2020 Nissan Sentra

2020 Nissan Sentra review: Our expert's take

One of the traps that’s easy to fall into when reviewing cars is to flatter the redesigned car in comparison with the older model. Sometimes something is improved and competitive again, but little more. I was aware of this potential trap when stepping into the redesigned 2020 Nissan Sentra because the outgoing Sentra generation was … not good.

Related: 2020 Nissan Sentra Brings Altima Looks to Compact Class

Not to speak too ill of the dead, but there wasn’t much of a case to be made for the Sentra; a subpar driving experience, awkward styling and a lack of safety features on lower trim levels will do that. The new Sentra seems not only to have fixed those problems, it also swings the needle back in the other direction — the 2020 edition is not just improved, it’s good.

How It Drives

The Sentra rides on a new platform with a new engine under the hood, and we’ll start with what works well: the platform. The first thing I noticed when the Sentra got moving was sterling ride quality. Seriously, it glides along the road and even hitting every bump I could find on Malibu, Calif.’s well-paved roads failed to upset it. And it doesn’t just ride comfortably, it also feels sharp in curves. A multilink independent rear suspension, replacing the old semi-independent torsion beam, is very much a change for the better.

The canyon roads near the Pacific Coast Highway provide a challenging environment for any vehicle, but the Sentra held up well. Body roll is controlled and even when pushed, the nose turns in quickly and the rest of the car marches in sync. Helping this along is a good dose of steering feedback: The wheel has proper weight and does an excellent job of communicating what the front wheels are doing. It’s a shocking turn of events for a car that used to be sloppy and unpleasant in this regard.

