2012 Nissan Sentra Review: Cheap Problem Ridden Car That Won’t Last

Alex Showalter

Mar 30, 2022

The 2012 Sentra only lasts 150,000 miles with transmission failures and steering issues. At $6,343 – 8,358, it’s too expensive given the number of mechanical failures.

The Good

Passenger room is better than rivals, visibility is good and interior materials are high quality for the money.

The Bad

A lot of expensive components break, the suspension is overly firm and technology is outdated.

Is the 2012 Nissan Sentra a Good Used car?

No, 2012 is a bad year. Complaints from owners include steering problems, frequent breakdowns, and worn-out air conditioners.
Reliability ratings are poor. Sentra models from 2010–2016 all have a lot of problems, with quality improvements for 2017 and later.
Performance is weak from the base 4-cylinder engine, but the Spec-V model is quick.
The Sentra is reasonably safe, earning 4 out of 5 stars in government crash tests.
Fuel economy is average for a compact car at up to 29 MPG combined.

Positive Owner Reviews

Kelly R

Comfortable and Gas Saver

The gas mileage is great. I'm able to travel 400 miles and only use a tank and a half of gas. I have not had any costly repairs. I've Only had to replace the hub bearings and the air intake hose. The trunk is big enough for a stroller and all my groceries.

Kristen R

I am able to change the radio station from the steering wheel.

I love my car it comfortable, good on gas and perfect for a small family. Very reliable when I have to visit family in a different states. This car was the best decision I made when I needed an upgrade from my old one. I've never felt more safe during bad weather then I have when I am in my Nissan.

Port W

The shape/design is very classy and sporty.

It's a very cute little car. It is sporty and fun looking. It has held up well throughout the years. The inside is comfortable. As a family grows it does get cramped, but for one child or a single person it is a good size. The trunk is a good size too.

Kayla Y

2012 Nissan sentra se review.

I have had this car for the past 9 years. It has been extremely reliable and is great on gas. I like the amount of space but I do wish I was able to comfortably fit my bike in it. With taking many 4 hour trips to college and back, it has been reliable and I have had minimal issues. I have only changed the battery once.

Lisa O

Very good car, highly recommend it to others.

I have had zero problems. My car is very reliable. My seats are very comfortable. I love my features, I have navigation, sunroof, backup camera, satellite radio and leather heated seats. It drives and handles great. I love the way it handles in the winter.

Ashly B

It is really spacious. Has a lot of space to put anything there.

It is reliable and affordable does not waste gas that much. Family friendly, it has lots of space to put as much as you want and looks really nice. It is a smooth drive not too crazy. As a short person it is the right size for me to drive as well as for anyone else to drive.

Sarah G

Love my Sentra!! Love my 2012 red Sentra! The sunroof is my favorite feature!

I love my red Sentra! It has amazing pickup and a lot of room for the kids in the back! The deep trunk is great too. Lots of room! It sits low to the road. My seats are very comfortable. After 7 years with my Nissan, I haven't had any major issues or concerns.

Giselle M

Nissan sentra in blue year 2012 in good condition.

Really nice car overall. Brakes and accelerator seem to be working fine. The color is blue on the exterior. The interior is grey. The seats are really comfortable and soft. I really do recommend getting a car from the Nissan brand. I haven't had any problems so far, which is good.

Negative Owner Reviews

Kelly S

The CVT transmission is terrible.

There is still a problem with the CVT transmissions once you hit around 100,000 miles. You will begin to hear a high pitched whining noise. The car design is nice it looks very sporty, however the inside feels slightly cramped and a bit uncomfortable.

Lauren M

It is white, and girly. It does not have much speed but it has a little pick up.

I don't really like my vehicle due to many reasons, such as it is very low, not comfortable, not updated features, pretty small and not spacious, does not have Bluetooth, had brake problems once and I think it is currently coming back. Had a wheel alignment issue that I got fixed this year, that is about it.

Hannah M

White Nissan Sentra 2012.

