Despite a questionable CVT, the 2017 Sentra is a decent vehicle with a spacious interior, great mpg, and a smooth drive. In the six-speed manual configuration, it’s also a good, affordable starter vehicle.
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A Quick Overview of the 2017 Nissan Sentra
- A used 2017 Sentra has a low cost of entry, and you can get into a pre-owned Sentra for as little as $11,300. Plus, it has excellent gas mileage, roominess, and handling.
- For 2017, the Sentra offers a turbocharged 1.6-liter and a naturally-aspirated 1.8-liter. But neither engine is going to satisfy a performance itch.
- Safety ratings were adequate for Sentra’s 2017 outing. They could have been better, but much of the fault lies with the lackluster headlights.
- Maintenance of the 2017 Sentra is on par with any other compact sedan. Plan for extra preventative maintenance if you intend to scoop up a Sentra with a CVT.
- The 2017 Sentra currently has three recalls for its brake lights, ignition switch, and airbag deployment issues. It also has a high malfunction rate in its CVT transmission.
2017 Nissan Sentra is Available in 6 Unique Trim Levels
The 2017 Nissan Sentra was available in six distinct trim levels: S, SV, SR, SR Turbo, SL, and Nismo. The models range from bare-bones practicality in Sentra S to a relatively high-performance family sedan in Sentra Nismo.
Sentra S with Manual Transmission is Ideal Point A-to-B Car
Consider Sentra S if all you need is a functioning vehicle for fuel-efficient jaunts around town, hauling luggage, or a drive to school and back. Keep it away from interstate merging and you’ll be good to go. Performance features include a 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine with six-speed manual transmission; Eco, Normal, and Sport drive modes; and ABS. Options include an Xtronic CVT with Active Understeer Control. Plus, a Style Package adds 16″ aluminum-alloy wheels and rear spoiler (CVT models only).
Top Exterior & Interior Features
- Power windows and locks, steering wheel-mounted controls
- 60/40 split-fold rear seats
- Six standard airbags
Sentra SV Upgrades Standard Tech Features & Offers a Power Moonroof
Sentra SV is the best bang for your buck. Sadly, it forgoes a manual option but makes up for it with Bluetooth connectivity, a backup camera, and several optional packages that enhance the owner experience. Sentra SV gives you all of the basic features without having to reach deep into your pocketbook.
This trim adds to or replaces features on Sentra S. Options include an All-Weather Package, with heated outside mirrors and seats. A Style Package, with 16″ aluminum-alloy wheels, power moonroof, and illuminated visor vanity mirrors. And the Driver’s Assistance Package, with NissanConnect with navigation, 5.8″ color touchscreen, blind-spot warning, and rear cross-traffic alert.
Top Exterior & Interior Features
- Nissan Intelligent Key with push-button start, vehicle security system
- Audio system with six speakers, SiriusXM Satellite Radio, Bluetooth
- 370Z-inspired leather-wrapped steering wheel
Sentra SR Adds Interior Creature Comforts & Several Exterior Styling Items
Sentra SR ups the style and performance with 17-inch alloy wheels, rear disc brakes, and a rear spoiler. Other useful features include heated side-view mirrors, heated front seats, and LED headlights. When fully optioned, Sentra SR is excellent for those who want all the modern amenities and added style and safety.
This trim level adds to or replaces features on Sentra SV. The SR trim is also available with the optional Driver’s Assistance Package mentioned above. Also available is a Premium Technology Package that includes power moonroof, navigation, 5.8″ color touchscreen, Bose audio system, and blind-spot warning.
Top Exterior & Interior Features
- Chrome exhaust, rear spoiler with integrated brake light, LED headlights
- Heated side-view mirrors with LED turn signal indicators
- Premium sport cloth seat trim, heated front seats, Sport interior trim
Sentra SR Turbo Enhances Performance with First-ever Turbocharged Model
The Sentra SR Turbo (pictured above) is a compact car with a bit of power, but it’s not quite a performance sedan. SR Turbo joins the Nismo as the first-ever turbocharged Sentras available in North America.
Adds to or replaces features on Sentra SR. Options include a six-speed manual transmission, and the Premium Technology Package is also available with this trim. Go with the SR Turbo if you want to have a reliable transmission option.
Top Exterior & Interior Features
- Power moonroof
- Recalibrated steering
- Upgraded front brakes
Sentra SL Includes the Most Standard Features & Offers Premium Technology Package
Sentra SL is the top-of-the-line trim for 2017. Fully optioned SLs were over $2,000 less than competitor’s top trims upon release and still offer a great bargain for anyone looking for all the bells and whistles. Scoop up an SL with the Premium Technology Package for a somewhat luxurious daily driver at an extreme bargain.
