2015 Nissan Sentra

2015 Nissan Sentra

Overview: 

Now in its seventh generation, the Sentra is Nissan’s compact car, one competing in a populous and increasingly competent field. Redesigned for the 2013 model year, it’s offered in a single body style—a four-door sedan—with one engine: a 1.8-liter DOHC four-cylinder. There are two choices for routing power to the front wheels, a six-speed manual (only on the base model) and a continuously variable automatic—Xtronic, in Nissan’s nomenclature. There are four trim levels: S ($17,305, or $18,155 with the Xtronic transmission), SV ($19,125), SR ($20,735), and SL ($21,495). There also are numerous option packages for the SV, SR, and SL models to enhance infotainment, interior appointments, and exterior appearance. Although it’s denied the factory option packages, the S model can be had with a variety of port-installed accessories, such as interior accent lighting, a trunklid spoiler, and automatic headlamps. There’s no hybrid in the Sentra lineup but fuel economy is a strong suit, topped by the FE+ model, with EPA ratings of 30 mpg city, 40 highway. FE+ is similar to an Xtronic-equipped S but an extra $400 adds underbody aero enhancements, low-rolling-resistance tires, and a sub-planetary transmission gear give the package a 1-mpg edge over other Xtronic Sentras in both the city and highway cycles.

What’s New:

  Updates to the Sentra line for 2015 are confined to content. For example, the basic S trim level adds standard Bluetooth, steering-wheel audio controls, cruise control, auto headlights, and a USB port. The SV gets a bevy of telematics, including NissanConnectSM with mobile apps, Bluetooth streaming video, and a text-reading feature, as well as a rearview camera and a leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob. Enhancements to the SR include rear disc brakes. And at the top of the order, the SL makes leather seats standard.

What We Like: 

 The Sentra’s exterior exhibits a little more character and distinction than some of its compact contemporaries, and the interior is exceptionally roomy by class standards. Pricing is a strong suit in this teeming segment, where some compacts can approach (and even crest) $30,000. The bottom line on our SV test car—with a single option—was $19,845. That option was the Navigation package, which includes a 5.8-inch color touch screen and voice recognition, a bargain at $720. Of course, it’s not difficult to appreciate the Sentra’s fuel economy, and the rear-seat space and trunk room are generous for this class.

What We Don’t Like: 

Nissan has put enormous engineering effort into developing its CVTs, and the effort shows to very positive advantage in the new Maxima, which delivers the stepped “ratios” of a conventional automatic. It’s among the best CVTs yet, and the powertrain engineers say the achievement was mostly a matter of tweaking the software. Unfortunately, that tweak hasn’t trickled down to the Sentra as of yet, and its slipping-clutch feel and irritating noise crescendos are far from endearing. It doesn’t help that the choice of a manual transmission is limited to the basic S model, and performance from the 1.8-liter four is tepid. The handling also is far from rewarding for those who like to drive—there are much better cars for those folks, notably the Mazda 3 and the Ford Focus.

To sump-up:

  The Sentra’s blend of attractive price, competent road manners, and excellent fuel economy are tempered—some might say eclipsed—by indifferent performance and CVT wheezing.

Specifications

VEHICLE TYPE: front-engine, front-wheel-drive, 5-passenger, 4-door sedan

PRICE AS TESTED: $19,845 (base price: $17,305)

ENGINE TYPE: DOHC 16-valve inline-4, aluminum block and head, port fuel injection

DISPLACEMENT: 110 cu in, 1798 cc
Power: 130 hp @ 6000 rpm
Torque: 128 lb-ft @ 3600 rpm

TRANSMISSIONS: 6-speed manual; continuously variable automatic with manual shifting mode

DIMENSIONS:
Wheelbase: 106.3 in
Length: 182.1-185.5 in
Width: 69.3 in Height:58.9 in
Passenger volume: 96 cu ft
Cargo volume: 15 cu ft
Curb weight (C/D est):2900-2950 lb

C/D TEST RESULTS:
Zero to 60 mph: 9.2 sec
Zero to 100 mph: 32.3 sec
Zero to 110 mph: 50.8 sec
Rolling start, 5-60 mph: 10.1 sec
Standing ¼-mile: 17.2 sec @ 81 mph
Top speed (drag limited): 118 mph
Braking, 70-0 mph: 172 ft
Roadholding, 300-ft-dia skidpad: 0.81 g

FUEL ECONOMY:
EPA city/highway driving: 27-30/36-40 mpg