With mediocre product offerings in recent days, Nissan is losing customers (and substantial profits) around the world. Good thing the Japanese carmaker is making important changes to right the ship. In fact, the Yokohama-based manufacturer is doing everything to make its vehicles desirable again. This is evident in the all-new Sentra, which is making its debut at the 2019 Los Angeles Auto Show. Is this car a step in the right direction for Nissan? We’d like to think so, and here are some reasons why.
First, the new Sentra’s a looker. A huge V-motion grille is surrounded by black bumper trim and swept-back thin LED headlamps, while powerful creases greet you up front. Clean and simple lines along the fenders, and the blacked-out floating roof design follow the two-tone scheme of the car’s fascia. At the back, boomerang taillights, a sporty diffuser and a built-in trunk spoiler complement the simple yet stylish rear end. The new car is a couple of inches lower and wider compared with the outgoing model, improving the overall stance.
Second, the cabin is a great place to be in. Just look at the round central climate vents, the neatly laid-out controls and switches, the easy-to-read instrument cluster, and the tablet-like infotainment system—and you’ll agree with us. There’s no shortage of creature comforts here, either. The infotainment system is compatible with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and there’s the Nissan Safety Shield 360 suite of driver-assistance systems.
Lastly, it seems like the new Sentra will be much more fun to drive than the old one. Gone is the anemic US-market 1.8-liter four-banger of old. Though not the most powerful in the class, a more robust 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine (149hp and 198Nm) will power this latest version. A new independent rear suspension is also fitted to give the car some dynamism—something the outgoing model lacks.
The all-new Sentra is definitely better than the model it’s replacing. Hopefully, Nissan Philippines can bring in the new compact sedan as soon as the circumstances allow the distributor to do so.
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