Sampling the 2026 Nissan Sentra for the first time a few weeks ago left us feeling mixed. The new styling, reworked cabin, and updated tech all made the ninth-generation Sentra look and feel appreciably fresh, but the powertrain and sense of refinement didn’t move the needle. We concluded its success hinged on pricing — and now, we know how much it’ll cost.
The 2026 Nissan Sentra starts at $25,268 for the base S trim, before destination, fees, and taxes. That’s $1,370 more compared to the 2025 Sentra S, but the manual transmission is now gone. A more apples-to-apples comparison would be the 2025 Sentra S Plus, the cheapest trim with the CVT, at $27,190. Wait a minute, that’s … less money than before for more stuff!
But you probably want a few niceties, like more colour options, alloy wheels, the matching 12.3-inch screens for the gauges and infotainment, wireless charging for your phone, and a sunroof. The mid-trim SV Premium trim fits the bill, but will run you $27,368. Compare that to the 2025 Sentra SV Monroof trim at $27,348, and that’s literally pocket change.
The 2026 Sentras we reviewed were the top-of-the-line SR Premium. For all the bells-and-whistles, like the sporty styling, upgraded interior materials, and all the safety tech and driver assists including a 360-degree camera and ProPilot Assist, you’re looking at $31,998, or $850 more than the 2025 SR Premium.
OK, Nissan. An upgraded powertrain, maybe a hybrid to take a bite out of the Civic, Corolla, and Elantra Hybrids, would’ve been nice. We also maintain the outgoing 2025 Sentra had a slightly quieter ride. But considering how new and fresh the overall package feels, and now we know it’s barely more expensive than before, we can finally say the 2026 Nissan Sentra still offers the best value in the segment.
