The Nissan Sentra SE-R was a staple of the 1990s sport-compact scene. Featuring the legendary SR20DE four-cylinder engine, the car set a number of records in its class. The sporting spirit is still alive at Nissan, even though it might not take a form as hardcore as the old SE-R, but the new 2017 Sentra SR Turbo is bringing that sporty back.
The SR Turbo is based on the SR model, but its 1.8-liter, naturally aspirated engine has been swapped out in favor of a 188-horsepower, 1.6-liter turbocharged I4. For those keeping track at home, that’s 64 horsepower more than the standard Sentra SR.
Even better, it’s available with a six-speed manual transmission. Of course, for those that choose to let the computers do the gear rowing, they can still opt for Nissan’s continuously variable transmission. The CVT has been tweaked specifically for the SR Turbo, so it’s not just some pedestrian addition.
Nissan
There are additional changes beyond the powertrain, too. The suspension features stiffer front springs and optimized dampers. The electric power steering has a larger steering motor and has been altered to provide a more balanced feeling between low-speed and high-speed driving. The front brakes are larger, too — 11.7-inch rotors versus the SR’s 11.0-inch units.
The SR Turbo adds a moonroof as standard equipment, and all 2017 Sentra models feature thicker front and rear glass to cut down on road noise. The center console’s expanded, as well, offering nearly double the storage capacity over the 2016 model. If you want to get mega fancy, the SR Turbo Premium Package adds leather seats, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, a Bose sound system and blind spot monitoring.
There’s no word yet on price, but for comparison’s sake, a 2016 Sentra SR will set you back $ 20,410, so it’s safe to assume that the SR Turbo will add a couple grand to the equation. But if you want a sporty small sedan, it should stand as a solid value against competitors like the Civic Touring.
