The new-for-2020 Nissan Sentra is all about stance. How do we know that? The media release mentions the word three times in just two short paragraphs.
What else is new? How about a new 2.0-liter, inline-four engine and multi-link independent rear suspension? No more twist beam. Just the Xtronic CVT transmission is offered.
The lineup has been simplified, too--and sadly, no, that doesn’t mean a return of the SE-R or really anything aimed at the enthusiast market. We tested the SR model, and while that designation is two-thirds of the way to the famed SE-R badge, it’s basically the loaded model: LED lamps, Bose audio and 18-inch alloys, along with the opportunity to add some more options, like an auto-dimming rearview mirror.
Where the Sentra line starts at $19,090, an SR model can be purchased for $21,430. With options, including the $2170 Premium Package, our test car stickered at $25,825 after destination.
Like what you're reading? We rely on your financial support. For as little as $3, you can support Grassroots Motorsports by becoming a Patron today.
Become a Patron!
Oh cool, a CVT, the exact transmission enthusiasts yearn for.
Nissan’s old slogan was “Driven.” It’s new one should be “Good enough, I guess.”
I haven't driven or even sat in one of these, so it's not first hand knowledge. But from what I've seen and read about them, I wouldn't say I'd walk up with total dread if a Sentra SR was waiting for me in the rental car lot. They seem to be a quantum leap forward from recent Sentras of the past. Damn shame they're still sticking with CVT though. Just give up and put a 6 speed auto in there, heaven knows they're easy enough to source... or gasp...a manual.
Looks like a mini Altima. I iz a sad that no more manual. 
Only Nissans with manual left are base Versa and 370z.
penultimeta said:
Nissan’s old slogan was “Driven.” It’s new one should be “Good enough, I guess.”
This can't be emphasized enough. Nissan really is squeezing everything they can out of dated platforms. I remember when Nissan was kind of cool, I remember when they had the hype train rolling in 09 when they introduced the GT-R to the states, 11 years later they are the epitome of "meh."
DirtyBird222 said:
I remember when Nissan was kind of cool
yeah, me too. I'm convinced the Koreans are stepping into this spot.
Someday's I think about becoming VelosterNGuy.
I stopped reading when I got to CVT. All other details are rendered irrelevant
irish44j (Forum Supporter) said:
I stopped reading when I got to CVT. All other details are rendered irrelevant
So.... you're not interested in the stance? Because it has a very powerful stance. Stance.
Introducing the new Nissan AltiMaxiTra. We've combined all the least popular features from our last 20 years into one sedan to keep things simple. But Stance.
Stance.
STANCE.
If they're going to harp on "stance" it should have looked like this:
MrFancypants said:
irish44j (Forum Supporter) said:
I stopped reading when I got to CVT. All other details are rendered irrelevant
So.... you're not interested in the stance? Because it has a very powerful stance. Stance.
I think I've figured out who is going to buy these things, looking one thread down.
\
They'll have the best stance in the rental lot.
Sonic
UltraDork
5/18/20 8:24 p.m.
Even as rental cars they are awful. I had a 2020 Altima recently, it was shockingly awful to drive. Sure the interior was nice enough and it was quiet but the powertrain calibration was the worst I've ever experienced and the steering was not far behind. It wouldn't even track straight on a flat, new, highway. I drove it back to back with my father's 2014 Accord and it was obvious how superior the 6 year old Accord was. Nissan only seems to sell cars to rental companies or by getting people with terrible credit approved, look how well that worked for Mitsubishi.
Nissan came out with the Nismo Sentra 6-speed, maybe 200hp a few years ago and nobody got excited or talked about the car - no interest at all. Maybe the Nismo Juke made a mockery of the brand.
noddaz
UltraDork
5/18/20 9:09 p.m.
It looks like it was 188 HP, and no one got excited. And I quote from C&D:
But the Sentra NISMO is not a racetrack-slaying, high-performance beast. Far from it, in fact, given that it has just 188 horsepower and 177 lb-ft of torque from a 1.6-liter turbocharged four-cylinder. That’s less than was offered in the last Sentra SE-R (available from 2007–2012), which had 200 horsepower and 180 lb-ft of torque from a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine. It’s also far short of the Volkswagen GTI (210 or 220 hp), the Ford Focus ST (252 hp), and the Subaru WRX (268 hp).
Datsun310Guy said:
Nissan came out with the Nismo Sentra 6-speed, maybe 200hp a few years ago and nobody got excited or talked about the car - no interest at all. Maybe the Nismo Juke made a mockery of the brand.
I think it came out in 2017? It had 188 hp out of a 1.6T and weighed 3100lbs. It's competition in that price range that year? Jetta GLI/Golf GTI (210hp, more torque, 2.0T, similar weight) Civic Si (205hp, sub-3000lbs). Focus ST (250hp, 3300lb), WRX (270hp/3300 ), how about a regular 'ol Mazda3S? 185hp, around 3000lbs.
Just for comparison with the Nismo Sentra.....the 2005 Altima SE-R was about the same size, marginally heavier, and had 260hp with 6MT and LSD.
Nissan's calling card in the "import tuner" world were the SR20DET and the VQ. That's why people bought Nissans, for the great engines and strong transmissions. A bunch of mediocre engines, CVTs, and boring played-out cars is what killed enthusiasts' interest in Nissan.
That is a wonderfully blue car.
In reply to irish44j (Forum Supporter) :
There was an Altima SE-R, and it had an LSD + 6-speed?
irish44j (Forum Supporter) said:
Datsun310Guy said:
Nissan came out with the Nismo Sentra 6-speed, maybe 200hp a few years ago and nobody got excited or talked about the car - no interest at all. Maybe the Nismo Juke made a mockery of the brand.
I think it came out in 2017? It had 188 hp out of a 1.6T and weighed 3100lbs. It's competition in that price range that year? Jetta GLI/Golf GTI (210hp, more torque, 2.0T, similar weight) Civic Si (205hp, sub-3000lbs). Focus ST (250hp, 3300lb), WRX (270hp/3300 ), how about a regular 'ol Mazda3S? 185hp, around 3000lbs.
Just for comparison with the Nismo Sentra.....the 2005 Altima SE-R was about the same size, marginally heavier, and had 260hp with 6MT and LSD.
Nissan's calling card in the "import tuner" world were the SR20DET and the VQ. That's why people bought Nissans, for the great engines and strong transmissions. A bunch of mediocre engines, CVTs, and boring played-out cars is what killed enthusiasts' interest in Nissan.
Even the Nismo Juke RS with the same engine had better specs (more power - 215 hp and less weight - 2950 lbs). The 188 hp version was in the standard Juke model. It's like they weren't even trying.
Pete Gossett (Forum Supporter) said:
In reply to irish44j (Forum Supporter) :
There was an Altima SE-R, and it had an LSD + 6-speed?
No, it didn't have an LSD. The Maxima did, but it had the worse rear suspension.
Let's all just face the facts: the Nissan of now is not the Nissan of old.
In reply to 06HHR (Forum Supporter) :
I actually think the Juke looks better than the Altima too.
In reply to Pete Gossett (Forum Supporter) :
If I could find an RS FWD manual transmission model in decent shape i'd pull the trigger on one. Last I looked they were selling in the mid to high teens. Found on on Auto Trader for 13K but it was beat.
nuff' said!
