Budget new sedans remain out of reach for many buyers. The entry-level 2026 Nissan Sentra carries a starting price of $23,845, positioning it among the least expensive new cars available. Include taxes, registration, and dealer charges, and the out-the-door cost surpasses $25,000 without issue. Turning to a pre-owned Sentra proves more budget-conscious, given this subcompact sedan's roughly 35% value drop over five years. That represents substantial savings for those open to the outgoing generation.

The secondary market for used Sentras tracks closely with data from CarEdge and iSeeCars. This means sourcing a 2021 example aligned with these depreciation trends is entirely practical. Below, we analyze key forecasts before validating them against current Autotrader and CarGurus dealer inventory.

The Sentra faces stiff competition in the subcompact sedan space, so we stack its depreciation stats against the Toyota Corolla, Honda Civic, and Mazda3. Every MSRP quoted incorporates the factory destination fee.

Depreciation for the Nissan Sentra

CarEdge forecasts a 34.7% value loss for the Nissan Sentra across five years. iSeeCars offers a similar 33.3% estimate, exceeding the 29.6% compact car average for that span. Depreciation accelerates over time, though projections diverge slightly longer-term. By year seven, CarEdge anticipates 59.8% loss versus iSeeCars' 52.2%; at ten years, figures converge at 65.6% and 63.1%. Overall, the Sentra trails the segment in value retention, likely tied to Nissan's middling Consumer Reports reliability scores, which influence resale strength.

Real-market validation comes from Autotrader and CarGurus listings. For 2021 SV trims with clean titles, no accidents, and typical mileage of 60,000 to 70,000 miles, prices hover near $14,000, ignoring extremes. The original MSRP stood at $21,495, where a 35% decline computes to $13,972 - precisely matching analyst expectations.

Private party deals could undercut dealer prices, yet 2021 Sentras remain fresh enough that dealer channels prevail. Just 1% of nationwide Autotrader postings come from individuals.

Depreciation of Nissan Sentra Rivals

The Sentra long has vied with the Toyota Corolla and Honda Civic, prompting a look at their depreciation curves - with the Mazda3 added for context. We focus on sedans and CarEdge's five-year metrics, starting with the Corolla's 27.4% drop. The 2021 SE trim's MSRP was $23,470, projecting a used value above $17,000. Autotrader confirms with 2021 Corolla SEs listing from $17,500.

CarEdge pegs Civic five-year depreciation lower still at 22.7%. The 2021 Sport edition MSRP hit $24,065, aligning predictions with market prices kicking off around $18,500 after value loss calculations.

Mazda3 numbers stand out with 38.1% projected depreciation - steeper than Sentra - on a $23,845 base for the 2021 Select trim, implying used starts near $14,700. Listings buck this at $16,000 minimum, buoyed by Mazda's stronger showing in Consumer Reports' latest reliability rankings over Nissan.