I've had a lot of issues with the car (I.e. Air conditioner, transmission, etc.). I was driving it on the parkway and it completely shut down and I was almost in an accident. The air conditioner belt broke, the car bottomed out without my knowledge and had to replace the tires

William S

NICE DRIVING CAR BUT BAD GAS mileage.

WORST GAS mileage OF ANY CAR I HAVE EVER OWNED.

Jessica W

Don't do it! Never buy a Nissan, they have truly gone to garbage!

This is the second and last Sentra that I will ever own. Never another Nissan. This car has had I don't even know how many problems. Mostly electrical!

Abbey L

It's not very reliable, it seems to make some type of adjustment to itself.

It has a problem with power steering or some type of transmission issue. Nissans to me all run the same-i would never purchase another Nissan especially if it's used. You may get some good quality riding out of it if its new.

Miranda Y

Mediocre starter car for beginner drivers.

Engine blown after 150,000 miles, constantly fixing something on it, and small. However, it is good on gas mileage, seats fold down for more storage space, and after somebody hit me car the damage was minimal. It is a good starter car but to start a family I would highly suggest something else.

Domonik D

A great car for a small part in life.

It's a great starter car. It the perfect size for someone with no children. It is also a great car for a college student. But I have outgrew the car. It was needed for college but now since I have enter the real world, it does not fit my lifestyle anymore. The car is extremely great on gas. The maintenance of the car is not that expensive but can be due to what needs to be done. Most of the car parts are reasonable for everyone to afford.

What Do Critics Say About the Sentra?

Consumer Reports found the Sentra to be unimpressive to drive, with low owner satisfaction scores.
Edmunds gives the Sentra a 3.7/5 liking the spacious cabin, but the driving experience is bland.
Kelley Blue Book users rate the Sentra 4.3/5 and find it efficient, but performance is weak.

What Common Problems Does the 2012 Nissan Sentra Have?

Problems with the 2012 Sentra are serious including transmission failures, worn-out starter motors, and steering system issues.

Transmission failures are the most common complaint showing up in the first 80,000 miles. The CVT found in Nissan vehicles is a weak spot, costing around $3,500 to replace.

Worn-out starter motors are reported by owners in the first 50,000 miles. When the starter fails the vehicle will not turn on, and it costs about $450 to install a new one.

Steering problems including pulling to one side are usually mentioned in the first 20,000 miles. There are several sources to the problem including alignment issues and steering rack damage. Aligning the car costs around $100, and steering system damage can cost over $1,000.

How Long Will the 2012 Nissan Sentra Last?

The average lifespan for a properly cared for 2012 Sentra is around 150,000 miles, which is half as long as top competitors including the Corolla. Regular annual maintenance costs are expensive for a compact car at $480 per year, according to Repair Pal.

As a Sentra reaches 75,000 miles owners should prepare to replace the ignition coil for $350, blower motor costing $400, and throttle body which costs $800.

Kandis N

Yes, my car has been very reliable. As previously mentioned, I have not had to put a large amount of money into the vehicle for repairs.

Rebecca M

Yes, the car is very reliable. There have been no mechanical issues in the seven years I have owned it.

Joy C

Have had no problems to date. Have kept up normal maintenance and it is one of the most reliable cars I have had.

David C

None it has been one of the best cars I have bought reliable with no problems so far we have taken the car on many vacations has plenty of room has great air for the summer and great heat for winter.

William F

It is spotty at best. Issues with the transmission. Issues with the connector for the battery. The rear windows do not roll up or down anymore.

Brandy K

I haven't experienced any problems with reliability. I have had it for a few years now and have only had issues that normally occur, like having to replace the battery after a few years.

Amanda P

Yes myself and my sister both swear by Nissan it’s a good car drives smooth I'm happy with my purchase

Ashley R

Yes. I've had almost no problems with it mechanically. The worst thing that's happened in the four years I've owned it is the latch on my gas hole broke and that wasn't even that much of an inconveniencing

How Much Is the 2012 Nissan Sentra Worth?

