Nissan promised that the eighth-generation Sentra would be fun and exciting to drive, and with the first reviews out, we’re about to find out whether they’ve kept their word or not.
Before getting there, let’s see what’s new: well, that would be practically everything, from the exterior and interior design, to the chassis, suspension, technology features, engine and gearbox.
While the previous Sentra was available with two powertrain options and even came with a manual gearbox, the new one only gets a 2.0-liter naturally aspirated four-cylinder engine. In terms of power, it slots between its predecessor’s mills, making 149 hp (151 PS / 111 kW) and 146 lb-ft (198 Nm) of torque. It’s paired to an XTronic CVT that does a pretty good job of mimicking an automatic transmission, and the lack of a turbo means no turbo lag, obviously.
Read: The New 2020 Nissan Sentra Will Cost You At Least $19,090
Speaking of the driving experience, Nissan’s new compact sedan is nicely balanced. The engine feels lively, providing quick acceleration, and the steering feel has a good weight to it. Furthermore, the independent suspension front and rear helps improve the car’s handling. Soundproofing is also decent for a vehicle in this class, and while there is some road noise coming in at highway speeds and you will hear the CVT rev up, you will be able to live with it without losing your mind.
The auto firm has raised the MSRP of the base model by $1,100, as the new Sentra S will set you back $19,090, and for the range-topping SR, you’re looking at a minimum of $21,430.
Now, what about those reviews?