2007 Nissan Sentra Review

The Believably Unbelievable

Now heres a car that needs little introduction. One of Nissans longest-running nameplates, the Sentra has been around the block a few times. Introduced to the North American market in 1981 as a 1982 model-year vehicle, the export version of the Sunny has gained a reputation for being a good, hearty, and even peppy (in SE-R form) vehicle. Squarely targeting the Toyota Corolla and four-door Honda Civic, the Sentra enters into 2007 completely redesigned, and ready to take on its competition with a bold new look.

Coming into its sixth generation, 2007 will mark a radical departure from the current and past Sentras rather conservative style; with the no-longer-entry-level (its been displaced by the equally new 2007 Versa) Sentra responding to its upscale move by emulating its larger Altima and Maxima brethren. Larger than the current model, the new Sentra is only 2.3 inches longer overall, but rides on a 5.9 inch longer wheelbase, which should make the new model ride much smoother. Additionally its grown wider and taller, boasting 3.2 inches of width and a whopping 4.0 inches of height. The result should be one of the roomiest interiors in the compact segment, and the whole thing comes wrapped in sheetmetal that should also make it one of the most distinctive.

Not exactly pretty, the Sentra literally looks like a scaled down Altima, and the look doesnt exactly suit the smaller car. Too many creases litter the its body panels, although a strong shoulder line beginning at the leading edge of the front door gives the design a focal point. The rest of the bodys angles, mind you, are far from harmonious. In its defense, the design is far more aggressive, and undeniably Nissan, giving the automaker a familial appearance that so many other Asian import manufacturers lack. Also, given the excellent job Nissan did on the very similarly styled SE-R, the inevitable Sentra SE-R should be a pretty cool looking car too; capitalizing on the new Sentras bold styling.

Of course, reading through the sixth generations specs makes me want an SE-R version despite the styling. Although the new model may look larger than life with its newfound big-car design, its powerplant is anything but. Rated at a paltry 135 horsepower and 140 foot pounds of torque, the all new 2.0L (MR20DE) four banger is every bit a compact car engine. Yet while the motor screams economy, Nissans chosen to back it up with a curiously sporty six-speed manual, one of the few compact sedans to offer anything quite so exotic. As cool as a standard six-cog tranny is, however, Nissans choice of an optional continuously variable transmission (CVT) for those who want an automatic might not be as well accepted. According to Nissan, the CVT provides “comfortable” driving. The third gearless transmission the brand has available in its lineup, the CVT helps the diminutive car get estimated fuel mileage figures of 29 miles per gallon in the city and 34 miles per gallon on the highway. Surprisingly, even with Nissans experience using CVTs, both figures are substantially lower than those of its chief competitor, the Corolla. Equally interesting, the press release from Nissan reads; “The CVT for Sentra features reduced friction, wide gear ratios and improved shift speed.” Curious, given CVTs inherently dont shift. It is possible that Nissan has integrated some shift points rather than allow the transmission to spin the engine up to optimal revs and hold it there for maximum performance. Normally such CVT intervention doesnt work well, but well leave our final verdict until weve spent time in the car.

Driving in mind, no past Sentra has been a real barn burner. Even the SE-R model boasted only reasonable power supplemented by a lively chassis; and the sixth generation Sentra shouldnt disappoint in this regard either. While the longer wheelbase will reduce the cars famous flickability, its independent coil-over setup on the front and tried-and-true torsion bar in the rear should give it a modicum of handling prowess. Of course, with the Versa slotting in below as the new small car, the Sentras suspension has been moved upmarket, now tuned more for ride comfort and space-saving than anything else. Features like trunk floor-mounted rear shocks for added cargo capacity and special “ripple control” shock absorbers that are built to ride smoothly may be a turn off for enthusiasts used to the Sentras entertaining attitude, but should broaden the cars appeal to those young families looking for their first vehicle or empty-nesters downsizing.

Likewise, the interior should give said families reason to pause on their way through the local automall, with sporty but sensible styling throughout. Designed for active lifestyles, the interior is blissfully larger than the previous model thanks to the cars larger dimensions. It now accommodates four full-size adults. Front and rear head and shoulder room have increased, with the stretched wheelbase working in the rear seat passengers favour, adding knee room.

The trunk is also enlarged, and with both a pass-through and 60/40 folding rear seatbacks, can be made even larger to accommodate what Nissan calls “unexpected” items. Also, the trunk houses a patented trunk divider system that consists of a simple divider that lays flat on the trunk floor when not in use. Raised and secured into the vertical position, the polymeric divider gives Sentra owners a hidden storage area, useful for valuables and the like. One side of the divider wall is carpeted while the other is plastic, for easy cleaning. Making it even more useful, hooks positioned on the outside of the divider wall allow grocery and shopping bags to hang freely, keeping your tomatoes from getting squished around a corner.

Thats just one of the Sentras new little storage nooks, by the way. Brad Bradshaw, the VP and General Manager of the Nissan Division of Nissan North America says, “As impressive as the dimensional enhancements are, the real revolution in this new Sentra is in its improved functionality,” and hes right. While the old Sentra was certainly a functional vehicle in its own right, the new Sentras almost minivan-like interior layout means the thing is filled with cupholders, cell phone trays, and MP3 player pockets. Even the rear seat passengers get their own net pockets specifically designed for small electronic devices! The centre console features the standard array of storage bins, and the glove box is large enough to fit a sizeable mapbook, with no squishing. Best of all, though, is the CD storage area located above the drivers headrest. Although hardly an innovative idea, the Sentras is extra handy because its removable, meaning you no longer have to lug your entire CD collection out to the car to choose which CDs you want to store under the armrest, only to give up halfway through before chucking the whole binder-full into the back seat to be stolen a week later.

Lastly, this new entry-level Nissan will finalize its move upscale by offering the most luxurious options of any Sentra. Features like leather seating and wood trim, a Rockford-Fosgate 8-speaker, 6-disc audio system, an Intelligent Key keyless entry system, and a Bluetooth hands-free setup are all available, and more expected in an Infiniti; not a Sentra. Even a base Sentra will be reasonably well outfitted, with such safety advancements as a tire pressure monitoring system and side impact airbags; all for around the same price as the current model, which starts just above $13,000.

As Bradshaw says, “This is the Sentra that people wont believe is a Sentra,” and we can believe that… if that statement makes any sense.