2020 Nissan SentraNadine Filion / Los Angeles What is it?Nissans eighth-generation Sentra could become dare we say, after the somnolent designs of the past the sexiest almost-coupe-style compact sedan on the market. For this, we can thank the sharp design cues lifted from its big sister and indeed very sexy the Nissan Maxima. Starting with the floating roof, the muscular body sides and the signature V-motion front grille, the 2020 Nissan Sentra is truly alluring.Although assembled alongside the Kicks in Nissans Aguascalientes plant in Mexico, the next Sentra is built on a completely new platform. The new architecture should bring major driving dynamic improvements with its stance widened and lowered by five centimetres compared with the current car, and even more important, a new rear independent suspension replaces the archaic torsion-beam system of the past.Other improvements include a 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine not the exact one from Nissan Qashqai, but close, says the company thats good for 149 horsepower. But dont be fooled by Nissans claim of 20 per cent more performance versus the current Sentra; the latter was among the least powerful of its segment, so the new model will only be on par with the competition.Check out all of our latest auto show coverage hereWhy does it matter?The outgoing Sentra is not showing on most consumers radars, perhaps because its been with us since 2013, albeit with a minor 2016 refresh. The result has been that, for each Sentra sold in Canada this year (January to September), Hyundai has sold five Elantras, Toyota six Corollas, and Honda as many as eight Civics. The Sentra has not been a rip-roaring success. Even in Quebec, where compact sedans still account for one in every five new vehicles sold, the Nissan Sentra is simmering in mid-pack with a not-so-glamorous three per cent share of the segment.But to its credit, and contrary to some other manufacturers, Nissan is not abandoning cars. Certainly, the latest Sentra could well profit from the demise of the Ford Focus and Chevrolet’s Cruze.Nonetheless, theres a lot of pressure on the new Sentra. For 2020, Nissan is discontinuing both the Micra and Versa Note, leaving the Sentra will have to pick up the slack. On the other hand, the Sentra returns to its 1982 roots and will be the cheapest car in Nissans lineup.When is it coming?The 2020 Nissan Sentra will hit Canadian showrooms late February next year, with three trim levels: S, SV and SR. A CVT will be available across the board, but the base version will still offer a six-speed manual transmission something the U.S. wont get. Prices will be unveiled closer to the on-sale date, but expect something not too far removed from the current price tag. Should you buy it?Not if youre looking for AWD or a five-door version. Sadly, unlike the Mazda3 or even the Altima, the new Sentra doesnt add the AWD. Theres also no hatchback.That said, the Sentra has been known as very comfortable and spacious for a compact sedan, a rare compact that truly excels on the open road. And this latest generation definitely has looks going for it, not to mention Nissans Safety Shield 360, newfound power, and not to mention the Zero Gravity front seats that have proved so popular in other Nissan products.In other words, this new Sentra should break Nissan out of the compact car doldrums its been in for
Origin: Nissan Sentra 2020: Nissan isn’t giving up on (compact) sedans