Perched below the midsize Nissan Altima is the brand’s compact sedan, the 2018 Nissan Sentra. Designed to compete against the Honda Civic and Toyota Corolla, among others, what the Sentra lacks in style it makes up for in efficiency. This is a car for shoppers who do not care much about style or sportiness. The Sentra primarily appeals to value shoppers, as it’s priced slightly less than competitors and discounts are readily available. If the price is right, the Sentra suddenly makes a lot of sense and allows shoppers to buy new rather than used. Prices start at an MSRP of $16,990. A manual transmission is offered, although its operation is not as precise as that found on the Honda Civic.
Pros: Affordable, Efficient, Roomy
Cons: Boring, Cheap Interior, Slower Than Competitors
Looks Best In: Aspen White exterior/Black interior
Competition: Honda Civic, Kia Forte, Toyota Corolla, Hyundai Elantra, Chevrolet Cruze, Volkswagen Jetta
Safety Score: Although the 2018 Nissan Sentra received good crash test ratings, it was letdown by weak headlamps in an evaluation by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.
Summary: While there are more well-rounded vehicles in the compact segment, compelling offers could make the 2018 Nissan Sentra worthwhile. Look out for the Midnight Edition of the Sentra, which features blacked-out wheels and trim and gives the Sentra a sleeker look.
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[Images: Nissan]
