We got our hands on a brand-new 2010 Nissan Sentra 2.0, and wanted to give you a brief overview, Dads on Tech style.
note: the 2010 and 2011 models are the same, as of post time.
Many sites do reviews on the car’s performance, packages, drive-train, engine specs, etc., and they all do that extremely well. But we’re talking Tech, and this means that we have an entirely different perspective on what makes a good automobile, a great automobile.
When we do a DOT automobile review, we have five main questions:
- How does the Car, Truck, or SUV perform overall?
- Does it integrate technology well?
- How does this technology impact the driving experience?
- How does this technology impact the family experience?
- How can it be better?
Performance:
The Nissan Sentra is what I would classify as a simple commuting car. Most review sites take these cars out on a slalom course, and let you know their impressions. While that’s nice, generally people aren’t dealing with those experiences. A longer-term road conditions test is what we believe works best.
We averaged out at around 28MPG in normal driving conditions, both highway and city driving. Compartment noise is pretty quiet, overall, but as you approach 65 you start getting a mix of engine whine and road noise. Some of this can be attributed to the choice of tires, wind conditions, and a four-liter engine, but the Sentra has a good ranking for keeping most of the noise out.
Handling was responsive, but produced some body roll on sharp turns. Because of the vehicles light weight, the car is just a tad sensitive at highway speeds, for my liking.
2.0, 2.0 S, 2.0 SR and 2.0 SL trims come with a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine delivering 140 horsepower. The SE-R model comes with a 2.5-liter DOHC 16-valve 4-cylinder engine with 177 HP. Moving up to the SE-R Spec V pushes the 2.5-liter DOHC 16-valve 4-cylinder engine to 200 HP. Again, these are all four-cylinder choices, which arguably may be less fuel efficient at the top levels than a finely tuned six-cylinder, but that is an inside baseball thing.
One thing to note, other than the very base model which has a six-speed manual transmission, you get an automatic Xtronic CVT (continuously variable transmission). I personally like CVT’s, so I do recommend giving it a try for yourself. You also get steering-wheel-mounted paddle shifters on the SE-R model.
Overall, it could use a bump in horsepower, which is to be expected on the 2.0S version I tested. And the truth is, for a commuter car, it really just needs to be fuel efficient and reliable. So opting for the 177HP SE-R wouldn’t be a bad idea for the heavier footed amongst us.
Technology:
Now, on with the important stuff…
Generally speaking, most cars have as little technological capabilities for the driver as possible. I assume it’s partially because the focus should be on the road, not the dashboard. But as we become more reliant on things like GPS, external sensors, cameras, phones, audio and video integration, as well as car health information, we will demand more from our vehicles and expect them to interact with our existing devices.
The Sentra is not an overly high-tech vehicle, but what Nissan does is give you the essentials that you really care about.
Rather than go into every feature, let’s cover the options you should look at if you are thinking of purchasing a Sentra.
Options to consider:
- Bluetooth hands-free phone system and steering-wheel button (part of the Convenience package)
- Intelligent Key™ keyless entry and ignition system (part of the Convenience package)
- 2.0S trim offers an iPod interface port, where as the SR and above have a USB connection port
- Nissan GPS Navigation System with 5″ color touch-screen monitor, optional XM traffic, and rear-view camera
Bluetooth integration should basically be standard on every car. While most people would still have to manually turn on bluetooth, because it sucks the life out of a phone like the Wraith, it would be standard routine for any commuter.
Keyless entry and ignition is one of the best things ever. If you have ever had an opportunity to drive a vehicle that has one, you know what I am talking about. It allows you to keep the key in your pocket or bag, and walk up to the car, open the door, and start the car without ever having to insert anything.
iPod integration is another no-brainer. If I had to choose, I would go with the USB connection port over just the ipod integration package, which would require an SR or better model. This allows you to not only fully integrate, but also gives you another place to charge or power USB devices.
The Nissan Navigation System vs. upgraded touchscreen? This is an upgrade that I would actually consider. I’m usually not a fan of the built-in GPS systems, especially considering the mobile devices already have very good GPS applications. So I probably would opt for just the upgraded stereo with a touchscreen interface. It looks like you can get the backup camera with that as well. You’ll have to see if your pockets are deep enough for this upgrade.
Experience:
I felt the buttons on the steering wheel were exactly where I expected them to be, and most of the nobs and dash buttons were marked well.
The stock radio is great. Sound was decent and had plenty of Bass. The control buttons were large, clearly marked, and the volume nob is centrally located and huge.
The only shortfall is with the climate control system. This is always a big pet peeve of mine. If manufacturers want to use a nob for temperature, use a scale that means something. Simply providing a range of more blue to more red doesn’t give me any real understanding of what the proper setting should be. Make the scale a temperature number, period. You can still make it a nob, just provide me with some basis for where on the 250-degree circle 72 is.
We all know that when it is the winter, and I get in the car, I’m going to flip the thing over to Sahara. And when it is the summer, I throw the nob over to Juneau. But for the rest of the year, or while I am driving, I need to figure out where the temperature is normal, otherwise it is a constant distraction from the road.
Overall, on the basic 2.0S model, it offered a good set of standard features that were all designed to be simple. Not having the upgraded GPS system in the demo model prevented me from giving you a better review of it, but from what I have seen at shows, it looks like a good option to consider.
Family:
The outside of the vehicle doesn’t seem very big, and that certainly helps when you are trying to negotiate your way in and out of a parking spot, but the interior is surprisingly comfortable. It is classified as a compact car, but the interior dimensions feel like a mid-sized model. Now, that doesn’t mean that you are going to be able to do carpool with three car seats across. You will be able to have two car seats and one very squished passenger in the middle. But don’t plan on going more than an hour away with that configuration.
Front seats are roomy and comfortable. And you can certainly fit a weekend of luggage and a smaller stroller in the trunk. There isn’t enough room for a larger folding stroller plus all the other luggage, but the trunk is roomy for a compact car.
One thing I don’t see on the options list is a factory package for video integration. Keep in mind, this is not really designed as a family car, per se, it is more of a commuter car. And due to it’s relatively small size in comparison to a mini-van, it isn’t surprising to have that option missing.
Improvements:
Wish list items include:
- Work with Apple and Magellan to be able to integrate the GPS application on the phone and export the video on the screen. Many people already have GPS in their mobile device, and just want to be able to get the benefit of a back-up camera and access touch screen controls for connected devices.
- Temperature scale on the climate controls.
- Option for an rear-seat fold-down booster.
- On windshield or rear-view mirror digital speed indicator
Conclusion:
I enjoyed my week with the Nissan Sentra 2.0S, and if I were in the market for a compact commuter car, I would absolutely look at this model. There are so many cars to choose from in this class, so it really comes down to how comfortable you are sitting in it, and with the car’s overall fit and finish.
Price, performance, efficiency, size, and technology options make the Nissan Sentra a very good choice.
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