2019 Nissan Sentra

 The 2019 Sentra is very competitively priced. The base S model starts from $17,990, whereas the upper trim SL model starts from $23,220. In this price range, Sentra sees solid competition from JDM products like the Honda Civic, the Toyota Corolla, and the Hyundai Elantra. All three of these cars look much more dynamic and modern and have more engine power, compared to the Sentra. So, how does Nissan stand out in this competition? Let’s find that out. 

The 2019 Nissan Sentra slots in below the mid-size Altima and sub-compact Versa. It is available in six exciting trims: S, SV, SR, SR Turbo, SL, and NISMO. However, the top SL trim is based on the NISMO, without its sports features. 

Keeping aside the base S trim, all Sentra models get the benefit of Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and upper trims get leather upholstery, heated front seats, power moonroof, and an automatic six-way power-adjustable driver’s seat. Furthermore, the SR trim gets access to all the standard features of the top-of-the-range SL trim in the form of an Executive Package. 

The base Nissan Sentra S comes standard with 16-inch steel wheels, cloth-upholstery, 7.0 Infotainment system Bluetooth, a USB port, and a 5.0pinch digital instrument display, and a four-speaker sound system, as standard features. The SV trims get 16-inch alloy wheels, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, dual-zone climate control, keyless entry, two additional USB Port, and a six-speaker audio system. 

Both the Sentra SR and SR Turbo models get 17-inch alloy wheels, fog lights, LED-low beam headlights, chrome-tipped exhaust pipe, heated side mirrors, side sills, and a rear spoiler, as part of their standard feature list. But only the SR Turbo variant gets the 1.5-liter turbo-four engine that produces 188 hp and 177 lb-ft of torque. The top-of-the-line Sentra SL gets standard leather upholstery, an eight-speaker Bose audio system, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, and a power-operated driver’s seat with lumbar support. 

Which Trim should you buy?

The base Sentra S trim is scarcely specced, compared to the likes of the SR and SV trims. These trims however come with modern infotainment and smartphone connectivity features like Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and comfort features like heated seats, auto climate control. The purchase price won’t shoot through the roof, and within $25,000, you will have a Sentra which offers more than its overpriced competitors. Hence, we recommend the SR and SV trims if you have plans of buying Sentra.

Despite its athletic looks, the 2019 Sentra is not as exciting as its competition. It comes with two engine options and two transmission options. The base 1.8-liter Inline-4 is good enough for 124 hp and 125 lb-ft of torque, with the CVT option. If had with the six-speed manual, there’s a slight bump in power and torque, at 130 hp and 128 lb-ft of torque. The second engine option is the 1.6-liter turbo-4 engine that produces 188 hp and 177 lb-ft of torque, and it comes with the SR Turbo and NISMO model only. 

The turbo Sentra’s come standard with a six-speed manual. With the standard engine, the 2019 Sentra takes 10.4 seconds to reach from 0-60 mph. But with the turbo engine, the Sentra takes only 7 seconds. So, the Nissan is not quicker than its competition, which sees the Honda Civic with just 6.8 seconds to reach 60 mph from a standstill. 

With the least power in its segment, the 2019 Sentra is just not up to the mark of a good driver’s car. With only 6.8 seconds to reach from 0-60 mph, the 2019 Civic is the fastest sedan, followed by the 2019 Elantra which takes 9 seconds to do the same. On the other hand, the Toyota Corolla seems to be the slowest car to 60 mph and also has the least top speed in the competition.

How well does the 2019 Nissan Sentra sedan handle?

The Sentra’s ride quality is average at best. Without much steering feedback, the vehicle rides absolutely fine within city speed limits. When pushed on the highway, the deficiency of power is audible when the 1.8-liter engine whines. 

Suspension setting across the line-up is on the softer side, aside from the SR Turbo model that gets stiffer springs. Body roll is kept to a minimum and well maintained, despite the Sentra being the tallest sedan with a height of 58.4-inches. It ticks all the boxes at being a commuter, with nothing flashy or exciting on the way. 

