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| Home » Nissan Sentra News » 2007 Nissan Sentra 2.0 SL Review | ||
| 01/16/2007 SEE ALSO: Compare Nissan Models - Nissan Buyers Guide 2007 Nissan Sentra 2.0 SL Same old tune played to a new beat. By: Rex Roy Sometimes it just feels good to reminisce. It has a way of putting things in perspective. So come back with me to a simpler time, where there were just a few compact cars with names like Falcon and Nova. They came from places with names like Dearborn and Warren, or even Highland Park. These cars offered four-door body styles with room for five, economical powertrains, and basic amenities at affordable prices. A quick scan of today's compact market shows nearly three-dozen models from five countries ranging in price from the $9,000 to over $47,000. Cars at each end of this cost spectrum have almost nothing in common, making today's compact market a rich, vibrant and somewhat confusing. Sentra knows what it is The all-new 2007 Nissan Sentra, however, knows where it fits in the segment. It is not the cheapest, nor does it have any pretensions of being a small luxury sedan. In the author's view, it is a reincarnation of yesteryear's mainstream compacts Nissan's version of a Plymouth Valiant or AMC Rambler. With four doors, plenty of room inside, and loads of standard features, our Sentra 2.0 SL tester equates to a Dodge Dart Brougham. Less expensive Sentra models are available, with the base 2.0 model starting at $14,750 and the S model coming in at $15,650. The higher-performance SE-R model comes on line this spring. In line with its $19,015 sticker (including destination charges), our well-equipped SL model carries front, side, and side curtain airbags; ABS with brakeforce distribution; A/C with micro filter; power windows, mirrors, and locks; tilt steering column with radio and cruise controls; and a trip computer with tire pressure monitoring system. Interior qualities Inside, the quality of materials seemed in keeping with more expensive cars, with pleasant fabrics and nicely textured plastics. Comfort, fit and finish were on par with a recent Toyota Camry that passed through our fleet, while the materials seemed a step above the new Dodge Caliber and Jeep Compass. Even during a cold spell where temperatures fell below freezing, the Sentra's interior was surprisingly quiet and free annoying squeaks from the instrument cluster and trim assemblies. The gauges were easy to read, and the large LCD readout of the combined audio system and driver information center was appreciated by the colorblind and otherwise visually challenged author. This kind of attention to detailmaking things easy to use and familiarshowed up in many areas. In addition to how easily the rear seats folded, the cup holders in the center console had a simple adjusting mechanism to tailor its size to the cup you're holding. Prelude to driving Along with the aforementioned list of standards, the 2.0 SL also included what Nissan calls the Intelligent Key Keyless Ignition the engine accelerates in first gear the shift into second causes engine revs to drop and then rise again as speeds increase leading to third gear. The process is all quite normal to drivers used to transmissions with 3, 4, and 5 or more fixed gears. However, nail the throttle and the tach zooms up to 5,000 rpm and stays there. Your brain waits for the shift that never comes as the CVT manages its sliding gear ratios to keep the engine in the thick of its power band, maximizing acceleration. Weirdbut only until you're used to it. Then you'll love it, as the CVT is a significant contributor to the SL's mileage of 29 city/36 highway. Around town performance The powertrain performs well, and this performance is matched by the suspension. Fitted with struts up front and a torsion beam rear suspension, it handled everyday driving duties smoothly. Anti-sway bars at both ends keep body lean in check. The Goldie Locks ride strikes an excellent balance and never felt too soft or too firm. The front disc/rear drum brakes performed in kind, delivering sure stops and a very smooth transition into and out of the operation of the anti-lock braking system. In keeping with its pleasant generalist nature, when we pushed the Sentra SL hard into corners, the SL wasn't at its best. Arcing through high-speed corners, it tended to feel kind of springy like a hobby horse a condition we expect will be refined out the high-performance SE-R edition. To our surprise, the electric power steering provided decent feedback without the numbness we've experienced with other similar systems. All that's happening in Tennessee Nissan's a busy company these days. Along with launching the new Sentra, for 2007 they've also introduced the new Versa and Altima, all while moving the company's US headquarters from California to Tennessee. With all of this action going on, Nissan chief Carlos Gossen and his team have kept their eyes on the ball, and produced a solid compact that should make sense to a huge number of buyers. Just like the Dart, Nova, Falcon, and all rest. Base Price: $19,015 Engine: 2.0-liter I4 with 140 hp/147 lb-ft Drivetrain: CVT automatic, front-wheel drive Length x width x height: 179.8" x 70.5 x 59.5" Wheelbase: 108.7" Curb weight: 2991 lbs Fuel economy (EPA city/hwy): 29 city/ 36 highway Safety equipment: Front air bags, side airbags, side curtain air bags, anti-lock brakes, tire pressure monitoring system Major standard equipment: Air conditioning, remote keyless entry, keyless start, rear-window defroster, steering wheel radio controls, power windows, driver seat height adjustment, AM/FM/CD audio system, cruise control Warranty: Three years/36,000 miles bumper to bumper, five years/60,000 miles on powertrain components Autochannel |