The 2021 Nissan Sentra looks seriously snazzy for a compact car that starts at just over $20,000. The second-smallest sedan in the Nissan lineup also matches its attractive outward appearance with a handsome interior. This makes it a more mature alternative to the youthful designs of the Honda Civic and Toyota Corolla. Unfortunately, the Sentra's superficial qualities don't translate into fun behind the wheel as well as, say, in the pretty and sporty Mazda 3. We're also not impressed with the Sentra's lethargic four-cylinder engine or the choppy ride rendered by the suspension in the sportiest SR model. Still, the 2021 Sentra will dutifully serve shoppers who prioritize interior comfort, safety features, and style.
Every 2021 Sentra is powered by a 149-hp 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine that pairs with a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT) and front-wheel drive. While the gearless automatic simulates traditional gearchanges, it doesn't alter the fact that the Sentra we tested was noisy and slow, especially when trying to pass at highway speeds. There's not a lot of entertainment behind the wheel, either. Steering effort is weighty and predictable, but it's nowhere near as communicative as in rivals such as the Civic and Mazda 3. The Nissan features an independent rear suspension, and wheel sizes that range from 16 to 18 inches. The version we drove rolled on the largest set, which contributed to a firm ride quality and excessive road noise. Still, the Sentra is comfortable and compliant for daily commutes and weekend trips. We were especially impressed with its braking system. It delivered reassuring pedal feel and solid stopping power from 70 mph, coming to a halt in a class-competitive 170 feet.
2020 Nissan Sentra SR Premium
VEHICLE TYPE
front-engine, front-wheel-drive, 5-passenger, 4-door sedan
PRICE AS TESTED
$25,325 (base price: $22,355)
ENGINE TYPE
DOHC 16-valve 2.0-liter inline-4, aluminum block and head, direct fuel injection
Displacement: 122 cu in, 1997 cc
Power: 149 hp @ 6400 rpm
Torque: 146 lb-ft @ 4400 rpm
TRANSMISSION
continuously variable automatic
CHASSIS
Suspension (F/R): struts/multilink
Brakes (F/R): 11.0-in vented disc/10.2-in disc
Tires: Hankook Kinergy GT, 215/45R-18 89V M+S
DIMENSIONS
Wheelbase: 106.8 in
Length: 182.7 in
Width: 71.5 in
Height: 57.0 in
Passenger volume: 97 cu ft
Trunk volume: 14 cu ft
Curb weight: 3122 lb
C/D TEST RESULTS
Rollout, 1ft: 0.3 sec
60 mph: 9.2 sec
100 mph: 26.3 sec
Rolling start, 5–60 mph: 9.4 sec
Top gear, 30–50 mph: 5.1 sec
Top gear, 50–70 mph: 6.1 sec
1/4-mile: 17.0 sec @ 83 mph
Braking, 70–0 mph: 170 ft
Roadholding, 300-ft-dia skidpad: 0.88 g
EPA FUEL ECONOMY
Combined/city/highway: 32/28/37 mpg
Price (EGP)
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