Handling is actually quite good, as the Spec V adds sport-tuned shocks and struts, a fatter front stabilizer bar and a lowered ride height. Challenging highway on-ramps and quick lane changes are easily taken care of, while the car’s electric-assist steering is nicely weighted, if not as amusing as the Mazda3's and Mitsubishi Lancer's.
Base price for a Sentra SE-R with a CVT transmission is $21,998. Our 6-speed Spec V tester with the aforementioned Sport and Technology packages, as well as an extra charge for metallic paint, lists for $25,633 before tax, freight and delivery.
In comparison, the Civic Si sedan starts at $25,880, the Volkswagen GTI 5-door starts at $29,875, the Mitsubishi Lancer GT starts at $23,898 and the Mazda3 GT-E starts at $26,565. Some rivals are more affordable, however, such as the $21,095 Kia Forte SX and the $22,550 Toyota Corolla XRS.
The Sentra SE-R is an honest effort from Nissan, providing decent performance and handling, sporty good looks and a reasonable price. We wouldn’t mind, however, foregoing the Spec V trim and choosing a manual-transmission base SE-R, which could undercut the Forte SX’s price. That is, if one were available, which isn’t the case.
Seeing what the company can do with a turbo engine, here’s our suggestion to Nissan: when the time comes to redesign the Sentra SE-R, turbocharge it.
Base price for a Sentra SE-R with a CVT transmission is $21,998. Our 6-speed Spec V tester with the aforementioned Sport and Technology packages, as well as an extra charge for metallic paint, lists for $25,633 before tax, freight and delivery.
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| The Sentra SE-R Spec V with the 6-speed starts at $23,398. (Photo: Matthieu Lambert/Auto123.com) |
In comparison, the Civic Si sedan starts at $25,880, the Volkswagen GTI 5-door starts at $29,875, the Mitsubishi Lancer GT starts at $23,898 and the Mazda3 GT-E starts at $26,565. Some rivals are more affordable, however, such as the $21,095 Kia Forte SX and the $22,550 Toyota Corolla XRS.
The Sentra SE-R is an honest effort from Nissan, providing decent performance and handling, sporty good looks and a reasonable price. We wouldn’t mind, however, foregoing the Spec V trim and choosing a manual-transmission base SE-R, which could undercut the Forte SX’s price. That is, if one were available, which isn’t the case.
Seeing what the company can do with a turbo engine, here’s our suggestion to Nissan: when the time comes to redesign the Sentra SE-R, turbocharge it.
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