2017 Nissan Sentra NISMO Road Test and Review

2017 Nissan Sentra NISMO cockpit ・ Photo by Nissan

Perennially popular, the sporty, roomy and reliable 2017 Nissan Sentra sedan is consistently one of America’s best-selling cars. It’s a favorite in the extremely competitive compact sedan segment with a well-earned reputation for high style, comfortable interiors, and a fun-to-drive character. 

Last year, the Sentra received a long list of improvements, including measurable enhancements in style, comfort, and performance. It also has one of the largest interiors in its class. The result is the most comfortable and family-friendly Sentra since the model first appeared way back in 1992.

Now in its seventh generation, the new Nissan Sentra, which is assembled in Aguascalientes, Mexico, competes successfully against a long list of high-quality, high-value sedans, including the Honda Civic, Toyota Corolla, Hyundai Elantra, Ford Focus and Chevy Cruze.

Let's take a closer look at the 2017 Nissan Sentra.

Models and Pricing

There are seven Sentra models to choose from, S with a 6-speed manual transmission, S with an automatic transmission, SV, SR, SL, SR Turbo, and NISMO. Prices start at $16,990 and top out at $24,990 for the NISMO model with an automatic transmission, like our test vehicle.

Although the S trim level with the automatic transmission is very popular, stepping up to the Sentra SV gets you a long list of desirable upgrades, including keyless entry, a rearview monitor, satellite radio, a front armrest, Bluetooth streaming audio, hands-free text messaging, and a leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob.

The top-of-the-line Sentra SL adds luxuries including leather seats, a power driver's seat, heated front seats, piano black door/console trim, an auto-dimming mirror, and dual-zone automatic temperature control.

The S, SV and SL models feature a normally aspirated 124-horsepower (130-hp in the S with the 6-speed manual) 1.8-liter 4-cylinder engine. Every Sentra is front-wheel drive. Automatic transmission models get the same CVT-type unit Nissan installs in most of its models, including the Altima, Maxima and Pathfinder. No hybrid model is available.

Drivers want the new Sentra SR Turbo model or the Sentra NISMO. These performance models are powered by a 1.6-liter turbocharged inline 4-cylinder engine rated at 188 hp. They’re both available with either a 6-speed manual or a sport-tuned version of the CVT automatic transmission, and both get upgrades to their suspensions, steering, and front brakes. Prices for these models start at $21,990 for an SR with the 6-speed manual.

Photo by Nissan

What is NISMO?

NISMO isn’t exactly a household name in America, but it’s becoming more and more popular with car enthusiasts.

It stands for Nissan Motorsports International, and it was founded in September 1984 as a specialist company to support Nissan's extensive motorsports endeavors. Over the last decade, in an effort to increase their performance and image of Nissan’s street cars, the NISMO name has been used publicly as the engineers began applying some of the technology from the racing programs to production models.

Think of NISMO as an in-house tuner or hot rod shop, like BMW’s M division, known for cars like the M3 and M5, or AMG at Mercedes-Benz or Cadillac’s V-Series program. So far, the GT-R NISMO, JUKE NISMO, 370Z NISMO, and Sentra NISMO have reached the American market in small numbers.

Photo by Nissan

Conservative Exterior Design

Although Nissan’s designers have a well-earned reputation for creating daring designs that set trends and break barriers, the exterior design of the 2017 Sentra isn’t as radical as some cars in the compact class.

The Sentra is attractive, with a unique combination of athletic curves and an aggressively sloped nose, but it’s on the conservative side compared to Nissan’s other offerings, especially the Maxima sedan and Murano and Juke SUVs.

Due to its substantial size and long wheelbase, from the curb, the Sentra can almost pass for a midsize. Its best view is certainly from the front, with its aggressive V-shaped grille and shapely fenders. Unfortunately, it looks a bit tall and narrow when viewed from the rear, but I like Nissan’s use of brightwork around the windows, which adds some upscale style.  

The more aggressively styled SR Turbo model is particularly striking thanks to larger wheels, lower body side sill extensions, and rear spoiler. And the NISMO model goes full boy-racer with red accents, a black grille, and even more aggressive front, side and rear bodywork.

Photo by Nissan

Well Detailed Interior

Nissan’s designers always pay attention to the details, and the interior of the Sentra offers quality materials and high build quality. Its design isn’t as modern as some in the class, but its control placement is near perfect and its comfort and functionality get high marks. I also appreciate the small piece of trim worn by most of the Sentra’s knobs and switches. It’s a nice touch of luxury.

