Nissan Plans More Engines For Sentra, Mulling Hatchback Version

Nissan says that it plans to expand their engine offerings engines on the Sentra compact sedan, while also studying the possibility of adding a hatchback version to the range.

Speaking to WardsAuto, Nissan North America director for production planning, Michael Bunce, said: “From a product standpoint, in the future you’ll see more engine offerings, and it’s full steam ahead. We’re fully focused on the segment.”

The automaker is also looking to bring back the Sentra hatchback, which was marketed in the States between 1982 and 1990, in the first and second generations of the car. These were available in a three-door body style and they were joined by a more practical 5-door variant.

If Nissan gives the green light to a Sentra hatch, then it will target the Ford Focus, Mazda3, Hyundai Elantra, Kia Forte as well as the upcoming 2017 Chevrolet Cruze 5-door that was introduced in Detroit earlier this month. The report from Wards says that the Sentra’s platform-sibling in Europe, the Renault Megane, could act as a “possible guide for the development” of a hatchback version. .

Meanwhile, the four-door Sentra has undergone a few changes and it has a starting price of $16,780, going up to $22,170 for the top of the line.