07 Sentra vs. 07 Versa - a brief comparison

[Ever Victorious]

Well, I took a test drive of a new '07 Sentra today, as promised. In the interest of comparing oranges to something at least relatively close to an orange, I made a point of picking out a 6-speed Sentra (since my Versa is a 6-speed).

Test model was a 2.0 S with 6MT and no options.

The Sentra shows that it is becoming more of a appeal-to-the-masses family car, rather than a more "basic" car (as it were) in the past.

It felt quicker off the line than my V, and had no trouble barking the tires shifting into 2nd gear. The MR20 is very responsive and likes to rev quicker than the MR18. Claimed fuel economy is only 2 mpg lower in both stats than the comparable Versa.

The gearshift does not have the "click" and positive engagement feeling that I get in my Versa. A number of people have indicated that the Versa's shifter feels "clunky" because of this, so those of you that have said that will probably like the feel of the shifter. Those of you who are like me and actually LIKE the car giving you feedback will hate it. The shifter is VERY heavy compared to the Versa. If you like rowing gears, I hope you're in shape.

The seating surfaces (cloth in the model tested) had this weird webbed netting type stuff woven into the surface that I guess is there to help keep you in place. It looks tacky. Furthermore, it's not woven cloth. This puts the material at the same level as the Versa S, with the SL having a MUCH higher quality woven cloth seating surface. I've seen pics of the leather interior and as much as I despise leather interiors, I would pick it over the cloth interior in this car.

The dash is very nicely laid out. The trip computer display doubles as a HUGE display for the stock stereo, which has more power than the Versa's stock stereo. The audio package also adds 2 subs and the 6-disc MP3 changer, so get it if you can. Also, the fan in the climate control system has a nearly infinitely variable fan, like my RX-7. That is VERY nice.

I do NOT like how the front door rests angle away from the driver as they get closer to the front of the car. It made reaching the window controls rather difficult.

The back seat is nowhere near as spacious or comfortable as a Versa's, the V beats it hands down here.

The trunk is very long and, FOR A SEDAN, very tall. However, the trunk still does not have the capacity of a standard Versa hatchback does with its seat up... and as it is a sedan, with the seats folded down, it still cannot carry the size and type of cargo that the Versa carries.

The pseudo-altezzas on the back of the Sentra help break up some of the monotony, but the car looks like it's trying to play the "see? I can conform!" card.

My impressions:

Versa is more comfortableVersa is more versatileVersa has a more ergonomic and higher quality interiorSentra has better creature featuresSentra has a trip computer (with outside temp gauge)Sentra has a better trunk *WHEN COMPARED TO THE VERSA SEDAN* (conjecture, as the Versa sedan has yet to be released)Sentra has a SLIGHT edge in handlingSentra is fasterVersa is more economicalVersa is cheaperVersa allows i-Key with Manual transmissions (Sentra only allows it with CVT)Sentra allows i-Key with ABS

My decision:

I'd still buy a Versa any day of the week. Sorry, Sentra lovers...

[cireecnop1]

I agree, Sentra seems like it is trying too hard.

[MDWeezer]

I test drove a Sentra just for kicks today while trying to figure out my Versa situation with the dealer and it drove OK (6-speed) but the lack of room in the back and hatchback were major turn offs..... The trunk looks big but when parked next to a Versa with space just as deep and much higher; it's a difficult purchase.

My only question is.... why are there so many 2007 Sentras on the lots but Versas are next to impossible to find?

[Cowboys Fan 87]

Just my opinion.....but the last 2 car lots I drove past had quite a few 2006 Sentra's still. Now with the Versa starting below the price of a new 2006, for the most part, I would hazard a guess that Nissan would rather you buy a 2006 at a discount and help clean off the lots rather than sell you a 2007 model car.

Again, this is based on observation and several posts about salesmen pushing the Sentra over the Versa....they did me the same way and just to shut him up I drove the 2006 Sentra and put his 6'4" a$$ in the back seat......that shut him up pretty quick.

That's my 2 cents

[Ever Victorious]

They may have seen this coming and slowed way down on deliveries of Versas to showrooms to create a shortage, forcing more B15 sentras off their lots. What a crock.. Just give the dealer a huge rebate to offer and people will buy them even without the artificiality of the situation. Nissan has to remember that there are a lot of American freaks out there that don't understand that hatchbacks are cool.

[B-Bop86]

Yea, i just about every dealer I talked to tried talkin me into an 07 Sentra, and I'm like naaaw, i'm good...

[MinisterofDOOM]

My only question is.... why are there so many 2007 Sentras on the lots but Versas are next to impossible to find?

My guess is that the Sentra just doesn't have the demand that the Versa does. The Sentra has been a pretty uninspiring car for the last two generations (since 1995) and the last generation has been one of Nissan's most problematic and lowest quality cars ever. It doesn't leave people with much of a special place in their hearts for the model.The B16 ('07+) sentra looks to be a HUGE improvement over the mediocre B15, so I expect that once people start hearing that it's a good car, sales will increase.