This Chinese Model Shows an Early Look at the 2024 Nissan Sentra
As one of the most well-equipped compact cars on sale today, the Nissan Sentra is picking up steam. Revised styling vastly improved the appeal of Nissan’s compact entry, and now the Sentra is getting another update. The reveal of the Chinese Nissan Sylphy gives us a preview of the 2024 Nissan Sentra.
Official updates to the 2024 Nissan Sylphy indicate what’s coming for the Sentra
The 2024 Nissan Sentra won’t see huge updates from 2023, but the facelift does improve on an already-attractive formula. Gone is the thick chrome trim that surrounds the current Sentra grille. Instead, a more elegant black grille insert takes its place. The surrounding chrome is more subtle than in the current model, helping give the updated Sentra a more premium appearance.
This falls in line with the most recent updates to the Nissan Altima. In turn, we expect the Sylphy to be a good indication of what we can expect in the upcoming Sentra.
Interior changes on the horizon
CarScoops shows the cabin of the new Nissan Sylphy with a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster that will likely make its way into the 2024 Nissan Sentra. Notably though, the analog gauge cluster carries over from the previous model. That indicates a complete tech overhaul isn’t on the cards for the upcoming Sentra.
At this time, any U.S.-specific features in the 2024 Sentra are unknown. Furthermore, Nissan has yet to release any official information. However, the current model already has advanced driver assistance tech. That rivals competing models, so don’t expect any major changes to in-car tech.
The biggest update we might see would be the inclusion of Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. That said, it will likely be reserved for higher-tier models with the larger infotainment display.
Will the 2024 Nissan Sentra be a hybrid?
In China, the Sylphy comes with the 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine that produces a lackluster 137 horsepower and 117 pound-feet of torque. In addition, the ePower hybrid uses a 1.2-liter generator motor to power an electric powertrain. Neither of these options are available in the 2023 Sentra. We don’t expect them to appear in the 2024 model either.
Not only is the ePower hybrid a concept that hasn’t done well in the U.S. market (Think Chevy Volt), but the 2024 model is a mid-cycle refresh. Typically, big powertrain overhauls come with a new model design altogether. As such, we don’t think there are any big changes happening under the hood of the 2024 Sentra.
If a hybrid Sentra is coming down the pike, it likely won’t arrive until 2026 or 2027, assuming the model hangs around at all. With the evolution of electric powertrains and Nissan’s commitment to bringing 23 new electrified models by 2023, it won’t be surprising to see a hybrid Sentra in the near future.
However, the Sentra’s entry-level market and the high price of current EV technology means that, for the immediate future, it will remain a gas burner.
When will the 2024 Sentra go on sale?
With no data from Nissan to work with, it’s hard to know exactly when the 2024 Nissan Sentra will go on sale. The last major update to the Nissan Sentra came in 2020, and that model was revealed just before the end of 2019. Considering the Sentra is a low-priority model for Nissan, we’d be surprised to see any major updates until the third quarter of 2023.
