“The sensors don't work properly all the time, but the camera features are wonderful. It doesn't beep upon lane change or passing, but when approaching a stopped car, it beeps.”
2018 Nissan Sentra: What's New, Specs & Features
Last updated August 4, 2026
The biggest change for the 2018 Nissan Sentra is more standard safety and convenience equipment, led by automatic emergency braking on most versions. It is a feature update rather than a redesign, with the body, engines, and basic platform carrying over.
About the 2018 Nissan Sentra
7th gen (2013-2019), after the 2016 refresh, second-to-last model year before the all-new 2020 redesign.
Nissan positions the Sentra as a roomy, fuel-efficient compact sedan built for everyday driving. The brochure leans on comfort, passenger space, simple tech, and confidence-boosting safety features more than excitement, while the turbo trims add extra power for drivers who want a livelier version of the same sedan. Against other compact cars, the Sentra’s main draw is that it offers a spacious cabin, useful trunk space, and a wide trim spread that runs from basic commuter to sporty NISMO.
The S remains the straightforward commuter, while the SV adds everyday upgrades such as alloy wheels, keyless start, and dual-zone climate control. The SL emphasizes comfort with leather, navigation, a moonroof, and Bose audio, while the turbocharged SR Turbo and NISMO provide stronger performance; NISMO adds more aggressive styling and a specially tuned suspension.
What changed, by category
Safety
Automatic emergency braking expanded to most versions, excluding manual-transmission models and NISMO. Intelligent Cruise Control became standard on SR and SL.
Tech
Every trim received a standard 5.0-inch color display and Bluetooth audio streaming. Dual-zone automatic climate control became standard above the S trim. The SL gained formerly optional premium equipment as standard, while NISMO made its 5.8-inch touchscreen with navigation and Bose audio standard.
Styling
The SV gained standard 16-inch alloy wheels. The SR’s power moonroof changed from standard to optional.
2018 Nissan Sentra specs and features by trim
| Feature | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 4-Cyl, 1.8 Liter | 4-Cyl, 1.8 Liter | 4-Cyl, 1.8 Liter | 4-Cyl, 1.8 Liter | 4-Cyl, Turbo, 1.6 Liter | 4-Cyl, Turbo, 1.6 Liter |
| Transmission | Auto, CVT w/Xtronic | Auto, CVT w/Xtronic | Auto, CVT w/Xtronic | Auto, CVT w/Xtronic | Auto, CVT w/Xtronic | Auto, CVT w/Xtronic |
| Drivetrain | FWD | FWD | FWD | FWD | FWD | FWD |
| Fuel Type | Gas | Gas | Gas | Gas | Gas | Gas |
| MPG City | 27 mpg | 29 mpg | 29 mpg | 29 mpg | 25 mpg | 26 mpg |
| MPG Highway | 35 mpg | 37 mpg | 37 mpg | 37 mpg | 30 mpg | 32 mpg |
| Horsepower | 124 hp | 124 hp | 124 hp | 124 hp | 188 hp | 188 hp |
| Torque | 125 lb-ft | 125 lb-ft | 125 lb-ft | 125 lb-ft | 177 lb-ft | 177 lb-ft |
| Trunk/Cargo | 15.1 cu-ft | 15.1 cu-ft | 15.1 cu-ft | 15.1 cu-ft | 15.1 cu-ft | 15.1 cu-ft |
| Rear Legroom | 37.4 in | 37.4 in | 37.4 in | 37.4 in | 37.4 in | 37.4 in |
| Seats | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 |
| Doors | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 |
| 4-Wheel Disc Brakes | ||||||
| Alarm System | ||||||
| Automatic Emergency Braking | ||||||
| Blindspot Sensors | ||||||
| Rear View Camera | ||||||
| Alloy Wheels | ||||||
| Fog Lights | ||||||
| Heated Mirrors | ||||||
| LED Headlights | ||||||
| Power Moonroof | ||||||
| Rear Spoiler | ||||||
| Navigation System | ||||||
| Premium Audio | ||||||
| Satellite Radio | ||||||
| Smartphone Interface | ||||||
| Auto-Dimming Interior Mirror | ||||||
| Dual-Zone Climate Control | ||||||
| Heated Front Seats | ||||||
| Integrated Garage Door Opener | ||||||
| Leather Seats | ||||||
| Leather-Wrapped Steering Wheel | ||||||
| Power Driver Seat | ||||||
| Proximity Keyless Entry | ||||||
| Push-Button Engine Start | ||||||
Frequently asked questions
Was the 2018 Nissan Sentra redesigned?
No, the 2018 Nissan Sentra was not redesigned. It kept the same body, engines, and basic platform, but received broader standard safety, technology, and convenience equipment.
Which 2018 Nissan Sentra versions have automatic emergency braking?
Automatic emergency braking is included on most 2018 Sentras. Manual-transmission models and the NISMO are the exceptions, while CVT-equipped S and SR Turbo versions receive the system along with SV, SR, and SL.
What became standard on every 2018 Nissan Sentra?
A 5.0-inch color display and Bluetooth audio streaming became standard across the 2018 Sentra lineup. These additions gave even the basic S trim a more modern audio setup.
What changed on the 2018 Sentra SL and NISMO?
The 2018 SL made its moonroof, Bose audio, Intelligent Cruise Control, and automatic emergency braking standard. NISMO made its 5.8-inch touchscreen, navigation, and Bose audio standard, and it also gained standard dual-zone climate control.
Is the 2018 Nissan Sentra meaningfully different from the 2017 model?
Yes, mainly in standard equipment rather than performance or design. The 2018 model brings broader automatic emergency braking, a standard color display and Bluetooth audio streaming on every trim, and more standard comfort equipment on several versions.
2018 Nissan Sentra Reviews
What owners are saying about the 2018 Nissan Sentra.
4.0
2018 Nissan Sentra
(452 reviews)
“I absolutely love how my vehicle looks. The color is white and it looks so beautiful. The thing I like the least is the wheels; the rims are ugly and the wheel covers always fall off. I also dislike the interior; it's cheap.”
“The vehicle is very comfortable. The fuel economy is amazing. I would recommend this vehicle to anyone.”