The Nissan Sentra was created with a name that evoked the image of a “Sentry”, to bring to mind a safe small vehicle. Beginning life for model-year 1982 as a compact, it has since evolved into a mid-size. The sixth best-selling sedan in America this year, Sentra is all-new for 2020, beginning its eighth generation as a vehicle that is wider, longer and heavier than last year, but lower for better aerodynamics and stability. The new-gen Sentra has also gained 17 percent more horsepower and picks up a small bit of fuel efficiency.

Sitting on a new platform, the 2020 Nissan Sentra exterior is sportier and more muscular looking; it gains better road stability and driving dynamics through the redesign, new suspension and steering system; it adds a comprehensive suite of intelligent connectivity technologies, including available NissanConnect® featuring Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto™; adds as standard Nissan Safety Shield® 360 and available driver assist technologies; and the interior is redesigned with more modern, luxurious and premium accouterments.

Outside, Sentra’s new sculpted demeanor is more aggressive and sporty than is expected from a lower-priced sedan. The powerful stance and premium look are highlighted by Nissan's signature V-motion grille, available thin LED headlamps and floating roof. A lower rear roofline and wider shoulders, with wheels flush to the body, enhances its boldness. The Sentra SR trim I tested, provides a more athletic appearance with a sport-style rear spoiler, black-painted side mirrors with integrated turn signals, lower body side sill extensions, 18-inch diamond-cut aluminum-alloy wheels, and chrome exhaust finisher.

Once Sentra was a sub-compact, but it is firmly entrenched as a midsize now, weighing in with a curb weight of 3084 lbs. for my test Sentra SR – more than 100 lbs. heavier than last time --  and measuring 182.7 inches in length (up 0.6 inches), 71.5 inches in width (2.2 inches wider than last year) and 56.9 inches in height (an aerodynamic lowering of 2 inches) on a 106.8-inch wheelbase (0.5 inches greater), with a pavement-scraping minimum ground clearance of 4.9 inches. 

The 2020 Sentra's all-new interior is more refined, more touch-oriented and more luxurious – above expectations in the compact sedan segment. Attention to detail and craftsmanship can be found throughout the interior, with satin chrome aluminum accents, the intuitive placement of controls, contrast seat stitching and a standard D-shaped steering wheel. Standard features include Nissan's Zero Gravity front seats, which help optimize posture positioning for enhanced comfort during long distance driving. Other interior features include remote keyless entry with push button start, RearView Monitor and Rear Door Alert.

With seating for five, Sentra offers a roomy 44.0 inches of front legroom (a gain of 1.5 inches) and a comfortable 37.4 inches of rear legroom. Headroom is cramped up front at 37.5 inches with sunroof (losing a half-inch over last year) and tight in the rear at 36.7 inches. Shoulder room exceeds niche expectations and gains 1.7 inches at 56.4 in row one and 54.5 for row two (up 0.6 inches).

Sentra's driving experience has also been upgraded. All 2020 Sentra models come equipped with the latest generation Xtronic transmission – no manual trans is offered. Sentra is now powered by a new, fuel-efficient 2.0-liter DOHC 4-cylinder engine delivering 149 horsepower and 146 lb-ft of torque – increases of 25 hp and 21 lb-ft over the previous model. Sentra's top-level driving dynamics are provided by a new independent rear suspension matched to a McPherson strut front suspension with twin-tube shock absorbers. Also new are a responsive dual-pinion rack electric power steering system and Nissan Intelligent Trace Control technology, both standard. With an EPA rating of 28mpg/city and 37mpg/highway, my week of mixed-use tests yielded an average of 32.3mpg.

Even with the power increase, Sentra still performs as one expects a compact to act. Passing at speed and accelerating uphill should be strategized, and at the track, Sentra improves a bit. The last last-gen Sentra I tested was slow, at a 9.6-second dash and 17.6-second quarter-mile. The new-Gen perked up to 9.2 and 17.2. Steering was predictable with lessened understeer.

Available in three trim levels, the base 2020 Sentra S starts at $19,090. The SV trim Sentra starts at $20,270, and added 16-inch Aluminum-alloy wheels, Nissan Intelligent Key® with Push Button Ignition, Premium Cloth seat trim, 7-inch Advanced Drive-Assist® Display, Apple CarPlay® integration and more. The premium The SR trim I tested comes with 18-inch Aluminum-alloy wheels, Dark chrome V-Motion grille, Chrome exhaust finisher and more, and starts at $21,430. My test SR, in Two-Tone Monarch Orange Metallic / Super Black exterior paint, for an extra $595, played off a Charcoal Sport Leatherette Interior as part of the $2170 SR Premium Package that was loaded with an Intelligent Around View® Monitor, Power sliding glass moonroof with tilt feature, auto-dimming inside rearview mirror, 6-way power adjustable driver's seat with 2-way power lumbar, sport leatherette-appointed seats with contrast orange stitching, heated front seats and more. A Clear rear bumper protector was installed for $75, and an impact sensor was added for $125 (alerts you to denting and attempted break-ins). With Destination and Handling charges of $925, my 2020 Nissan Sentra SR as tested stickered at $25,320.

> Visit www.CarlisleEvents.com for more on the automotive hobby.

Mike Blake, former editor of KIT CAR magazine, joined Carlisle Events as senior automotive journalist in 2004. He's been a "car guy" since the 1960s and has been writing professionally for about 30 years. </I>

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