Sentra is a blast from the past

Sentra fans will be hard pushed to find something familiar in the new Sentra other than its name tag.

It's been 11 years since the popular Sentra disappeared from dealership showrooms but it's recent enough for it to be fondly remembered by many of its loyal (read older) fans who range from fleet managers, families, car rental companies and petrol-heads who tuned and fiddled with it to a stage where it actually became quite competitive in motorsport.

Having said that, Sentra fans of the them thar days will be hard pushed to find something familiar in the new Sentra other than its name tag because the revamped Sentra is now dressed in Hugo Boss and it wears the kind of sassy cosmetics one would expect to find on more expensive sedans.

Bigger, more spacious

The latest Sentra is also bigger, more spacious (it has one of the biggest, if not THE biggest boot in the C segment) and its features and finish are classy and solid enough for it to take the top position on the Nissan podium as its new flagship, relegating the tired Tiida to the outer darkness and withdrawal from the local market.

As a package the new Sentra is aimed directly at the middle echelon of the extremely competitive C segment and the suits at Nissan have set their sights firmly on it slotting into number three position just below Toyota Corolla and Hyundai Elantra - a tough task because most of the current players in this segment are old hands at pulling and pleasing buyers, including VW Jetta, which is one of the most under-rated cars in this segment.

Sentra fans of old will probably be disappointed to hear that there are no definite plans to introduce more powerful engines.

Whereas the old Sentra forged strong bonds with more senior drivers, family heads, government transport garages and even the Free State traffic cops, the swashbuckling new Sentra is being beamed at a younger market driven by factors such as environmental issues, upmarket looks, classy and comfortable surroundings, infotainment systems, passenger safety and value for money - all of which the comfortable new sedan dishes out in abundance.

I recently spent some time with the five-speed manual version Sentra 1.6 Acenta model (there are only two models, identical in all ways except for transmission which offers the choice of manual or CVT).

Both versions are powered by a normally aspirated 1.6 engine that produces a rather average 85kW and 154Nm which, Nissan claims should be good enough for a top speed of 180km/h. On level roads the big Nissan doesn't feel too sluggish, but inclines do take their toll.

You may have to work the gears a bit on the Reef

It's clearly not a tar scorcher (and was never intended to be) and with a full boot and four occupants cruising in the thin air of the Reef will probably require quite a bit of lower cog assistance. The manual gearbox of our test car felt really notchy - something which other motoring scribes also experienced and commented on.

Because the reborn Sentra lacks a bit of punch the old soup spoon has to be churned quite enthusiastically to get to the max power band. In the process the engine noises also become quite audible. The cog-swapping process and take-offs are also slightly hamstrung by a strangely sensitive clutch which takes a while to get used to.

Sentra fans of old will probably be disappointed to hear that there are no definite plans to introduce more powerful engines, although there are hints and rumours that a more powerful 2.0-litre might be added some time down the line.

A hatch between the back seat and boot also provides handy packing space for items too long to fit into the boot.

It would have been nice to have a few extra horses under the bonnet, but performance is probably the only a faint discolouration of the Sentra's sheen which starts from the moment you slide in behind the wheel and close the door with a solid thud. The same quality feel permeates throughout the airy living quarters with its comfortable seats and the padded arm rests on the doors and central console.

The instrument lay-out is pleasing on the eye and the finish is far better than the cheap plastic of the older models. The new Sentra also scores a first with a full adjustable steering column and the huge expanse of glass between the front occupants and the bonnet that makes for excellent frontal viewing. The height and angle adjustable driver's seat makes it easy to find a comfortable driving position.

All the goodies

The car is certainly not short of goodies and standard kit include aircon, radio/CD audio system with Bluetooth and USB slot (which makes for easy hands-free chatting and audio streaming), remote locking, electric windows and mirrors, six airbags and ABS brakes.

Most of the sedans in this segment lean towards the bland and the Sentra doesn't break the mould with unusual or controversial styling although sporty alloys and LED lights are smart touches.

The Sentra isn't short on goodies.

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The Sentra's ride is typical of this breed of car. The suspension leans more towards comfort than dynamic cornering and the steering is on the light side and a bit vague on the trot although it does make parking a lot easier.

The cabin is relatively well insulated against road, wind, and engine noises but the engine does make its presence known when you start pushing the red line through the gears. The living quarters are comfortable and the rear passengers even have central arm rests. A hatch between the back seat and boot also provides handy packing space for items too long to fit into the boot.

The overall feel of the new Sentra is quite classy and comfortable and its larger format gives it a touch of elegance. However when consider the competitive price of R230,900 for the manual version the R253,600 for the CVT version looks a tad expensive. Though not a natural first choice in this segment the Sentra does offer an interesting option and it's well worth considering when shopping around for a car in this category. The Sentra's price includes a three-year/90,000 service plan and three-year/100,000km warranty.