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    The 2021 Nissan Sentra isn’t a benchwarmer, but it’s not quite a benchmark

    Long an also-ran, immediately’s Sentra is healthful and surprisingly fashionable.
    Sean Szymkowski/Roadshow
    It’s been a very long time for the reason that Nissan Sentra might be thought of not only a “cool car,” however a genuinely good automobile. Thankfully, the parents contained in the Japanese automaker have hashed out a successful formulation with hanging seems to be, a lofty options listing and a cushty bundle with worth in addition. Some rivals could have an edge right here or there, however by and enormous, the Sentra is squarely again within the sport.

    LikeQuite fashionable in its personal rightSeriously comfy seats for lengthy drivesLots of options for a good worth

    Don’t LikeScatterbrained transmissionDated infotainment

    There’s one thing inherently charming about this little compact. Right from the beginning, the 2021 Nissan Sentra oozes an attraction all its personal. It would not appear like one other engaging automobile, the sedan is solely its personal factor. If something, there’s a number of mini-Maxima happening right here, slightly than shrunken Altima, which I feel is an excellent factor. Nissan’s V-Motion grille sits proudly up entrance with chrome and black accents connecting to edgy headlights. This Sentra SR trim boasts the elective Premium Package, which amongst options we’ll discuss later, provides sharp LED headlamps and premium daytime operating lights, too. At evening, they provide a number of perspective, and my tester even sports activities underglow lights. Yes, like, manufacturing facility stuff straight out of a Fast and Furious flick. The elective lighting bundle tosses some white lights beneath, which look actually nice paired with this tester’s two-tone Electric Blue Metallic and black paint scheme.Out again, household ties to the Altima are extra clear with an identical taillight therapy, although the Sentra nonetheless rocks its personal look with a widened stance and this SR trim’s sportier single exhaust outlet. A small spoiler continues to flirt with the weight loss program Fast and Furious allure, and 18-inch alloy wheels assist fill the trendy profile in.

    Those seems to be do not essentially translate to sporty efficiency, however the Sentra’s wholly able to serving as a stupendous each day driver. Under the hood is a naturally aspirated 2.0-liter inline-four engine matched with Nissan’s XTronic constantly variable transmission, which incorporates simulated “shifts” to assist drivers attempt to overlook it is not a CVT. It’s not fooling anybody, I promise. In truth, I discovered CVT to be the bottom level of the Sentra’s total bundle whereas zipping round. From a cease, the XTronic invitations a surge of low-end torque. While snappy, the momentum created can really feel like a case of the cart getting forward of the horse. The “shift points” stay scattered, too. Embrace the CVT and let it rev, I say. Otherwise, the inline-four hums alongside with out complaints and returns an EPA-estimated 28 mpg metropolis, 37 mpg freeway and 32 mpg mixed. The engine’s 149 horsepower and 146 pound-feet of torque are greater than able to scooting the compact sedan round.Driving the Sentra stays clean in relation to dealing with, too, because of a brand new multilink impartial rear suspension and shocking sure-footed traits when cornering. The steering surprises as nicely, with a pure weighted really feel. The Honda Civic and Mazda3 cater extra to fanatic drivers, however the Sentra is not sure to the rental lot anymore, associates.

    Pleasingly helpful, however with a modicum of favor.
    Sean Szymkowski/Roadshow
    Plopping down inside reveals one ace up the Sentra’s sleeve — actually as you sit down. Nissan’s Zero Gravity seats are silly comfortable and wonderful for lengthy stints behind the wheel. The inside’s additionally dressed up appropriately within the SR trim with some fake carbon fiber accents, contrasting orange stitching and tender supplies the place your fingers sometimes relaxation within the cockpit. The flat-bottom steering wheel can be a pleasant contact and feels at residence right here.

    What I am keen on concerning the Sentra’s inside is how easy it’s. Yes, the Hyundai Elantra wows with an enormous show display screen and digital gauges, however you already know what? Physical buttons and analog gauges nonetheless work, and so they work very well within the Sentra. Everything sits inside attain and designers laid all of the controls out in easy style. There are a few screens to maintain up with the tech style. In between the 2 gauges within the cluster is a 7-inch driver-information display screen that showcases important data clearly, whereas an 8-inch touchscreen on the SR trim handles infotainment duties. The infotainment seems to be a tad dated and it would not evaluate to sexier shows like within the aforementioned Elantra, nevertheless it works moderately nicely, save for the occasional enter lag. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto (wired) come alongside for the journey, as do baked-in SiriusXM and Bluetooth capabilities. Crank the amount knob and audio funnels by means of an elective six-speaker Bose audio system. It’s an sufficient improve for many who wish to jam behind the wheel, however do not anticipate home-theater-like crispness.The value-laden 2021 Nissan Sentra has obtained your again, Jack.
    Nissan
    Keeping with modern-day tech, Nissan’s Safety Shield 360 experiences for responsibility as normal tools on all Sentras. Automatic emergency braking, blind-spot alerts and the standard slew of active-safety tools are all current and accounted for. The obtainable 360-degree digital camera protection can be a pleasant bonus for the section. Gladly, these options all work nicely, too — I noticed no hiccups whereas driving the sedan round city and on the freeway. The SR trim additionally contains elective adaptive cruise management which will get A-OK marks from me. I did not expertise a single difficulty throughout its time energetic.The 2021 Nissan Sentra makes a powerful case for itself, and never as a result of it merely ticks a number of containers compact automobile consumers search for. With this tester’s $25,910 worth after a $925 vacation spot cost, the Sentra SR will not go away you eager for extra tools. More inside model? Maybe, however Nissan’s compact automobile lastly feels prefer it has some persona once more to go together with its sturdy worth play. And as SUVs proceed to reign supreme, why not be a bit extra of an individualist and go together with a sedan?

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