CRTCar Real Test
Sources: EPA fuel economy file 2026-11-04 | NHTSA safety records 2026-11-14
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2026 Nissan Sentra: mileage, fuel cost, safety and recalls

The 2026 Nissan Sentra gets 32 to 33 miles per gallon combined, depending on the version. The best is the 2026 Sentra (2-mode) at 33 mpg.

How the Sentra ranks in its class

In the Midsize Cars class for 2026, the Sentra ranks 8th (tied with 1 other) of 26 for combined mileage (33 mpg), 8th (tied with 1 other) of 24 for yearly fuel cost ($1,900 for its cheapest version, cheapest first) and 13th of 26 for tailpipe CO2 (268 grams per mile for its lowest version, lowest first). The middle model of the class gets 28 mpg, costs $2,400 a year and puts out 282.5 grams per mile.

Across all 235 2026 models in the file that burn fuel, the middle best-version figure is 24 mpg and the highest is 57 mpg (Toyota Prius). Of the 234 other models, 33 get more miles per gallon than the 2026 Sentra's best version, 2 other models get the same and 199 get less. The 2026 Sentra's cheapest version costs $1,900 a year to fuel by the agency's figure; of the 225 other models with a cost figure, 31 cost less, 1 the same and 193 more.

Nearest models in the class (places 6 to 12 of 26)

Open the best-mileage list of this class for 2026. Cost and CO2 in the table are each model's lowest figure over its versions; plug-in hybrid and fuel-cell versions have no fuel cost and are left out of the cost column.

PlaceModelBest versionmpgFuel a year, cheapest versionCO2 g/mi, lowest version
62026 Honda Accord2026 Accord Hybrid Sport/Touring44$1,400201
72026 Toyota Crown2026 Crown Hybrid AWD41$1,500214
82026 Kia K42026 K4 4DR w/ DMS33$1,900267
82026 Nissan SentraThis car2026 Sentra (2-mode)33$1,900268
102026 BMW 5 Series2026 530i Sedan31$2,500133
112026 Nissan Altima2026 Altima30$2,100297
122026 Mazda 32026 3 5-Door 2WD (Automatic (S6))29$2,150302

Your fuel cost

Pick a 2026 version, then set your miles and fuel price. Fuel price as of 2026-11-14, U.S. Department of Energy / EPA. The price box starts at the dated price of the fuel the picked version burns (regular, midgrade or premium gasoline, diesel, E85 or electricity) and sets the price of that fuel. Miles are limited to 1,000 to 60,000 a year and the price to $0.01 to $20.00; a value outside that is worked out at the nearest limit.

$1,818 a year

2026 Sentra (2-mode), 4-cyl 2.0 L: 30 mpg city, 38 highway, 33 combined. The agency's own estimate for the 2026 Sentra version is $1,900 a year (15,000 miles, the agency's fuel prices).

33miles per gallon, combined
$0.12fuel cost per mile
455gallons a year
$9,091fuel cost over 5 years

Compare with a rival

The 3 nearest rivals in the Midsize Cars class for 2026, picked by closest combined mileage; only versions with a fuel-cost figure are listed. Same miles as on the left. The price box on the left is the price of the fuel of the version you picked: a rival that burns the same fuel uses that price, a rival that burns another fuel keeps the dated price of its own fuel. The 5-year line is 5 times the yearly gap.

2026 Nissan Sentra (2-mode)
33
mpg combined
$1,818
fuel a year
2026 Kia K4 4DR w/ DMS
33
mpg combined
$1,818
fuel a year

Both cost the same to fuel.

Over 5 years both cost the same to fuel at these miles and these prices.

The Sentra against its nearest rivals

Dollar gaps use each car's best-mileage version.

Rival in 2026Best versionCombinedFuel a year, agency (15,000 miles)Against the Sentra (mileage)Agency yearly fuel cost against the SentraSide by side
2026 Kia K42026 K4 4DR w/ DMS33 mpg$1,900same figuresameCompare
2026 BMW 5 Series2026 530i Sedan31 mpg$2,5002 lower$600 more a year-
2026 Nissan Altima2026 Altima30 mpg$2,1003 lower$200 more a yearCompare

Every version of the 2026 Nissan Sentra

EPA test figures for 2026; the last column is the yearly fuel cost against the cheapest version.

VersionEngineGearboxDriveCityHighwayCombinedFuel a yearCO2 g/miFuel vs cheapest
2026 Sentra (2-mode)4-cyl 2.0 LAutomatic (variable gear ratios)Front-wheel303833$1,900269cheapest
2026 Sentra (3-mode)4-cyl 2.0 LAutomatic (variable gear ratios)Front-wheel303833$1,900268cheapest
2026 Sentra SL/SR4-cyl 2.0 LAutomatic (variable gear ratios)Front-wheel293632$1,950278+$50

Does a cheaper-to-fuel 2026 version pay back?

Enter the price difference you were quoted for the 2026 Sentra; this page has no prices. Miles come from the calculator. The fuel price box there sets the price of the fuel of the version picked there; a version here that burns another fuel keeps the dated price of its own fuel. Versions with no fuel-cost figure are not listed.

Type the price difference you were quoted to see the payback.

Emissions

Tailpipe CO2: the 2026 Sentra (2-mode) puts out 269 grams per mile; across the 3 tested versions the figure runs from 268 to 278.

