If you want to buy a car with a good reputation, look for one that’s kept the same name generation after generation.

Nissan's Sentra is a stylish little sedan with a big car feel. (Photo: Canadian Auto Press)

Likewise, you might want to shy away from brands that change their cars’ names more often than not. After all, why would any marketing manager worth his salt drop a highly recognizable name unless along with that name the words recall, lemon, unreliable, and unsatisfying were associated? Rather than be cavalier and lambaste lower caliber compact cars, I’d rather point out which nameplates have stood the test of time, and in this segment these include Civic, Corolla, Elantra, Focus, Golf, Impreza, Lancer, and Sentra.

In 1988 I took a job at a Nissan dealership selling cars, and at that time the Sentra epitomized the term “box”. I doubt to this day if there has ever been a three-box sedan made as square as that car. Sure the Subaru Loyale and Dodge Aries came close, but the Sentra made Volvos of the era look positively rakish, and while its styling didn’t do much for me it was a very good car.

Nice chrome touches and unique Euro-inspired taillights with partially clear lenses finish off the rear end. (Photo: Canadian Auto Press)

It drove well, with a nice ride and good handling, was well constructed and according to customers that came into the store to trade in their old Sentras for new ones, it was totally dependable. The new Sentra is a Brazilian supermodel in comparison to that car, yet while Nissan has managed to add flare to a sedan that was about as sexy as a doorstop in earlier generations, it appears that it hasn’t lost its priorities with respect to overall performance and dependability.

Truly, nothing that rides this smoothly should be able to handle so well, especially a compact four-door with a relatively short wheelbase of 2,685 mm (105.7 inches) and rather plebian 205/60HR15 all-season tires on 15-inch steel wheels with “five-spoke” covers. Yes, this is hardly a top-line SL, but my base

A well laid out, roomy cabin, the Sentra delivers more of a high-end experience than most of its rivals. (Photo: Canadian Auto Press)

Sentra 2.0 is nevertheless a surprisingly good (dare I say) “sport sedan” that took to corners with more verve than a lot of supposed “Sport” models.

It’s little engine is an absolute treat too, and again surprisingly zingy for something so small and seemingly average in output. The 2.0-litre four makes a reasonable albeit hardly class-leading 140hp at 5,100 rpm and 147 lb-ft of torque at 4,800 rpm, so I’m thinking its get-up-and-go might have more to do with the optional continuously variable transmission (CVT) its bolted to. Nissan made the surprising move a number of years back to make a wholesale change to CVTs, so now, excepting its truck and body-on-frame SUV lineup, everything from the subcompact Versa to the full-size Maxima, in the car

The Sentra makes for easy, relaxed commutes. (Photo: Canadian Auto Press)

lineup, and Rogue to Murano in the crossover category uses these ultra-efficient transmissions. They’re thrifty at the pump too, with the so equipped Sentra able to achieve an estimated 8.0L/100km in the city and 5.9 on the highway whereas the same Sentra with a class-leading 6-speed manual gearbox only gets an estimated 8.4L/100km in the city and 6.4 on the highway, but they’re also efficient in acceleration with very little mechanical drag in comparison to automatics with torque converters. Translation: this little sedan is a blast to drive!

I suppose it comes as such a shocker for two reasons. First, it really doesn’t look like it’s going to deliver like it does, especially with those aforementioned steel wheels and covers. It’s a handsome little car otherwise,

Stretch out in back, there's loads of room. (Photo: Canadian Auto Press)

tall with pleasant lines and some nice detailing, especially the taillight lenses that look rich and upscale. And that takes us into the interior, where top-quality plastics, even soft to the touch in some areas, but at least high-grade grain where most others in this class make do with the easily scratched hard and shiny bargain basement variety of plastic that shouts loud and clear, “I bought this entry-level compact ‘cause I’m too broke to get anything else.” No, the Sentra is a cut above, with a really nice stereo interface that integrates seamlessly into the dash design, just above some of the nicest HVAC dials in the class. The stalks on the steering column feel substantial, and the wheel itself, and shifter, are what you’d hope to find in a larger car, like the Altima, but in this class don’t often measure up to this level. Likewise the headliner is the nice woven-type normally found in premium cars and the

No shortage of space in here, either. (Photo: Canadian Auto Press)

seats are ultra-comfortable and supportive, and there’s good room in back for two adults with room for one in the middle in a squeeze, plus ample space in the 371-litre (13.1 cu ft) trunk.

