With the 2017 Nissan Sentra NISMO, Nissan has decided to give their standard Sentra a major motorsports upgrade. There hasn’t been a revamp of the Sentra since its 2012 Sentra SE-R. With this version, Nissan’s goal was to retain the everyday sedan practicality but add a motorsports-inspired driving experience.
The base Sentra starts under $16,990. The starting MSRP for the NISMO is $24,990. If you are looking for a sportier feel in a compact vehicle, the price tag is worth it. The NISMO offers the lowered sport suspension and bigger brakes, but you won’t win a lot of races with the 1.6-liter four-cylinder turbocharged engine putting out 188 horsepower. The fuel economy is great with an EPA estimated 31 mpg on the highway and 25 mpg in the city. The vehicle is equipped with a sport button for enhanced performance, but the difference is unnoticeable on the city street.
The exterior is designed with red accents on the lower trim of the vehicle, giving it a strong, sporty look. It’s aggressive presence definitely turns heads on the street. It’s outfitted with a “layered double wing” design in the front. The NISMO is available in four exterior colors: Brilliant Silver, Gun Metallic, Super Black and Aspen White.
The interior looks fresh with its suede black interior with red stitching on the heated sport seats featuring the NISMO logo. The leather-wrapped steering wheel, hands-free messaging and an intelligent key with push button start, adds even more. For an added cost, you can enjoy the sounds of an 8-speaker Bose audio upgrade including the NissanConnect with navigation and mobile apps.
Verdict: Sporty look is plus, but the need for speed is lacking. Check out the gallery below.
