GREEN CHOICE

Nissan Sentra

Name: 2012 Nissan Sentra
Brand: Nissan

EPA MPG: 29 mpg

Owner Reported MPG:

EPA MPG: 29 mpg

Owner Reported MPG:

Reliability Details

Owner Satisfaction Details

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Road Test

The Sentra is a pleasant small sedan in everyday driving. It has a comfortable ride, a quiet cabin, a roomy backseat, and a well-designed interior. But we found the Sentra tricky to control in a simulated emergency maneuver, as it had a tendency to lose grip too easily and slide. Braking was also unimpressive.

2012 Sedans & Hatchbacks Reliability

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Nissan Sentra

vs. Similar Cars

Chevrolet Cruze

Honda Civic

Honda Fit

Hyundai Elantra

Kia Soul

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Crash Tests

IIHS Front Moderate Overlap

Good

IIHS Front Small Overlap, Driver

IIHS Side Crash

Acceptable

NHTSA Overall Crash

NHTSA Overall Frontal-Crash

NHTSA Overall Side-Crash

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Crash Tests

IIHS Front Moderate Overlap

Good

IIHS Front Small Overlap, Driver

IIHS Side Crash

Acceptable

NHTSA Overall Crash

NHTSA Overall Frontal-Crash

NHTSA Overall Side-Crash

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Nissan vs. Other New Car Brands

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Owner Reports

Owner Satisfaction Owner Satisfaction

2000

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2009

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2012

2013

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2015

2016

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2020

2021

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2024

Driving Experience

Comfort

Value

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Nissan vs. Other New Car Brands

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Nissan vs. Other New Car Brands

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Crash Tests

IIHS Front Moderate Overlap

Good

IIHS Front Small Overlap, Driver

IIHS Side Crash

Acceptable

NHTSA Overall Crash

NHTSA Overall Frontal-Crash

NHTSA Overall Side-Crash

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2012 Small sedans/hatchbacks Ratings

2012 Nissan Sentra

$3,950 - $4,625

EPA MPG 29 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2012 Chevrolet Cruze

$4,125 - $4,825

EPA MPG 26 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2012 Chevrolet Sonic

$3,375 - $4,450

EPA MPG 29 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2012 Chevrolet Volt

$4,400

EPA MPG 37 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2012 Dodge Caliber

$3,700 - $4,375

EPA MPG 28 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2012 Ford Fiesta

$2,850 - $4,050

EPA MPG 31 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2012 Honda Civic

$4,275 - $8,800

EPA MPG 31 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2012 Honda Civic Hybrid

$ NA

EPA MPG 44 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2012 Honda Fit

$6,500 - $7,850

EPA MPG 31 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2012 Honda Insight

$4,875 - $6,275

EPA MPG 41 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2012 Hyundai Accent

$4,375 - $4,825

EPA MPG 31 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2012 Hyundai Elantra

$5,000 - $5,275

EPA MPG 32 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2012 Kia Forte

$3,950 - $5,025

EPA MPG 30 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2012 Kia Rio

$4,025 - $4,525

EPA MPG 31 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2012 Kia Soul

$4,325 - $5,300

EPA MPG 25 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2012 Mazda 2

$5,050 - $5,275

EPA MPG 29 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2012 Mazda 3

$4,150 - $6,475

EPA MPG 32 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2012 Mitsubishi Lancer

$3,050 - $16,650

EPA MPG 25 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2012 Nissan Cube

$3,575 - $4,875

EPA MPG 29 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2012 Nissan Versa

$3,425 - $4,425

EPA MPG 33 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2012 Scion xB

$6,500 - $7,100

EPA MPG 24 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2012 Scion xD

$6,100 - $6,475

EPA MPG 28 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2012 Subaru Impreza

$5,200 - $13,175

EPA MPG 30 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2012 Suzuki SX4

$3,100 - $4,275

EPA MPG 25 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2012 Toyota Corolla

