The Nissan Sentra has been absent from the Philippine market for quite some time. Its most recent iteration arrived as the Sylphy in 2019, but even that was short-lived. Since then, the market has steadily shifted toward crossovers and MPVs, leaving the cheaper Almera to cater to the remaining—albeit limited—sedan market.
However, sedans have seen a relative comeback over the past year. One of the newest players in the automotive market, BYD, has filled its lineup with three sedans across different segments. Local favorites Toyota and Honda have also refreshed their sedan offerings with new hybrid powertrains. Sedan buyers may be a niche market, but they remain interested and passionate.
Which brings us to Nissan, the third biggest automotive brand in the country, as of June 2025. With the recent spark in sedans, the Japanese carmaker may be compelled to bolster its lineup—and what better way to do that than to reintroduce a beloved nameplate in the Sentra. The 2026 model has just been unveiled in the United States; let’s see what it’s all about.
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Nissan’s new sedan looks much different than what the Philippines last saw. Its V-motion grille pops out of its silhouette to give the Sentra a sharper and sportier overall look. The slim headlights and DRLs contrast with the thickness of the fascia, showing off its dramatic curve. A similar layout is found at the back, with a slim taillight sandwiched between a spoiler and a hefty rear garnish.
Putting it into numbers, the 2026 Sentra measures in at 4,656mm long, 1,816mm wide, and 1,450mm tall, with a wheelbase of 2,705mm. This makes the Sentra slightly smaller than the current Honda Civic and Toyota Corolla Altis.
Inside, a mix of touch and physical buttons fills up the cockpit, along with dual 12.3-inch displays for the digital instrument cluster and the main infotainment display. A large center console houses the gearshift, and what looks to be a wireless charger and a USB-C charging port.
Speaking of the gearshift, Nissan’s Xtronic continuously variable transmission is mated to a 2.0-liter naturally aspirated engine that makes 149hp and 198Nm of torque. Interestingly, Nissan elected not to add any hybrid or e-Power option to the new Sentra.
With 10 to 12 new Nissan models expected to be released over the next three years, the return of the Sentra could be in the realm of possibility, but we’ll wait for the official word from Nissan Philippines.
More photos of the 2026 Nissan Sentra:
