Test Drive: 2016 Nissan Sentra SR

Published 12:00 am Friday, June 10, 2016

I had driven the 2016 Nissan Sentra for about a day before I took a close look at the factory build sheet and did a double take over the price. Not because it was so high, which sometimes happens, but because it was so low.

By the time I checked out the price, I was already impressed with the good looks, ample interior space, smooth ride and high mileage of the Sentra. My positive feelings were reinforced by multiple features in the option packages that came with the car, such as the 17-inch alloy wheels and sport body kit of the SR package, the leather bucket seats and 8-speaker BOSE stereo system of the Premium Package, and the Intelligent Cruise Control and Forward Emergency Braking system of the Technology Package.

What I wasn’t expecting was the price — $25,245 for all that and more, making even a well equipped Sentra one of today’s best automotive bargains.

Although the Sentra is Nissan’s compact car, it has as much interior room as some mid-size vehicles, especially in the back seat. And although it is only available with a 1.8-liter inline four cylinder engine, the Continuously Variable Transmission in our test model squeezed everything possible out of it.

Nissan has worked wonders with its Xtronic transmission, getting it to perform more like a conventional automatic while still helping to deliver the high mileage of CVTs. It also comes with three drive modes: Eco, for maximum mileage; Normal, for better acceleration; and Sport, which actually makes the tiny engine feel downright peppy.

OK, so even in Sport mode, the Sentra won’t be mistaken for a serious sport sedan. But as a practical day-to-day driver, it’s hard to beat — especially considering the base S model starts at under $17,000 with a standard six-speed manual transmission.

More than most automakers, Nissan has done a good job coming up with a distinctive corporate look for its lineup in recent years. From the subcompact Versa to the full-size Maxima, they all share exterior styling cues that are both fluid and substantial looking. With its low front grill, additional rocker panels and rear spoiler, our Sentra SR looked too aggressive to be an economy car, although that’s what it actually is.

The interior design is a little more restrained, but all of the controls were easy to find and use. The 5.8-inch touchscreen was a little smaller than those in some other cars, but it was big enough for the rear view camera to be useful. And the air conditioner was surprisingly powerful for such an inexpensive car.

Like most companies, Nissan offers a lot of automotive technologies, with most available in the higher trim levels or though option packages. They include such desirable features as Blind Sport Warning and Rear Cross Traffic Alert systems. But at least the most expensive models don’t cost all that much.

Sales of smaller cars are down because of lower gas prices. But that doesn’t mean you have to buy bigger ones. The 2016 Sentra has a lot to offer, and gas prices aren’t going to stay low forever. We got better than the EPA average of 32 miles per gallon in a week of mixed driving, which will look even better when high fuel prices return.

2016 Nissan Sentra

Base price: $16,780

Price as tested: $25,245

Type: Compact sedan

Engine: 1.8-liter inline 4 (130 hp, 128 lbs-ft)

Transmissions: Six-speed manual; Continuously Variable Transmission

EPA estimated mileage: 29/38 (as tested)

Overall length: 182.1 to 182.5 inches

Curb weight: 2,848 to 2,943 pounds

Final assembly: Aguas, Mexico