With its origins rooted in Japan in the mid-1920s, Nissan eventually made its way to American soil under the Datsun name in 1958. The first-generation Datsuns made a lasting impression on Americans and earned their place in history as the first mass-produced Japanese vehicles in the United States. Over the next several decades, Nissan continued to deliver new models like the Sentra, which was one of the first American-built sedans in the lineup thanks to Nissan's new assembly plant in Tennessee. Fast forward eight generations to the remarkable 2021 Nissan Sentra, and it's easy to see why this compact sedan is one of Nissan's biggest sellers.
Reliable and efficient, the 2021 Sentra refuses to compromise and continues the award-winning performance that began with the all-new 2020 model, which was even named one of the Best New Cars of 2020 by AutoTrader. With big shoes to fill, the 2021 Sentra builds on this platform by proving that drivers no longer have to choose between versatility, affordability, or sophistication in a sedan. You can have it all and more in the Sentra, and that's what makes the 2021 model even more attractive for drivers looking for a sedan with plenty to offer.
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The 2021 Nissan Sentra can handle its own, whether it's cruising at highway speeds or navigating rush hour traffic in the city. This capability comes from the Sentra's 2.0-liter engine, which is a notable upgrade from the 1.8-liter engine that powered the previous generation. Paired with Nissan's proven Xtronic transmission, the engine delivers 149 horsepower and 146 lb-ft of torque. But this power doesn't come at the cost of efficiency, with the Sentra getting up to 29 MPG in the city and 39 MPG on the highway. Who said you can't have it all?
The Sentra's power is enhanced by its quick acceleration and shifting, both of which make it fun and responsive to drive. This new driving experience is courtesy of components like an independent rear suspension, a MacPherson strut front suspension, and twin-tube shock absorbers, all of which are responsible for the Sentra's smooth ride. Sitting 2.2 inches lower and 2.4 inches wider than the previous generation, the 2021 Sentra is more stable and gives you better control whether you're navigating a winding road or climbing a steep grade. Those winding roads are also more fun to drive in the Sentra thanks to Nissan's advanced Intelligent Trace Control system that uses intelligent control logic and selectively applies the brakes on the front wheels when cornering. This system gives you the confidence and control you need to navigate sharp corners and hairpin turns.
Nissan knows that life is busy, and that's why staying connected even when you're on the road is so important. In the 2021 Sentra, staying connected is easy, thanks to a suite of technology that stretches from easy-to-read screens to numerous connectivity features. These innovative tools are part of what makes the Sentra an exceptional sedan and a great value.
When you're behind the wheel, you'll have all the information you need within eyesight, thanks to several digital displays. The 4.2-inch multi-information driver display shows vital information like speed, fuel level, and mileage, but it's also home to tools like the Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) and Traffic Sign Recognition. You can monitor the air pressure in your tires using the Sentra's TPMS and minimize your risk of getting a speeding ticket by keeping an eye on your speed and the current speed limit with Traffic Sign Recognition.
The 4.2-inch display is paired with a standard 7-inch center touchscreen display that offers even more technology. You can access your smartphone via Apple CarPlay or Android Auto integration and take advantage of the Bluetooth Hands-free Phone System. If you're looking for bigger displays, you can upgrade to the 8-inch NissanConnect touchscreen and 7-inch digital Advanced Driver-Assist Display that are standard on the SV and SR trims.
The Sentra is equipped with a standard AM/FM radio and 4-speaker sound system as well as one USB port. Upgrading to the Sentra SV and SR adds two USB ports in the front and a rear USB port for your backseat passengers, which makes it possible to charge multiple devices at once. You'll also see several other available upgrades, including SiriusXM satellite radio and a 6-speaker sound system. The SR can even be further upgraded with an optional 8-speaker Bose Premium Audio system that delivers an immersive listening experience that will keep you entertained on the road whether you're listening to your favorite music, podcast, or audiobook!
Nissan takes the Sentra's connectivity even further with the NissanConnect Services suite powered by SiriusXM. Through this suite, you can select the right plans and services for your Sentra. That includes Amazon Alexa, which allows you to lock and unlock your Sentra, start the engine, or flash the lights with a simple voice command. What if you use Google instead of Alexa? All you have to say is, "Hey Google, talk to NissanConnect Services" on your smartphone, and you'll have access to the same features.
You don't always have to use Alexa or Google to gain remote access to your Sentra. You can also use the NissanConnect app to remotely locate and start your vehicle, sound the horn, or flash the lights. The app also enables you to search for destinations by voice and then send the results to your Sentra's touchscreen display. You can even use the app to set custom alerts that tell you when the Sentra is beyond a set radius, exceeds a set speed, or the engine runs after a certain hour. This is especially helpful when you have a young driver behind the wheel.
Did you know that the Sentra offers the most standard safety features in its class? Nissan's commitment to innovation and value extends to its safety and driver-assist tools that are meant to give you confidence when you're in the driver's seat. These tools make up the Nissan Safety Shield 360 suite that comes standard across the Sentra lineup along with the Nissan Advanced Air Bag System.
The standard Safety Shield 360 suite includes Automatic Emergency Braking with Pedestrian Detection, Blind Spot Warning, High Beam Assist, Lane Departure Warning, Rear Automatic Braking, and Rear Cross Traffic Alert. So, how do these features work? Automatic Emergency Braking works with Pedestrian Detection and Rear Automatic Braking to bring the Sentra to a complete stop if it senses a potential front or rear collision. Rear Cross Traffic Alert and the Blind Spot Warning will let you know if there are any vehicles around you that you cannot see, whether you are backing out of a parking space or driving on a multi-lane road. Lane Departure Warning is a great tool that keeps the Sentra centered in its lane, while High Beam Assist enhances your visibility by automatically activating and deactivating the high beams as needed.
While the standard Nissan Safety Shield 360 suite is remarkable, Nissan gives you the option to take these features even further with advanced tools like Intelligent Cruise Control, Intelligent Forward Collision Warning, and an Intelligent Around View Monitor. Intelligent Cruise Control makes it easy to go with the flow of traffic since the tool monitors the distance and speed of the traffic ahead and adjusts your Sentra's speed accordingly. Intelligent Forward Collision Warning keeps an eye on traffic up to two cars ahead and warns you to slow down if it detects a sudden change in traffic flow. Finally, the Intelligent Around View Monitor takes the hassle out of parking by giving you a 360-degree birds-eye view around the Sentra to help you navigate any parking space with ease.