Visibility is also very good; however, the A-pillars on either side of the windshield seem to be thicker than they need to be. Thanks to the height-adjustable seat and tilt and telescopic steering wheel, there’s a perfect driving position for everyone, even shorter drivers.

The interior of our Sentra NISMO test vehicle was only made better by the model’s incredibly comfortable racing-style seats, its suede-covered steering wheel, and the cool red stitching throughout.

Photo by Nissan

Not For the Tech Junkie

If you’re a hardcore tech junkie, you may want to shop other sedans, although the Sentra does cover the tech basics many buyers are looking for. Bluetooth is standard across the board; unfortunately, the Sentra’s standard touchscreen is small, at only 5 inches.

An optional 5.8-inch color touchscreen is standard on Sentra SL and available on SV, SR and NISMO. It comes with the additional functionality of navigation with traffic information, voice recognition, hands-free text messaging, streaming audio, and mobile apps. It may sound intimidating, but it’s all very intuitive to use.

Further advanced technology is found in the Sentra’s optional active safety systems. Blind spot warning, rear cross traffic alert, and forward emergency braking are available on some trim levels. Adaptive cruise control, which can maintain a selected distance from the car in front of you, is also available.

Photo by Nissan

How it Drives

Around town, the Sentra’s compliant ride, good visibility, and comfortable interior are appreciated. There’s also adequate power for most driving situations; however, merging on the highway with five adults on board may require a little planning and full throttle. Unfortunately, the standard 1.8-liter 4-cylinder engine gets a little rough as the rpm climb.

Speed is not a problem for the Sentra SR Turbo or Sentra NISMO, like our test vehicle. With 188 hp, these turbocharged models are plenty quick and much more fun to drive. Their turbocharged engine also feels better when you rev it out.

The Sentra’s steering is nicely communicative and its brakes provide good feel and strong stopping ability. And once up to speed, the sedan’s interior remains quiet on the highway.

Handling is not class leading, even in NISMO trim. The Sentra still uses a dated rear suspension design that keeps it from setting that standard. But it does handle well and our NISMO test vehicle, which wore large 18-inch Michelin tires, had plenty of grip and was fun to toss around.

Photo by Nissan

Cargo and Cupholders

At 15.1 cubic feet, the Sentra’s trunk space is also among the class leaders and is as much cargo space offered in many larger midsize sedans. If more is needed, every Sentra comes standard with 60/40-split fold-down rear seats, which are easily manipulated for your needs.

Storage inside the Sentra’s interior is also plentiful and well thought out. The center console bin and door pockets are large enough and the two front seat cupholders are well-placed so tall drinks don’t interfere with any of the switchgear. Two rear cupholders are integrated into the fold-down armrest, which occupies the center seat when in use.

Photo by Nissan

Family Friendly

The Sentra’s interior is one of the largest in its class. It offers seating for five with plenty of rear head- and legroom for sprouting teenagers. Unfortunately, there’s no onboard Wi-Fi, which is standard in the Chevy Cruze. Younger families will appreciate the Sentra’s easy-to-reach LATCH connectors in the outboard seats' easily-accessed upper tether anchors.

The Sentra’s fuel economy is also admirable. With the 124-hp 4-cylinder engine, the Sentra is rated 29 mpg city and 37 mpg highway. With the 188-hp turbocharged engine used in the SR Turbo and NISMO models, it’s rated 27 mpg city and 33 mpg highway. 

In crash testing, the Sentra scored a Top Safety Pick by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety and it earned a crash test rating of 4 stars from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Other cars in the class do have better ratings.

And better warranties. The Sentra’s 3-year/36,000-mile bumper-to-bumper warranty and 5-year/60,000-mile powertrain warranty is competitive in the class. However, the Hyundai Elantra and Kia Forte come with a 5-year/60,000-mile bumper-to-bumper warranty and a 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain coverage.

Photo by Nissan

Final Thoughts

If you can, step up to the 188-hp turbocharged engine in the new SR Turbo trim level. Although the 124-hp f4-cylinder engine in the S, SL and SV is enough for most buyers, the additional performance that comes with the turbocharged engine is worth the added cost and the fuel economy penalty. 

Still, the Sentra is still no sports sedan. And it’s not really trying to be. It’s a comfortable, stylish, family friendly, high-value entrant in the very competitive compact sedan class. Its large interior, huge trunk, and long list of features packed into an affordable package keep the Sentra’s appeal broad and its sales strong year after year. It’s a winning formula.

Photo by Nissan