Would this sedan save Nissan in Europe?
Things have been better for Nissan. Worldwide, but also in Europe. This could be related to the model range. Classic models are rarely available at dealerships anymore. A direct competitor to the Golf or a station wagon? None. And sedans like the Primera or Maxima are long gone from Nissan in this country.
In the US, things are a little different: Nissan gave us a taste of the next-generation Sentra when it announced several future models at the end of March. Back then, we saw the new Leaf alongside a group of cars hiding in the shadows. By then, spy shots had already confirmed that the company was still focusing on sedans, despite the discontinuation of the larger Maxima.
However, reports suggest that the Versa and Altima could also be discontinued, leaving the Sentra as Nissan's only remaining sedan. Many Europeans who have driven a rental car in the US will likely be familiar with the Sentra.
Even before its official debut, it's already making an appearance in China. These images aren't directly from Nissan, but from the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology. As part of the approval process for new vehicles registered in China, the images must be published on the MIIT website. This is how the updated Toyota Corolla , a direct competitor to the Sentra, appeared earlier than planned this week.
2026 Nissan Sylphy (China)
Image by: Nissan
The Sentra is sold in China as the Sylphy and is expected to look virtually identical when Nissan introduces the US version. Previous models for both markets share essentially the same design, so it's logical that this strategy will continue for the next generation.
Although the styling is fresh, we wonder how new the Sentra really is, as the hood cut appears unchanged. At the front, however, where the grille lines intersect in the center, a lot is changing. The sleek headlights have Peugeot-like "fangs" that blend into a horizontal band of LED daytime running lights. It's unclear whether the upper part of the grille contains a light element or a metal strip, but either way, the design is strongly reminiscent of Peugeot , particularly the facelifted 508 .
Image by: Nissan
At the rear, the clear taillights are connected by a light bar that appears to extend the entire width of the trunk lid and incorporates a spoiler that's more refined than before. The smoother rear of the new Sentra benefits from this detail, as the spoiler appears to extend all the way to the edges of the fenders.
While the MIIT hasn't shown any images of the interior, it has released preliminary specifications. China's new Sylphy measures 4,656 millimeters in length, 1,825 mm in width, and 1,448 mm in height, with a wheelbase of 2,712 mm. This makes it slightly longer and wider than the outgoing model, while the height and wheelbase remain unchanged.
Image by: Nissan
The Chinese sedan, built by Dongfeng Nissan, features a 1.6-liter four-cylinder naturally aspirated gasoline engine with 133 hp. In its lightest configuration, the Sylphy weighs 1,304 kilograms and rides on 16-inch wheels with 205/60 R16 tires.
The 2026 American Sentra could be on display as early as November at the Los Angeles Auto Show. According to a report, Nissan could move production from Mexico to its Mississippi plant to avoid the Trump administration's high tariffs. The current Sentra starts at $22,785 for the base S trim.
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