Blue book values range from $6,343 – 8,358, making the Sentra around $1,000 cheaper than an Elantra or Civic. When new, the price range was $16,430 to $20,990. Depreciation is similar to other compact cars losing 10% of its current value per year.

What are the Different Models of the Sentra?

There are 5 different versions of the Sentra available. Technology is dated with the last update in 2007, with the next redesign coming in 2013.

2.0 is the entry-level model with:

15-Inch Steel Wheels
Cloth Seating
Power Windows And Locks
4-Speaker AM/FM/CD Stereo With 3.5mm AUX

2.0 S is a step up adding features including:

16-Inch Steel Wheels
Cruise Control
Keyless Entry
6-Speaker Stereo With Added USB Port

2.0 SR is a good step up and features:

16-Inch Alloy Wheels
Upgraded Interior Trim
Fog Lights
Rear Spoiler

2.0 SL is the luxury version offering:

Leather Steering Wheel
Keyless Ignition
Bluetooth Connectivity
Premium Stereo With Satellite Radio

SE-R Spec V is the fastest model and has:

High Performance Tires
Lowered Suspension
Limited Slip Front Differential
Improved Brakes

2.0

140 HP 30 MPG

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2.0 S

140 HP 30 MPG

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2.0 SR

140 HP 30 MPG

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2.0 SL

140 HP 30 MPG

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SE-R

177 HP 26 MPG

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SE-R Spec V

200 HP 24 MPG

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What Engines Come In the Sentra?

The base engine is a weak 2.0L 4-cylinder with 140 horsepower.
The SE-R comes with a more powerful 2.5L 4-cylinder making 177 horsepower.
The SE-R Spec V features an improved 2.5L 4-cylinder with 200 horsepower and takes only 6.7 seconds to go from 0-60 miles per hour.

What Colors Does the Sentra Come In?

How Big Is the Sentra?

The 2012 Sentra is an average size compact car similar to the Mazda3 and Focus. Passenger room is better than its rivals, but the back seats are still cramped for adults.

Cargo space is average for a small sedan offering 13.1 cubic feet of room in the trunk which is smaller than larger midsize sedans.

How Does the Sentra Compare to the Competition?

The Honda Civic is a highly rated competitor costing about $1,200 more. Reliability ratings and ownership costs are both better on the Civic, but the Sentra has more passenger room. We recommend a Civic since they last longer.

The Mazda3 is another rival costing almost $2,000 more. Technology and performance are both better in the Mazda, but interior materials are higher quality in the Sentra. Overall, the Mazda3 is a better long-term choice with higher reliability ratings.

Ranks #25 Small Cars by Owners

2012 Volkswagen GLI

4.8

2012 Volkswagen Eos

4.76

2012 Nissan Sentra

4.14

Do Owners Recommend the Nissan Sentra?

Kandis N

Yes. It has had minimal issues and a few expected repairs that were necessary for any vehicle. Good gas mileage.

Rebecca M

Yes, the car has been a reliable mode of transportation driving long distances daily to work. It gets excellent gas mileage, which has been of great importance.

Joy C

Yes, it is. Have had no problems with it at all. Gets great gas mileage, handles well and very comfy.

David C

Very good for the price comfort gas mileage the model is four door which is great the motor is great 4 cylinder plenty of power.

William F

No. The transmission seems to give us issues a lot. The headlights are all foggy. Seem to have a lot of problems with the air intake. We've had to change the boot for the air intake twice.

Gina P

Yes, it is actually a very good vehicle. I haven't had very many problems with it. I has been quite reliable.

Ra-Shawn W

Yes I've had no problems with it as of yet it drives smooth I love the navigation system it has sunroof for a 2012 it has more updates then I would of imagined

Macy K

Yes. Its efficient and compact. It gives me everything I need in a car and it still has enough room move all my stuff.

Owner Reviews

Write a Review

Connie on May 3, 2023

Best car ever

I have 270,000 plus miles with no major issues,just routine maintenance

Gerri F on June 25, 2021

Nissan sentra some cons.

Issue with o2 sensor. Anytime I travel a long distance the car will not accelerate. Also the struts went bad pretty fast. Car was brought used. Other than that the car is great. Good on gas no other issues I have come across with the car I have had it about 5 or 6 years.

