2009 SENTRA OFFERS SPACE, STYLE, PERFORMANCE, QUALITY AND INNOVATIVE FEATUR
10/08/2008
Nissan
The Nissan Sentra has forged its reputation as a stylish compact sedan with roominess and amenities, responsive, fun-to-drive performance and unexpected versatility. For 2009, Sentra continues to build upon that reputation with a refreshed rear trunk lid, new seat cloth trims, standard automatic door locks, MP3 playback capability (2.0 S and 2.0 SL), a new 2.0 SL Premium Package and three new exterior colors.
The 2009 Sentra is built on Nissan's "C" platform and offers a standard 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine, 6-speed manual transmission or fuel-efficient Nissan Xtronic CVTä (Continuously Variable Transmission) and responsive handling. Inside Sentra's spacious cabin are thoughtful and useful features, including a 60/40 split double-fold rear seat, available Divide-N-HideÔ Trunk System hidden trunk storage compartment and available integrated overhead compact disc holder.
Sentra is also available with a range of unexpected amenities - ranging from the luxury of heated leather-appointed seating to the convenience of the Nissan Intelligent KeyÔ keyless entry system.
"Buyers in the compact sedan segment expect a car with good fuel economy, durability, safety, reliability and affordability and Sentra meets and exceeds these expectations," said Al Castignetti, vice president, Sales, Nissan Division. "But Sentra doesn't stop there; it goes above-and-beyond and offers a completely unexpected level of style, roominess, responsiveness and versatility - attributes that set Sentra apart in the segment"
A Stylish Sedan Designed for Active Lifestyles
Built on Nissan's advanced "C" platform, Sentra's dramatic exterior addresses one of the major "unmet needs" of compact sedan buyers - style and emotion. In keeping with Nissan's distinctive design language, Sentra features a sporty front end with Nissan signature headlights and grille. The profile includes a long wheelbase, short front and rear overhangs, crisp character lines and large door openings, while in the rear the high deck accentuates the roomy cabin and cargo area. For 2009, Sentra gets a refreshed rear trunk lid and three new exterior colors (nine total): Red Brick, Sonoran Sand and Artic Blue.
Inside, the interior continues the sporty, functional theme of the exterior, with the use of high quality materials, large gauges and a spacious, flexible center console. Designed to accommodate five full-size adults in comfort, Sentra's passenger volume of 97.7 cubic feet is 9.2 cubic feet larger than the previous generation Sentra. New seat cloth trims are added for 2009.
Along with the roomy, social space of the interior, Sentra supports active lifestyles with flexible and functional storage - including innovative, compartmentalized storage areas.
The trunk, with 13.1 cubic feet of cargo space, is designed to accommodate long, bulky and "unexpected" items through the use of an oversized pass-through opening. Combined with the 60/40 split double-fold rear seat (the cushion folds forward, allowing the seat back to fold down), Sentra offers exceptional cargo flexibility for carrying snowboards, hockey sticks and even bikes.
One of Sentra's true innovations is the available patented Divide-N-HideÔ trunk divider, which allows the trunk to be used for short term and long term/hidden storage.
A removable divider wall, which can be positioned flat on the trunk floor when not in use, can be raised into a vertical position, creating two separate compartments. The durable polymeric material divider (carpeted on one side to match the rest of the trunk and waterproof on the other side for easy cleaning) also includes hooks mounted on the outer surface to help secure items such as grocery bags.
Other storage solutions include an integrated, removable overhead compact disc holder above the driver's sun visor which can hold up to eight CD, a rear seat armrest with cupholders that can accommodate a 20-ounce bottle and 32-ounce drink cup, extra instrument panel storage next to the driver's door, and a large glove compartment that can fit a 8x11-inch writing tablet or a large-sized map book. The center console offers multiple storage options, including an adjustable cup holder design and cell phone space.
Along with ample roominess, Sentra is offered a wide array of premium equipment, including available heated leather-appointed seating, Nissan Intelligent KeyÔ keyless entry system, Bluetooth(R) Hands-free Phone System and premium Rockford Fosgate-powered audio system with 6-disc autochanger, 8-channel amplifier and 8 speakers. New for 2009, Sentra adds standard automatic door locks, along with MP3 playback capability on 2.0 S and 2.0 SL models.
"Sentra has broken free of the pack of like-sized and like-styled compacts with exceptional style, available features and innovative utility," said Castignetti. "A typical entry-level buyer has only one vehicle, so we designed Sentra to serve the many needs of busy people on the go."
Nissan-Style Performance
Under the dramatically styled 2009 Sentra body is a powerful 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine designed to combine responsive acceleration with good fuel economy and efficient operation. It is mated to a standard Xtronic CVTä or 6-speed manual (Sentra 2.0 S only).
The advanced 2.0-liter Nissan MR20DE aluminum block engine is designed to offer an exceptional balance of responsive acceleration, excellent low and mid-range torque and increased thermal efficiency. The engine is rated at 140 horsepower (135 hp CAL emissions) and 147 lb-ft of torque (142 lb-ft CAL emissions). Up to 90 percent of the torque is achieved by 2,400 rpm - providing comfortable driving and excellent fuel consumption in real world driving when mated to the Xtronic CVT.
Fuel economy is rated at 25/33 miles per gallon City/Highway with the CVT and 24/31 miles per gallon with the 6-speed manual transmission (Sentra 2.0 S only).
The 2009 Sentra also offers responsive handling. The front suspension is an independent strut design with coil springs and stabilizer bar. The rear features a torsion beam with integral stabilizer bar, with the rear shock absorbers mounted below the trunk floor for improved trunk roominess. Sentra's ride comfort has been enhanced through use of special "ripple control" shock absorbers, an insulated front cradle-type subframe with pendulum engine mount system, roller-type front strut bearings and large, tuned rear beam isolators.
Standard safety features for the Sentra include the Nissan Advanced Air Bag System (AABS) with dual-stage supplemental front air bags with seat belt and occupant classification sensors; front seat-mounted side impact supplemental air bags; roof-mounted curtain side impact supplemental air bags for front and rear-seat outboard occupant head protection; and front seat Active Head Restraints.
Three Well-Equipped Models
The 2009 Sentra is offered in three well-equipped models, starting with the Sentra 2.0 with a 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine and Xtronic CVTä transmission. Standard features include electric power-assisted steering, 15-inch wheels and tires, suede-like cloth interior, oversized glove compartment, power windows and door locks, rear folding seat system4-speaker AM/FM/CD audio system with auxiliary input and much more.
Sentra 2.0 S, which is offered with a choice of Xtronic CVTä or 6-speed manual transmission, adds 16-inch wheels and tires, 6-speaker AM/FM/CD RDS audio system with MP3 playback capability, Vehicle Security System, in-dash vehicle information display monitor, cruise control, Remote Keyless Entry, driving lights and Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) with Electronic Brake force Distribution (EBD).
Sentra 2.0 SL adds leather-appointed seats, 16-inch aluminum-alloy wheels, Nissan Intelligent KeyÔ, Bluetooth(R) Hands-free Phone System, XM(R) Satellite Radio (XM(R) subscription required, sold separately) and integrated overhead CD storage.
Available options and packages include Convenience Plus Package (CVT), Alloy Wheels, ABS, Audio Package with 340-watt 8-speaker Rockford Fosgate audio system, XM(R) Satellite Radio, Divide-N-HideÔ Trunk System and Moonroof Package. Added for 2009 is a 2.0 SL Premium Package with Moonroof Package and heated driver's and front passenger's seats.