EPA scores (1 to 10, 10 best) for the 2026 Sentra (2-mode): fuel economy score 6, greenhouse gas score 6.

Mileage by model year

Best combined figure of the Sentra gas version each model year since 2016, set against the 2026 model.

Model yearBest gas versionVersions testedAgainst 2026
201633 mpg
3same as 2026
201732 mpg
61 mpg lower than 2026
201832 mpg
61 mpg lower than 2026
201932 mpg
51 mpg lower than 2026
202033 mpg
2same as 2026
202133 mpg
2same as 2026
202233 mpg
2same as 2026
202333 mpg
2same as 2026
202434 mpg
21 mpg higher than 2026
202534 mpg
21 mpg higher than 2026
2026This page33 mpg
3this page

Compared with the 2025 model: 2 versions were tested then and 3 now; the best figure went from 34 to 33 mpg (down 1).

Version in 202620262025Change
2026 Sentra (2-mode), 4-cyl 2.0 L33 mpg33 mpg (listed in 2025 as Sentra SR)no change
2026 Sentra (3-mode), 4-cyl 2.0 L33 mpg33 mpg (listed in 2025 as Sentra SR)no change
2026 Sentra SL/SR, 4-cyl 2.0 L32 mpg33 mpg (listed in 2025 as Sentra SR)-1 mpg

1 2025 version has no match in 2026.

Safety record

Crash-test ratings, 2026

The U.S. safety agency's model list has the 2026 Nissan Sentra (as SENTRA). The U.S. safety agency's ratings list returned no star ratings for the 2026 Nissan Sentra on 2026-11-14. Not every model is crash tested, so this means "not rated by NHTSA", not a good or a bad result.

Owner complaints, 2026

20 complaints for the 2026 Nissan Sentra are on file (checked 2026-11-14). Complaints are reports that owners sent to the safety agency. They are not proven defects, and the counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold.

Part named in the reportsReports
Unknown Or Other8
Back Over Prevention3
Wheels3
Air Bags2
Engine2

2 of the 20 reports say the car was in a crash, 1 mentions a fire and 1 mentions an injury. One report can name more than one part.

Safety recalls

1 recall is on file for the 2026 Nissan Sentra at the U.S. safety agency (checked 2026-11-14). A dealer does recall repairs free of charge.

Seats

Reported 13 Mar 2026, campaign 26V145000

Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2026 Kicks and Sentra vehicles. The hook bracket of the front seat frames may be insufficiently welded, which can cause the front seat frames to become loose.

Fix: Dealers will replace the front seat assemblies, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 18, 2026. Owners may contact Nissan's customer service at 800-647-7261.

More Midsize Cars for 2026

Other 2026 models of the same agency class, each with its best combined figure. The Sentra itself is at 33 mpg.

Other Nissan models of 2026

More Nissan models that have a 2026 page here, with the class of each and its best combined figure.

Common questions

Which 2026 Nissan Sentra gets the best mileage?

The 2026 Sentra (2-mode) with 33 mpg combined (30 city, 38 highway).

How much does a 2026 Nissan Sentra cost to fuel for a year?

The 2026 Nissan Sentra costs between $1,900 and $1,950 to fuel by the agency's estimate, which assumes 15,000 miles a year. The cheapest is the 2026 Sentra (2-mode) at $1,900; the dearest is the 2026 Sentra SL/SR at $1,950. Use the calculator above for your own miles and fuel price.

How does the 2026 Nissan Sentra rank among 2026 Midsize Cars models?

The 2026 Nissan Sentra is 8th of 26 for combined mileage. The top of the class is the 2026 Toyota Prius at 57 mpg, and the middle figure for the class is 28 mpg. In the list, the next one ahead is the 2026 Kia K4 at 33 mpg and the next one behind is the 2026 BMW 5 Series at 31 mpg.

Did the Sentra change from 2025 to 2026?

The 2025 model had 2 tested versions and the 2026 model has 3. The best figure went from 34 to 33 mpg (down 1).

How did the 2026 Nissan Sentra do in crash tests?

No star ratings were returned for the 2026 Nissan Sentra on 2026-11-14. Not every model is crash tested.

Do owners complain about the 2026 Nissan Sentra?

20 complaints for the 2026 Nissan Sentra are on file at the safety agency (checked 2026-11-14); the part named most often is Unknown Or Other (8 reports). Complaints are reports owners sent in, not proven defects.

Does the 2026 Nissan Sentra have recalls?

The agency's database lists 1 recall for the 2026 Nissan Sentra (checked 2026-11-14). They are listed above with the repair the maker offers.

How fresh these numbers are

For the 2026 Nissan Sentra: EPA file 2026-11-04; fuel price 2026-11-14; crash tests 2026-11-14 (no stars returned); complaints 2026-11-14; recalls 2026-11-14. Not covered: purchase price, towing, reliability, repair and insurance costs.

Mileage and fuel cost for the 2026 Nissan Sentra: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, fueleconomy.gov vehicle file (file dated 2026-11-04). Recalls for the 2026 Nissan Sentra: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (checked 2026-11-14). Crash-test ratings for the 2026 Nissan Sentra: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (checked 2026-11-14). Complaints for the 2026 Nissan Sentra: NHTSA (checked 2026-11-14). Fuel prices: U.S. Department of Energy / EPA (2026-11-14). Your own mileage depends on how and where you drive. Where our numbers come from.