the Nissan Sentra Midnight Edition? 

Several popular models like the Kia Telluride, for instance, have been offered in this Midnight Editon. The sleek, dark edition brings a little up-town class to the Nissan Sentra by painting the grille, rear spoiler, and rear diffuser gloss black. The Sentra Midnight Edition also comes with special badging and 18-inch gloss-black wheels. 

Nissan is making a stand 

The 2022 Nissan Sentra Midnight Edition, along with the base Sentra S model, is going against the grain of the current car market. While most manufacturers are rushing to raise prices, Nissan is keeping things even. As KBB points out, Volkswagen just raised the price of Sentra competitor VW Jetta just over the $20k mark. The Honda Civic and Mazda3 have both slipped past that price point over the years. 

The Nissan Sentra might not be the most exciting or best-looking car on the market, but it is safe, reliable, and a bargain.