2009 Nissan Sentra 2.0 S

Nissan infuses its compact sedan with youthful styling and sporty performance

By Nina Russin

2009 Nissan Sentra

Whenever I get in a Nissan, I’m reminded of the company’s talent for infusing its cars with elan. Nissan maintains its competitive edge with distinctive designs, and cargo systems that appeal to buyers with active lifestyles.

The most obvious example is the Xterra gear rack: if I had a nickel for every triathlete who’s purchased the SUV because of its wet suit cage, I’d probably be rich. The roof rack on the Frontier pickup is another good example.

The Sentra compact sedan is a value-packed offering with styling and versatility rarely found in its segment. Designers used similar jewel-type headlamps and taillamps to the larger Altima, to serve as  focal points for the sporty exterior. The 140-horsepower, four-cylinder engine has surprisingly powerful performance, especially on the low end.

The interior is spacious, attractive and versatile, with a rear pass-through that extends the cargo floor for long items such as skis, snowboards or golf bags. An available cargo organizer adds utility to the trunk, as well as a hidden storage space. Read the rest of this entry »