The 2016 Nissan Sentra's redesign is meant to give it a sleeker, more up-market appearance.
It’s long been the “other” Nissan sedan, the midsize Sentra often ignored in favor of the more upscale and better-selling Altima.
But the once vanilla sedan has earned some new fans in recent years for its mix of features and an affordable price tag, and the Japanese automaker is hoping to gain a bit more traction as it launches the updated 2016 Nissan Sentra.
While this is, in many ways, the year of the SUV, the second-largest Japanese maker has made a major push to build its presence in the American sedan market, updating both the Altima, the bigger Maxima and now the Sentra.
“A major element of Nissan’s ‘Innovation that excites’ philosophy is innovative styling,” said Shiro Nakamura, Nissan’s senior vice president and chief creative officer. “The 2016 Sentra’s new exterior adds a sense of sportiness to the refined style and proportions, as well as adding a strong connection to the Nissan sedan and crossover family.”
The new Nissan Sentra adds a number of high-tech infotainment and safety features.
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Though officially a mid-cycle refresh, in industry lingo, the 2016 Nissan Sentra boasts a number of exterior updates, starting with its new front fascia and grille, as well as its hood and fenders. The boomerang-shaped headlamps are also revised, with optional LED low beams and daytime running lights. There’s a new rear fascia, as well, and the taillights pick up on the boomerang shape.
The update is intended to give the new 2016 Sentra a more sporty and exclusive look, rather than defining it as a bargain entry in the midsize segment.
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Interior updates are modest but noticeable, and include a new steering wheel, a higher-resolution TFT display, and a new instrument panel.
There are no significant changes in dimensions, but the 2016 Nissan Sentra remains one of the roomiest models in the midsize sedan segment, with 110.0 cubic feet of cabin space and 15.1 cf of cargo space wth the 60/40 split seat in place.
Inside the 2016 Nissan Sentra.
The 5-inch display is standard on most models, and offers the NissanConnect infotainment system with access to smartphone apps such as Pandora, Facebook and iHeartRadio. It also adds new Siri Eyes Free voice recognition for those pairing an iPhone.
The 2016 Sentra also gets a number of active safety feature collectively dubbed the Nissan Safety Shield, including Forward Emergency Braking, Intelligent Cruise Control, Blind Spot Warning and Rear Cross Traffic Alert. Active cruise control and a forward collision warning system with emergency braking also are offered on Sentra SR and SL grades.
“This is…the most connected Sentra ever offered, including its new NissanConnect Services telematics system,” said Nissan product planning chief Pierre Loing.
All versions of the 2016 Nissan Sentra are powered by a 1.8-liter DOHC 4-cylinder engine making 130-horsepower and 128 pound-feet of torque. It’s paired with the familiar Nissan CVT gearbox or, on base models, a 6-speed manual.
Fuel economy numbers will be released closer to launch. The base Sentra will start at $16,780 plus delivery fees. With NissanConnect, Mobile Apps and active safety features like Blind Spot Warning, it’s still expected to come in at less than $20,000.
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