If you were to look up the word “appliance” in a car-themed dictionary, a photograph of the Nissan Sentra would likely be used to illustrate the term, as applied to the automotive market. This is surprising from a company that has typically positioned itself as the exciting Japanese brand, a company that uses “Shift” as a marketing tagline, a company responsible for producing legendary sports cars and capable off-road vehicles, a company unafraid to take styling risks.
Read: 2012 Nissan Sentra Review
Indeed, the Sentra has befuddled Nissan for a long time, and with the exception of the performance-oriented SE-R versions, has always been a wallflower amidst an often stylish and dynamic Nissan product lineup. You may rightly ask, then, why did Vehix test-drive this car, a long-standing darling of the airport rental lot?
Nissan Sells More Than 100,000 Sentras Annually
One reason is that we like to focus on delivering insightful information and opinion about the cars, trucks and SUVs that people actually buy, and Nissan sold nearly 115,000 Sentras last year, an increase of 20,000 units. Maybe those cars were going into rental fleets, maybe they were going into American driveways. Either way, the Sentra sells.
Another reason is that we wanted to see how the current Sentra stacks up in a compact car market that has become increasingly important to automakers seeking to boost corporate average fuel economy ratings, and to consumers looking for more affordable and fuel-efficient transportation solutions.
About Our Test Car
Our test car was the Sentra 2.0 SR equipped with the Special Edition Package, which adds a bunch of stuff including special 16-inch aluminum wheels, Nissan Intelligent Key keyless entry and ignition, a navigation system with real-time traffic reporting, Bluetooth, a power moonroof, and a handful of other upgrades. The sticker price was $20,410, including the destination charge. But you wouldn’t dream of paying that much. Subtract whatever rebate or incentive is available in your area from the invoice price, and aim for that number.
Viewed through such rose-colored glasses, the Sentra 2.0 SR seems like a bargain. It looks racy thanks to a body kit, fog lights and a rear spoiler – though it most decidedly is not – and it’s got a bunch of equipment on it for a relatively low price. If you’re getting out of an older car that doesn’t run very well, you’re going to love the Sentra’s features, its plush and comfortable front seats, and upscale detailing like a cloth headliner, suede-like door panel inserts, and soft-touch upper door panels that are elbow-friendly.
If Nothing Else, the Sentra is Comfortable
In fact, comfort is one of this car’s strong points. You sit high behind both the steering wheel and an artfully executed dashboard design, with great forward visibility. The leather-wrapped steering wheel is right-sized and provides comfortable thumb rests in the right positions. The rear seat easily accommodates adults, and the trunk measures 13.1 cubic-feet, which is about the same size as the Buick LaCrosse.
Styling is Bland Yet Unconventional
The Sentra’s exterior design is also appealing in its bland yet unconventional way. The car is very angular in appearance, very European, and it definitely looks like nothing else in its class. It doesn’t look like other Nissans, either.
Middle-of-the-Road Crash Performance and Reliability
In terms of crash-test performance and reliability, the Sentra blends into the background, neither a standout nor a pariah. The worst thing that can be reported is that the rear seat occupants aren’t well protected in a side-impact collision, with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration giving the car a 2-Star rating in this regard. So, listen up parents, don’t buy a Sentra for transporting children.
Driving the Sentra is a Chore
Really, the Nissan Sentra is middle-of-the-road in almost every way, until you drive it. With just 140 horsepower available from its 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, accessed through a continuously variable transmission (CVT) that drones and drones and drones if you’re trying to get somewhere in a hurry (good luck), the Sentra is unpleasant to drive. And unlike with, say, a Toyota Prius, fantastic fuel economy is the not the benefit provided in exchange for dull driving dynamics. We extracted 28.4 mpg from the Sentra 2.0 SR in a week of mixed driving, a bit short of the EPA’s combined rating of 30 mpg.
The Sentra’s rocking and rolling suspension, comprised of MacPherson struts in front and a torsion beam axle in back, doesn’t help matters at all, proving jittery over sharp bumps and rough roads, woozy on smooth pavement with dips, and exhibiting a lack of lateral composure in turns. The 16-inch all-season tires give up their grip far too early, squealing with the slightest provocation. The front-disc, rear-drum brakes are OK and nothing more. My favorite dynamic element was the Sentra’s electric steering, which felt natural throughout the range of motion, something that cannot be said for some of the car’s competitors.
Obviously, when we evaluate a car, we take it to certain extremes that everyday commuters won’t. So even if you discount the findings culled from our twisty road testing, know that in addition to the racket from the droning CVT the Sentra’s cabin fills with a noticeable amount of wind and road noise while traveling on the freeway.
Unimpressive Warranty Plan
Finally, we’re unimpressed by the Sentra’s warranty. The standard warranty lasts for three years or 36,000 miles, while the powertrain warranty runs five years or 60,000 miles. Roadside assistance is not provided, and Nissan does not offer a free maintenance plan. While this coverage is certainly better than some competitors, it falls far short of others.
Actually, that’s the best way to sum up the 2012 Nissan Sentra. It is certainly better than some competitors, but falls far short of others.
Read: 2012 Nissan Sentra Review
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Tags: 2012 Nissan Sentra, 2012 Nissan Sentra Review, 2012 Sentra, Nissan, Nissan Sentra, sedan, Sentra
