2012 NISSAN Sentra 1.8L CVT (130 HP)

Vehicle Overview

During the world financial crisis, Nissan understood that fuel economy was essential for customers, and it transformed the Sentra lineup, offering it as a great commuter car.

The days when the Sentra, especially the SE-R version, was a highly appreciated tuners’ car were gone. Those who were teenagers in those times were already grown-ups, driving their kids to schools and themselves to their jobs. So, they needed a fuel-efficient vehicle, and the Sentra was just the nameplate they recalled from their college years. While it didn’t provide the same thrills as before, it was a friendlier, family-oriented vehicle.

Nissan’s design department used the same V-platform from the Tiida/Versa lineup and reshaped the bodywork. Its front fascia featured a chromed grille at the front and angular headlights with a curved upper side. Its front bumper featured an A-shaped lower grille flanked by two scoops for the fog lamps. It didn’t look menacing at all. Its profile was rather bland due to its proportions. Surprisingly, the rear was the most daring-looking part of the vehicle, with the taillights spread between the rear quarter panels and the trunk, with a chromed slat between them.

The cabin offered room for up to five passengers, with two bucket seats at the front separated by a tall center console, while the rear bench featured three headrests. The center tunnel obstructed the middle passenger’s legroom, but there was some decent room for the outboard passengers. Nissan tried to create a complete dashboard, with two dials and an LCD for the onboard computer in the instrument cluster, while the center stack hosted the infotainment system offered as an option.

Under the hood, the 2013 Sentra got a 1.8-liter powerplant paired with a six-speed manual or a CVT and sent the power to the front wheels only.