Fresh from a major makeover the previous year, the 2017 Nissan Sentra continues to improve by adding a new turbocharged engine option and a sporty NISMO edition. In a segment quickly filling with newer competitors, Nissan has decided to play to the Sentra’s strengths, those being its comfortable ride, affordable price and huge interior. In fact, the compact Nissan Sentra is so roomy the EPA actually categorizes it as a midsize sedan. The Sentra is also impressively fuel efficient, yielding an estimated 29 miles per gallon in the city and 38 mpg on the highway. Of course, competitors such as the new Honda Civic, Chevrolet Cruze and Toyota Corolla are also growing in size, efficiency and power, giving consumers a lot to think about. One potential drawback is that the Sentra’s standard 1.8-liter engine is less powerful than almost everything else in its class. That might not mean much to those who care more about fuel economy than power — until the need to overtake slower-moving traffic or merge onto a busy freeway arises, in which case the turbo model should be given serious consideration.

Autotrader’s Advice:

As Nissan rightly points out in its marketing materials, the Sentra is a good deal, with even the SL starting at a hair over $22,000 (when new). We’d make ours an SV with the Driver Assist, All Weather and Style packages, and we’d still be out the door with an MSRP of just under $21,800 (when new). That’s refreshing. For those wanting a bit more power, the SR Turbo with the Premium Technology package is a really sweet deal.

What We Like:

Spacious interior; strong fuel economy; agreeable ride; attractively priced; user-friendly navigation and instruments; high-tech safety and infotainment features; sporty new NISMO trim

What We Don’t:

Non-turbo models not particularly quick; no 5-door hatchback model; lacks some flashier color options offered on other makes

Original MSRP:

$17,855-$28,000 (when new).

MPG:

Fuel economy estimates for SV, SL and SR models with the CVT are very good, at 29 mpg city/37 mpg hwy. The S with the 6-speed manual returns a slightly lower 27 mpg city and 35 mpg hwy. In the turbo models, the 6-speed manual earns 26 mpg city/32 mpg hwy, while the CVT ups those figures to 27 mpg city/33 mpg hwy.

Standard Features and Options:

The 2017 Nissan Sentra is offered in six trims: S, SV, SR, SR Turbo, NISMO and SL.

The 2017 Nissan Sentra S ($17,855, when new) includes a 6-speed manual transmission, 16-inch steel wheels with plastic covers, LED headlight and taillight accents, power windows and door locks, air conditioning, a tilt-telescopic steering wheel, Bluetooth, cruise control, a height-adjustable driver’s seat and a 4-speaker audio system with a USB and auxiliary audio jack.

The 2017 Nissan Sentra SV ($19,655, when new) features a 6-speaker touchscreen audio system, illuminated steering-wheel-mounted audio controls, Intelligent Key with push-button start, a 5-in driver information screen, a rearview camera, NissanConnect, Siri Eyes Free (requires an Apple smartphone), a security system and upgraded cloth trim.

The 2017 Nissan Sentra SR ($20,855, when new) includes unique 17-in alloy wheels, more aggressive front and rear fascias, side-sill extensions, a rear spoiler, fog lights, LED low-beam headlights, rear disc brakes, a chrome exhaust tip, and heated front seats and side mirrors, plus unique sport cloth upholstery.

The 2017 Nissan Sentra SR Turbo ($22,855, when new) builds on the the SR’s features with stiffer springs and dampers, revised electronic steering settings and larger brakes. A power sunroof is standard.

The 2017 Nissan Sentra SL ($22,365, when new) is stocked with different 17-in alloys, automatic headlights, heated exterior mirrors with integrated LED turn signals, keyless entry with push-button start, a leather steering-wheel and shift-knob trim, a 6-way power driver’s seat with 2-way power lumbar support, heated front seats, leather seating surfaces, Piano Black interior accents, dual-zone automatic climate control, a 5.8-in color touchscreen with SiriusXM radio (subscription sold separately) and USB/Bluetooth connectivity. Also standard is a blind spot monitoring system, rear cross-traffic alert and NissanConnect with navigation and mobile apps.

The 2017 Nissan Sentra NISMO ($25,855, when new) brings unique NISMO exterior and interior design elements, the 1.6-liter turbocharged engine, a stiffer chassis, upgraded brakes and suspension, and 18-in NISMO 10-spoke alloy wheels.

Safety:

The 2017 Nissan Sentra comes with anti-lock brakes that use front discs and rear drums. Rear drum brakes, which are cheaper and simpler than disc brakes, are a common feature on entry-level economy cars, but you’ll want discs if possible. To that end, note that the Sentra S and SV models come only with rear drums, while the SR, SL and NISMO models feature discs all around. Every Sentra is outfitted with six airbags — front, front-side and full-length side-curtain. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration gave the 2017 Nissan Sentra an overall score of four out of five stars, with four stars awarded in the front and rollover tests and five stars in the side-impact test. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety gave the Sentra a Good score in all of its crash tests — including a Superior score in the crash-avoidance and mitigation tests — and lists the Sentra as a Top Safety Pick.

Behind the Wheel:

Unlike some rivals, the Sentra SL doesn’t aspire to be sporty or aggressive on the road. Even the smartly dressed SR is really the same agreeable Sentra underneath. This Nissan just provides comfortable basic transportation highlighted by a relatively quiet, compliant ride. Handling is adequately composed in emergency maneuvers, but the Sentra is all about setting it and forgetting it. If you’re simply looking for an affordable sedan that’ll get you through the daily commute with minimal fuss, the 2017 Sentra hits most of the right notes. Move up to the turbocharged SR and NISMO models, however, and the story gets a bit more exciting. The 188 hp adds a nice boost to the Sentra’s ability to dart across intersections and pass slower-moving objects. The suspension upgrades are most welcome in sharp curves, giving the Sentra a more sporty feel reminiscent of the old Sentra SE-R. Thicker glass helps keep cabin noise at a respectable level, and even with its stiffer springs and shocks, the SR Turbo’s ride remains comfortable on most road surfaces. Although we have yet to drive it, we expect the NISMO version to offer even better handling but a harsher ride.

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