The Radically Redesigned 2020 Nissan Sentra Becomes The Even Better Equipped 2021 Nissan Sentra

The eighth-generation Nissan Sentra landed in Canada in the spring of 2020, and PEI drivers took to the new Sentra right away. We can understand why: there are so many reasons that explain why the latest Sentra captures the attention of virtually everyone who sees it.

Perhaps the top reason is the Sentra's eye-catching design. The Sentra looks amazing – long, low, and lean.  It's clearly a sibling of the larger Maxima and Altima, yet it's also distinctly a Sentra. The width of the grille and headlights are key elements that distinguish the Sentra in a segment in which many small cars appear to be, well, economy cars.

What else?

• • Nissan added a long list of tech upgrades to the Sentra for 2020, as well, along with a 20% horsepower upgrade and a 17% torque improvement. The fuel economy is exceptional, too.
• • There's better use of interior space.
• • The fuel economy is remarkable.
• • The cabin is full of very upmarket material choices and clever cabin design elements (you'll love the HVAC vents.)
• • The new Sentra includes major handling improvements. The lower/wider construction of the Sentra chassis lowers the centre of gravity, which aids cornerning, and a new independent rear suspension does a much better job of coping with rough pavement while also making the car more nimble and agile.

But now it's time for the 2021 model year.

Nissan Canada is reconstructing the lineup based on specific Canadian needs. That includes enhanced availability of the Sentra's excellent 6-speed manual transmission, which perfectly suits the new car's sporty personality. Here are all the significant changes.

1. Apple CarPlay/Android Auto are now standard on every trim level. Previously, if you wanted a manual transmission, for example, you couldn't get Apple CarPlay/Android Auto. 

2. Heated seats are also now included on the entry-level Sentra S. The Sentra S adds heated mirrors, too.

3. The 6-speed manual transmission is now available on the sportiest Sentra. The 2021 Sentra SR is a stunning machine, and for drivers who want to be fully engaged in the process, this three-pedal layout is going to be very hard to beat. 

4. Electric Blue Metallic with a black roof is a new two-tone paint option on the Sentra SR. The two-tone shades are a big part of the Sentra's design appeal, and the Sentra SR and Sentra SR Premium will now be available in Aspen White with the Super Black roof, Monarch Orange Metallic with the Super Black roof, Gun Metallic with the Super Black Roof, or Electric Blue Metallic with the Super Black Roof. 

5. 5-spoke black alloys will be a new part of the Sentra SR package. This is one of the best OEM alloy packages we've ever seen from Nissan. 

One thing that hasn't changed since 2020: Safety Shield 360 means the 2021 Sentra includes more standard safety features than any other car. Every Sentra provides automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, blind spot monitoring, rear cross traffic alert, lane departure warning, high beam assist, and rear automatic braking. There's also 10 air bags, intelligent driver alertness, and rear door alert.