Nissan delivers every Sentra sold in Canada with front driver and passenger side-thorax airbags plus side-curtain bags for all window occupants front and rear, while ABS brakes with electronic brake force distribution enhance the already competent 11.02-inch vented front disc and rear drum brakes. Just the same, some rivals offer standard four-wheel discs in this class and the subcompact segment below, so its surprising that four-wheel discs aren’t even available at all until moving up to the Sentra SE-R.

At $15,198,

High quality switchgear makes all the difference. (Photo: Canadian Auto Press)

the Sentra’s starting price is a nudge better than the Corolla CE’s MSRP of $15,260 and a landslide more competitive than the Civic DX’s $17,385, and considering its healthy dose of aforementioned standard features, as well as an AM/FM/CD audio system with auxiliary audio input jack, power door locks, four-way manual driver's seat, splash guards, a tilt steering wheel, variable intermittent wipers, and front-seat active head restraints.

If you want to keep costs down but need a few more amenities, Nissan has three options for you. The first, the Xtronic CVT I spoke about earlier will cost you $1,300, while a Value Option Package at $1,400 adds air conditioning, power windows, powered and heated exterior mirrors, remote keyless entry, 60/40 split-folding rear seatbacks, a rear centre armrest with integrated cupholders, and upgraded front stereo speakers. Lastly, something new for 2010 is the option of traction and stability control, and at $300 this is a total no-brainer. I doubt very much if your dealer will even bring one in without it, if not for a loss leader so that they can advertise the base price model and get you down to the dealership.

A Sentra with a few more goodies will have you moving up to the 2.0S at $18,198, where you get all that’s in the Value Option Package plus a trip computer, exterior temperature display, cruise control, map lights, six-way manual driver's seat, a six-speaker premium CD/MP3/WMA audio system, and 16-inch alloy wheels on 205/55HR16 all-season tires. The CVT costs the same with this package, while a $2,500 Luxury package adds the traction and stability control as well as a glass sunroof, heated seats, a leather-wrapped steering

The 2010 Sentra delivers plenty of value in the compact sedan segment. (Photo: Canadian Auto Press)

wheel with illuminated redundant audio buttons, illuminated vanity mirrors in the visors, Bluetooth connectivity, the Divide-N-Hide trunk system, plus a cargo net and hooks.

Lastly, SE-R aside, the top-line Sentra is the 2.0 SL at $23,098, a car that packs the Xtronic CVT standard as well as all the features of the 2.0S with the Luxury package, plus integrated overhead CD storage, leather seats, an anti-theft system, and Rockford Fosgate six-CD/MP3/WMA stereo with XM satellite radio. A Moonroof package at $1,000 adds the glass sunroof, of course, plus dual illuminated vanity mirrors, the Divide-N-Hide trunk system, plus cargo net and hooks. Altogether, a so equipped Sentra 2.0 SL will total up to $25,423 including its $1,325 charge for freight and PDI. And incidentally, all Sentras come standard with a 3 year, 60,000 km comprehensive warranty and a 5 year, 100,000 km powertrain warranty.

I’m not going to say that the Sentra is my favorite car in the compact class, but if you factor in the comfort allowed by brand and name recognition, it’s right at the top. This is one very good little car that I’m certain you’ll be pleased with.

Interior

Exterior

Mechanical

Safety

Dimensions

Misc

(PP) Pearl Paint

(MP) Metallic Paint

(BK00) Value Option Package