First Impressions — Nissan Sentra

A new front fascia, along with a fresh hood, front fenders, grille, redesigned “boomerang” headlights and taillights bring the Sentra visually inline with the Altima and Maxima.

For 2016, the Sentra features more safety technology, including NissanConnect Services.

While we are happy that Nissan chose to do something about the dated looking Nissan Sentra, we are disappointed that they did not think that it was necessary for the Nissan Sentra to get a powertrain upgrade as well.

Also announced at the Los Angeles Auto Show was the new Nissan Versa Note Colour Studio program, which allows owners to “make it yours” through an a la carte selection of 13 exterior and interior accent accessories, each available in a choice of six vibrant colours. The Sentra’s overall vibe is still that of a budget-oriented sedan with hard plastic material on the top of the door panels and a mismatch of interior textures around the center console and gear selector. The 2016 Nissan Sentra will be powered by a 1.8 liter four cylinder engine that will be delivering about 130hp and 128lb ft of torque.

Back in June, Nissan’s USA sales & marketing chief Fred Diaz told the press that the 2016 Sentra would be nearly a new auto and “incredibly freshened”, which does indeed seem to be the case. “And for less than $20,000, customers can purchase a Sentra SV with Driver Assist Package, which includes the innovative active safety features customers highly desire and utilize on a daily basis – such as Blind Spot Warning and Rear Cross Traffic Alert”. “The instrument panel features a new TFT LCD display with higher resolution than older LCD screens – though Sentra SV, SR and SL spec models also come with a 5” Advanced Drive-Assist display found between the tachometer and speedometer.

To enhance how it behaves on the road, engineers retuned the Sentra’s chassis. Let’s not forget the available dual-zone automatic climate control system and Bose premium audio system with eight speakers.

Options include a Technology Package with Intelligent Cruise Control, forward Emergency Braking, while SR and SV have options packages that incorporate a power sliding moonroof.

Scheduled to go on sale in late December, the 2016 Sentra is primed to resume its position as Nissan’s third-best selling vehicle, behind the Altima and the Rogue. Steering feel and response has also been improved through use of optimized Electric Power Steering (EPS) mapping in conjunction with the revised suspension and new tire design. A continuously variable automatic will see duty in most models, but S trim-level cars are available with a six-speed manual transmission. A 6-speed manual transmission is also available with the Sentra S and SV grades.