Used 2021 Nissan Sentra for Sale nearRaleigh, NC

How much does the 2021 Nissan Sentra cost?

Prices have softened 7.06% compared to this time last year, making it a favorable time to shop this model year.

There are 1,905 listings available, which suggests you have a solid amount of inventory to compare.

Is the 2021 Nissan Sentra a good car?

Yes — the 2021 Nissan Sentra earns a 4.8/5 user rating and a 7.2/10 expert rating. The model scores 8/10 across Cost effectiveness and Safety.

Owners consistently praise the stylish interior, safety features, and fuel efficiency. The Sentra also stands out as a quiet cabin and an excellent value for money, which fits well if you want a compact sedan that feels more polished than basic transportation.

The main trade-offs are that all-wheel drive is not available, the stereo is lacking, and a manual transmission is not offered. If you want a well-rounded commuter with strong everyday appeal rather than a sporty or highly configurable sedan, this year’s Sentra makes sense. Good and great deals account for 32.5% of listings, which gives you some room to shop selectively.

Is the 2021 Nissan Sentra reliable?

Owners rate it 4.8/5, a strong signal of long-term satisfaction.

The owner feedback also points to a dependable, trouble-free ownership experience, with praise centered on the car’s safety features and fuel efficiency. The expert evaluation reinforces that impression by describing the Sentra as reliable and a smart choice for everyday use.

The ownership picture looks reassuring for used buyers, though you should still verify maintenance history and condition because any used compact sedan can carry age-related wear.

What should I look for when buying a used 2021 Nissan Sentra?

At 68.6% accident-free, a meaningful share of listings has prior incidents — history verification is especially important.

You should start with a vehicle history report and confirm whether any prior damage was repaired properly. A pre-purchase inspection is worth prioritizing, especially if you’re comparing multiple listings with similar prices. Focus on overall condition, signs of prior bodywork, and whether the cabin and cargo area show the kind of wear that matches the mileage.

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: The S is the base model, while the SV adds some tech, rear disc brakes, and nicer interior materials. The SR has the nicest interior appointment and access to exclusive options like NissanConnect and the around-view monitor.
• Powertrain: All Sentra models use the same 2.0-liter gasoline engine with a CVT and front-wheel drive. The setup is tuned for commuting and efficiency rather than speed.
• Safety package: Nissan Safety Shield 360 is standard and includes intelligent forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, lane departure warning, rear automatic braking, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, a rear-view camera, a rear sonar system, vehicle dynamic control with traction control, intelligent engine brake, active ride control, intelligent trace control, hill-start assist, high-beam assist, and intelligent driver alertness. Base S models get standard cruise control, while SV and SR models come with intelligent cruise control. SR models can also be upgraded to include a 360-degree camera system.
• Infotainment: The S gets a 7-inch touchscreen, while SV and SR get an 8-inch touchscreen. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard across the lineup, and wireless smartphone integration is not mentioned.
• Fuel efficiency: The Sentra returns 29 mpg city/39 mpg highway/33 mpg combined for S and SV models, and 28 mpg city/37 mpg highway/32 mpg combined for SR models.

Which 2021 Nissan Sentra trim should I buy?

The 2021 Nissan Sentra is offered in 3 trim levels: S, SV, SR.

Here's the short version:

• S: This is the value play if you want the lowest entry price and still want standard safety tech, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and the core Sentra experience. It is the best fit if you care most about keeping costs down.
• SV: This is the best-value trim for most shoppers because it adds nicer interior materials, rear disc brakes, and more tech without jumping to the top of the range.
• SR: Choose this if you want the nicest interior appointment and access to exclusive options like NissanConnect and the around-view monitor.

SV and SR models add intelligent cruise control, and SR models can also be upgraded to include a 360-degree camera system.

Is now a good time to buy a used 2021 Nissan Sentra?

This looks like a moderate, selective buyer’s market, so you can shop carefully and still find worthwhile listings.

• Deal availability: 32.5% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 1,905 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 7.06% compared with last year.
• Clean inventory: 68.6% of listings are accident-free.

If you find a listing below $14,847, that's toward the low end of the year-round range and worth acting on quickly.

What is the 2021 Nissan Sentra's resale value?

The current average of $14,847 sits slightly below last year's $15,975.

That softer pricing can help you as a buyer now, but it also means a future seller may need to price competitively to stand out. The current market suggests the Sentra is holding value reasonably well for a compact sedan, especially given its strong value proposition and broad appeal.

If you keep the car in good condition and maintain it well, its combination of efficiency, safety, and owner satisfaction should help support demand later. Vehicles with strong owner satisfaction ratings, like this model year's 4.8/5, tend to retain buyer demand, which supports resale value over time.

Is the 2021 Nissan Sentra safe?

The 2021 Nissan Sentra earns a five-star overall rating from NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick rating from IIHS.

It earns an 8/10 safety score from our experts.

Nissan Safety Shield 360 is standard and includes intelligent forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, lane departure warning, rear automatic braking, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, a rear-view camera, a rear sonar system, vehicle dynamic control with traction control, intelligent engine brake, active ride control, intelligent trace control, hill-start assist, high-beam assist, and intelligent driver alertness. Base S models get standard cruise control, while SV and SR models come with intelligent cruise control. SR models can also be upgraded to include a 360-degree camera system.

Should I buy a 2021 Nissan Sentra or consider a different year?

If you're weighing the 2021 against nearby model years, here's how to think about it:

Choose the 2021 if:

• 32.5% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• At 68.6% accident-free, a meaningful share of listings has prior incidents — history verification is especially important.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 7.06% compared with last year.
• Owners rate it 4.8/5 — a strong satisfaction signal.
• The 2021 Sentra combines strong safety, technology, and fuel economy with a more polished design.

Consider the 2020 if:

• At $14,349, the 2020 costs less than the current year's $14,847 average.
• It offers a more upscale feel with major style, technology, and driving-dynamics upgrades.

Consider the 2022 if:

• At $16,350, the 2022 costs more than the current year's $14,847 average.
• It emphasizes comfort, easy-to-use tech, and balanced everyday practicality.

The bottom line: If you want the strongest mix of value, safety, and polish, the 2021 is the best default choice. If your budget is tighter, the 2020 is the price-sensitive alternative worth considering, while the 2022 makes sense if you want to spend more for a slightly newer model year.

How does the 2021 Nissan Sentra compare to the 2021 Honda Civic?

Expert Pros & Cons (per CarGurus review team)

2021 Nissan Sentra:

• Pros: Stylish design, Quiet cabin, Excellent value for money.
• Cons: All-wheel drive not available, Stereo is lacking, Manual transmission not available.

2021 Honda Civic:

• Pros: Stylish design, Multiple body styles, Fun to drive.
• Cons: Underwhelming base engine, Outdated technology, Interior materials feel cheap.

Our experts score the 2021 Nissan Sentra 7.2/10 and the 2021 Honda Civic 7.2/10. The Sentra is the better pick if you want a quieter cabin and stronger value for money. The Civic has the edge if you care more about driving enjoyment and body-style variety. Both score the same overall, so your choice comes down to whether you prioritize comfort and value or a more engaging driving experience.

Read our full side-by-side expert comparison here.

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from November 10, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.