$7,250 - $7,725

EPA MPG 29 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2012 Toyota Matrix

$6,850 - $7,650

EPA MPG 24 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2012 Toyota Prius

$8,000 - $8,725

EPA MPG 48 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2012 Toyota Prius C

$7,025

EPA MPG 50 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2012 Toyota Prius V

$8,075

EPA MPG 42 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2012 Toyota Yaris

$5,275 - $6,525

EPA MPG 32 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2012 Volkswagen Golf

$5,500 - $10,825

EPA MPG 26 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2012 Volkswagen Jetta

$4,375 - $5,625

EPA MPG 27 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

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Features & Specs

sedan

2 front, 3 rear

Front

2-liter 4 (140 hp)
2.5-liter 4 (177 hp)
2.5-liter 4 (200 hp)

CVT
6-speed manual

In most cases, automotive warranties are based on the vehicle identification number (VIN), and the warranty will be valid regardless of ownership. The dealership can tell you exactly how much warranty is left.

Read more about extended warranties

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Model History

2020-Present

Current Generation

The redesigned 2020 Sentra is a complete transformation. It shed its dowdy look and overall driving mediocrity to become one of the best sedans in its class. The engine and transmission are a pleasant combination that provide unobtrusive acceleration. The more advanced rear suspension facilitates a comfortable ride and nimble handling. The interior looks upscale, especially in the SR and SV trims; buyers can even get a power seat, leather upholstery, and heated seats. The rear seat is relatively roomy, and the infotainment system is easy to use. All trims except the base version have Android Auto and Apple CarPlay capabilities. Nissan's Safety Shield 360 is standard and includes forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, and blind spot warning, but lane keeping assistance is not offered. Updates for 2021 include standard Android Auto and Apple CarPlay for all trims. The 2022 model added a new Midnight Edition Package on the Sentra SR and a new All-Weather Package for the SV. A 2024 refresh included a new CVT and auto start/stop system that improved fuel economy slightly. There were no significant changes for the 2025 model year.

2013-2019

2013 Redesign Year

The 2013 remake diminished steering feel and left ride quality below par. Equipment levels are good, but the interior feels cheap and the engine is a bit noisy. Stability control, traction control, and antilock brakes are standard. Fuel economy with the CVT rose to a respectable 29 mpg. If you're seriously shopping Sentra, the SV trim line is the way to go. The base S is too stripped-down, while the higher SR and SL lines are just gilding a mundane basic sedan. The SV Driver Package brought push-button start and the Navigation Package included a backup camera. Changes for 2015 included a standard USB port and Bluetooth on all models. Updates for 2018 included standard automatic emergency braking and forward collision warning on most models.

2007-2012

2007 Redesign Year

A redesign in 2007 brought a roomier rear seat, a civilized and quiet ride, and easy cabin access. Interior storage is generous, thanks primarily to an extremely large, lighted and locking glove compartment. The box goes deep into the dashboard and is capacious enough to hold a small laptop. The Sentra also has simple controls, despite a rich list of readily available features such as iPod control, Handling is sound with the optional ESC, but without it the Sentra can fishtail too easily. The driving position is high and most drivers found plenty of room. Visibility is good to the front and sides, but limited to the rear.

2000-2006

2000 Redesign Year

The pre-2007 Sentra was one of the more pleasant small sedans with a spirited powertrain, decent handling, and a reasonably quiet, well-designed interior. There are numerous nooks and bins, as well as large map pockets in the front doors. Major controls are well designed and easy to use, plus the instruments are legible in all light conditions. However, the steering wheel obscures the instrumentation dimmer switch and power-mirror control. Dynamically though, this version of the Sentra had fallen behind most competing small cars. Ride quality is a bit too stiff and braking falls a bit short. Further, the rear seat is cramped and this version of the Sentra received a Poor rating in the IIHS side-crash test without the optional side airbags.