The 2013 Nissan Sentra has had the automotive equivalent of a double shot of espresso pumped into its veins. Gone is the plain vanilla people-mover that was fast becoming an also-ran in the ultracompetitive compact car segment.
This market is tough, with the Honda Civic (the best-selling car in Canada), Toyota Corolla, Hyundai Elantra, Ford Focus, Chevrolet Cruze and others.
The new Sentra has been redefined. Gone is the old three-box look. In its place is fresh sheet metal with sleek, sculptured lines that give it a more upscale look. The Sentra's new look ties it nicely to its larger sibling, the Altima.
The new body has given the Sentra an added bonus - a larger trunk. With 428 litres, it is now larger than some midsize cars. Nissan boasts the Sentra can now handle a bike or a surfboard with the 60/40 split seats folded.
They claim it can also accommodate six pieces of luggage or 98 stuffed animals just in the trunk.
In their enthusiasm, they fail to point out that when the seat backs are folded, the cargo floor isn't flat. There also isn't a grab handle on the trunk lid, a rookie oversight.
My tester was an SL model, the top trim level.
The SL is as luxurious as one can get in a compact car, with leather seats, maple wood-tone trim, a Bose audio system, navigation system, back-up camera, power sunroof and other upscale appointments. The dash features soft-touch materials and gives the interior a "grown-up" feel.
The backseat room is generous. The seats are easy to get in and out of for people with limited mobility and the door opening wide enough for mothers to tend to youngsters in their car seats. Bravo, Nissan.
The view from the driver's seat is very pleasant. Our tester had a beige interior with wood trim, giving the car a warm, airy feeling. The dash features electroluminescent gauges, which are extremely bright even in the day. Apart from the navigation system mentioned previously, it also came with dual-zone climate control, push-button start and steering-wheel controls. It makes last year's car almost dowdy by comparison.
As expected, Nissan appeals to young drivers with its extensive electronic suite. There is, of course, iPod/USB input, but the Sentra now comes with satellite radio and Bluetooth for music. On the navigation side of things, the system allows tech-savvy owners to send driving directions from any computer to the car, find points of interest and receive and respond to text messages without taking one's hands off the wheel.
Nissan has also done some tinkering under the hood. There is a new 1.8-litre four that develops 130 hp and 128 lb.-ft. of torque, down about 10 hp over last year. What it gives up in power it makes it up in fuel economy. Fuel numbers are now 6.6 litres per 100 km (43 mpg) in the city and 4.9 on the highway (58 mpg). Those are impressive figures. The highway numbers are almost the same as the Acura ILX Hybrid I recently drove.
Some of the credit has to go to the new CVT transmission, which Nissan says is lighter and even more efficient as last year's model. While frugal drivers will laud it for its economy, enthusiasts will castigate it for its lack of brio. The CVT is smooth and under most driving situations - an unobtrusive servant. But press the pedal to the metal for some speed and the servant protests with the typical CVT moan/drone. The Sentra is not a vehicle with a sporting flair. That's too bad, because the new Sentra has lost about 68 kilograms, making it lighter on its toes.
On the left of the dash there are buttons to switch between Eco or Sport modes. The transmission also has a low gear setting and an overdrive-off button - features not found in most compact cars these days. Both of these are desirable features for those who like to tow or who live in mountainous regions.
Spend any time behind the wheel and one will also notice another welcome improvement - a more comfortable, compliant ride. Broken pavement and small potholes are immediately swallowed up by the new suspension. Coupled with very light steering, the Sentra makes for a relaxing ride in the city.
That double-shot of espresso has done wonders for the Sentra. Apart from the CVT, which one can't avoid if fuel economy is important, the Sentra has benefited by the extra caffeine running through its veins. But will it be enough to sway buyers away from their usual brew? The only way to find out is to try a cup.
THE SPEC SHEET
Type: Compact four-door sedan. Front engine, front-wheel-drive
Engine: 1.8-litre four cylinder, 130 hp at 6,000 r.p.m., 128 lb.-ft. of torque at 3,600 r.p.m.
Transmission: Continuously variable
Dimensions (mm): Length, 4,625; width, 1,760; height, 1,495; wheelbase, 2,700
Curb weight (kg): 1,289
Price (base/as tested): $17, 548/$24,665 (includes $1,567 freight/PDI and $100 AC tax)
Options: CVT transmission $1,300, SL package (includes sunroof, leather seats, wood-tone trim, dual zone climate control, Bose stereo, 17-inch wheels, rear disc brakes, fog lights, navigation system, etc.) $4,150
Tires: 205/50 VR17
Fuel type: Regular
Fuel economy (L/100km): 6.6 city/ 4.9 highway
Warranty: Three years/60,000 km new car and roadside assistance, five years/100,000 km powertrain
