Nissan Sentra Ser Spec V

2010 Nissan Sentra SE-R | Eric Peters Autos

Really quick – and really powerful – compact sedans and hatches are now being sold by several automakers. Some (like the new MazdaSpeed3) are pushing over 260 hp.

The downside is they’re also pushing $23k (or more).

So while Nissan’s 177-200 hp Sentra SE-R/SE-R SPEC V is no longer the King Ninja among sporty compacts it was as recently as two or three years ago, it’s still an appealing midway point between a schleprock econo-box with no guts or personality and a getting-pricey Speed3, Honda Civic Si or VW GTI.

WHAT IT IS

The Sentra SE-R is a souped-up version of the Nissan Sentra compact economy sedan. It boasts a larger, more powerful 2.5 liter engine, more aggressive suspension tuning and interior/exterior upgrades over the regular Sentra.

It’s priced at $19,580 for the 177 hp SE-R with CVT automatic and $20,080 for the max-effort Spec V version with 200 hp and six-speed manual transmission.

WHAT’S NEW

SE-Rs get an upgraded (and larger) LCD display in the center stack for the audio/nav systems, with Real Time Traffic updating available. The headlights and tail-lights have also been changed slightly.

WHAT’S GOOD

At its price point, the SE-R is still one of the hottest things going.

200 hp Spec-V will mop the floor with a Kia Forte SX; go toe-to-toe with a $22k Civic Si or $24k VW GTI in a drag race.

Roomier-than-most (in its class) interior.

Large trunk.

WHAT’S NOT SO GOOD

SE-R not available with manual transmission; you have to buy the more expensive – and aggressive – SPEC-V to get one.

Not as sharp-handling as Speed3, GTI or Civic Si.

Sedan-only bodystyle.

Isn’t the latest thing.

ENGINES & PERFORMANCE

The SE-R comes standard with a 2.5 liter, 177 hp four-cylinder working through a Continuously Variable (CVT) automatic transmission. The more aggressive SE-R SPEC-V has a hotter, 200 hp version of the 2.5 liter engine and comes only with a six-speed manual transmission.

Both versions are front-wheel-drive.

Output and performance-wise, the SE-R and SE-R SPEC-V slot in between lower-powered sporty small sedans like the $17,495 Kia Forte SX and$18,990 Mitsubishi Lancer GTS – and more expensive, higher-performance runners like the $22,255 Honda Civic Si sedan, the $23,340 MazdaSpeed3 and the $24,070 VW GTI sedan.

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