The next-generation Nissan Sentra wasn't meant to be unveiled yet, but China's Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) beat the company to the punch. As happens with every car sold in China, images and specs got published during the homologation process, long before any official launch. That's exactly how the redesigned Sentra, known in China as the Sylphy, came into view ahead of schedule.
As with every new vehicle destined for the Chinese market, images and specifications appear on the MIIT website as part of the homologation process, which makes them public long before the official debut. That is exactly how the world got its first clear look at the redesigned Sentra.
This premature reveal isn't entirely shocking. Nissan teased the new Sentra back in March, showing it alongside upcoming models like the next Leaf. Spy shots of camouflaged prototypes had already surfaced earlier this year, proving Nissan still sees a future for sedans despite phasing out the larger Maxima.
With reports suggesting the Versa and Altima could also disappear, the Sentra may soon be the brand's only traditional sedan in the U.S. and Canada. Although marketed as the Sylphy in China, the sedan should arrive in North America virtually unchanged.
The outgoing Sentra and Sylphy share the same design, and Nissan is expected to continue that strategy. The MIIT images match February's prototype sightings, leaving little mystery in the final design.
Up front, Nissan has reworked the face with intersecting grille elements that meet in the middle, flanked by slim headlights with fang-shaped extensions. A sweeping strip of LED daytime running lights ties the front fascia design together.
Out back, the newly redesigned taillights are joined by what seems to be a horizontal light bar spanning the trunk, while an integrated spoiler gives the rear a cleaner, sportier look than before.
According to the MIIT filings, the China-spec Sylphy measures 183.3 inches (4,656 millimeters) in length, 71.9 inches (1,825 millimeters) in width, and 57 inches (1,448 millimeters) in height, riding on a 106.7-inch (2,712-millimeter) wheelbase.
Compared with the outgoing model, it has grown in almost every direction, which should translate into more space. It is slightly longer and wider, though height and wheelbase remain the same.
Power comes from a naturally aspirated 1.6-liter four-cylinder gasoline engine rated at 133 horsepower (135 PS). That output is modest but in line with expectations for a compact sedan. In its lightest configuration, the new Sentra tips the scales at 2,875 pounds (1,304 kilograms) and rides on 16-inch wheels with 205/60 R16 tires.
While China's Ministry of Industry and Information has not published interior images, Nissan is assumed to carry over much of the current cabin layout, albeit with updated materials and technology.
What to Expect in the U.S.For the U.S. version, more potent options are expected. The 2026 Sentra will come with a turbocharged three-cylinder engine, likely the 1.5-liter unit used in the Rogue, producing 201 horsepower (204 metric horsepower).
The American version of the new Sentra could debut as early as November at the Los Angeles Auto Show. Interestingly, reports suggest Nissan may shift production from its long-standing Aguascalientes, Mexico, facility to its Canton, Mississippi, plant to avoid the 25$ tariffs introduced under the Trump administration.
If the rumors are true, this would mark a significant move in Nissan's North American manufacturing strategy. Pricing remains the big question. Production relocation would raise labor costs, which could affect the final models pricing.
The 2024 Sentra currently starts at $21,590 (destination fee not included), and while the redesign will undoubtedly bring fresher styling and possibly more tech, Nissan will need to keep costs in check to stay competitive against rivals like the Toyota Corolla and Honda Civic.
For now, thanks to MIIT's leak, we already have a good sense of what is coming: a sharper-looking Sentra that stays true to its compact three-box layout, poised to become Nissan's last sedan standing in the U.S.