The latest update of the Nissan Sentra - who is it for?
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The latest update of the Nissan Sentra - who is it for?

There are a dozen models in the midsize sedan segment that deserve attention. Until recently, the once popular Nissan Sentra occupied one of the last places.


Now the Japanese brand has updated car. Before this, any significant changes to the Sentra occurred in 2020. Let's figure out together whether the model's position has improved after the release of the new generation.

Exterior


The updated Sentra can hardly be called a full-fledged next generation in terms of appearance, it looks more like a restyling. The front part of the sedan received the most changes. The radiator grille lost its massive decorative element "under chrome".

The latest update of the Nissan Sentra - who is it for?The new Nissan Sentra looks more like a restyling. Photo: YouTube.com

Now, neat side inserts are used instead. In addition, the layout of other elements has changed, including air intakes, bumpers and wheel arch areas.

The dimensions of the sedan are as follows:

✅length - 4,6 m
✅ width - 1,8 m
✅ height - 1,5 m
✅ wheelbase - 2,7 m

Thus, in terms of physical dimensions, the new Sentra differs by only fractions of a centimeter. In other visual parameters, the model also remained without cardinal changes.

Interior and equipment


The interior of the updated Nissan Sentra can be described as minimalistic, but not devoid of style. The trim is chosen competently, there are no "flashy" elements.

This is what the interior of the new Nissan Sentra in the SR trim looks like. Photo: YouTube.com

The top trim levels feature good materials with decorative red stitching. Another advantage for this price segment is the quality of the plastic on the dashboard, center console, and door panels.

The top configuration is indexed SR. Its key features are:

✅ heated front seats
✅ adaptive cruise control
✅ dual-zone climate system
✅ 18-inch wheels
✅ LED headlights

The "zero gravity" seats deserve a special mention. Of course, such a solution is already widely used in Chinese cars, but the Japanese, even for this price, somehow still do better.

Sentra retains many physical buttons and switches. It is not entirely clear whether this was done to save money or as a tribute to fans of "analog" sensations. They duplicate some of the settings available from the touch screen of the multimedia system.

Engine and technical part


The power plant can be considered the weakest side of the current Nissan Sentra. The main driving force is a 2-liter four-cylinder unit. There are no alternatives in this model year.

The engine output is 149 hp, and the peak torque reaches 197 Nm. The figures are quite comparable with the base Honda Civic, but are significantly inferior to both its more advanced configurations and other competitors in the segment.

Under the hood of the Nissan Sentra is a 2-liter naturally aspirated engine. Photo: YouTube.com

Mazda 3 can also be used as a comparison. Although this car has become weaker in the opinion of brand fans, its engine produces 191 “horses” with a torque of 251 N*m.

There is also no variety in terms of transmission. Potential buyers can only choose from a CVT. In tandem with the above-described engine, we get a not very dynamic combination.

On the other hand, Nissan did not pursue such a goal, in this price segment the economy of the car is much more important. However, in this parameter the current Sentra turned out to be slightly better than the same basic Civic. The "passport" fuel consumption in mixed mode is 7 liters of gasoline per 100 km.

Conclusion


In conclusion, this car has a tough time. Its closest competitors are such bestsellers as the Honda Civic, Hyundai Elantra and Mazda 3.

The closest competitor to the new Nissan Sentra is the base Honda Civic. Photo: YouTube.com

Nissan is trying to compete with them by adding new technologies and updating equipment. At the same time, in terms of the technical part, it either lags behind or is at a shaky parity. It is possible that the reason for this could be the difficult financial situation of the Japanese company.

The clear advantage of the updated Sentra is its price. In the minimum configuration, the model is sold for 22 thousand, and the top one will cost 25 thousand dollars (2,4 million and 2,7 million rubles). On average, the car is cheaper than its competitors by 20-25%.

Thus, the model can be considered a compromise solution as a second car for a small family. "Sentra" is also a good choice for car enthusiasts with a limited budget who do not want to consider Chinese models under any circumstances.
What do you think about the Nissan Sentra?
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