The 2006 Nissan Sentra might be one of the worst model years for the car, not because there’s anything wrong with it, but because a refresh was long overdue by this point, and 2007 would bring a whole round of much-needed changes. The 2006 Sentra is reliable, agile, and fuel-efficient, but outclassed for the price by both Ford and Hyundai.
Is the 2006 Nissan Sentra a Good Used Car?
- Overall Rating 7/10 – The 2006 Nissan Sentra has a lot going for it, but it’s ultimately a mediocre budget compact that comes up short even within that modest corner of the market.
- Interior, Comfort & Cargo 6/10 – Cramped back seats, stiff suspension, and tight trunk space make this a budget compact that feels like a budget compact.
- Reliability 9/10 – For all its issues, the 2006 Sentra is built to last. Don’t be surprised to see 5th Gen Sentras on the road ten years from now.
- Safety 6/10 – The 2006 Sentra suffers from mediocre crash test scores and bare bones safety equipment.
- Gas Mileage 8/10 – The 1.8 model gets an impressive 28/35 miles to the gallon.
- Value 7/10 – You probably won’t find a used compact that gets you more miles to the dollar than the 2006 Sentra. But, beyond the car’s impressive fuel economy and long-lasting powertrain, you’ll get better value in just about any competitor at the same price.
Positive Owner Reviews
Negative Owner Reviews
What Do Critics Say About the 2006 Nissan Sentra?
Consumer Reports found the 2006 Nissan Sentra to be outdated in more ways than not, but still an efficient and capable compact car. Stiff suspension, cramped back seats, poor crash test scores, and wimpy brakes earned red marks, while secure handling and comfortable front seats earned some praise.
Kelley Blue Book users give the 2006 Sentra a strong 88% recommendation, praising the car’s longevity, comfortable interior, and intuitive feel, while noting that acceleration could be better, especially on the highway, and electrical issues may mount up quicker than you think.
Edmunds were impressed by the 2006 Sentra’s speedy SE-R model, they liked the nimble handling, intuitive layout, and generous standard features. They were less impressed by the noisy ride, tight leg room, and poor crash test scores, and they found the front seats less comfortable than did some other reviewers.
What Common Problems Does the 2006 Nissan Sentra Have?
The 2006 Nissan Sentra has just 114 complaints on file with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. 30 of these are for airbag issues, with drivers reporting that the airbag warning light may remain on, despite a series of recalls from 2015 to 2022.
After close to twenty years on the road, the Sentra has only generated 7 powertrain complaints and 19 for the engine. The most worrying complaints have to do with excessive oil consumption, sometimes being reported more than a decade after a 2006 recall for the issue.
A handful of electrical complaints cover horns failing to function, broken air conditioners, and faulty window switches. Everything that will break on an older car with simple wear and tear, someone has reported it breaking in a Sentra.
The 2006 Sentra has 6 recalls on file with the NHTSA, 4 of them being for the airbags. In total, the Sentra’s NHTSA numbers are remarkably low for a car of this age.
How Long Will the 2006 Nissan Sentra Last?
Sentra drivers typically report a minimum lifespan of 250,000 miles, with used models tending to give up the ghost somewhere between 250,000 and 300,000 miles. These cars are notoriously reliable, but you should only bet on the first quarter million when buying. Consider everything after that a bonus.
Repairpal estimate an annual maintenance cost of just $491, less than fifty bucks a month, with the most expensive common repairs including new fuel tanks starting at $998, and new oil pumps starting at around $1,111.
So far I have had no issues. I have kept it serviced and upgraded as much as possible and it is never given me any trouble.
No, it on the small size but, perfect for a family of 4. I have had any major issues with transmission or the motor.
Yes, it is very reliable and dependable. I have not had too many issues since it became my primary vehicle in 2014! There was some shaking that occurred when idling but we got that fixed with minor issues.
No problems, only regular maintenance, new tires, new battery, new wiper blades and new built in CD player.
Yes it is very reliable. It does not have any problems which is great for us considering that we have bad luck with cars until we got this car.
Very reliable. No problems ever. There have been a few recalls which is very ready to call drake, get it in and out the same day. I would recommend this car.
It has been very reliable so far. No real problems. Of course have had brakes replaced, a new exhaust, just the normal things having a car that old that is driven almost daily. It is very good on snowy roads with winter tires.
It is very reliable, like I mentioned before, if anything it could do better on dirt roads, but I already expect the performance it does, overall great when it comes to reliability, best car I have owned.
How Is the Technology?
Entertainment technology in the 2006 Sentra is pretty basic. The entry-level 1.8 doesn’t even include an AM/FM radio. Higher trim levels get a CD player with 7 speakers, and that’s about as fancy as it gets.
Safety technology is, likewise, pretty basic. You’ve got airbags and an emergency trunk release and that’s pretty much it. No anti-lock brakes, no traction control, and certainly no fancy new features like rearview cameras and lane keep assist.
Is the 2006 Nissan Sentra a Good Value?
The 2006 Nissan Sentra is a decent value. The entry-level models typically list at around $3,802 with 150,000 miles on the odometer, and the high-end SE-R goes for just $4,456. When you add the low cost of ownership and higher-than-average life expectancy to the deal, you’ve got a nice little bargain here.
That said, the Sentra is pretty basic in more ways than not. With its outdated safety and entertainment tech, the 2006 Sentra is more of a budget car than a mid-range compact at this point.
