Next-Generation Nissan Sentra Should Look Like This

A new generation of the Nissan Sentra, due for the 2026 model year, is just around the corner. In fact, its official debut could take place before the end of this month. What will the car look like?

Pictures from China, more specifically from its Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) that is responsible for homologating new vehicles, today give us a preview.

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Sold over there as the Sylphy, Nissan's compact car will be similar in North America. At first glance, the redesign doesn't seem to have changed much on the outside, and one could almost call it a simple evolution.

The biggest change is the more beveled shapes, especially at the front, which is reminiscent of the all-new 2026 Nissan LEAF or even a Peugeot 508. The new headlights naturally grab most of the attention. At the rear, the redesigned taillights now get the full-width treatment and are very reminiscent of those of the Honda Accord.

Additional pictures offer a closer look at some of the car's details, such as the sunroof, exterior accents, trunk and wheel designs. However, none of them reveal the interior.

According to China's MIIT, the new Sylphy/Sentra measures 4,656 mm long, 1,825 mm wide and 1,448 mm tall, with a wheelbase of 2,712 mm. That would make it just a tad longer and wider than the current generation, but exactly the same height.

Now, we have two questions. First, will the company finally dare to offer an engine more powerful than the current 2.0-litre four-cylinder (149 hp, 146 lb-ft)? That would be much appreciated, especially since a Sentra Hybrid is unlikely to join the lineup at launch. Second, will production move from Mexico to the U.S. as some sources suggest? In either case, we hope the Sentra continues to stand out from rivals with competitive pricing.