Nissan Sentra dimensions

The 2012 Nissan Sentra is a respectable small sedan, but newer rivals outclass it in terms of performance, fuel efficiency, athleticism and charisma. Nissan Sentra SE-R Spec V offers the following pros: Roomy front seating; intuitive control design. Nissan Sentra SE-R Spec V drawbacks are: Aging design; droning acceleration with CVT (continuously variable transmission); harsh ride over rough surfaces; telescoping helm not available; ho-hum handling in all but the SE-R.

The 2012 Nissan Sentra sedan is provided in six various versions, including four mainstream models based on a 2. 0-liter four-cylinder motor (2. 0, 2. 0S, 2. 0SR and 2. 0SL) and two high-performance variants powered by a 2. 5-liter motor (SE-R and SE-R Spec V).

The entry-level Nissan Sentra 2. 0starts with 15-inch metal wheels, air-conditioning, cloth upholstery, 60/40-split-folding back seatings, performance windows and locks, a tilt-adjustable helm and a four-speaker audio system with a CD player and optional stereo slot. The Nissan Sentra 2. 0S adds 16-inch metal wheels, performance mirrors, a height-adjustable driver bench, cruise control, remote keyless entry and a six-speaker CD/MP3 stereo system with an Ipod interface.

The 2. 0SR contains those items and adds look-and-feel cues from its sportier siblings including distinctive front and back fascias, side sill extensions, foglamps, a back spoiler and 16-inch alloy wheels. Moving up to the SL gets you a leather-wrapped helm, keyless entry/ignition, Bluetooth and an updated audio with radio and a color screen.

Features on the 2. 0models vary by trim level and include leather upholstery with heated front seatings (SL only) and a Comfort suite that bundles keyless entry/ignition, Bluetooth and a leather-wrapped helm (S/SR only). A Technology suite adds a navigator, radio and an Ipod interface (S/SR only). A Special Edition suite contains everything in the Comfort and Technology packages plus a sunroof (SR only), while the Special Value suite contains the sunroof, navigation and a rearview monitor (SL only). An Stereo suite contains an eight-speaker Rockford Fosgate stereo system (SL only).

The Nissan Sentra SE-R trim level is equipped similarly to the 2. 0SR but adds 17-inch alloy wheels, performance-oriented suspension tuning, an aero-style body kit, cloth sport seatings, the Sl's audio with color screen and gauges that enable the driver to monitor things like oil pressure and g-forces during cornering. The SE-R Update suite adds a sunroof, keyless entry/ignition, a rearview monitor, the navigator, radio and the Rockford Fosgate stereo system.

The SE-R Spec V builds on the Se-r's sporting nature with more performance, higher-performance tires, an even firmer suspension with a lower ride height, larger front brakes and sportier dashboard trim. One drawback to the added performance of the Spec V is a structural reinforcement brace between the back shock towers that prevents the back seatings from folding. Also available on the Spec V is an auxillary SE-R Spec V Update suite that contains all the items in the SE-R Update plus a mechanical limited-slip front differential. .