-
Car News
Go to Home PageVisit Leftlane's home page for the very latest car news, analysis, editorials, opinion, and more. Updated several times per day.
-
Step 1
Car Info & Pics
Car Information
Learn more about new cars with our extensive collection of overviews, specs, and pictures.
-
Step 2
Reviews
Car Test Drive Reviews and Videos
Our team of experts have driven hundreds of new car models from virtually every automaker, Get their unbiased impressions here.
-
Step 3
Build & Price
Build & Price a New Car
This tool enables you to Build & Price a new car. Optionally, you can then request a price quote from a local dealer based on your selections.
Leftlane's Configurator is currently in BETA and some models are missing.
-
Step 4
Buy A Car
-
- Select Distance
Zip Code and Search Radius are Required to Proceed.
Get a Local Dealer Price Quote
Find New Cars on Dealer Lots
Listings provided by new car dealers in the U.S. and Canada.
Find Used Cars in Your Area
-
Future Cars
Browse Upcoming Future Cars
Go to Future HomeBrowse the latest spy shots or videos of unreleased vehicles.
Tomorrow's Most Popular Cars
-
Tools
Compare Cars
Select make and model of the vehicles you would like to compare
Find a Dealer
Other tools for Shoppers & Owners
Leftlane offers a collection of helpful tools for car shoppers and owners, helping to make spending decisions easier.
Basic Specs
| Base Price | $16,060 |
| Drivetrain | Front Wheel Drive |
| Curb Weight (lbs) | 2906 |
| City (MPG) | 24 |
| Hwy (MPG) | 31 |
| Horsepower | 140@5100 |
| Torque (lb-ft) | 147@4800 |
| Wheelbase | 105.7 |
| Length (in.) | 179.8 |
| Width (in.) | 70.5 |
| Height (in.) | 59.5 |
The Sentra is Nissan's entry in the increasingly crowded and competitive compact sedan segment. The current generation Sentra (along with the more powerful Sentra SE-R is a bit long in the tooth but still a reasonable value for those seeking small, reliable transportation.
All Sentra’s except the performance oriented SE-R (which gets its own car page - you can find it by navigating with the list on the left) are powered by a 2.0-liter four-cylinder. With 140 horsepower and 147 lb-ft of torque, power is class-competitive. A continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT) helps the engine return 27 miles per gallon in the city and 34 on the highway, though a six-speed manual drops those figures to 24/31 mpg; some of the Sentra’s competitors can eke out 40 mpg on the highway.
Outside, the Sentra overall look is designed to mirror its big brother, the Altima, while the cabin is simple and functional. The car utilizes an independent strut front suspension and a rear torsion beam, both with stabilizer bars, resulting in safe and predictable handling.
The Sentra protects its occupants with dual front, side and side curtain airbags, while ABS, traction and stability control systems are fitted as standard along with an Electric Brake Force distribution system.
The Trim Level Breakdown
The Sentra can be had in four specific trim levels: 2.0, 2.0 S, 2.0 SR and 2.0 SL.
The price-leader 2.0 features basic amenities like power windows and locks, air conditioning and a four-speaker stereo with an auxiliary input jack. The 2.0 is the only trim level that offers the six-speed manual transmission, while the CVT is optional.
Stepping up to the 2.0 S nets the higher-efficiency CVT, 16-inch steel wheels with hubcaps (the 2.0 has 15-inchers), a trip computer, keyless entry and two extra speakers for the stereo.
The SR is the sportiest Sentra besides the SE-R. It features a sporty exterior with a unique grille, more aggressive fascias, 16-inch aluminum alloy wheels, smoked head- and tail-lights and a chrome exhaust tip. Other upgrades include steering-wheel mounted audio controls and an iPod interface system.
The range-topping SL doesn’t offer the SR’s cosmetic upgrades (save the the aluminum alloy wheels), but it does add a premium audio system with a 4.3-inch color display, Bluetooth phone integration, a leather wrapped steering wheel, cruise control and metallic or imitation wood trim based on interior color.
