2020 Nissan Sentra

Nissan is going for an aggressive pricing strategy: the base model 2020 Sentra starts with an MSRP of only $19,090, excluding tax, title, license, and a destination charge of $925. Impressive stuff for a car that comes with standard emergency braking and pedestrian detection. The SV starts at $20,270, and the SR will set you back $21,430. The new Sentra slots in between the $14,730 Nissan Versa Sedan and the $24,100 Nissan Altima. The top of the line SR model comes packed with most of the available features, but options such as projector LED headlights, a power sliding moonroof, Prima-Tex leatherette seating surfaces as well as a heated and adjustable power driver's seat and Bose premium sound system will push the asking price closer to Nissan Altima territory.

We were not impressed with the previous generation Sentra's spongy and disconnected handling and rental-sled driving dynamics. Nissan has taken note of these shortcomings and has addressed them by throwing out the old car and building the 2020 Sentra on a brand new platform, which includes a new independent rear suspension setup and redesigned electric power steering system. While competitors have moved towards a simpler torsion beam rear suspension to keep costs down, Nissan's decision to use an independent setup has instantly leapfrogged the Sentra into a top handler in the segment.

The steering is much sharper than before, though not quite as precise as the Honda Civic. Nissan has included a new feature called Active Understeer Control, which brakes the inside wheel to pull the car through corners. At city and highway cruising speeds, the Sentra now soaks up bumps and road imperfections where the previous car would struggle to maintain composure. Even the SR with its larger 18-inch wheels never felt harsh over low-speed bumps and we might even call the Sentra "fun" to drive. This is an excellent platform for Nissan to build off of and we look forward to the return of a sportier SE-R or Nismo model.

The last Nissan Sentra was a highly forgettable car. It was built to sit in rental fleet car yards, waiting for travelers needing four wheels and an engine without much care for anything else. Nissan knows it needs to do better to stick with the competition and has delivered a completely redesigned car that is better in every measurable way. The Sentra has improved so much, it is now capable of stirring emotion from the driver instead of slowly grinding down their soul. The exterior is attractive and contemporary, especially when coated with the available two-tone paint job, the interior is miles apart from the last model, and Nissan's Zero Gravity seats are top-notch. Combo this with modern infotainment and the Sentra shapes up as a winner.

The new 2.0-liter engine and CVT transmission combo won't blow you away, but it delivers predictable power and returns impressive fuel economy. What seals the deal for us is the inclusion of advanced safety features such as pedestrian detection and auto emergency braking. Nissan has unequivocally taken the Sentra from fleet to fabulous and the competition should take notice.

All models share the same naturally-aspirated 2.0-liter engine and transmission, so you don't have to make any decisions in that department. Since that's the case, we'd avoid the sporty styling of the SR as it compromises gas mileage without improving performance. Instead, at the Nissan Sentra's price, the mid-spec SV offers the best value for money, and while you might miss out on the option of equipping an eight-speaker Bose sound system, you get comprehensive safety, dual-zone climate control, and you can equip the SV Premium Package, which bags you those sublime quilted leather seats, LED headlights, a power sunroof, heated front seats, and driver's seat power adjustment. At $22,730, it's an all-inclusive bundle that makes the most sense.

The 2020 Nissan Versa is classified as a subcompact four-door sedan and slots in below the Sentra in Nissan's 2020 sedan lineup. The Versa is exclusively available with a 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine producing 122 hp and 114 lb-ft of torque. Power is sent to the front wheels via your choice of a five-speed manual or CVT auto transmission. The Versa will accelerate to sixty, albeit a little slower to get to top speed than the Sentra, and will manage 27/35/30 mpg city/highway/combined when equipped with the manual transmission. The Versa is also all-new though, and features a much nicer interior than it previously had, however, it still can't match the luxuriant feel of a well equipped Sentra. Since it's smaller than the Sentra, you get less rear legroom, but thanks to a boxy design, there's more headroom on offer. Trunk space is slightly better than what you'll find in the Sentra at 14.7 cubic feet. On the road, the Versa is merely adequate and doesn't inspire confidence on the highway. With the top of the line SR CVT going for $18,240, we'd instead go with the fresh Sentra in base form.

The Altima sits above the Sentra and below the Maxima in Nissan's sedan lineup for 2020 and is classified as a mid-size sedan. The Altima is the first sedan in the Nissan lineup to feature a turbocharged engine: you get a turbocharged 2.0-liter inline-four producing 236 hp and 267 lb-ft of torque. A 2.5-liter four-pot is also available and produces 188 hp and 180 lb-ft of torque. Power is sent to the front or all four wheels via a CVT transmission. Fuel economy ranges from 28/39/32 mpg city/highway/combined in the base model to 25/35/29 mpg in the 2.5 AWD Platinum AWD. Both the Sentra and Altima share a similar interior design, but the larger Altima offers more passenger and cargo space. On the road, the Altima feels composed and capable, and with the 2.0T engine, driving becomes a pleasure instead of a chore. Both cars share Nissan's Safety Shield 360 and most infotainment options. The Altima is most certainly the more premium package and is more engaging to drive thanks to that turbocharged engine, but starts off with a base price that's over $5,000 more than the cost of the Nissan Sentra. If you won't miss the turbo engine, go for an SV or SR Sentra for most of the luxury and none of the extra cost.