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Used car guide
Used Nissan Sentra: the years to buy and the years to skip
Every Nissan Sentra from 2010 to 2025, across 3 generations: what each year typically sells for (about $3,500 to $24,000), its crash rating, and whether it's a year to target or skip. The best bets are 2010–2012, 2018–2019, 2021–2025. Look harder at or skip 2013–2017, 2020.
2020–2025 Nissan Sentra
A much better Sentra with comfortable seats and a nicer, more modern cabin.
Years to target: 2021–2025. Look harder at or skip: 2020. It has an average reliability record.
| Year | Typical price | Verdict | Crash rating | Typical miles |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | $15,000 | Look harder | 5 of 5 | ~75,000 |
| 2021 | $16,500 | Target | 5 of 5 | ~65,000 |
| 2022 | $18,000 | Target | 5 of 5 | ~50,000 |
| 2023 | $19,500 | Target | 5 of 5 | ~40,000 |
| 2024 | $21,500 | Target | 5 of 5 | ~30,000 |
| 2025 | $24,000* | Target | 5 of 5 | ~20,000 |
* Estimated from nearby years, since few were listed for sale.
Worth knowing
- 2020: owner complaints spike (205, mostly the driver-assist features).
- Acceleration is modest, and the CVT reliability record is still worth weighing, so keep up fluid service.
The trim we'd park in our garage
Look for the SV: it adds adaptive cruise, an 8-inch touchscreen, keyless entry and alloy wheels over the S. Every trim includes automatic braking and blind-spot warning.
On the test drive
Ask whether the CVT fluid has been changed, and feel for shudder or hesitation when pulling away. Get a pre-purchase inspection and a vehicle history report before you buy.
Safety tech
- Automatic emergency braking: standard from the start of this generation (2020).
- Adaptive cruise control: optional from 2020, never standard in this generation.
- Blind-spot monitoring: standard from the start of this generation (2020).
Also worth comparing at this price
- Toyota Corolla 2021–2024 · $17,500–$22,000
- Toyota Prius 2019–2020 · $19,000–$20,500
- Toyota Camry 2020 · $21,500
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2013–2019 Nissan Sentra
A budget compact sedan with a surprisingly roomy back seat and good fuel economy.
Years to target: 2018–2019. Look harder at or skip: 2013–2017. It has an average reliability record.
| Year | Typical price | Verdict | Crash rating | Typical miles |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | $7,000 | Skip | 4 of 5 | ~130,000 |
| 2014 | $7,500 | Skip | 4 of 5 | ~120,000 |
| 2015 | $8,000 | Skip | 4 of 5 | ~110,000 |
| 2016 | $8,500 | Skip | 4 of 5 | ~100,000 |
| 2017 | $9,000 | Skip | 4 of 5 | ~90,000 |
| 2018 | $9,500 | Target | 4 of 5 | ~80,000 |
| 2019 | $10,500* | Target | 4 of 5 | ~70,000 |
* Estimated from nearby years, since few were listed for sale.
Worth knowing
- Skip 2013–2017. The CVT in these years has a high failure rate. Get any replacement or extended coverage in writing.
- 2013: owner complaints spike (638, mostly the transmission).
- Acceleration is weak and the cabin gets loud at speed, and later cars with full service records are the safer choice.
The trim we'd park in our garage
Look for a 2016 or newer SV: the refresh added a backup camera and touchscreen, and the SV brings keyless entry and push-button start over the S. Check CVT service records.
On the test drive
Ask whether the CVT fluid has been changed, and feel for shudder or hesitation when pulling away. Get a pre-purchase inspection and a vehicle history report before you buy.
Safety tech
- Automatic emergency braking: optional from 2016, never standard in this generation.
- Adaptive cruise control: optional from 2016, never standard in this generation.
- Blind-spot monitoring: not standard in this generation, so check the listing.
Also worth comparing at this price
- Toyota Corolla 2012–2013 · $9,000–$9,500
- Acura TSX 2013 · $10,000
- Toyota Yaris 2017–2019 · $8,500–$10,000
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2010–2012 Nissan Sentra
A basic, affordable compact sedan with a roomy cabin for the price.
Years to target: 2010–2012. It has an average reliability record.
| Year | Typical price | Verdict | Crash rating | Typical miles |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | $3,500 | Target | 4 of 5 | ~145,000 |
| 2011 | $4,000 | Target | 4 of 5 | ~140,000 |
| 2012 | $4,500 | Target | 4 of 5 | ~130,000 |
Worth knowing
- CVTs from this era have a spotty reputation, and the cabin is noisy and plain.
The trim we'd park in our garage
Target the S or SL: they add cruise control, upgraded audio and alloy wheels over the base 2.0. Check that the CVT has been serviced, since it is the main weak point.
On the test drive
Ask whether the CVT fluid has been changed, and feel for shudder or hesitation when pulling away. Get a pre-purchase inspection and a vehicle history report before you buy.
Safety tech
- Automatic emergency braking: not offered in this generation.
- Adaptive cruise control: not offered in this generation.
- Blind-spot monitoring: not standard in this generation, so check the listing.
Find one near you
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Prices are typical dealer and private asking prices from used listings, collected in September and October 2026, for an average-mileage car. Years with too few listings are estimated from nearby years. Crash ratings, recalls and owner complaint counts come from NHTSA public records. Always get a pre-purchase inspection and a vehicle history report before you buy. Spot something off? Let us know.