Decisions, Decisions: The Optional Features
The Sentra offers a wide array of options. Leather seating and heated front seats are bundled together in the leather package, while a navigation system with five-inch touchscreen, power moonroof and eight-speaker Rockford Fosgate sound system are also available.
The Special Edition package combines the navigation system, sunroof along with a backup camera for a lower price than buying them all separately.
New for the latest model year, the Technology Package includes the navigation system and a USB port.
Key Competitors
Those considering the Sentra would be well-served to check out more modern small cars like the Honda Civic Sedan, Toyota Corolla, the Volkswagen Jetta and the Mitsubishi Lancer.
Similar Cars
left-
2012 Honda Civic Sedan
-
2012 Honda Accord Sedan
-
2012 Honda Civic Hybrid
-
2012 Honda Civic Si Sedan
-
2012 Chevrolet Cruze
-
2012 Chevrolet Impala
-
2012 Chevrolet Malibu
-
2012 Ford Fiesta Sedan
-
2012 Ford Focus Sedan
-
2012 Ford Fusion
-
2013 Hyundai Sonata
-
2013 Hyundai Sonata 2.0T
-
2012 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid
-
2012 Hyundai Accent Sedan
-
2012 Kia Forte
-
2012 Kia Rio
-
2012 Kia Optima
-
2012 Toyota Camry
-
2012 Toyota Camry Hybrid
-
2012 Toyota Corolla
-
2013 Nissan Altima Sedan
-
2012 Nissan Sentra
-
2012 Nissan Sentra SE-R
-
2012 Nissan Versa Sedan
-
2012 Subaru Impreza
-
2012 Subaru Legacy
-
2012 Suzuki Kizashi
-
2012 Suzuki SX4 Sedan
-
2013 Hyundai Elantra
-
2012 Dodge Avenger
-
2012 Chrysler 200
-
2012 Mazda Mazda6
-
2013 Chevrolet Malibu Eco
-
2012 Mitsubishi Galant
-
2012 Mitsubishi Lancer
-
2012 Kia Optima Turbo
-
2012 Kia Optima Hybrid
-
2012 Chevrolet Sonic Sedan
-
2012 Honda Civic HF Sedan
-
2012 Buick Verano
-
2012 Volkswagen Jetta GLI
-
- General
- Body Style: Sedan
- Size: Midsize
- Market Segment: Standard
- Weight: 2906 lbs
-
- Exterior
- Length: 179.8 in.
- Width: 70.5 in.
- Height: 59.5 in.
- Wheelbase: 105.7 in.
- Ground Clearance: 5.6 in.
- Front Track: 59.8 in.
- Rear Track: 60.8 in.
- Weight Distribution: 61/39
- Drag Coefficient: 0.35
-
- Interior - General
- Seats: 5
- Passenger Volume: 97.4 cu. ft.
- Cargo Volume: 13.1 cu. ft.
- Cargo Volume (Seats Folded): TBD
-
- Interior - Front Row
- Volume: TBD
- Leg Room: 42.4 in.
- Head Room: 40.6 in.
- Shoulder Room: 56.9 in.
- Hip Room: 54.1 in.
-
- Interior - Second Row
- Volume: TBD
- Leg Room: 34.5 in.
- Head Room: 37.3 in.
- Shoulder Room: 55.1 in.
- Hip Room: 53.0 in.
-
- Propulsion
- Fuel Type: Gas
- Engine Type: 2.0L I4
- Power: 140 hp @ 5100 rpm
- Torque: 147 lb-ft @ 4800 rpm
- Transmission: 6-Speed Manual
- Highway Fuel Economy: 31 mpg
- City Fuel Economy: 24 mpg
- Forced Induction: None
- Direct Injection: No
-
- Chassis
- Layout: Front Wheel Drive
- Front Suspension: Strut-Type
- Rear Suspension: Torsion-Beam
-
- Wheels
- Front: 15" Steel
- Front Tires: P205/60HR15
- Rear: 15" Steel
- Rear Tires: P205/60HR15
-
- Trailering & Hauling
- Trailer Weight: TBD
- Payload: N/A
- Tongue Weight: TBD
-
$0
Step 1 - Trim
-
$0
Step 2 - Options
-
Step 3 - Get a Local Quote