Ashley H on June 25, 2021

Dependability of a 2012 Nissan sentra.

At 80,000 miles the transmission started slipping but other than that it has been an amazing and very comfortable daily driver it gets great gas mileage and I have not had any other issues out of it at all. It has been very dependable and has never broken down and left me on the side of the road.

Ulyana K on June 15, 2021

The can I have has a moonlight.

The car is pretty good. Gets good gas miles and drives well. The seats are comfortable. They can be moved closer or farther from the wheel, and can seat a 6'6' individual relatively well. The seats in the back are spacious enough for three adults. The trunk has good space as well.

Abbie R on June 11, 2021

The Nissan sentra -- a reliable and sturdy car.

I love this car. My roommate and I share it and have been driving it in la for three years, and it got us back across the country when moving back to the east coast. It is smooth, reliable, and sturdy. The only issue we had consistently is that the trunk stopped closing for a while, but other than that, it is been a truly fantastic little car.

Kathleen B on June 10, 2021

Door on the car does not open from the outside. I have to go in another door to.

Right now when I try to open the drivers side door it will not open from the outside. I have to open another door and go through to unlock the main door. Something keeps on falling off the bottom of the car. It drives very well and I like it but the door problem is driving me crazy. I get my oil changed all the time so I do not have any mechanical issues except for the door.

Chris D on June 5, 2021

Highly recommended for a first car.

Haven't had a single issue with it other than routine maintenance. Handles good and gets great gas mileage. The only part I had to put on it is a starter. It is got 133k on it and runs just as good as the day I bought it with 53k miles. Would highly recommend it for a young person who needs a reliable vehicle.

Larissa F on June 3, 2021

The amazing sentra 2012!!

Very good on gas. Great size not too big not too small. Great for traveling and everyday life things. It is very comfortable and it fits the whole family. It is very light to drive sometimes too light but it does it is job. The gas part is the best with 20 bucks you can fill it up the tank and you can drive a lot of miles for two weeks and it will be fine.

Eswin F on May 30, 2021

A good car to have in your life.

My car is great on gas. It drives smooth and I had the car for 7 years. It's a real reliable car and I wouldn't want to buy a different car after driving it. The most work I had to do for the car is changing tired more often. I have to do a lot of work on it. And when I had to fix something its not expensive.

Steven N on May 30, 2021

I am not exactly sure what to say other then this car is amazing in everyway.

My vehicle is amazing has great ac and heat, very comfortable seating, great on gas, nice size trunk for groceries, power windows, cruise control, power steering, automatic transmission, very nice system like speakers and radio. Gets me everywhere I need to go I would recommend this vehicle to anybody looking to buy a car.

Leslie R on May 15, 2021

Nissan sentra - perfect in-city driving experience.

My sentra is a wonderful car. I have really enjoyed driving my car. It handles and really well and I like that it does not feel like it is sitting low on the road. It is comfortable when I have to spend the day running errands all over town. Great gas mileage. I am at approximately 93,000 miles with only oil changes and one new set of tires. My youngest child is about to inherit it and I will be purchasing a new Nissan.

Yoshiko F on May 15, 2021

Good and nice little Japanese car.

It is kind of old but it works well. The ac is good. The tires are broken sometimes tho. We can save Gus. I love Japanese cars. The seats are comfortable. Much space. The color is like dark silver which is good. It does not have big problems. The trunk has so much space. Good.

Hailey K on May 13, 2021

Nissan sentra 2012: a good vehicle.

I feel like my vehicle is a good vehicle overall. Gas mileage is good. It drives good. I haven't had almost any problems out of it in the 2 years I have owned it. One con is that the a/c does not get cold fast. I have made sure that the filters are clean and made sure that it has freon but nothing. I have also realized that my headlights are not as good as other cars. Overall, it is a decent car and I would recommend one.

Lynette M on May 6, 2021

Sensible sentra with most all bells & whistles.

