The Nissan Sentra's best qualities include its roomy rear seat and the fact that it has features like a rearview camera and automatic headlights for just over $20,000.
And that's the problem.
Compared with compact-sedan competitors including the Honda Civic, Mazda3, and Toyota Corolla, the Nissan simply fails to stand out.
The driving experience is as ho-hum as it comes. The Sentra is among the slowest in its class; 0-60 mph takes a rather long 10.4 seconds. The handling feels mushy and vague, and the engine's howl is exacerbated by the continuously variable transmission when climbing hills.
The Sentra's furnishings are drab. Unsupportive front seats may be tolerable for short errands, but your body will protest any long trips.
But the driving position is elevated, giving the driver a good command of the road. Fuel economy is commendable at 31 mpg combined. And then there's that backseat.
Read our complete Nissan Sentra road test.
HIGHS: Roomy rear seat, good visibility, simple controls, good fuel economy
LOWS: Below average reliability, cheap feel, mushy handling, engine drone
POWERTRAIN: 130-hp, 1.8-liter 4-cylinder engine; CVT transmission; front-wheel drive
FUEL: 31 mpg
PRICE AS TESTED: $20,125