Adds to or replaces features on Sentra SV. The Premium Technology Package is an option with this trim.
Top Exterior & Interior Features
- 17-inch aluminum-alloy wheels
- Heated, leather-wrapped seats, six-way power-adjustable driver’s seat
- Blind spot warning, rear cross-traffic alert
Sentra Nismo Offers Unique Exterior Styling & More Potent 1.6-liter Turbo Engine
Sentra Nismo may be a bit of a letdown for most performance enthusiasts. It takes the SR Turbo platform and, apart from a lowered suspension, adds no other tangible performance upgrades. That said, it still offers quite the style package with a more aggressive Nismo body kit and wheels.
This trim adds to or replaces features on Sentra SR Turbo. Grab the Sentra Nismo for a low-level performance sedan with some additional sporty styling.
Top Exterior & Interior Features
- LED taillights and daytime running lights
- Nismo body kit with Nismo wheels
- Racing seats, red interior trim
How Much Does a Used 2017 Nissan Sentra Cost?
Upon release, 2017 Sentras were aggressively priced. With depreciation, Sentras are now even more affordable. But, unlike many of its competitors, it is unreasonable to expect any Sentra to hold its value particularly well the further it gets from release.
Using Kelley Blue Book to value a 2017 Nissan Sentras in “very good” condition with standard equipment and 63,000 miles, a Sentra S can be had for as low as $11,300 when bought from a dealer. For an SV, the Fair Purchase Price falls around $12,300, while an SR comes in at $14,632.
For a slight performance upgrade and a manual transmission, the SR Turbo can be had for around $16,000. The most aggressive-looking Sentra is surely the Nismo, which runs around $16,600 on the used car market.
If you need a starter vehicle that’s great on gas, the 2017 Nissan Sentra can be had at excellent prices. Just don’t expect to get anything out of it when you’re ready to sell. This is a buy-and-hold type of car.
Nissan’s Certified Pre-owned Program Extends Standard Warranty for a Cost
Nissan offers a competitive CPO program. Nissan CPOs are backed by a seven-year/100,000-mile limited powertrain warranty (from date of in-service), roadside assistance, a 167-point inspection, and come with a full VIN report. When considering a CPO Nissan Sentra, expect to spend about $500 or more than you would for a traditional used 2017 Sentra.
Currently, most CPO Sentras are going for $15,000-$18,000. Traditional used options go for a bit less at around $12,000-$15,000.
2017 Sentra Features 2 Engine Options, a 1.8-liter I4 & a 1.6-liter Turbo
The 2017 Nissan Sentra is offered with two engine options: a naturally aspirated 1.8-liter and a turbocharged 1.6-liter (pictured above). Neither option is particularly fast, but the 1.6 turbo does offer a significant improvement over the standard 1.8-liter engine. However, both engines offer excellent fuel economy, especially when paired with the CVT.
The 1.8-liter I4 comes standard on S, SV, SR, and SL. As the base engine, specs are on the low side, with a meager 130 hp and 128 lb.-ft. of torque. The 1.6-liter comes in SR Turbo and Nismo models and increases figures to 188 hp and 177 lb.-ft. of torque.
How Fuel Efficient is a 2017 Nissan Sentra?
Although many owners and reviewers have lamented the CVT, it’s a key part of Sentra’s universally praised fuel economy.
Note that while the 1.8-liter runs on Regular 87-octane gasoline, the turbo 1.6 requires Premium gas, which can make a substantial difference in monthly fuel spend.
Using numbers directly from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the 2017 Sentra is absolutely good on gas. Especially the 1.8-liter models with the CVT, which returned an impressive 29 mpg in the city and 37 at highway speeds. Opting for a manual transmission cuts two mpg from these figures.
On the other side of the equation, the Nismo with the 1.6-liter engine delivers the lowest fuel economy numbers, at 25 mpg city and 30 highway.
How Does a 2017 Nissan Sentra Perform?
The 2017 Sentra is not a car that comes to mind when considering performance. That is unless your Sentra has the 1.6-liter turbo. Sentra SR Turbo and Sentra Nismo both make 0-60 in seven seconds. This is certainly better than the performance of the 1.8-liter, but still below the competition.
