A MUCH NEEDED MAKEOVER FOR POPULAR SEDAN MODEL
The Nissan SANTA MONICA, CALIF. Sentra has been a strong seller since it debuted in 1982, with more than six million units sold in North America since then. The eighth-generation has been given a much-needed makeover inside and out; the outgoing model had remained essentially unchanged since its introduction in 2012, which is an automotive eternity. The 2020 redesign is doubly important because the demise of the Micra and Versa Note means the Sentra becomes the new gateway to the brand.
Thankfully, the rework is comprehensive and touches everything from a new platform and engine to the restyled exterior and cabin. It’s also easier to shop, as the array of trim levels has been rethought. There are now just five models and no option packages — the S with a manual transmission and the S Plus with a CVT, along with the SV, SR, and SR Premium.
The new look sees the Sentra adopt many of the styling cues found on other Nissan models — from the V-motion grille, slim headlights and floating roof, it now looks like a mini-maxima. The SR takes the restyle and adds more flair, with LED headlights, daytime running lights and fog lights, along with a rear spoiler and side sill extensions. It gives the Sentra a more purposeful look.
One of the biggest improvements is found under the hood. Gone is the anemic 1.8-litre four-cylinder engine, in favour of a larger 2.0-L unit with more power and better fuel economy. The 149 horsepower and 146 pound-feet of torque (up 25 horses and 21 lb-ft) drives the front wheels through a six-speed manual transmission on the S — unique to Canada — or a rejigged version of Nissan’s Xtronic CVT in the other trims.
On the drive route, the combination represented a big step forward, as the larger engine now has some real pop off the line and works in a more harmonious manner with the CVT. The fuel economy is now rated at 8.0 L/100 kilometres in the city and 6.0 on the highway, which is down 0.3 and 0.1, respectively. Not bad, considering the power hike.
The other aspect that sees a big step forward is the ride and handling characteristics. Throw in the new multi-link rear suspension that replaces the old torsion beam and a new dual-pinion, electrically assisted steering setup, and the dynamics are significantly better. Ducking and weaving through the canyon roads north of Santa Monica proved the Sentra rock solid, even as it was pushed to the limit.
The other important aspect is the quietness of the ride on the highway; more insulation and isolation reduce the amount of wind and road noise to Infiniti-like levels.
Inside, the attention to detail and the materials are both much improved, especially in the SR. The chrome accents, contrast orange stitching on the seats, and the D-shaped steering wheel add some visual zing. Likewise, the layout is better with a clean set of instruments and better ergonomics for the major controls.
Pride of place goes to a seven-inch touch-screen infotainment system in the S, and a much better eight-inch display in the SV and SR models. For the front riders, the inclusion of Nissan’s Zero Gravity seats add to the long-distance comfort; the support is very good, and better than most in the compact segment. Ditto the back seat — there is more legroom than in many cars one size class up.
Nissan’s Safety Shield 360 is standard across the Sentra lineup. It includes automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert, lane-departure warning, automatic high beams, automatic rear braking, and a drowsy-driver monitor. That, by any measure, is a comprehensive list of safety equipment.
If only Nissan took the same approach with Apple Carplay and Android Auto connectivity — it’s standard on the SV and SR models, but missing from the entry-level S. Given the stiff penalties for using a hand-held device at the wheel, and the serious safety risk it poses, these apps are becoming increasingly important.
The latest Sentra is the sharpest and smartest to date. It packs some much-needed visual swagger, a very nice cabin with those comfortable Zero Gravity seats, to go with much better power and sharper handling. Once the forgotten ride in the compact segment — the previous Sentra was outsold by as much as five units to one by the Hyundai Elantra and Toyota Corolla — it now has the credentials to compete on its own merits.
The 2020 Sentra goes on sale in February. Pricing will be announced closer to the launch date, although don’t expect to see much of a hike in spite of the increased level of equipment.