Personal note here: Upon graduating from college, I picked up a brand-new Sentra SE-R. It was light, inexpensive and fast–the reigning D Stock autocross champ at the time, in fact.
Is this its spiritual successor? No.
But I’m not down on that. First, happy to see vehicles sold that still resemble traditional cars–you know, with a trunk and everything.
The latest Sentra is roomy front and back, easy to get in and out of and, I have to say, a bit striking looking.
More that I liked: real knobs for radio volume and interior temperature. I know, what a novelty, right?
First drive impressions?
Coming up in a few.
Last night’s trip: Orlando and back, so an hour each way. (Occasion: Circle Jerks and the Descendents live.)
First impression: CarPlay instantly synced up. No issues, no nothing. Totally plug and play. In 2024 you’d think that wouldn’t be so surprising yet here we are.
Seat bottoms feel a touch flat, although I seem to say that often. Seat backs felt good to me.
Yes to knobs!
Also yes to big, analog gauges.
Controls are logical–no hunting for the mirror controls, for example–and you get a traditional, mechanical shifter.
Bonus points for putting the starter button next to it.
That center console cubby is huge–I’ll get a pic soon.
Notes from my drive:
Not much road noise although a touch of wind noise noticed with the radio off. Is it a deal-breaker? Everything seems to have some. It didn’t bug me but just mentioning.
Quiet regarding tire noise.
Decent power. (Truth be told, I would have guessed a tick more than 149 horsepower.)
Okay, the biggie: Yes, it has a CVT. Does it feel like a CVT? Yep. Nissan’s CVTs have gotten better over time, but I can’t stop wishing for a traditional auto box or a twin-clutch setup. (I know that a manual is too much to wish for here.)
Will most people notice the difference? Likely not. Will you? Likely yep.
Gotta discuss the back seat: It’s roomy with enough headroom for me. (I’m like 5-foot-8, though.)
And me sitting behind me.
You get a USB plug, too.
I expected this to cost more, too. For $28k and change delivered, you get all of today’s expected safety electronics–blind spot monitoring, forward collision warning, rear cross-traffic alert, lane departure warning, high beam assist, etc.–plus heated seats, heated steering wheel, Wi-Fi hotspot, front “leatherette” seats, 18-inch alloys, carbon interior accents (I don’t mind them), and some sporty accents.
I see active ride control listed. I’d have to give the Sentra good marks in the ride department, especially considering the low-profile tires.
And, here, a close-up of the carbon interior accents.
Should have started with this game: Will it fit in the Sentra’s console cubbie? (Totally admit that these are objects I just grabbed from my garage.)
Hawk brake pads?
Answer: yes!
Quart of motor oil?
Easy.
Bottle of quick detail?
Yarp.
How about a tape gun?
It fits!
How about some actual dimensions?
Looks like the Sentra’s center console storage measures about 8.5 inches by 6.25 inches by about 10 inches deep. (The shape of the cover provides a little extra headroom.)
Pics because we all like pics:
I had a 91 Sentra SE-R that I purchased new. Loved it. This is not that. Still it looks nice and will probably be perfectly acceptable for most buyers. As you mentioned this would be transformed by a six speed manual. Most people don't want manuals anymore.....I do. I can't do a CVT no matter how good it's claimed to be.
Dootz
Reader
4/1/24 10:56 p.m.
Can you guys ask Nissan why they're being stubborn on not making a Nismo version? Just put in the Rogue's turbo-3! The Si desperately needs competition on the sub-$30k enthusiast category
Photography by David S. Wallens
