2026 Nissan Sentra Safety Rating
Small cars Β· Historical model-year record Β· IIHS source checked 2026-10-22
This is the 2026 record, kept for reference. The current listing is the 2027 Nissan Sentra at 92.2/100. The 2026 results below are the exact ratings IIHS published for this model year (score 92.2/100 under the same formula).
Which build and equipment does this score describe?
Latest applicable build; standard AEB and lowest current-trim headlight rating. Headlights use the lowest rating among applicable current trims; this is a conservative equipment baseline, not a claim that every trim has identical results. Confirm the production date and equipment of the car you are buying.
Headlights: baseline Good
- Good β Trim level(s): All trims
Pedestrian crash prevention: baseline Good
- Good β standard Automatic Emergency Braking. Rating applies to all 2026-27 models
Vehicle-to-vehicle crash prevention 2.0: baseline Acceptable
- Acceptable β standard Automatic Emergency Braking. Rating applies to all 2026-27 models
Optional-system results are shown separately. Combining the best rating from different packages does not establish that one purchasable configuration earns them all. Check IIHS equipment details.
IIHS crash-test results
Detailed results by test (52 entries)
IIHS publishes these under the test they belong to, so the same label can appear more than once. Rear restraints and kinematics, rear head protection, structure and safety cage, and front restraints are the four that count toward the score (25%).
Small overlap front
Rating applies to 2026-27 models
Small overlap front
Rating applies to 2026-27 models
Moderate overlap front: updated test
Rating applies to 2026-27 models
Side: updated test
Rating applies to 2026-27 models
Headlights
Β· Trim level(s): All trims
Front crash prevention: vehicle-to-vehicle 2.0
Rating applies to all 2026-27 models Β· standard Automatic Emergency Braking
Front crash prevention: pedestrian
Rating applies to all 2026-27 models Β· standard Automatic Emergency Braking
Seat belt reminders
Rating applies to 2026-27 models
Child seat anchors
Rating applies to 2026-27 models
Opens on iihs.org in a new tab
How the score is built
IIHS crash-test videos
These videos are embedded on IIHSβs ratings page for this model. The tested vehicle may be an earlier model year or a related version whose results IIHS applies to this vehicle. Check the test description and source for the exact coverage.
Load a player to watch on this page, or use the YouTube link. Video footage helps explain the test; the published injury measurements and ratings are the basis for comparison.
Moderate overlap front: updated test
Tested vehicle: 2026 Nissan Sentra S 4-door
Rating applies to 2026 models
Real-world context
| Measure | Result | What it covers |
|---|---|---|
| Class driver death rate | 54 per million registered vehicle-years | Small cars as a class, adjusted for driver age and sex (Farmer, 2023); all vehicles average 38. Class context only. |
Other model years of the Nissan Sentra
| Model year | Status | IIHS award | Primary tests reported | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2027 Nissan Sentra | Current listing | TSP+ | 4/4 | 92.2 |
| 2025 Nissan Sentra | Archived | β | 4/4 | 54.0 |
Each model year keeps its own record. Ratings from one year are never copied to another unless IIHS states the test applies.
Our analysis
The 2026 Nissan Sentra belongs to the Small cars class. This class has an above-average driver death rate compared with the national average of 38 deaths per million registered vehicle-years, which usually reflects lighter weight and smaller size in multi-vehicle crashes. The class figure is adjusted for driver age and sex, which removes a large part of the selection effect in raw death rates. It is still a class average, not a measurement of this model.
The Nissan Sentra earned Top Safety Pick+ in the 2026 award cycle. That award requires Good results in the updated tests plus qualifying headlights and pedestrian front crash prevention on the relevant trims; the linked IIHS report shows the exact trims.
Across the 6 IIHS rating categories reported, the Nissan Sentra earned 6 Good ratings. Check the occupant-protection details above as well; a Good headline result can hide a weaker rear-seat subscore.
This analysis is produced independently; we have no affiliation with Nissan or any manufacturer. Read the full methodology or learn more about us.
Safety recalls for the 2026 Nissan Sentra
We do not have a verified NHTSA recall lookup for this model and year. An unmatched or unavailable lookup is not evidence of a clean recall record.
Recall campaigns from the NHTSA recalls database, retrieved 2026-10-21. A recall applies to a range of build dates, not necessarily every car of this model year, so confirm against your own VIN. Recalls do not affect the safety score on this page.
Questions about the 2026 Nissan Sentra
Is the 2026 Nissan Sentra a safe car?
IIHS has published 4 of the 4 primary tests and 4 of the 4 occupant-protection details for the 2026 Nissan Sentra. Available results are shown below. Only current models with all required results enter the ranking.
What is the 2026 Nissan Sentra IIHS rating?
IIHS reports: small overlap front = Good; moderate overlap front: updated test = Good; side: updated test = Good; headlights = Good; seat belt reminders = Good; latch ease of use = Good.
Is the 2026 Nissan Sentra an IIHS Top Safety Pick?
Yes. The 2026 Nissan Sentra is a IIHS Top Safety Pick+ for the 2026 award cycle.
How does the 2026 Nissan Sentra compare with other small cars?
The class leader is the 2026 Hyundai Elantra at 94.1/100. The comparison table on this page lists the closest-scoring current small cars with complete records.
Continue comparing
Shopping for a family? Compare three-row vehicles and rear-seat evidence. Buying used? See real driver death rates by model.