But, the Sentra Nismo does offer a vastly improved fun factor, which is something that Motor1 pointed out in its first-look review: “This is a car that actually handles with some verve. There’s no floatiness in the new suspension. The ride is firm enough that you feel exactly what’s happening under the tires, but not so much as to be tiring.”
“As with the SR Turbo, this is a spunky, energetic engine with boost that comes on early and spins toward redline with some serious eagerness,” added Motor1. “But… acceleration really isn’t that impressive for a car with a Nismo label and such a promising chassis.”
If you’re hoping to stave off acceleration woes, opt for the SR Turbo or Nismo. You won’t be glued to your seat, but you will have an assuredly more enjoyable time.
2017 Nissan Sentra: Cargo Space & Interior Dimensions
The 2017 Sentra offers lots of legroom, and it has generous headspace. Rear seats feature a 60/40 rear split allowing for additional cargo space.
Behind the seats, the deeper-than-average rectangular trunk has superb cargo capacity at 15.1 feet. Vehicle dimensions come in at 182-184″ long, 69″ wide, and 59″ high, depending on trim. Overall, if you opt for a Sentra, you’re getting tons of space in a seemingly tiny package.
How Safe is a 2017 Nissan Sentra?
Safety ratings for the 2017 Nissan Sentra are pretty solid and include an IIHS Top Safety Pick award. The 2017 model also garnered an overall safety rating of four out of five stars with the NHTSA, including four stars for front crash protection and rollover, and a perfect five stars for side crashes.
Among the safety features of the 2017 Sentra are ABS, cross-traffic alert, blind spot monitoring, stability control, and traction control. Overall, the 2017 Sentra is a safe car with many standard/available safety items. And if you opt for a 2017 Sentra, you can rest assured you’re getting a safe vehicle with industry-standard safety.
Safety & Convenience Features in the 2017 Nissan Sentra
Inside the 2017 Sentra, there’s a host of useful technology features. Sadly, many of the most helpful technologies are optional equipment. Although, Sentra’s entry price makes this trade-off a bit more acceptable.
Some of the technologies include dual-zone automatic climate control, Bose audio, Bluetooth connectivity, navigation, keyless entry/ignition, heated seats, NissanConnect, and Nissan Safety Shield.
As for safety features, the 2017 Sentra boasts a rear-view camera, auto headlights, advanced drive-assist display, cruise control, blind-spot warning, and rear cross-traffic alert.
2017 Nissan Sentra Comes in 10 Unique Exterior Colors Ranging from Aspen White to Cayenne Red
While more than half of its 10 exterior color choices are rather dull, like Super Black, Aspen White, or Fresh Powder, some of the standout colors are Graphite Blue, Cayenne Red, Gun Metallic, and Titanium.
Inside, Nissan kept it pretty simple. Marble Gray and Charcoal are the only color options, but each trim features its own standard upholstery material. S models came with the basic cloth seats, SV and SR models came with premium cloth, and SL and SR Turbo featured standard leather seats.
Recent Reviews Prove 2017 Sentra Holds Up Well
What Critics Say
YouTuber, Russ Shaw shared his 22,000-mile review of the 2017 Sentra in a 2020 video and proclaimed: “This vehicle probably has the best gas mileage of any vehicle I’ve ever driven.” Shaw goes on to laud the gas mileage but lament the CVT being notably worse than the previous CVT used by Nissan.
Among Vehicle History’s recent real owner reviews, Dennis L. shared about his 2017 Nissan Sentra SV in 2021, writing: “Very nice handling, plenty of power, comfortable ride, nice interior. Can be a little loud from road noise, but the engine and transmission are smooth.”
Vehicle History user Zoe W. echoed the positive sentiments. “I have experienced no problems in the years I have owned it,” she said about her 2017 Nissan Sentra SR in a recent review. “Very reliable. Easy to keep clean. No engine or brake problems.”
2017 Nissan Sentra: Maintenance, Reliability, Known Issues, & Recalls
Repair Pal lists the average repair cost for a 2017 Sentra between $329 and $403. One of the most expensive repairs are likely to be for a power steering hose replacement costing between $624 and $669.
Overall, the Sentra earned four out of five stars from Repair Pal for reliability. Nissan Sentra owners are recorded as having brought their vehicles in for unscheduled repairs an average of 0.2 times per year as opposed to the average 0.3 times per year for all compact vehicles.
Nissan recommends using 0w-20 oil and changing every 5,000 miles. Maintenance should be relatively straightforward with the Sentra’s yearly maintenance cost averaging about $366 per year.
