Nissan Sentra

The Nissan Sentra is a compact car made by automaker Nissan, and is generally a rebadged export version of the Japanese Nissan Sunny. The name "Sentra" is not used in Japan, where it is currently known as the Bluebird Sylphy. In some Asian countries, it denotes a version of the Nissan Pulsar.

In the U.S. the Nissan Sentra serves as Nissan's compact model and directly competes with other compact models such as the Corolla. The Sentra is generally considered to be the biggest and also the most expensive compact car when compared to the competition from Japan and the U.S. In the U.S. prices range from $13,100 for a base model to $21,305 for a loaded top-of-the-line Sentra.

See Wikicars' comprehensive Nissan Sentra Review.

Recent Changes
2007 ushers in a new generation of Sentras, as they will be all-new and freshly redesigned..

SE-R Spec-V


The Nissan Sentra SE-R Spec-V is a performance model of the Nissan Sentra. It is the highest trim level of the Sentra SE-R line, a performance variant of the Sentra chasis. Beginning production in 2002, it has garnered a reputation for its impressive performance within the compact-car market. It possessed (and still does as of 2006) the 2.5-litre QRD25DE engine that originally was created for the Nissan Altima. The 2500 c.c. engine produces 175 horsepower at 6000 rpm and 180 ft·lbf of torque at 4000 rpm. This power is enough to propel the car to 60 miles per hour from standstill in 7 seconds.

The car came standard with a 6-speed manual transmission with helical limited slip differential, and 17-inch wheels with performance tires. Perhaps as impressive as the car's quickness was its handling, which was the result of aggressive factory-tuni ng of the car's suspension and the addition of low-profile tires, which fortunately did not severely harshen the car's smoothness. Along with a standard race-inspired sporty interior, other optional features at the time included a 300-watt 9-speaker audio system (with a 8-inch subwoofer in the trunk) and a power sunroof. In all, it is a rare car that is still relatively unknown to many, giving it the subsequent "sleeper" image to those who are familiar with the car. For example, the car appears in the video game Need for Speed: Underground 2.

Initially, for 2002 and 2003, the SE-R Spec V (along with the SE-R) was given an aggressive front fascia (borrowed from Nissan's Japanese supercar, the Skyline GT-R) with side still extensions and rear trunk-mounted spoiler that gave it a handsome yet aggressive, race-ready look. For the 2004-2005 model years, cosmetic changes were made to make the Spec V look like regular Sentra's from the front, although it still retained its side-still extensions, rear spoiler, and 17-inch wheels (albeit different ones from 2002 and 2003 models). The 2004 model year also featured a new style of taillight which is somewhat inspired by the Skyline GT-R's quadruple taillights. The 2004 model also includes Skyline GT-R style six spoked wheels and SE-R gear shift handle which is akin to the Skyline's GT-R shift handle. Sapphire Blue was introduced in 2004 as well, this color is similar to the Skyline's Bayside Blue.

The newer 2007+ Nissan Sentra SE-R Spec V models come with a more powerful engine rated at 200HP and 180tq, while the SE-R version is rated at 177HP and 172tq with CVT only. Both versions come with special additions such as unique interior with semi-racing seats, 4 disc brakes, 17 inch wheels, and a Rockford audio system. The Spec-V version has been shown to run a time of 14.9 at the 1/4.

Rebadged Pulsars and Sentras


The Sentra name was adopted several other countries, such as New Zealand, where it was used for the Nissan Pulsar range from 1986 (though, interestingly, the station wagon version was actually a rebadged Nissan Sunny California). The Sentra name continued to be used in New Zealand for the Pulsar until 1998, just as Almera was used in Europe. After 2002, the Japanese Pulsar name was adopted.

There is also a Nissan wagon car and it is faster and better than the Nissan ADs. The Sentra is an 1600 DOHC and the AD is an auto diesel.

Pricing
Today's actual prices for the Nissan Sentra can be found at CarsDirect.

Gas Mileage
As seen on the FuelEconomy.gov website, the City/Highway MPG averages are as follows:

Engine and Transmission
Specifications, details, graphs, pictures and other information regarding the powertrain is placed in this section.

Performance
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Reliability
As the 2007 Sentra is a brand new design, there is no reliability information on it as of yet. The 2004 Sentra, however, which was built on the previous platform, received an overal Green rating in every category from Automotive Information Systems.

