by U.S. News Best Cars Staff | May 19, 2015
The 2011 Nissan Sentra provides adequate transportation, but its safety and performance fall short of most other cars in the class.
Good cargo space
Low safety scores for the class
Underwhelming performance
Poor fuel economy ratings for the class
Standard anti-lock brakes and electronic brake-force distribution on 2.0 trim
Standard electronic stability control and traction control on 2.0, 2.0 S and 2.0 SR trims
With scores that are average or below average in almost every area, not much stands out about the Nissan Sentra. When it was new, reviewers said its 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine was adequate for around-town driving, but lacked highway passing power. The Sentra gets 24/31 mpg city/highway with a manual transmission, which is less than what some competitors get. If you want a more powerful Sentra, the SE-R and SE-R Spec V trims are performance-oriented, and have a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine. The Sentra has a low safety score for the class.
Standard features on the 2011 Sentra include a four-speaker stereo with auxiliary input jack and air conditioning, which is pretty good for the class, though some competitors offer standard USB ports. You can get a model with available amenities such as keyless entry, navigation and satellite radio. For 2011, the Sentra gained anti-lock brakes and electronic brake-force distribution as standard safety features.
See the full 2011 Nissan Sentra specs »
Other Cars to Consider
The 2011 Honda Civic is a highly-ranked small used car that earned the 2011 U.S. News Best Compact Car for the Money and 2011 Best Compact Car for Families awards. It has higher safety ratings and stands out with performance that is better than the Sentra's. The Civic also offers a quality interior, though it comes with fewer standard interior features.
The 2011 Mazda3 has less cargo space than the Nissan Sentra, and its rear seats are a bit cramped for adults, but its crisp handling makes it fun to drive. If you need more cargo space, the Mazda3 hatchback has a lot more room than the sedan. Keep in mind that with the Mazda3's good performance, you'll also get lower fuel economy ratings.
Compare the Sentra to the Civic and Mazda3 »
$11,586 AVG. PAID