Sentra

Vehicle: 2007 Nissan Sentra SE-R Spec-V with Sport Pkg
Price as tested: CDN$25998

Performance: There are 2 versions of SE-Rs available but both are standard with same engine, even though slightly different when it comes to horsepower and torque. This QR25DE is not any technology-de-force nor reliability champ by any means, however, it gets its job done well in this both generations of SE-R, as well as Altima sedan and X-Trail SUV. In the latest iteration SE-R, the “base” version comes with 177 hp/172 lb/ft of torque, with the standard Xtronic CVT. In the Spec-V version, it got an additional 23 ponies and 8 foot pounds of torque with the standard 6-speed stick shift. The Xtronic suits QR’s character well, especially the torque comes at 2800rpm for the base car. On the other hand, 172 lb/ft comes at a high 5200rpm for the Spec-V. The CVVTCS, or what Nissan called its variable valve timing technology, doesn’t seem to help its low-end grunt much or make the top-end less breathless when pushed. In terms of refinement and NVH, this powerplant is never known for those two terms. It lacks the refinement that some of its key rivals have, when it comes to powertrain. The 6-speed stick shift’s gates are imprecise and throws are too long. Not to mention the clutch is far from progressive and hard to find an engagement point.

Handling: While the standard Sentra’s dynamic abilities are already nothing to write home about, SE-R is a slightly better performer than its humble silibings when it comes to corners. Unfortunately, it doesn’t mean its enough to beat its peers. The ride over rough roads is choppy and busy. The low-speed ride is even more choppier than highway ride. The steering, which is electric power assist, isn’t anything special neither. During low-speed, the feedback is lousy. Although its precision is acceptable and not twitchy on highway, the driving feel and weightness are nothing but a total disappointment. It just doesn’t encourage any sorts of aggressiveness when one needs to push it hard. To make things worse, there are plenty of understeer and torque steer despite of the standard LSD on Spec-V. This Spec-V can slip its tires on 1st, 2nd and even 3rd gears. In the base SE-R without LSD and 6-speed stick shift. Once you drop the anchor with the Xtronic, torque steer just comes alive without any warning.

Brakes: With 4-wheel discs and standard ABS, SE-R’s stopping performance is our biggest surprise to the overall package. The distance is short but we found the pedal numb after a couple of hard stops.

Interior: When it comes to econosport, one expects to sit inside instead of “on top” of the vehicle. In the SE-R, its the total opposite. While this driving position is acceptable for standard Sentra’s econocar status, its totally unacceptable in econosport. As for the use of plastic materials, those are standard Nissan affair which is low-rent and brittle. The so-called sports cloth in SE-R feels cheap. The little info center inside the instrumentation panel can be blurred out during sunlight. The gauges on top of the dashboard looks and feels cheesy.

Conclusion: While the standard Sentra already another one of those “half baked” effort from Nissan of late, we don’t expect much from the SE-R. It just feels like a more powerful Sentra with cheap details, without that much of an improvement for dynamics. Despite CVT is one of the greatest automotive inventions in history, it just doesn’t feel right in econosport even if it works in more expensive European sports sedan. To add insult to the injury, Nissan isn’t known for engineering prowess and reliability after the Renault purchase. That means its even tougher to sell an econosport with CVT. On the other hand, there are just way too many excellent competitions selling at Spec-V’s price range. Put all things into perspective, its no wonder why Nissan’s sales is slumping except for a few good models.

OVERALL VERDICT FOR 2007 NISSAN SENTRA SE-R
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Performance: 2.25/5
Handling and ride/fun-to-drive: 2/5
Interior/ergonomics/user-friendliness: 2.5/5
Fit-and-finish/build quality: 2/5
Cargo/accessibility/layout: 2.5/5
Value-for-money: 2/5

Overall rating: 2/5

Vehicle: 2007 Nissan Sentra 2.0SL with Sunroof Pkg
Price as tested: CDN$26198

Performance: The new Sentra shares the same MR engine series with its smaller silibing, Versa, which is another all-new Nissan this year. In Sentra’s case, its an MR20DE which means its a 2.0 liter instead of a 1.8 in the Versa. Unfortunately, it suffers from the same fate as its lesser silibing. Despite its 140 horses, 147 lb/ft of torque and Xtronic CVT in our uplevel SL tester. This is one unremarkable engine unit. Its not only unrefined and unresponsive, its very noisy during acceleration. Even with the Xtronic, which is a pretty decent Continuously Variable Transmission. It just doesn’t feel like this racket has 140 ponies under the hood. Its rough and unrefined at any rpm, its simply horrid when revving at high rpm even with Nissan’s variable valve timing or CVVTCS. The fortunate fact is the standard 6-speed stick provides better use of this engine. Its shifting feel is much better than expected.