• Cruise Control
• Cruise Control
• 3-Point Seat Belts in All Positions
• Air Conditioning: Manual
• Air Conditioning: Micron air filter
• Airbag - Driver: Dual-stage
• Airbag - Front Driver Side: Seat mounted
• Airbag - Front Passenger Side: Seat mounted
• Airbag - Front Passenger: Dual-stage
• Airbag - Occupant Sensor: Occupant Classification System
• Airbag - Occupant Sensor: Seat belt
• Airbags: Advanced Airbag System
• Airbags: Side Curtain
• Airbags: Side-Impact
• Airbags: Supplemental Restraint System
• Alternator - Maximum Capacity (amps): 150
• Antenna: Integrated
• Armrests: Center
• Armrests: Front
• Armrests: Sliding
• Armrests: Storage
• Assist Handle(s)
• Audio - CD/MP3: CD
• Audio - CD/MP3: MP3
• Audio - Radio: AM/FM
• Audio - Speakers: 4
• Audio: Controls - voice-activated
• Audio: Digital media auxiliary jack
• Audio: iPod adapter
• Audio: Radio Data System (RDS)
• Audio: Volume - speed sensing
• Body Panels: Unibody
• Brakes - ABS: 4-channel
• Brakes - ABS: 4-sensor
• Brakes - Front: Disc
• Brakes - Rear: Drum
• Brakes: 4-wheel
• Brakes: Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB)
• Brakes: Electronic Brake Distribution (EBD)
• Brakes: Power-assisted
• Brakes: Quick Brake Assist
• Cam Configuration: DOHC
• Capabilities/Wiring: USB port
• Cargo Volume (cu ft): 14.3
• Child Safety Features: Locks - rear doors
• Child Seat Anchors: LATCH
• Clutch: Shifter interlock
• Communication: Bluetooth - hands-free phone
• Consoles: Center
• Consoles: Storage
• Crash Sensors: Pedestrian Protection
• Cupholders: 4
• Cylinder Block Material: Cast aluminum
• Cylinder Configuration: I
• Cylinder Head material: Cast aluminum
• Cylinders: 4
• Defoggers: Programmed
• Defoggers: Rear
• Displacement: 2.0
• Displays: Eco Drive indicator
• Displays: Engine temperature
• Displays: LCD - color
• Displays: Low fuel indicator
• Displays: Multi-information
• Displays: Outside temperature
• Displays: Touch Screen
• Door Handles: Body-color
• Drive System: Front Wheel
• Emergency Trunk Release
• Emissions: LEV III
• Emissions: ULEV 125
• Energy Absorbing Features: Steering column
• Energy Crumple Zones
• Estimated Fuel Economy (hwy miles): 39
• Exhaust: Single
• Exhaust: Stainless steel muffler & tailpipe
• Frame: Reinforcement
• Fuel Delivery: Direct injection
• Fuel Type: Gas
• Grille: Chrome
• Head Restraints: Adjustable - front
• Head Room - Rear (in): 36.7
• Headlights: Automatic
• Headlights: Halogen
• Headlights: High beam
• Height (in): 56.9
• Hip Room - Front (in): 53.5
• Ignition: Nissan Direct Ignition (NDIS)
• Ignition: Push-button start
• Immobilizing System
• Instrument Panels: Color illumination
• Instrument Panels: Speedometer
• Instrument Panels: Tachometer
• Instrument Panels: Trip odometer(s)
• Knee Bolsters: Driver
• Knee Bolsters: Front passenger
• Leg Room - Rear (in): 37.4
• Lights: Cargo
• Lights: Dual
• Lights: Map - front
• Lights: Overhead
• Locks: Automatic
• Manual/Automatic: A
• Mfr Trademark: Cross Traffic Alert
• Mfr Trademark: CVT
• Mfr Trademark: CVTCS
• Mfr Trademark: Forward Collision Warning
• Mfr Trademark: Xtronic
• Mirrors: Body-color
• Mirrors: Manual dimming
• Mirrors: Power
• Mirrors: Rearview
• Monitors: Blind Spot Assist
• Monitors: Easy Fill Tire Alert
• Monitors: Lane Departure System
• Monitors: Rear Occupant Alert
• Monitors: Tire pressure
• Parking Features: Display - rearview
• Power Locks: Door
• Power Locks: Speed-sensitive
• Power Outlet(s): 12-volt
• Remote Keyless Entry
• Remote Releases: Fuel filler door
• Remote Releases: Trunk
• Rollback Protection: Hill-start Assist Control (HAC)
• Rollover Protection: Sensors
• Safety Belt Systems: Adjustable shoulder - front
• Safety Belt Systems: ALR - passenger
• Safety Belt Systems: ELR
• Safety Belt Systems: Load Limiters - front
• Safety Belt Systems: Pretensioners - front
• Seating Capacity: 5
• Seats - Driver: 6-way adjuster - manual
• Seats - Front: Buckets
• Seats - Passenger: 4-way adjuster - manual
• Seats - Rear: 60/40 split-folding
• Seats - Rear: Bench
• Security Systems: Vehicle Security System (VSS)
• Shifter: Steering wheel controls
• Shock Absorbers: Twin-tube
• Shoulder Room - Rear (in): 54.5
• Springs: Coil - front
• Stabilizer Bar: Front & rear
• Steering Column: Manual
• Steering Column: Tilt/telescoping
• Steering Ratio - overall: 15.3
• Steering Wheel: Controls - audio
• Steering Wheel: Controls - cruise
• Steering Wheel: Controls - phone
• Steering Wheel: Multi-spoke
• Steering Wheel: Urethane
• Steering: Electric Power Steering (EPS)
• Steering: Speed-sensitive
• Storage: Glovebox
• Storage: Pockets - door
• Struts: Front
• Tire Size - Spare: Temporary
• Tire Size: 205/60R16
• Tires: All Season
• Traction Control: Traction Control System (TCS)
• Traction Control: Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC)
• Transverse
• Tread Width - Front (in): 62.6
• Turning diameter (curb to curb) (ft): 38.1
• Type - Rear: Active Steer System
• Type - Rear: Multi-link
• Type: Active Ride Control
• Type: Independent
• Underbody: Undercoating & anti-corrosion treatment
• Upholstery: Cloth
• Valves: 16
• Visors: Extendable
• Visors: Mirror
• Washers: Mist
• Wheel Material: Steel
• Wheel Size: 16"
• Wheels: Covers
• Width (in): 71.5
• Windows: Power
• Wipers: Variable intermittent
• Base Curb Weight (lbs): 3047
• Estimated Fuel Economy (city miles): 29
• Estimated Fuel Economy (combined miles): 33
• Fuel Capacity (gal): 12.4
• Ground Clearance (min in): 4.8
• Head Room - Front (in): 37.5
• Hip Room - Rear (in): 53.3
• Leg Room - Front (in): 44.0
• Length (in): 182.7
• Passenger Volume (cu ft): 96.0
• Shoulder Room - Front (in): 56.4
• Steering wheel turns (lock-to-lock): 2.53
• Tread Width - Rear (in): 62.8
• Wheelbase (in): 106.8
• Bore (in): 3.31
• Compression Ratio: 10.6
• Cooling System Capacity (qts): 7.6
• Horsepower @ RPM: 149 @ 6400
• Oil Capacity (qts): 4.3
• Order Guide Code: MR20DD
• Stroke (in): 3.55
• Torque @ RPM: 146 @ 4400
• Final Drive Axle Ratio: 5.09
• Reverse Ratio: 1.80
• Battery: 63-AH
• Emissions: 2-way catalytic converter
• Monitors: Intelligent Driver Alertness (I-DA)
• Traction Control: Active Trace Control