What are the Different Models of the 2006 Nissan Sentra?
The 2006 Nissan Sentra is available in four trim levels, from the base 1.8 to the high-end SE-R Spec V.
With the bare-bones 1.8 you’re getting:
- Cloth seating
Next up is the 1.8S, adding:
- 8-way manual adjust driver seat
- AM/FM stereo with 4 speakers
- Remote keyless entry
- Power windows and door locks
The SE-R adds:
- Fog lights
- Premium cloth seating
- 3 extra speakers
- Cruise control
- Leather wrapped steering wheel
- CD player
Finally, the top-of-the-line SE-R Spec V includes:
- Skyline style sport bucket seats
- Leather wrapped shift knob
What Engines Come In the 2006 Nissan Sentra?
- The 1.8 Sentra is named for the 1.8L inline-four engine found under the hood. This i4 delivers 126 horsepower and 129 lb.-ft. of torque at an average MPG of 28/35, city/highway. It’s paired to a 4-speed automatic in front wheel drive in both the 1.8 and 1.8S models.
- With the SE-R you get a 2.5L i4 delivering 165 horsepower and 175 lb.-ft. of torque. This is paired to a 4-speed automatic in front wheel drive and averages 23/28 miles to the gallon.
- The SE-R Spec V comes with a specially tuned version of the 2.5L, delivering 175 horsepower and 180 lb.-ft. of torque at 23/29 miles to the gallon. This is paired to a 6-speed manual transmission in front wheel drive.
What Colors Does the 2006 Nissan Sentra Come In?
How Comfortable Is the 2006 Nissan Sentra?
The 2006 Sentra is moderately comfortable. The seating is firm and the rear hip room is wide enough at 52 inches, but leg and head room in the back are a bit tight, and some drivers find the suspension a little on the stiff side. It’s not uncomfortable, but it definitely feels like a budget car.
How Much Storage Space Does the 2006 Nissan Sentra Have?
The 2006 Nissan Sentra has a firm 11.6 cubic feet of storage space. No fold-flat seating, there’s no wagon or hatchback model to extend the storage space. You’ve got enough room for five medium-sized suitcases and that’s that.
What Are the Differences Between Years?
The 2006 Nissan Sentra was the last of the 5th Generation models, running from 2000 to 2006.
2002: The SE-R made its return for 2002 after being left out of the first two years of the 5th Generation.
2003: Suspension improvements resulted in “15-16 percent better spring rate” according to Nissan.
2004: A slight visual overhaul saw the Sentra getting new hoods and fascias, plus trip computers in the SE-Rs.
2005: Nissan added cruise control as an option in 2005.
2006: A 6-disc CD changer was added for 2006.
2007: The 2007 Sentra is almost a completely different car from the earlier models. The body was dramatically overhauled, the engine lineup was all new, and Bluetooth and MP3 were included as standard options.
How Does the 2006 Nissan Sentra Compare to the Competition?
The Nissan Sentra is known as a mid-range compact nowadays, but the 2006 is very much a budget car, so the nearest competition would be the Hyundai Elantra and the Ford Focus.
Where the Nissan Sentra shines is in its longevity. It’s a low-maintenance car, it’s cheap to keep running, and it’s very fuel efficient. But, in terms of overall value, you’re going to get a better deal out of both the Elantra and the Focus.
All three cars sell in the same price range, and for that cost the Focus and Elantra both deliver more standard features in the entry level package, with comparable performance specs. Neither Ford nor Hyundai offer a performance model like the Spec V, but at that price point you’re better off shopping for a Civic Si.
The 2006 Sentra is in that awkward position of being a budget car that’s outclassed by other budget cars at the same price point. The 2007 model is a winner. The 2006 was feeling its age.
Do Owners Recommend the 2006 Nissan Sentra?
Yes. It is been the only car I have ever owned and I love it.. Although I am looking into something bigger, I will definitely keep it in the Nissan family.
Yes, Nissan is a very reliable product. It will last for years if you do regular maintenance and oil changes.
Yes, I love my car, very dependable! It is very compact as easy to navigate. It has a semi-smooth ride not as smooth as a luxury car but it rides comfortably. There is a lot of road noise but that seems like a minute problem.
Yes, and it is very good on gas mileage, it is easy to park on the street and in parking garages and in Stahls.
Yes it is a great car and great on gas and has a good amount of room in the back seat and in the truck. The body of the car is in great shape also and was very well taken care of by the previous owner.
This vehicle is very reliable. Been to the shop very little except for the required maintenance. The size is perfect for a family of 4 and a dog. It has never left me stranded. The recalls are minimal and most are same day service. My last car nickel and dimed me every month. Parys were expensive. The parts on my Nissan are reasonable. When a headlight went out I was able to get 2 and replace them both by myself (with the help of youtube). Nothing goes wrong with this car. The sentra is the middle of the Nissan group and has been my best friend since 2006. Thank you Nissan.
It is a wonderful vehicle. I want it to last forever. I love the red color and the body is in great shape after having been through many winters in Vermont. Good gas mileage, comfortable to drive, a good size without being too big or too small.
I love my vehicle, I have been driving it now with very limited issues for 14 years. The mileage is great. It could do better off road, on dirt roads, since I live in country, but overall, great vehicles and I'd rate it 8/10.
