LOS ANGELES: The Nissan Sentra is still going on strong after 30 years and seven generations later.
For the 2016 model year, the Sentra (what South-East Asia would refer to as the Sylphy) has undergone a major makeover – starting with a revised exterior and the addition of an expanded range of available safety and driving aid technologies.
The new Sentra exterior redesign brings its appearance closer in look and feel to its more upscale showroom siblings. All three Nissan sedans – Maxima, Altima and now Sentra – reflect Nissan's new design language first introduced on the dramatic Nissan Murano crossover.
Key features of the new Sentra exterior include a new front fascia, grille, fenders, hood and signature boomerang-shaped headlights. New LED low-beam headlights with LED signature accents are offered on Sentra SR and Sentra SL grades. In the rear, a new fascia with redesigned boomerang-shaped taillights adds a more premium appearance. There are also two new 17-inch wheel designs for SR and SL grades, as well as a new SV 16-inch aluminum-alloy wheel design.
The Sentra SR offers a sportier appearance, with unique design 17-inch forked 5-spoke aluminum-alloy wheels, lower body side sill extensions, rear spoiler with integrated LED brake light, fog lights and chrome exhaust tip finisher.
The roomy Sentra interior has also been revised for the 2016 model year, with a new steering wheel similar to the Nissan 370Z design, a new available 6-way power driver's seat with power lumbar (standard on Sentra SL and optional on Sentra SR), a new center cluster design, a new console and shifter knob, and refined seat fabrics.
The instrument panel offers a new TFT-type (Thin Film Transistor) LCD flat panel display with higher resolution than previous LCD screens. Sentra SV, SR and SL grades include a 5.0-inch Advanced Drive-Assist Display located between the tachometer and speedometer.
For 2016, Sentra again offers ample roominess in a compact-size exterior – featuring one of the largest interiors in class, with 3143l of total interior volume. Helping make this possible is the long wheelbase (2.7m), which helps provide both ample rear seat legroom of 95cm and large trunk capacity of 428l. The rear seat is a standard 60/40-split fold-down design, adding versatility to the large trunk space.
The high-quality interior design includes soft-touch instrument panel and door armrests and available leather-appointed seating. Other available features range from Dual Zone Automatic Temperature Control and a Bose® Premium audio system with eight speakers, to Nissan Intelligent Key® keyless entry and push button ignition system and RearView Monitor.
A number of Nissan's advanced Safety Shield Technologies are now available on Sentra for the first time for the 2016 model year – Forward Emergency Braking (FEB), Intelligent Cruise Control (ICC), Blind Spot Warning (BSW) and Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA).
Intelligent Cruise Control (ICC) and Forward Emergency Braking (FEB) are combined as part of the new Technology Package offered for Sentra SR and SL grades. ICC uses radar to maintain a set speed and distance between Sentra and the vehicle ahead, even braking to maintain that distance.
All 2016 Sentraversions use a fuel-efficient 1.8-litre 4-cylinder engine mated to an advanced Xtronic transmission with sub-planetary gear. A 6-speed manual transmission is also available with the Sentra S grade.
The advanced 1.8-litre DOHC 4-cyinder engine offers a longer stroke than typical engines in its class, resulting in improved combustion speed and efficiency. The engine is equipped with a twin Continuously Variable Timing Control (CVTC) system which modulates both the intake and exhaust valve opening time (similar to that used on the flagship Nissan Maxima).
The engine is rated at 130hp and 174Nm.
The Xtronic transmission offers a wide gear ratio range of 7.3:1 through use of a sub-planetary gear and smaller pulleys, resulting in high-speed fuel efficiency and responsive acceleration.
The Xtronic's acceleration feel is enhanced with a D-mode step shift program that simulates shifts, giving a more natural acceleration feeling without holding a high rpm constant, letting rpms build as speed builds. For 2016, the D-Step Logic Control has been revised to help provide enhanced drivability with a more stable, natural and crisper shift feel (versus the previous design).
New for 2016 is one exterior colour, Blue Pearl. Nine other colours are available – Red Alert (SR grade only), Brilliant Silver, Super Black, Aspen White (premium charge), Gun Metallic, Graphite Blue, Titanium, Cayenne Red and Fresh Powder.
Nissan unveiled the new Sentra at the Los Angeles Auto Show last week. The model, assembled in Mexico, is scheduled to go on sale at US dealerships in late December.