2019 Nissan Sentra Braking Performance

Irrespective of turbo or non-turbo models, the 2019 Sentra has 11 in. front rotor brakes and 9 in. rear rotor brakes. These brakes are not the biggest in the competition, and it is also the heaviest at 2909 lbs. But the braking performance figures of the 2019 Nissan Sentra are unavailable but considering the size of the brakes and the weight of the car, it seems to offer modest braking performance.

The Honda Civic gets bigger rear brakes than the Sentra and delivers top-notch braking performance by stopping from 60-0 mph in 117 feet. The Hyundai Elantra stands second on the table. It stops from 60-0 mph in 125 feet owing to its brake and rotor sizes. It measures 11 inches in the front and 8 inches in the rear. The car with the lowest performance in the braking test is the Toyota Corolla.

The compact sedan segment has a solid reputation for boasting fuel-efficient cars. The Nissan Sentra is not far behind when it comes to EPA fuel efficiency ratings. With a fuel tank that can hold 13.2 gallons of gas, the 2019 Sentra with the standard 1.8-liter Inline-4 is good for 32 mpg in mixed conditions. On the highway, the Sentra is at its best with 37 miles to the gallon, which is very easily obtainable. 

When cruising on the highway, the 2019 Sentra is good for 488 miles with a full tank. But with a bigger 14.0 gallon-sized tank, and 38 mpg EPA ratings on the highway, the 2019 Hyundai Elantra gets the most range with 462 miles in mixed conditions. The Honda Civic also has some good fuel efficiency figures, but it also has the smallest tank that can hold only 12.4 gallons of fuel. 

With a steering wheel design that is based on the sporty Nissan 370Z, its only standout factor; the interior of the 2019 Sentra is now at best moderate. The design feels outdated, compared to the likes of the Honda Civic, and materials used throughout the cabin are also adequate. Except for higher trims, cloth upholstery is the choice of material for the seats. Standard on the base S model is air-conditioning, six-way manual adjustable seats, rearview mirror, and cruise control. 

 Upper trims add leather seats, front heated and six-way automatically adjustable seats with lumbar support, and dual-zone automatic climate control. Adults in the front row get 42.5-inches of legroom and 39.4-inches of headroom space, which is on par with its competition. The sloping roof design of the compact sedan eats into the rear headroom space, which at 36.7-inches, is marginally less than the Civic or Corolla. The Sentra also gets one of the bigger boot spaces in the competition, which at 15.1 cu-ft. is the same as the Honda Civic. 

Both the Hyundai Elantra and Honda Civic get the most amount of headroom in both the front and rear rows. The Civic’s 57-inches of headroom space at the front is marginally similar to the Hyundai’s 56.2-inches. However, with 41.4-inches of legroom space, the Toyota Corolla gets the most spacious second row in this competition.Standout interior features:

• Dual-Zone Climate Control
• Power Moonroof
• Leather upholstery
• Heated front seats
• Leather-wrapped steering wheel
• Power-operated Driver’s Seat and Lumbar (In Upper Trims)

What’s there to keep you entertained?

Nissan has improved the standards of the infotainment system in the 2019 Sentra for it now gets a 7-inch touchscreen display standard across all trims. The base S trim gets Bluetooth connectivity, AM/FM radio, USB port, and auxiliary audio input, with a four-speaker sound system, as part of its infotainment set up. 

 From SV trim onwards, all Sentra models get the benefit of Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, Sirius XM, and an additional USB port for second-row occupants. The SV trim also gets an upgraded 6-speaker sound system, and the SR trim gets the same too with the option to upgrade them to Bose 8-speaker sound system.Standout infotainment features:

• 7" Touch-Screen Display
• Bluetooth Hands-Free Phone System
• Siri Eyes Free
• Speed Compensated Volume Control and Radio Data System

The 2019 Sentra was designed to look athletic and sporty, with quite a few aerodynamic features on the body. The front fascia with the honeycomb-grille adorned by the metal V-frame is 60.2-inch wide at the front without mirrors, and the same at the rear that helps accommodate a spacious trunk. The lower trims get halogen headlights, and the upper trims get LED variants. There’s also a power-moonroof available with upper trims. 

