2016 Nissan Sentra Review - Compact Nissan Goes Prime - traditional car buyers are turning away from small sedans and compact crossove...
traditional car buyers are turning away from small sedans and compact crossovers to. That's the conventional wisdom used to explain sales not slowing we see in some models. But there could be another reason? ? Could it simply be a lack of concentration and attention to the compact segment
This is a model that has seen a dramatic increase in sales since 2013: the Sentra. complete overhaul of Nissan three years ago and aggressive pricing Sentra sales doubled since then, move the player "top 15" sales at number five in 2015.
In an effort to maintain the trajectory, Nissan has opted for a major refresh after only three years on sale. (Looks like the Honda Civic plane with, right?) Perhaps the key to success is a compact combination of frequent updates and more gadgets for buyers to choose from. That sums up 2016 Sentra perfectly.
Exterior
The 2016 Sentra receives a refresh, not an overhaul complete. This means "hard points" such as the wheelbase, track and the overall dimensions of the Sentra remain essentially unchanged. This is not a problem for the compact Nissan, as it was already one of the largest compact sedan to more than 182 inches long. In fact, the "compact" Sentra is so big in fact that the EPA classifies it as a midsize sedan, much like the new Civic, Elantra, and other compact cars.
Up front, Nissan graft a new bumper, hood and quarter panels to the Sentra, making it more homogeneous within the range of Nissan. The new look also injects much needed personality in the Sentra with a simple chrome grille, more aggressive headlamps with optional LED beams and deeper wrinkles in the sheet. The design manages to be fresh and modern that 2015 Sentra without looking awkward from some angles, failure seen on 2016 Civic. The Sentra is not as exciting as a Mazda3 in my eyes, but it certainly looks cooler than the Elantra, Focus and Forte.
Interior
inside the Sentra is more traditional than some entries, but the quality of parts in the SR and SL testers are above average for the segment. Base models see less premium materials used in the cabin, but the base price of the Sentra is also lower than all the others except the entrance to the Forte. The average buyer is a leather steering wheel in less than $ 5,000 linings in the Civic and for thousands less than in others. Top top it all, the last front seats Nissan are among the most comfortable in the segment and the adjustable lumbar support is available on upper trim.
Part of the success of the Sentra just its size. It has 80-inch combined legs, which is five inches longer than the Ford Focus, just 2 / 10ths of an inch behind the Ford Fusion.
As we have seen in other Nissans, the trunk is unusually deep and offers 15.1 cubic feet of volume stowable. This allows 24-inch roller bags (the biggest things you can do on a domestic flight) to be secured upright. Our tester swallowed successfully 10 of these bags on wheels, a difficult feat for many larger sedans like the Camry and Accord. The next time you are at the rental counter, you would do well to take the Sentra on Fusion or 0.
Infotainment & Gadgets
with a base price that starts lower than almost any other compact sedans, the S and FE obtain / FM / AM audio system basic CD with four speakers. Fortunately, Nissan does not cut too deep and basic models always get a USB connector, iPod interface and Bluetooth integration.
$ 18,550 for the SV wins a 5-inch LCD screen in the dashboard with the integration of the smartphone application, hands-free text message support, Siri Eyes Free, a rearview camera XM radio and six speakers. Optional on SV and SR and SL series is a version of the same 5.8-inch system that adds navigation commands and voice. Top fittings can be equipped with a Bose audio system 10 speakers.
Like Honda, Nissan is betting on active safety, but Nissan's approach is different. SV trims allow the addition of monitoring the blind spot detection with cross-border traffic, a feature not available on the Civic. SR and SL buyers can add a $ 1,230 package of technology which brings full speed radar cruise control, automatic braking and OnStar telematics services like Nissan. This system will take you to a full stop, but keep you off as the will of Honda.
Nissan package is $ 230 more than Honda Sensing and has no track keeping system and the departure route attenuation you find in the Civic, but includes telematics. On the other hand, the Sentra is much cheaper than a Civic, therefore SL sedan equipped with radar cruise would still thousands less than a comparable Honda equipment.
Training
Under the hood is the same four-cylinder engine of 1.8 liters as before. Closely related to the 1.6-liter unit in the Versa, the engine until the size is 130 horses and 128 lb-ft of torque (unless you are in one of the 14 states that follow standards stricter emissions from California who abandon production to 124 horsepower and 125 lb-ft.)
power is transmitted to the front wheels via, you guessed it, a continuously variable transmission . As the transaxle Versa, this CVT uses a planetary gear 2 speed to expand the range. In general terms, you start with the low epicyclic train and the CVT in its lowest range. When the CVT touches the highest ratio, global train passes high and the CVT returns to low. This design allows the CVT a wider distribution ratio that you find in most compact sedans. The up-down movement is noticeable under hard acceleration if you pay attention, but it is actually hidden by programming that mimics a stepped automatic when you use something more than 3 / 8ths of gas. Nissan still offers a six-speed manual, but it is relegated to the base model only.
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wider range CVT Nissan Sentra allows feel peppier than expected. Of course, when you oppose 130 horses against 2,877 pounds, you should not expect a big emergency, but the Sentra managed to be a bit faster than the Corolla at 9.3 seconds to 60 mph.
Nissan tried their best to disguise the nature of stepless CVT programming "offsets" that occur every time you order more than 3 / 8ths gas. However, the transmission acts like CVTs have still when driven conservatively. In moderately aggressive driving, the new logic of the stage made a convincing imitation. The movements feel "mushy" beyond, however, with the transmission to slip in the next report with a more leisurely pace than a traditional automatic.
The newly tweaked suspension confirmed the race and settled the rear end. New tires with grippier compounds have been installed on all versions, but the section width has remained resolutely close to 205. A new steering rack and extra chassis bracing help complete the package and the Sentra feels quite more capable than before. Yet, against strong competition, the Nissan still ends up being a mediocre experience in terms of performance and handling.
Although Nissan bumped the price tag on the $ 230 Sentra for 2016, the MSRP is still aggressively low, especially considering the size of the Sentra is compared to other compact sedans. SV, SR and SL trims lower Focus, Civic and Mazda3 by a significant margin, and managed to be less expensive in some configurations a similarly equipped Hyundai or Kia. With the latest adjustments, the Sentra is not only cheaper but also more expenses.
Comparisons with the Honda Civic show an even greater delta. Nissan is at least $ 2,000 less than the Honda across the range. When you take into account the deeper cuts that we often see on Nissan lots, the difference between the Civic and Sentra grows.
The 2016 Sentra does not break any new ground. The dynamic is still in the middle of the pack, and the acceleration and braking are moderate. The security features can be again Sentra, but are not new in the segment. However, since 2013 Sentra I saw it many years ago, Nissan continues to be a great value. With sales of competing sedans decline, aggressive pricing Nissan, large cabin and grouped options explain its popularity.
Enthusiast consumers are likely to gravitate toward the new engines turbo Honda or Focus Performance models while Nissan fans live in hope that the next refresh will include a SR with wider tires and more power under the hood. It would turn the Sentra rational logical option to more of an emotional choice.
Nissan provided the vehicle during a launch event which included travel and stay in a posh hotel in Southern California.
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