The 2013 Nissan Sentra
The new 2013 Nissan Sentra is now entering its 7th generation and it is obvious that Nissan is trying to do some retooling here in an effort to appeal to a broader section of the US market in particular. Unfortunately, this is often a tall order for a compact sedan. Relying on a name or past reputation will simply does not cut it anymore, as Toyota can also attest.
New Styling for the Sentra
This new Sentra has quite a different look than its predecessors. For starters, the rounded front end gives it more visual height just as the high beltline and bulging character line do for the profile view. The result is more organic and closer to recent Lexus designs. So not bad, but on the other hand it doesn’t really stand out from the crowd in a market that Korean makers are making increasingly competitive.
You will also notice increased interior space. In fact, there is now enough interior room in this car that the EPA could actually classify it as a midsize (rather than compact) sedan. Most of this added space is in the back seat area. In fact, a taller driver might even feel a little left out and wish that there was maybe a bit more leg room up front.
The Sentra Driving Experience
So a pass on the styling. But how about the driving experience? Well first up, the noise, vibration and harshness were all extremely well controlled. You will not notice any noise at all when cruising, even up to 80 miles an hour. In fact, the only time when you will notice any sound from the exhaust is with very hard acceleration. Not only that, but the experience is remarkably placid. You may notice a tiny bit of noise from the wind flow over the side mirrors, but that is about all.
The ride is also reminiscent of a larger and more expensive vehicle. Not even driving over potholes will interrupt this smooth feel. And the handling is superlative, with the wheels firmly planted at all times. This is a sure-footed vehicle that builds confidence with the driver.
The overall impression of the new 2013 Sentra will really depend on your priorities. If you like more room in the back seat or a great driving experience, you will love this car. On the other hand, if you are purely concerned with aesthetics and style, you may end up looking elsewhere
