Fuel economy for a Sentra with the 2.0-liter engine is an EPA-rated 25/33 mpg City/Highway with the CVT transmission, and 24/31 mpg with the six-speed manual.
The CVT (continuously variable transmission) is now in its third generation, and the technology has improved greatly. The main benefit with a CVT is better gas mileage, a result of less internal friction. With only two ranges, high and low, it's smoother because there's less shifting, though the sound is odd, as if the car is winding up like a snowmobile. Floor the gas pedal and the Sentra surges ahead aggressively.
The Sentra SE-R Spec V feels docile in traffic, in spite of the performance from its 200-horsepower 2.5-liter four-cylinder. It makes its best power near redline, from 6600-7000 rpm, so you need to drive it enthusiastically it to get the most out of it. It doesn't feel high-strung, however. It's easy to live with and provides that extra bit of oomph when you want to play. The Spec V comes with an easy-shifting six-speed manual transmission and the clutch works with ease, making the Spec V feel more like an everyday driver than a sport compact.
The suspension on all Sentras is an independent configuration in front, with a torsion beam in the rear, a compact design with separate shocks and coil springs that allows more room for the trunk that's above it. In its base form, it's forgiving. In its most aggressive state, in the SE-R Spec V (with higher-rate springs, shocks and bushings), it's firm in a quality kind of way, yet never harsh or uncomfortable. It feels rugged and inspires confidence out there in the cruel world of roadway realities. It even felt comfortable over a series of Chicago potholes. We haven't driven the standard SE-R, but we suspect it is also quite comfortable.
We had the opportunity to drive the SE-R Spec V at the fast 4.0-mile Road America circuit near Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin. We found it to be fun but not razor sharp. The engine revved predictably, without climbing too quickly for the driver to keep up with gear shifts. The brakes didn't fade during our high-speed lap, and the handling gave nice feedback but didn't feel as agile as a Subaru WRX STi or Mitsubishi Evo X.
We also thrashed it around an autocross course. The engine provided good power out of corners, so much so that we spun the inside wheel. We would recommend the optional limited-slip differential for anyone wanting to do parking-lot autocrosses or other hard driving in the Spec V. The car leaned more in quick, sharp turns than an autocrosser would like, and wasn't as sharp as the likes of a Mini Cooper S, BMW 1 Series, or even a Chevrolet Cobalt SS. Overall, when it comes to ride and handling, we'd liken the Spec V to the Honda Civic Si: They're both comfortable road cars, with decent handling that provides a lot of feedback as they approach the edge of adhesion.
The brakes felt good on the street. Base models have vented 11-inch discs in front and drums in rear. The SE-R has 11.7-inch front discs and 11.5-inch rear discs, and the SE-R Spec V gets 12.6-inch front rotors. ABS is standard on all but the base model. We recommend ABS because the anti-lock brakes allow you to brake and steer at the same time in a panic stop.
The Sentra uses electric power steering, as opposed to hydraulic. It's speed-sensitive, which means the feel is lighter when parking and heavier out on the freeway, as it should be. Next Page