Overview & Reviews

The 2012 Nissan Sentra returns unchanged, with the exception of a new Technology option package on 2.0 S models.

• Intuitive control layout.
• Spacious front seating

• Ho-hum handling in all but the SE-R.
• Telescoping steering wheel not available
• Aging design
• Harsh ride over rough surfaces
• Droning acceleration with CVT (continuously variable transmission)

User Reviews:

Showing 1 through 10 of 33.00

• 

  Great Car!! - 2012 Nissan Sentra
  By pike1701 - May 23 - 11:06 pm

  If your thinking about buying the Civic, or Corolla take notice of the Sentra... Instead... Why? 14.5 Gallon Fuel tank... 27-34 MPG... That means you will get at least 350 miles or 400 deepending on how you drive and where you drive. I have put 500 Miles plus on the car since getting it in mid October. And it has given me my moneys worth back in Gas... I had an old Dodge Neon 2000 ES and all it did was eat gas on a 9 Gallon tank... I only got 90 miles... Yes that car lasted me a full 11 years... But it had to go the Transmission was going.

• 

  People Need Retraining - 2012 Nissan Sentra
  By badrobot - December 3 - 3:20 am

  I only heard one or two reviewers mention this car was a good value. The cars CVT takes some getting used to because it accelerates in a linear manner but overall this is a very well built car. I have owned Scion and Hondas and this cars power is just as good as a Honda and much better than a Scion. I have also owned a Kia and have had friends who own Hyundai. They are good cars until you get into a collision in them. Then they will sit in the auto body shop for at least a month while you wait for replacement parts to come from Korea. I bought a SR Special Edition Model for under 16.5K. There are none of the competitors than can match the options and accessories for this Price!

• 

  Read other transmission reviews - 2012 Nissan Sentra
  By Cane - April 23 - 12:43 am

  We purchased this car brand new, had every recommended service performed on time, and gently drove the car. Still, the transmission went out and had to be replaced under 100k miles.

• 

  I think I got a bad one - 2012 Nissan Sentra
  By randis623 - August 19 - 3:33 am

  I loved the car when I first got it on 1/31/2012. It did perfect at first, did the "clunk" at 25 - 30 mph and was told it was normal for the car. But it wasnt long before I started to notice little things and some big that were going wrong and I babied this car. About 5 months into ownership the window regulator failed and had to be replaced. A month or so later I started to notice a lot of clunking when I would back up, not cv joint type noise, but more like a series of little clunks. The driver side door and hood seemed to be poorly aligned as the door scraped the paint off the running board and the hood had a major gap on one side. The last straw was the failure of the A/C. I traded it.

• 

  ugh - 2012 Nissan Sentra
  By sauscake - March 19 - 1:14 pm

  this car breaks down like every month i DONT UNDERSTAND

• 

  Better than expected - 2012 Nissan Sentra
  By bugmanpat - March 1 - 11:11 pm

  The little Sentra is probably overlooked by most people interested in a small car, and that is too bad. It has more interior room than most of its competitors, you sit a little higher off the pavement, and the driving dynamics are good. Add to that some outstanding gas mileage when driven gently - way better than the EPA estimates so far for me. And all of that for a price that is easily as good or better than its competitors. And due to good resale values, you can get really great lease payments - much smarter than buying a 1 or 2 year old used car.

• 

  Awesome value and performance - 2012 Nissan Sentra
  By gtvapsamtik - January 28 - 12:48 pm

  Ive had my Special EDITION for about 6 months so far put 10,000 miles on it. MPG has been 31 for city and around 34 for HWY. All my friends and family love this sport Sedan. So far its quiter on the road then my wifes CIVIC SI and our Corolla. I paid around $18,500 for this and it came with all the bells and wistles like NAV, Sunroof, Premium Audio, Camera. This like is just like a CASH in the hand at all times. Whenever you want to sell it, without a doubt you will get a good resale value for this. But i plan to keep mine till the end. AWESOME car and fun to drive.

• 

  Fun, Smooth and Stylish! - 2012 Nissan Sentra
  By joannahb - December 28 - 1:50 am

  I recently purchased the Sentra SR model and I am very happy with it so far. I initially was interested in a Versa hatchback, but after test driving both, I feel that you get more for your money out of the Sentra. Its very roomy inside, quiet and smooth. It can turn on a dime and has very responsive handling. The CVT transmission is a little odd at first since it doesnt make the typical "vroom vroom" noise when you accelerate. It quickly got used to it and I found that it actually makes the whole driving experience quieter and less jerky. All in all it was a pleasure to drive. It feels like its made with quality, moreso than the Elantra, Scion xD, Focus, and Corolla I test drove that day.

• 

  Clunking Noises - 2012 Nissan Sentra
  By ecallahan - October 28 - 5:07 am

  Bought 2012 Nissan Sentra SE..I am sick of all the clunking noises when I drive slow ..backing up..turning wheel etc. I have been at the shop 3x they say its normal .Its driving me nuts I just bought the car 1 month ago and I hate it. It also does like aloud grind only the 1st time it goes between 1.5 and 2.5 rpm and you can feel it on the gas pedal as well. I am not happy with this car at all !!!!

• 

  30 MPG town and 35-36 MPG Highway (under 75mph) - 2012 Nissan Sentra
  By fburns - October 24 - 7:01 am

  Great car, clean, a little to high of a coefficient of drag. Wife and I hypermill and can get the CVT to get us 30 MPG town and 35-36 MPG Highway (under 75 mph). If you drive like a 16 year old boy in heat, the CVT will keep you in the power band and use up a lot of gas, its true. If you drive smartly, it serves you well. Great handling/excellent lateral g for a car of its class (2.0 S model). Look, standing acceleration from stop (0-60mph) is poor; however, passing acceleration (60-80mph) cant be beat since it has high torque and the CVT revs it to 6500RPM. If you really need to get going, put it in Low until you reach 30mph, it will improve the start 0-60, but not usually recommended.