The SR Turbo is the most sporty looking in the lot, after the NISMO model, for it gets a unique sports kit available. On the other hand, the base S model gets 16-inch steel wheels, the SV gets 16-inch alloy wheels, and the SR gets you 17-inch alloy wheels.  The Sentra’s exterior dimensions are on par and in some cases slightly larger than its competitor, as well. Standing 58.9-inches tall, the 2019 Sentra is the tallest in its segment and with a curb weight of 2909 lbs, also the heaviest. The wheelbase of the 2019 Sentra is the same as its competition at 106.3-inches.

Both the Honda Civic and Hyundai Elantra are the widest cars in this segment at 70.9-inches. On the other hand, the 2019 Toyota Corolla is the longest car in this segment. The 2019 Sentra with a ground clearance of 6.4-inches also sits lower than the Corolla. Some of the v Standout exterior features:

• Unique Sport Body-Kit for SR Turbo trim
• Power Moonroof
• Fog Lights
• Side Spoilers
• Chrome tipped exhaust tips
• 16/17/18 - inch alloy wheel options
• Auto-dimming rearview mirror

The IIHS had adjudicated the 2018 Nissan Sentra as the Top Safety Pick+ vehicle, and the carryover 2019 model has also received Good ratings in almost every category. The NHTSA has also ranked the 2019 Sentra with four stars out of five, and that speaks a lot about the structural integrity of the Nissan Sentra.

Aside from federal validation, standard across all Sentra models are six airbags, vehicle dynamic control, automatic emergency braking system, rearview camera, etc. Top trims get the benefit of Blind Spot Monitoring, Rearview Cross-Traffic Alert, Automatic Emergency Braking, and Adaptive Cruise Control. Some of the standard safety features that can be found across the Sentra line-up are:

• Six-Airbags
• Automatic Emergency Braking
• Cruise Control
• Four-wheel ABS
• Brake Assist
• Rearview Camera

However, higher trim levels of the 2019 Sentra get the added benefit of:

• Blind-Monitoring 
• Rear-Cross Traffic Alert
• Intelligent Cruise Control

2019 Nissan Sentra vs 2019 Honda Civic

The Honda Civic is one of the most popular cars and at the same time pricier in this segment. But then again, it is worth all the money. With a striking eye-catching design and equally comfortable, the 2019 Honda Civic looks the part and does its job equally well. The 2.0L Inline-4 engine makes the lightest car in the segment a very peppy ride as well. 

2019 Nissan Sentra vs 2019 Hyundai Elantra

Both Hyundai Elantra and Sentra have cheaper starting price tags, but the Elantra is better looking than the Nissan. Even on the inside, the Elantra gets more shoulder room, legroom. And with the larger fuel tank at 14.0 cu-ft, the Hyundai Elantra gets more range. The only advantage that Sentra enjoys is cargo space, which at 15.1 cu-ft, again marginally better than the Elantra. 

2019 Nissan Sentra vs 2019 Toyota Corolla 

Both Toyota Corolla and Sentra have remained unchanged since 2014 and 2013 except for a few makeovers and tweaks. Both are equally large and their dimension almost puts them in the mid-size category. But the Corolla stands out with its spacious second row, which enjoys 4-inches more legroom than the Sentra. But the final blow comes from the Sentra, with a cheaper price tag. 

The Nissan Sentra is a practical and reasonably priced compact sedan. It has excellent cargo capacity, spacious inside, and comfortable seating for four people. But with a less eager 130-hp 1.8-liter inline-4 engine, the Sentra just loses out on driving enthusiasm. When accelerated a little hard, the loud noise of the engine sips into the cabin. 

The Nissan Sentra badge has been in its seventh generation exterior styling since 2013 and compared to its competitor, it badly needs revised styling. But aside from that, as a package, the Sentra comes across as a fairly complete car. But when you start considering the Civic and Elantra, the value that all three cars offer, the Sentra seems less impressive in some aspects.