Handling: When Sentra shares the same chassis as Europe’s Renualt Megane, it already got an excellent fundamental to begin with. Unfortunately, the rest of the dynamic package is nothing to write home about. The suspension doesn’t have any suppleness that associate with the French-derived platform. The rough ride over expansion joints and washboard pavement make you want a kidney belt. On the other hand, its Town Car-esque dynamics doesn’t inspire any sorts of confidence with pushing through corners. The whole car feels cumbersome while numb during quick transitions. Its electric power steering is featherweight, while providing zone feedback at all. With its high driving position, the level of understeer and body rolls felt much more excessive. In a nutshell, its a terribly unimpressive dynamic package.

Brakes: On our uplevel SL tester, Nissan provides front discs/rear drums with standard ABS. The pedal feel and modulation are better than average. Even under today’s heavy rainfall, ABS doesn’t kick-in until absolutely necessary. The stopping distance is much better than expected consider how unremarkable the whole dynamic package is.

Interior: The interior materials have been a huge improvement over the cheap predecessor. That’s despite the minor details are still fall short of its competitions. The seating position feels like seating “on top” instead of “in” the vehicle. The instrumentation gauges are clear and analog, for the most parts. Stereo is smartly placed on top of HVAC for ergonomics, which is a smart move on Nissan’s behalf. Unfortunately, the orange little screen inside the instrumentation gauges and infocenter on the dashboard tend to got washout during sunlight. The shifter position feels awkward.

The high trunk liftover and narrow cut-off don’t help the space much, even with the standard 60/40 split fold-down rear seats.

Conclusion: Nissan has made countless promises when launching the new Sentra. They have promised it will promote the also-ran econocar into one of the best in the segment. Those were the myths. The truth is there is nothing to write home about. The unremarkable powerplant, unspectacular driving dynamics with a very uninspiring styling. The worse thing is it doesn’t cost any cheaper than comparably-equipped Rabbit, Civic and Mazda3. If Versa is the worse car I have driven this year, Sentra has to be the second. We have waited 6 years for a truly competitive Sentra, and Nissan came out with this crap!!!

OVERALL VERDICT FOR 2007 NISSAN SENTRA
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Performance: 1/5
Handling and ride/fun-to-drive: 1/5
Interior/ergonomics/user-friendliness: 2.5/5
Fit-and-finish/build quality: 2.5/5
Cargo/accessibility/layout: 1/5
Value-for-money: 1/5

Overall rating: 1.5/5

Vehicle: 2002 Nissan Sentra XE with optional 4-speed auto and A/C.

Performance: The base Sentra comes standard with a 1.8L 16-valver 4-banger that has 126hp and 129 lb/ft of torque. It has to be one of the most powerful powerplant in this segment considered it responds quickly through throttle tip-in. The throtttle response is quick and linear. This is a quick-revving powerplant that feels more powerful than many of the cars of the similar price range. However, the 4-speed auto tranny has some of the drawbacks. There’s a hunting between 3rd and 4th gear when driving aggressively. Another pet peeve is this tranny won’t upshift as quick as I expect it to be. Considered the torquery nature of this engine, I expect the tranny to perform more responsively to throttle input.

Handling: The ride comfort is one of the major forte of this car. It absorbs bumps really well without the bouncy feel of its sportier silibing, the SE-R. The handling is generally predictable through corners with plenty of understeer and body rolls. However, here comes the drawbacks. The steering seems to lack of responses during left and right transitions, it also feels somewhat dead when you are in the limit. Instead of feeling what’s in the limit, your hands feel dead heavy as you approach the top end of the corner. The on-center feels decently but off-center feels dead heavy, as I already said.

Brakes: The standard front discs and rear drums without ABS have provided better than average pedal feel. Its not only easily modulated but the effort is decent.

Interior: As you would expect from a base model, there are not a lot of luxury items. You didn’t get a tachometer as well as power windows. However, given the price you paid. This Sentra has given you quality that’s expected in this class. The cloth seats are comfortable with decent support. There is the usual easily adjusted driving position similar to all Sentras. The knobs for temperature, position and fan speed are logically laid out despite they felt loose. The back seat has enough head and legroom for a long trip.

Conclusion: The base XE is quite a surprise econocar to drive considered how much you paid for. It feels solid and got a very good powerplant to stand behind the package. If you are comparing a Civic DX, Corolla CE and Focus LX, you should also look for Sentra XE as a good commuter “appliance”.

OVERALL VERDICT FOR 2002 NISSAN SENTRA XE
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Performance: 3.75/5
Handling and ride/fun-to-drive: 3/5
Interior/ergonomics/user-friendliness: 3.5/5
Fit-and-finish/build quality: 3.5/5
Cargo/accessibility/layout: 3.5/5
Value-for-money: 4/5

Overall rating: 3.75/5