Love the backup camera & sunroof, very reliable & easy on the gas, great mileage, leather seats are comfortable, seats five people or two people in front and one large dog in back seat! Trunk is roomy but wish it registered as open like the doors do so I do not forget to close it. Will buy a new sentra soon!

Tjack J on May 2, 2021

Overall lasting car in my opinion.

Currently I almost have 80,000 miles but as far as I can tell it's a pretty good car. I haven't had any major issues as of yet but that is not expected at the amount of miles I am currently at. One issue I had is that the motor on the driver side window went out.

Michelle D on April 30, 2021

Small, but mighty. Small enough to park in a tight space, but powerful.

I like my sentra. It drives easily and gets great gas mileage. It is just not well appointed. There is not as much storage as a Toyota corolla and for some reason all the seals around the back doors and trunk keep coming off. The air conditioning works well, is strong and cold. The defroster is not as nice. It sometimes takes forever to defrost my windows and sometimes I need to open the front windows to clear my windshield. That is not a huge issue though and not something you notice on a test drive. There is a bit of road noise, but I think unless you get to luxury type cars you are going to have that. The sentra is good for what I need in a car.

Joseph S on April 19, 2021

Great performance vehicle.

I have a 2012 Nissan sentra. It is a very good vehicle. The car runs perfectly. I follow all the guidelines for maintenance on the car. It has been a dream vehicle, having all the bells and whistles that I wanted. I have had few problems with the car and it gets excellent mileage.

Tatum J on April 18, 2021

It has cool inside lights, but I hate cars.

It is a good vehicle, I just hate cars. I am a truck person. The transmission is trash though, never been recalled though. It has a great sound system and it has interior lights that change color. The trunk of the car does not latch the latch is broken.

Adrianna P on April 15, 2021

Nissan sentra 2012 rating.

Very good car overall. Performance is great. It drives very smoothly. I can get 45 miles to a gallon which is really nice. Not many features though. It does not have Bluetooth or a backup camera. But I personally do not feel those features are always completely necessary. Very reliable and safe. Great car overall!

Maria G on April 11, 2021

Low on gas use and is a very cozy car. Perfect for a young single person.

We bought the car 0 miles and after a couple of years the car started to shake as I drive it. The car only has 38,000 miles and the year is 2012. Very low on miles and we have maintained very well. The car runs well but probably now feels old because it a cheap car.

Gerald F on April 4, 2021

The gas mileage that it gets is better than any other car I had

I bought my vehicle used I always I always like small cars and my Nissan Sentra is nice and small I like it because the gas mileage and the room it has inside it. It nice and rooney inside it the gas mileage is just great I get about 28 to 35 miles to a gallon I think that's good.

Betty M on April 3, 2021

My Nissan best feature automatic door locks. A very good safety feature.

I really like my car. It is not to big and not to small. It has enough pick up so that when I put my foot on the gas it moves. I have power steering, CD player cruise control inside overhead reading light. Inside trunk and gas cap release. A good size glove box a jack/charger for Iphones (built in. Power door locks that automatically engage when go more than 5 miles per hour. Lights that turn off by themselves.

Kelly S on April 2, 2021

The CVT transmission is terrible.

Angie P on April 1, 2021

Pros and cons of the Nissan sentra.

It is a small compact car. Good on gas but if you like room inside it is not the car for you. The condenser goes out and you hear a loud noise when you turn on the heater or the air conditioner. Trunk is not big enough to store many items inside. It connects to Bluetooth but you need an auxiliary cord to play music through.

Shervon R on March 31, 2021

Nissan sentra 2.0 sl 2nd owner review.

My vehicle has only had one previous owner. It has a sunroof, heated driver and passenger seat. It has a nav system installed along with a backup camera. It has had minor problems. The driver window motor has died, the passenger side window has a small leak and a sensor is malfunctioning.

Cynthia R on March 31, 2021

The amount of space my trunk offers

This vehicle has gone with me up and down, but even though I love it, it's a hassle with the space. I can only have two car seats in the back with no one else fitting in there. The trunk is very spacious, enough room to put the stroller and others mischievous. I love that it has a CD player and aux outlet.

