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Will They Be Successful?
Once planned for 2006MY but sent back for an exterior redo, the new-for-2007MY Sentra instead arrives at dealers in September 2006. It was unveiled at the 2006 North American International Auto Show. Production continues at Nissan’s Aguascalientes, Mexico, plant, which was also expanded to build the Versa.
Checking out the Nissan Sentra on the stand, Vehicle Voice and AutoPacific correspondents appreciated the revised interior and improved materials in the pre-production car shown, but were underwhelmed by the exterior. The new car is bigger and offers a sharper, angular look compared with the outgoing car. This change further refines the sedan design language started with the new-for-2004MY Maxima, itself up for an update for 2007. The resulting Sentra is a dramatic leap forward from the current car, but perhaps not a big enough leap to stand out in the marketplace.

Versa Allows for Larger Sentra
With the addition of the Versa, Nissan allowed the Sentra to grow a bit, with a wheelbase nearly six inches longer and more than three inches wider, as well as allowing Sentra to be priced a bit higher and offer more standard equipment. Nissan promises a $15,000 entry price for the base Sentra, which is about $2,000 more than the current car but includes more equipment.
The extra space translates into more space inside, as well as simply making it easier to get in and out. On the standard equipment list are side and side-curtain airbags, a tire-pressure-monitoring system, active head restraints, air conditioning, and power windows, locks and mirror. The options list has expanded to bring convenience features first found on more expensive cars, including a keyless entry system and a Bluetooth hands-free phone system. Nissan continues to offer Rockford Fosgate units for their upgrade audio systems, thought there is no iPod-compatible system or even an MP3 auxiliary jack offered.
Sentra continues to be powered by a four-cylinder engine, launching with an all-new 135HP+ 2.0L DOHC 16v four-cylinder mated to a standard six-speed manual or optional CVT. An SE-R model is sure to be in the cards as well. This will mean a base Sentra with slightly more power than the outgoing car.