2017 Nissan Sentra Known Issues
The list of issues in the 2017 Sentra is quite extensive. The lion’s share of responsibility for this badge goes to the Sentra’s troubled CVT. Many owners have reported a loss of acceleration power, uncontrolled acceleration, engine start issues, and the engine cutting off while driving. Last, but certainly not least, some have reported their airbags not deploying in a crash.
Recalls
The Sentra currently has three recalls, which center around issues with the brake lights, ignition switch, and airbag deployment.
- Brake lights may not function: A March 2021 recall is over an issue where the brake lights may not illuminate, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Faulty ignition switch: An Aug. 2018 recall involves an ignition switch that may inadvertently turn off, prompting the vehicle to stall, which increases the risk of a crash.
- Front passenger airbag may deploy improperly: An April 2017 recall was made over a front passenger airbag that may deploy improperly in the event of a crash.
2017 Nissan Sentra vs. Corolla, Civic, Cruze & Elantra
The Sentra finished third in the sales race for 2017 compact vehicles, selling a reported 218,451 units that year. The competition was tough with Corolla and Civic taking the top spots. The Chevy Cruze and Hyundai Elantra also proved to be tough competition for the Nissan Sentra. Let’s take a look at how the 2017 Nissan Sentra stacks up to its direct competition.
2017 Toyota Corolla is a Dependable Alternative to Sentra with Similar Performance Woes
Key selling points for the 2017 Corolla are its reliability, low ownership costs, and fully standard active safety features. The pros carried the 2017 Corolla all the way to the top of the North American sales charts.
On the downside, the Corolla suffers droning under hard acceleration. It’s also very slow. But, if you need a dependable A-to-B vehicle that costs next to nothing to own, Corolla is your best bet.
To see a more detailed side-by-side comparison between these vehicles, check out this Vehicle History coverage.
2017 Honda Civic Beats Sentra’s Performance but Has a Buggy Infotainment Screen
The 2017 Honda Civic offers great styling, ample cargo space, and even features a manual option paired to a turbocharged four-cylinder boasting 175 hp. To top it all off, the Civic has the handling to match its sporty powertrain.
Negatives include a so-so infotainment system and a forward collision system that’s a bit over-eager to diagnose an impending crash.
If you want a sexier compact sedan that gives you a bit more in the way of a fun driver experience, the 2017 Civic might be for you.
To see a more detailed side-by-side comparison between these vehicles, check out this Vehicle History coverage.
2017 Chevrolet Cruze Bests Sentra on Fuel Economy Thanks to 52 Highway MPG with EcoDiesel
The 2017 Chevy Cruze delivered an interior worth talking about and also features a host of safety tech, a low cost of ownership, and a comfortable ride.
However, second-row legroom comes at a premium, and the Cruze really isn’t eager to get anywhere quickly. But overall, it’s a pretty decent vehicle.
But the best selling point has to be Cruze’s fuel economy. The 2017 Cruze features two engines–a 1.4-liter turbo-four and a 1.6-liter turbo-four diesel–which earn 30 city/40 highway and 30 city /52 highway respectively. If you need to save at the pump above all else, Cruze is for you.
To see a more detailed side-by-side comparison between these vehicles, check out this Vehicle History coverage.
2017 Hyundai Elantra Goes Toe-to-Toe with Sentra but Costs More at Top Trims
In the 2017 Elantra, we get a vehicle that does most everything quite well. In the Eco model, you get stellar fuel economy at 30 city/ 40 highway. A hatchback option is available as well as a 201 hp Sport trim. There’s plenty of space across the board, and technology features and safety ratings are both great.
On the negative side, the interior could have been better made, and the active safety tech is only available for those with pockets deep enough for the top trim.
If you’re looking for a jack-of-all-trades, look no further than the Elantra.
To see a more detailed side-by-side comparison between these vehicles, check out this Vehicle History coverage.
Is a Pre-owned 2017 Nissan Sentra a Good Used Car?
The 2017 Sentra is fighting an uphill battle. If you strip it of its CVT, you really do have a decent vehicle, but that limits you to three trims: S, SR Turbo, and Nismo. But, there’s plenty of passenger and cargo space, you get great gas mileage, the ride quality is near the top of the segment, and the price really can’t be beaten.
Unfortunately, most drivers in the North American market simply aren’t interested in driving a manual transmission. But check out a 2017 Sentra SR Turbo with the Premium Package, and you’ll be good to go.
Photos: Nissan, Toyota, Honda, Chevrolet, and Hyundai