Maritza A on March 30, 2021

Red Nissan that has never caused any problems.

We bought this vehicle last year from a friend. We have not had any problems with it. We use this vehicle to travel! Now that we're expecting a child in a couple months, I can honestly say I wouldn't want any other vehicle. Very reliable. My husband owns a truck, as much as he loves his truck, he still seems to draw to the car. For the reasoning of it riding very smooth.

Nayda J on March 29, 2021

A great first vehicle, especially for traveling.

Very reliable car, great starter car. Not a lot of car issues. The biggest I had is with the battery being a different size than the manufacturers original model. It has great gas mileage. Another downfall is it is a small car so cannot fit a lot since it is so compact. Otherwise this is a perfect road trip car. Super comfortable seating.

Patricia M on March 29, 2021

My car gets good gas mileage.

I like my vehicle because it is great on gas mileage. The interior is roomy. To be a small vehicle it has a lot of trunk space.

Ja P on March 28, 2021

Pros and cons Nissan sentra.

A lot of technical issues, and resets hardly work. Paint chipping issues from original factory paint. Noisy overtime and air conditioning issues. Push to start is a convenient feature with automatic windows. Bluetooth connectivity and satellite radio.

Keenan M on March 28, 2021

The acceleration and deceleration is remarkable

Very reliable vehicle, gets great mileage which I need for making road trips and driving to work. Driving it is so easy.

Akari L on March 26, 2021

The car has really nice a/c.

The a/c is really nice, the seats are nice as well, I don't hate the car. I am actually really comfortable with the car and I would rate this 8/10. There's not a lot I have to say about it though. It drives smoothly, but there's times where the battery dies out and we have to get another one.

Brooke J on March 26, 2021

This car it is a great solid vehicle that came with a great price.

My vehicle is extremely reliable. It is spacious, does great on gas, and I rarely have problems with it! I can fill up for $26 easily where I live. I love the grey interior. It is a classic vehicle that gets me where I need to go with no hassle.

Marie L on March 25, 2021

Will last a while if you are okay with minor issues.

I have had issues with transmission at 90,000 miles, needed full replacement. I have had issues with the power windows, driver side panel connection has died and gets stuck in up and down position. I have had issues with the locking mechanisms and getting stuck in the locked position.

Kaw H on March 24, 2021

I like that it not expensive car. It does not use up and lot of gasoline.

It performs good but all the time that we have we have to fix many time. I have travel far only two time. Now the car is making some noise and sometimes it will slow down and start up the level and go. I have this car for 4 years now. Last time when we travel it will make a sound like it broken a part. Good thing we got home safe. We have to take it to the shop. They fix it but didn't tell us what wrong with it.

Theresa G on March 23, 2021

Nissan sentra: it is okay I guess.

It is okay but had some bugs with the computer system. The wiper blades have never properly functioned. Does not have great pick up speed. I really do not know what else to write here. There was a recall after I bought it but the transmission issue was fixed.

Alysha J on March 22, 2021

Very comfortable and roomy, heated seats for winter

I have a built in navigation system and it can be hard to see if in the sun, wish that a tint would have been put on to stop this. I dont get close to the gas mileage promised. It has a great stereo system. Pretty dependable

Joann G on March 18, 2021

It is very good on gas. Is a car that will last you for a while.

The car itself has never given me any problems. The engine works just fine and it has never struggled to turn on. However, the a/c has gone out on me a handful of times, and the tires give me problems. So well worth it for the price.

Brittany M on March 18, 2021

Although my car is older, its' features are up to date with newer models.

My car performs really well on a day to day. Ask long as I keep up with the maintenance on my car I have no problems. This car is good for either small families or those who are single. Since it is small and compact I am unsure if it would be feasible for families larger than 3.

Kelly E on March 16, 2021

I like that this car has lots of places to put things and a deep trunk.

Love this car. Have not had many problems with it. Just not as comfortable as my previous car. I also feel simple things break easily. For example window gets stuck sometimes and the door handle sometimes does not pop back into place. I think it is a good car though.

