Nissan Sentra 1.6 S CVT: Sensible and sportier

By Ghaith Madadha - Jul 15,2019 - Last updated at Jul 15,2019

Photos courtesy of Nissan

Positioned between similarly sized Japanese competitors like the Honda Civic and Toyota Corolla, and rugged, slightly smaller, and more affordable “world car” saloons like the Peugeot 301, Renault Logan and its own Sunny sister, the Nissan Sentra offers the best of both worlds.

Contemporary in design, yet spacious, it doesn’t sacrifice practicality at the altar of fashion, nor is it overburdened with what is unnecessary, but instead offers a “just right” package for Jordanian roads in terms of size, price, comfort, design and driving dynamic.

Styled to more cohesively fit in Nissan’s design language when first launched than smaller Sunny and Tiida sister models, and to better channel Nissan’s larger Altima and Maxima design elements, the Sentra offers similarly elegant and flowing lines.

Most similar in its fascia treatment, sporty wraparound front and rear lights, curvy front wheel-arch and subtly muscular bonnet, the Sentra’s roofline is cleverly design to flow towards its high-set boot. Nevertheless it retains a roomy, upright cabin with a generous glasshouse for visibility and an airy ambiance.

Seamless and efficient

Powered by either 1.8- and 1.6-litre naturally-aspirated four-cylinder engines regionally, and with a choice of continuously variable transmission (CVT) or a 6-speed manual gearbox driving the front wheels in the latter version, the Sentra offers progressive delivery, decent refinement and sound insulation.

Driven in 1.6 guise, it develops 113BHP at 5600rpm and 113lb/ft at around 4000rpm, and is estimated to be capable of 0-100km/h in around 11-seconds. During extensive, varied and sometimes demanding test drive conditions on Jordanian roads, it also delivered frugal real world fuel efficiency.

Responsive from idle, versatile in mid-range and confident keeping pace on highway and in town, the Sentra’s engine seems perky and willing to rev high in its own right. Ultra smooth, highly fuel efficient, and one of the better CVT systems, the Sentra’s CVT transmission inherently trades off some element of driver control in regards exact ratio changes, for efficiency, and is tuned to favour maintaining mid-range engine speeds in most situations. However, selecting “L” mode, it more readily unleashes higher revs for more power.

Unexpectedly engaging

More suitable for most drivers in Jordan for its seemingly seamless ratio changes and fuel efficiency, the Sentra’s CVT well suits what a first impression of a mild-mannered, comfortable, smooth and easy daily drive saloon. However, given more sporting handling abilities that became more apparent on narrow, snaking and textured Jordanian roads, compared to straight, smooth and wide Dubai roads where first driven in 2013, it becomes tempting to trade some CVT benefits for the manual gearbox Sentra’s greater driver involvement and performance, and lower price.

Seemingly shrinking around the driver and becoming sharper once put through its pace on narrower country lanes, the Sentra isn’t overtly sporty but soon instils confidence in its unexpected handling ability and eager in-segment clarity. Turning in tidy and crisp with little indication of under-steer, the Sentra happily tucks and weaves through switchbacks, with its good visibility, relatively narrow body making it easy to place. Predictable yet nippy and fun, it well copes with tight and fast corners, while comparatively narrow tyres help steering accuracy and feel.

Supple and spacious

Well-damped on centre for reassuring highway stability, the Sentra’s light yet tall-geared steering however becomes more delicate and communicative when loaded through corners. Refined and settled if slightly alert at speed, the Sentra is set up for supple comfort over lumps, bumps and cracks, yet doesn’t alienate the driver from road conditions and remains alert through corners and vertically settled on rebound, while cornering lean is well managed. Restrained 195/60R16 tyres meanwhile also well absorb road imperfections and durably cope with rougher patches of tarmac.

Pleasantly airy and unostentatious inside, the Sentra’s cabin features nice subtle and functionally user-friendly design elements and layouts. Materials include soft surfaces in prominent places and more discrete hard plastics. Driven in entry-level S trim with comfortable fabric upholstery and best in dark cabin colours, standard equipment includes A/C, electric windows and mirrors, CD player, remote central locking and more. Comparatively spacious in front and rear head and legroom and with generous 510-litre luggage capacity, the Sentra betters many competitors and some larger, fancier yet lower roof cars.

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS