Nissan Sentra

How it looks when you see on the street:The Nissan Sentra is going for the Zara approach for its 2026 redo — affordable, but still chic. This is a welcome departure and shift for an everyday modest driver.On the exterior its followed an aerodynamic contour that gives it the look of a modern day go-fast car.

How it makes you feel when you get in: Senta has a standard 12.3-inch touchscreen that draws the eye in. Bluetooth, wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are while wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are optional and the upgraded Bose system. It has supported driving from ProPilot.Quilted seats give it a little pop inside.

How it drives: Here’s the clincher: Sentra looks like its goes really fast, but it doesn’t. A cruel irony, we know, but it’s outfitted with a single engine option — a 149-hp 2.0-liter four-cylinder in a front-wheel drive engine. The good news is that the little engine earns 31 miles per gallon, making it more efficient for fuel consumption and pricy trips to the pump.

How much room for people and things: It’s got decent trunk space — we slammed lots of sports equipment inside the trunk space.

What should you compare to it to: Honda Civic and Volkswagen Jetta.

How much does it cost:We drove the 2026 Sentra SL model that clocks at a $27,990 base price. Our test vehicle, adding in shiny paint and kick plates, was $31,110.