2024 Nissan Sentra SR First Test Review: A Match for Corolla and Civic?

We wish positive thinking and sunshine could pay our bills, but sadly, that's not how it works (yet). Nissan seems to understand this, and it's why we appreciate that the automaker has not one or two but three new cars that start below $25,000.

Who does that anymore?

While other automakers trim their low-cost models, Nissan presents the updated 2024 Sentra. The compact car tops out around $28,000 and, last we checked, was pretty darned good. A few years after that review, where does that leave our 2024 Nissan Sentra SR test car?

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The Sentra Experience Versus Its Rivals

Since the current-gen Sentra first arrived for 2020, the Honda Civic and Hyundai Elantra have been completely reimagined. To keep pace with the competition, the 2024 Nissan Sentra arrives with updates to its already attractive sheetmetal, a retuned CVT automatic, and an engine stop-start system.

As a result, fuel economy and range are up ever so slightly, but the Civic, Elantra, and Corolla match or beat the 2024 Sentra even with its updates. The same is true with acceleration. In previous drives of the Sentra, its 149-hp 2.0-liter naturally aspirated inline-four was a positive over the Corolla because you didn't have to spend extra for a better engine. Years later, the 2024 Sentra's acceleration is perfectly adequate and the Corolla only offers what once served as its upgrade engine.

The 2024 Sentra SR makes its 0-60-mph run in 8.4 seconds, tying a 2021 Elantra but slower than Civics we've tested with the better of two mainstream engine choices, a 1.5-liter turbocharged unit (7.4 to 8.0 seconds). The Nissan does outrun a Civic Sport we've tested with that car's base 2.0-liter engine, which hits 60 mph in 9.2 seconds. As for the Corolla, we tested an XSE version of the economy car reaching 60 in 8.2 seconds.

In the real world, the 2024 Sentra's updated CVT is still too surgy, even in Eco mode. It's as though the car is overcompensating for its merely decent acceleration. We suspect owners will learn to feather the throttle or just get used to it. At least Nissan smoothed the CVT's behavior in slow deceleration, and the transmission works well with the innocuous engine stop-start system, which isn't overeager to activate—that's a good thing. Once the engine turns back on, the system isn't overly obtrusive, either, as some are.

Braking is a similar story—just fine but not setting any records. The Nissan handled our 60-0-mph braking test in 123 feet, in the same league as recent Civics we've tested (122 to 124 feet), a few feet behind a 2020 Corolla XSE sedan (119 feet), and not as good as a 2021 Elantra Limited's 116 feet.

On our figure-eight test— MotorTrend 's way of evaluating the totality of a car's acceleration, braking, handling, and the transitions in between—the 2024 Sentra completed the course in 27.3 seconds at 0.61 g (average). Not bad. Notice a pattern developing?

"Overall, it didn't really embarrass itself, nor did it really wow me," road test editor Chris Walton said.

Fine, right? Yes, but it's no Civic. That Honda drives "way, way better than it has to," leading us to always aspire for more even in a value-oriented segment like compact sedans. Nissan showed us what it can do with the top-ranked Rogue SUV, but this perfectly acceptable Sentra is missing that secret sauce.

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Hot and Cold

Otherwise, the 2024 Sentra SR is a series of delightful hits and disappointing misses. Let's start with the positives. Having a 360-degree camera on a car this affordable is awesome. The tech, which is available on the SV and SR trims with a package, works well and even has an easy-to-find physical button to activate it at low speeds. Those with tight home parking spots will swear by this feature.

The leatherlike kneepads on the center console are another class-above detail. You'd never think to look for it, but they're a great addition to the SV Premium package and SR trims.

On the curb appeal front, the 2024 Sentra SR's two-tone paint options distinguish the car from others slogging through traffic. The SR's sharp 18-inch wheels look great, too.

No amount of exterior polish, however, can distract us from the Sentra's foot-operated parking brake.

Sometimes the old ways are best, but not here. Anyone with a bad knee or large feet may long for a hand-operated lever or, better yet, an electric switch as on many other new cars.

We understand—this is part of how Nissan keeps Sentra prices so reasonable. Still, despite the solid driving dynamics and a spacious interior, we noticed a few details that could use updating. The front cupholders don't grip tall water bottles well enough, and as we noted in our Versa review, it's hard to see which key fob button does what.

The hands-free keyless access still requires a button press on the door handle to enter; many other systems unlock as soon as you wrap your hand around the door handle. On higher-trim models, we'd also love to see an eight-way seat (versus the Sentra's six) to allow more drivers to get comfortable behind the wheel.

The higher in price you go, the more we can recommend other cars that don't have these drawbacks. Pass up the 2024 Sentra SR's enhancements, and the picture changes dramatically. Suddenly, a $23,000 Sentra SV looks like an extraordinary features-per-dollar value against the Civic and Corolla. That's where the Sentra is at its best, and we know from experience that the ride quality is cushier, too.

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Making Sentra of This Nissan

A good automotive value isn't defined by the sticker price alone, but how much the car costs you over time in depreciation, insurance, and maintenance costs. And this has often held back the Sentra in analysis from MotorTrend's IntelliChoice brand. We don't have 2024 figures as this is written, but it's something to consider—there's more to value than just the sticker price.

The Sentra's good but not great safety ratings are another factor. We like that the Nissan gets a five-star overall rating from NHTSA (for the 2023 model year), but where the Corolla, Civic, and Elantra all have safety awards from the IIHS from 2023, the Sentra doesn't. That's largely because the halogen and LED headlights didn't make the grade in IIHS tests. At least you get Nissan Safety Shield 360 on every 2024 Sentra. The impressive bundle of driver assist tech includes automatic front and rear braking as well as blind-spot monitoring.

All of this brings us back to pricing. As much as we love the Sentra SR's attractive feature and visual upgrades, this Nissan is a stronger competitor in the low-$20,000 range. Go much higher, and we'd suggest the hybrid versions of the Corolla, Elantra, and Civic (on the way for 2025).

Put another way, two of Nissan's three 2024 Sentra trims are priced so affordably, they start below the basest of base-model Civics. For some, that and the Sentra's many strengths will be enough. In a market that doesn't usually prioritize the needs of buyers who will not spend just another $100 a month on a car, that's hugely meaningful.

Against the Civic and Corolla, the Sentra's flaws are easier to accept on lower trims. Above $25,000? It's ... fine.