Nissan vehicles have been a reliable and affordable choice for more than 35 years. The first Nissan Sentra appeared in 1982 as an entry-level subcompact car, built to replace the legendary Datsun. In 2000, the classification changed to compact. As the sedan continued to grow in size seven years later, the EPA gave the Sentra a mid-size rating due to the increased interior space. The Versa is now considered the entry-level vehicle in the Nissan product line.

Last year, the eighth generation of the Nissan Sentra received a complete redesign. The newly-released 2021 Nissan Sentra is the second model year to benefit from those changes.

What’s new for the 2021 Nissan Sentra

The Nissan Sentra sells an average of 200,000 units annually in the United States. It is one of the few brands that hasn’t been hit by the popularity of SUV crossovers. Nissan anticipates high demand for the eighth generation Sentra, despite the upheaval in the economy caused by the coronavirus pandemic. Pricing and incentive deals are expected to be better than ever as dealers are anxious to move their product.

Most of the changes that occurred in the 2020 Nissan Sentra redesign have carried over into the 2021 model, mostly unchanged. Since most of the bugs have already phased out of last year’s model, analysts expect the 2021 Nissan Sentra to be free of flaws in the current design.

The improvement of safety features has become a prime focus in the Nissan Sentra. There is a wide range of connectivity options, and the technology has dramatically improved from previous model years. Low wind resistance features that currently exist in the Nissan GTR are now in the 2021 Sentra.

The spacious interior cabin of the 2021 Nissan Sentra is not only sleek but has a clean design. There is more room for passengers with improved comfort and flexibility. The dynamic fluting on the roof accentuates the curves of this eye-catching sedan.

The Nissan Sentra has evolved from its earlier models and is a solid choice for a dependable vehicle. The fuel-efficient engine averages 41 MPG because of improvements made to the powertrain, and hybrid options for the Sentra are becoming available in select markets. 

What industry experts are saying about the 2021 Nissan Sentra

When asked about the 2021 Nissan Sentra, Motor Trend stated, “If there was an award for the most improved, the Sentra would be a serious contender thanks to vastly superior interior fit and finish, better ride and handling, and loads of standard equipment.”

With an MSRP of $20,000, the affordable vehicle is winning numerous awards from industry leaders. J.D. Powers designated the 2020 Sentra as the best-in-segment for the first time. Auto Trader named the Sentra one of the “Best Cars for Recent College Graduates,” and Wards Auto claimed the Sentra has one of the “Best Interiors for 2020.”

How long do the Sentra generations usually last?

Since the Nissan Sentra received a complete overhaul in 2020, it’s unlikely that there will be any other significant changes for quite some time. Most iterations of a new model usually take about five to seven years.

The first generation stuck around until 1985 when the second generation appeared and lasted until 1990. Nissan started using a 1.6-liter 4-cylinder engine in the next generation, which existed until 1995. After receiving a complete facelift, the fourth generation of the popular sedan stayed on the market until the new millennium. 

The Sentra is classified as a compact car and stayed in its fifth generation for seven years. In 2007, the sixth generation brought about a larger interior and 2.0-liter engine with 140 hp and 147 lb-ft of torque. The 2013 model year saw the seventh generation’s arrival, which seamlessly transitioned into the current eighth generation.