Darius B on March 14, 2021

The car is good considering its price.

The car is broken down at the moment. It broke down within 5 years. The car itself is very comfortable. It has Bluetooth connectivity and it has a USB charger port. The performance is average. The car is mostly average but it is very affordable, so yeah.

Gabrielle G on March 12, 2021

Gas saving 2012 Nissan sentra.

Great on gas. No major issues since financing 5 years ago. Only had to replace battery this past year, rotors last year and pads and brakes. Nothing else has happened besides normal wear and tear. Trunk space is amazing, only downside is little leg room when squeezing 4 or 5 in the car.

Beth C on March 12, 2021

Nissan Sentra 4 door good for gas mileage.

The Nissan Sentra is good on gas. With my long commute to work its makes it cheaper for me. But I love my other vehicles more. It is a very simple car, four doors and I use it for uber and lyft driving. The Nissan is definitely a very reliable vehicle and performs well.

Anna J on March 11, 2021

Great car. Perfect for first car.

It is comfortable, I like the feature I can connect my phone to it via Bluetooth. I hardly ever take it in for problems. A feature I wish it had was electric seats. I would recommend this vehicle to other people, I feel safe in it and expect for it to last a while.

Donna J on March 11, 2021

This car is totes the shizz.

Great car! Sporty, and has good speed. The basic stock stereo bumps just enough,. Huge trunk, holds a ton. Plenty of room in the back for kids, and stuff. Great on gas mileage. I have taken this little gem off roading, it does great. It's easy to do basic maintenance. Everything labeled great and stuff.

Wyant V on March 10, 2021

Good car, would buy again.

130,000 miles and no problems, this beast refuses to take an off day, and won't die. Only issues have been with a bad battery I got and a flat tire once so nothing that was the cars fault. It was cheap, is reliable, gets good gas mileage, and doesn't need constant repairs, like my old car did until I upgraded to this.

Stacie K on March 9, 2021

Great medium size car for the price.

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.

Bonnie L on March 4, 2021

Reliable, comfortable, economical.

I have driven Nissan sentra models for over 15 years. They are, for the most part, very reliable. I like their responsiveness in acceleration and steering. They are also good on gas mileage. As long as I complete regular service on the these cars, they do not need major repairs. As for comfort, Nissans are one of the few makes of car that have seats that are deep enough to accommodate my long legs. One thing I do not like in my current car is that the trunk does not have an automatic opening with the key fob.

Anthony P on March 3, 2021

Nissans are very reliable vehicles.

I like that my car is reliable and good on gas. I dislike the size of the car and wish that it had more electronic features.

Alison H on March 3, 2021

Sensationally sensible sentra!

My 2012 Nissan sentra has been through a lot and still runs great. It has survived 6 Minnesota winters, road trips across the country, and a few trips over bad potholes. It is comfortable, has enough space without being too big, and rarely runs into issues.

Sandrine K on March 2, 2021

Pretty sturdy and strong little car.

The engine isn't very strong but works well for a smaller car. It is a good car but a little small for my taste. I wish the car was a bit bigger. I've had it for 8 years and it just got me moved from NJ to nm without any issues. I like that it has compartments for your knick knacks.

Alex Showalter

Alex is an automotive enthusiast with over 15 years of experience in the used car market. He brings a wealth of knowledge to Vehicle History as our Staff Writer and has written hundreds of used car reviews helping buyers make informed purchasing decisions. He is a member of the Automotive Press Association, and keeps up-to-date on the latest changes in the industry. Over the years, he has driven hundreds of cars, working on many of them. His mechanical experience evolved from modifying off-road trucks as a teen to focusing on automotive electrical systems as he got older. He now specializes in reviewing used cars as an automotive journalist. Some of his favorite brands are Toyota and BMW. The Toyota Land Cruiser is one of his favorite vehicles of all time since they’re built to last forever and can go anywhere. One of his current cars is a Lexus LX570, built on the same platform as the 200-series Land Cruiser, but it’s a better value in the used market.