Vehicle Tested
| 2013 Nissan Sentra SL
Base Price: $19,790
At-Tested Price: NA
Built in Mexico.
Options
NA
Engine: 1.8-liter I4
Transmission: CVT Automatic
Drive Wheels: Front-Wheel Drive
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Nissan has an all-new Sentra for 2013. It's slightly longer but narrower and shorter than the car it replaces. It also shares some chassis and powertrain components with the smaller Nissan Versa.
Available only as a four-door sedan with five-passenger seating, Sentra competes with vehicles like the Chevrolet Cobalt, Dodge Dart, Ford Focus, Hyundai Elantra, Honda Civic, Kia Forte Mazda 3 and Toyota Corolla. Nissan's focus in developing the new Sentra was to create a premium compact that offered both sophistication and efficiency.
The Sentra lineup includes base S, mid-level SV, sport-themed SR and line-topping SL trim levels. All have front-wheel drive and come with a 130-horsepower 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine. A six-speed manual transmission is standard on the S. Optional on that model and standard on all others is a continuously variable transmission. The 1.8-liter engine is also offered on the Nissan Versa. The CVT is all-new for 2013. Nissan boasts that it offers an extremely wide gear ratio and improves fuel economy compared to the previous unit.
Standard safety features include anti-lock brakes with brake assist, tire-pressure monitor and dual-front, front-side and curtain-side airbags. Blind-spot alert and park assist and are not offered. Rear-view camera is included with the optional navigation system.
Pricing ranges from $15,990 for the S with manual all the way up to $19,790 on the SL. Options are limited. A Driver Package is offered on the SV and SR. It adds keyless starting, USB connection, Bluetooth cell-phone connection and satellite radio. Optional on all but the S is the Navigation Package. That adds 5.8-inch touch-screen navigation system with real-time traffic, PIOs powered by Google, Pandora Radio compatibility, hands-free text messaging and rear-view monitor. A Leather Package is offered on the SL. It includes leather-appointed seats, heated front-seats and rear disc brakes. Available on the S and SV is a FE+ package that includes low-rolling resistance tires, unique rear spoiler and underbody aero panels. The FE+ package increases Sentra's highway fuel economy from 39 to 40 mpg.
Sentra is built in Mexico and has a destination charge of $790.
Get Up and Go The 1.8-liter engine mates very well to the redesigned continuously variable transmission. Acceleration is adequate and no more, but power delivery is seamless and nearly instantaneous. There's good pep off the line and decent passing punch. Add a few passengers or a load in the trunk and things slow down a bit. Overall, the powertrain impresses more with smoothness than power.
Fuel economy is a plus. Sentra carries a combined EPA rating of 34 mpg, which is a couple mpg better than most competitors. Part of the efficiency comes from a 150 weight reduction but perhaps the biggest contributor is the new CVT that offers a wide 7.3:1 gear ratio that's comparable with a seven-speed automatic.
Real-world driving backs up the impressive EPA ratings. Light-duty commuting will likely yield about 32 mpg overall and straight highway driving might net as high as 38 mpg.
On the Road All Sentra models get the same suspension and tires. No problem there as engineers have tuned the suspension to provide a comfortable and compliant ride with enough control to prevent unwanted bobbing or bouncing. Rough roads and expansion joints expose Sentra's economy-car roots, but not to the point where the ride becomes objectionable.
On the flip side, Sentra doesn't fee as nimble as some of its competitors. There's too much body lean in fast turns and tires have limited grip. Thankfully the steering is nicely weighted and had great road feel. Brakes have good stopping power, but four-wheel discs should be standard.
Regardless of model, Sentra is remarkably quiet. There's very little tire roar and wind noise is minimal. The engine quickly revs up when accelerating and passing and drones for a bit -- due to the design of the CVT -- but the noise is neither annoying nor gruff.
Behind the Wheel Sentra's interior feels pleasantly upscale compared to most vehicles in the class. There are plenty of soft-touch surfaces and the plastics seem to be a cut above the economy-car norm. The design is contemporary and modern, with a flowing dashboard excellent outward visibility.
Three-spoke steering wheel leaves plenty of room to see through to the large speedo and tach. Radio and climate controls are positioned high on the center stack. They are easy to reach and clearly marked. Optional navigation system adds to complexity but not to the point where functionality is diminished. Bluetooth integration was good and the available Pandora streaming feature worked very well with both iOS and Android -- although Apple doesn't allow full functionality through the car's radio unit..
Front seats are nicely bolstered and a cut above what you might expect for the class. Headroom is good, sunroof or not, and leg room acceptable -- as those taller than six foot might want a bit more rearward seat travel. Entry and exit isn't a problem thanks to large door openings.
Rear seat passengers will be surprised to find quite a bit of space. Head room is generous and leg room amongst the best in the class. The seats are comfortable and the driveline hump is minimal.
The new design creates a significantly roomier trunk -- 15.1 total cubic feet. That's quite large for a subcompact. Rear seats fold nearly flat and provide a wide and long cargo area that matches the space offered by some competitors' wagons. Interior storage is just adequate. Map pockets and center console are on the small side but the glovebox is quite large.
Bottom Line Sentra should be a great fit for most compact-car buyers. It blends exceptional rear-seat room and trunk space with excellent fuel economy and a host of tech features with an affordable price. While it isn't the most exciting car to drive, it offers a comfortable ride and competent road manners.
Specifications 2013 Nissan Sentra SL
| Dimensions
| 4-door sedan | Engine
| DOHC I4
| Wheelbase, in.
| 106.3 | Size, liters/cu. in.
| 1.8 / 110
| Length, in.
| 182.1
| Horsepower | 130 @ 6000
| | Width, in. | 69.3
| Torque (lb.-ft.)
| 128 @ 3600
| | Height, in. | 58.9
| Transmission | CVT Automatic
| Weight, lbs.
| 2851
| EPA MPG
| 30 city / 39 highway
| Cargo Capacity, cu. ft.
| 15.1 |
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| Fuel Capacity, gal.
| 13.2
| Warranty | Seating Capacity
| 5
| Bumper-to-Bumper
| 3 years / 36,000 miles
| Front Head Room, in.
| 39.4
| Powertrain
| 5 years / 60,000 miles
| Front Leg Room, in.
| 42.5
| Corrosion
| 5 years / Unlimited miles
| Second-Row Head Room, in.
| 36.7
| Free Roadside Assistance
| 3 years / 36,000 miles
| Second-Row Leg Room, in.
| 37.4
| Free Scheduled Maintenance
| None
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