Safety
The new 2007 Sentra has only been tested for rollover by the NHTSA, and it earned a 4-Star rating in this test. The previous model, however, received 4-Star ratings not only for rollover but also for front-impact safety. The 2006 also received just a 2-Star rating for it's front side-impact crash tests. Here are some of the standard safety options found available on the 2007 Sentra:
 * Front and rear anti-roll bars
 * Driver and passenger front-impact airbags
 * Seat mounted driver/passenger side-impact airbags
 * Side curtain 1st/2nd row overhead airbags
 * Side impact bars

Colors
Colors for the 2007 Sentra will vary by trim, and a full list is viewable at CarsDirect.com. Here are some possible combinations:

Exterior
 * Blue Onyx Metallic
 * Metallic Jade
 * Polished Granite Metallic
 * Sandstone Metallic
 * Sonoma Sunset Pearl
 * Super Black
 * Solar Yellow
 * Red Alert

Interior
 * Beige
 * Charcoal
 * Saddle

Main Competitors

 * Mazda Mazda3
 * Honda Civic
 * Toyota Corolla
 * Subaru Impreza
 * Volkswagen Jetta
 * Ford Focus
 * MINI Cooper
 * Chevrolet Cobalt
 * Saturn Ion
 * Hyundai Elantra
 * Mitsubishi Lancer

Interior
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Resale Values
According to Kelley Blue Book, "despite its low price, the Sentra is expected to hold a better-than-average resale value, higher than the Chevrolet Cobalt, Hyundai Elantra, Kia Spectra and Saturn Ion, on par with the Ford Focus and as well as those of the Honda Civic and Toyota Corolla."

Criticisms
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Generations
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Current Generation: B16 (2007-present)


Nissan introduced the next-generation 2007 Sentra at the 2006 North American International Auto Show in January. This Sentra will have the same type of car door handle abandoned by the third-generation Sentra. It is larger in every dimension than the B15 model, as the Nissan Versa takes the subcompact role once filled by the Sentra.

The Sentra features a 2.0 L Nissan MR engine, the first North American vehicle to use this new engine family. A continuously variable transmission or 6-speed manual transmission will be offered. It rides on the new shared Nissan/Renault Global C platform. As with the B15, the B16 Sentra will be produced at Nissan's Aguascalientes plant. The 2007 Sentra goes on sale in the fall of 2006.

Third Generation: B15 (2000-2006)
The Sentra finally crossed over into the "compact" class for 2000 on an all-new platform. Eventually, the compact class had been occupied by the Stanza (discontinued in 1992). Production shifted from Smyrna, Tennessee to Aguascalientes, Mexico, and the Smyrna production line was retooled to build the Nissan Xterra. The 1.6 L engine was dropped in favor of the 1.8 L (126 hp) QG18DE. Numerous upgrades were made over the previous generation. The new model featured a new interior with higher quality plastics and more comfortable seats. The exterior was also substantially updated and now featured body-side moldings and clear headlights. In 2002, a new SE-R (165 hp) was introduced, trading its SR20DE engine for the Altima's torquier but lower-revving QR25DE. The SE-R came in a base model with a 5-speed manual transmission or optional automatic. Also available was a 6-speed manual transmission with helical limited slip differential, which was called the SE-R Spec-V (175 hp). 2004 saw a minor facelift for all Sentras. Nissan also started cost-cutting and took the front stabilizer bar out of 1.8 L models.

Second Generation: B14 (1995-1999)
The Sentra took several backward steps for 1995, such as cheaper interior materials and the permanent loss of an independent rear suspension. This time, the car door handle became a bar. The two-door Sentra was renamed as the 200SX and took the sporty SE-R model with it, though the sedan got all the performance parts back in 1998 with the Sentra SE.

First Generation/Origins: B13 (1991-1994)
The 1991-1994 generation was the first to offer Nissan's famous and then-new SR20DE engine in the "sporty" two-door SE-R model. The car door handle used a stick. Setting subcompact speed records of the time, the SE-R could accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in 7.4 seconds, came with 4-wheel disc brakes, and had a MacPherson strut independent suspension. The B13 SE-R has developed a cult following over the years and is still a car of choice among tuners.

The sedan was offered with the 1.6L GA16DE engine.

Worldwide
The Nissan Sentra was introduced for the 1982 model year as the US export name for the Sunny, which had been introduced in 1966. Many other countries in the Americas, including Mexico and Brazil, sell their versions of the Sunny as the Sentra.

The current American-market Nissan Sentra comes with either a 1.8 L four-cylinder QG18DE engine producing 126 horsepower (94 kW), or the same 175 horsepower (123 kW) 2.5 L four-cylinder QR25DE engine used in the Nissan Altima 2.5S. Brazilian Sentras only have the smaller 1.8 L unit.

Unlike the U.S. version, a hatchback was offered; engines offered were 1.4, 1.6 and 2.0 petrol; a diesel was available in Europe. Some even were sold in the Republic of Ireland.

In the Republic of China, Yulon has built its licensed version of the Sunny as the Sentra since 1990. The current Taiwan-market Sentra reflects the styling of the Japanese-market Bluebird Sylphy (the same as the Almera/Pulsar sedan but with a luxurious emphasis).

Today, the Philippines also uses the Sentra name for its version of the Pulsar.

In Mexico, and parts of Central America, the 1991-1994 Nissan Sentra is still in production. Called the Nissan Tsuru, it is the same basic car only with minor cosmetic changes and mechanical downgrades to make it cheaper, such as non-power steering, downgraded interior trim, a downgraded braking system, and a mechanical clutch instead of a hydraulic one. More recent models have received a Renault-built hydraulic clutch.

Awards
The Sentra SE-R was on Car and Driver magazine's Ten Best list for 1991 through 1994.