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Hyundai Elantra vs Nissan Sentra

66 messages,  Last post on Jun 03, 2007 at 10:34 AM

You are in the Nissan Sentra Forum.

What is this discussion about? Hyundai Elantra, Nissan Sentra, Sedan

Messages Page 4 of 8

#23 of 66 Re: Sentra looks like a Saturn [moparbad] by backy

Oct 24, 2006 (8:41 am)

Replying to: moparbad (Oct 24, 2006 7:59 am)
Except it's a good bet that the new Sentra intentionally resembles the Altima and Maxima.

#24 of 66 Sentra 2.0S test drive by backy

Oct 28, 2006 (3:01 pm)

I got to drive the 2007 Sentra 2.0S 6MT today. It was grey with grey interior, only options were mats and mudguards--$16,555 MSRP including destination.
 
The first thing I noticed was how tall the car is--much taller than the old Sentra. That and the angular styling made the car look chunky to me. I know some like that look, but I prefer the swoopier lines of the Elantra. I like the Sentra's look better with a longer wheelbase, as on the Maxima or Altima. The grey paint was about the same color as that of an Elantra SE I saw recently, so it was a good basis for comparison. The paint on the Sentra looked duller than on the Elantra. Also, the Elantra's paint was very smooth, and the Sentra had a pretty bad case of orange peel. Seams looked even, although the gaps were not as narrow as on the best in the class (including the Elantra). As on the Elantra, there were no side moldings, but they are available on the Sentra as an option. The covers on the 16" wheels looked good for plastic covers I thought--much nicer than the covers on the Elantra GLS. The Sentra's trunk is large and well-shaped and finished, and benefits from hydraulic struts that don't take up room in the trunk--and don't endanger fragile cargo. There's an optional convenience package (not on this car) that adds a trunk divider, a hidden storage compartment, a cargo net, and cargo hooks.
 
The Sentra's interior is very well executed I think. The good-looking cloth fabric has knubby inserts in the centers of the seats. The fabric is grippy, comfortable, and rich looking. The instrument panel is also well done, at least as nice as that on the Elantra but with a sportier motif vs. the more luxo-look on the Elantra. The center stack is dominated by the audio system, which features a large amber display and has an integrated trip computer. So when you display mpg, for example, the numbers are HUGE on this readout. I didn't mess with the audio system, but the controls looked complicated compared to those in the Elantra. The HVAC knobs are very similar to the Elantra's (maybe even the same supplier??)--three large round knobs below the audio controls, smooth and intuitive. Then the 6-speed stick spouts from a binnacle just below the HVAC controls. Between the front seats, there's a rubberized bin for iPods etc. (there's an aux input jack on the audio face plate), two convenient cupholders (same placement as on the Elantra), and an armrest with a single storage bin (not as good as the softly-padded, dual-level armrest with storage on the Elantra). The door panels are finished better than on the Elantra, with thinly-padded upper portion (but at least they're padded), cloth inserts above the armrests, and a small storage bin (but not bottle holders as on the Elantra). There's also chrome plastic door handles to lend a snazzy touch. One negative is the rather hard arm rests; they're more thickly padded on the Elantra.
 
The driver's seat has a single-lever height adjuster, as on the Elantra. However, I couldn't get enough thigh support no matter how I adjusted it. The steering column tilts but doesn't telescope; the reach was comfortable regardless. The wheel itself was plastic (leather is in the convenience package), but it was thick and felt fine in my hands. There's audio controls on the wheel; there was no cruise but it's in the convenience package (do you get the feeling you will really WANT that convenience package? I know I would--especially since you have to get it in order to get ABS). The rear seat had plenty of head room, and knee room when I was sitting behind myself (5'10"). Toe space was very good with the driver's seat raised all the way. I wanted more thigh support (not as good there as on the Elantra), but otherwise the rear was pretty comfy. There's a center armrest with cupholders back there.
 
When I started out, the first few shifts caused a "clunking" sound from the shifter--similar to what I heard when I tested a Versa. But after awhile the noises disappeared, so maybe it just needed warm-up (temp was 45 F). The shifter was notchy but otherwise pretty good, with short throws. The clutch wasn't as effortless as, say, a Civic's (or the Elantra's, from test reports I've read), but it wasn't a pain to use. At 70 mph, the engine was turning at 3000 rpm--not bad for a stick, but higher than I'd expect from a 6-speed. Maybe that is why the EPA highway fuel economy is only 34, vs. 36 with the CVT. The engine growled noticeably during acceleration in any gear. Some might not like the noise; I thought it sounded sporty so I could live with it. Engine noise at cruise was minimal up to 70 mph, as fast as I went. Acceleration seemed only adequate. However, because the engine was new and the sales rep was with me, I was very gentle on the throttle. Also, I wanted to see what kind of fuel economy I could get on the 10-mile test loop, which was suburban roads and a short freeway run at 70 mph. I got 27.9 mpg by the trip computer, which I think is pretty good for a short trip in a cold car.
 
The Sentra has a firm but not punishing ride. I could feel every imperfection in the road, and cracks in the freeway elicited fairly loud "thrums". These were particularly noticeable because the car otherwise was pretty quiet, with little wind noise. But the chassis is solid, and the suspension soaked up larger bumps on a washboard road quite well. I didn't really get the chance to push the car's handling, but it responded crisply to inputs and tracked straight on the freeway. There were no creaks or groans, and the only squeak was a rather annoying buzz around the driver's B pillar.
 
Since I haven't driven the new Elantra yet, I can't say which car I prefer overall. I like the seating positions in the Elantra a little better, and I'd prefer a smoother ride because of the bad roads in my area. The factor that weighs most against the Sentra for me is price. Equipped with ABS (alloys come with the optional ABS on the Sentra), cruise (with the convenience package), mats, and also with fog lamps (standard on the Elantra SE), the Sentra 2.0S lists for $17,945--almost $1600 more than the Elantra SE with mats. For the extra money, you get the trunk organizer features and Bluetooth (plus IntelligentKey on the CVT model), but those aren't worth anywhere close to $1600 to me. Plus the Elantra has a much longer warranty, which is worth something to me. So when all is said and done, the Sentra will have to score significantly better than the Elantra to justify the price difference.

#25 of 66 Another 2007 Sentra Review by jpmccormac

Oct 30, 2006 (5:52 pm)

I hope I'm not re-posting old news but there's a rather gushingly positive review of the new 07 Sentra here:
 
http://newcartestdrive.com/review-intro.cfm?Vehicle=2007_Nissan_Sentra&ReviewID=- - 1969
 
Has anyone noticed the design similarity between the new Sentra and the new Chrysler Sebring?

#26 of 66 Re: Another 2007 Sentra Review [jpmccormac] by v_d

Oct 31, 2006 (5:02 pm)

Replying to: jpmccormac (Oct 30, 2006 5:52 pm)
"Has anyone noticed the design similarity between the new Sentra and the new Chrysler Sebring?"
  
You have to be kidding me... i dont thing anyone did, and you know why? 'Cause there`s none! Look at the headlights, taillights and body line, it`s just not the same and it doesnt even resemble.
  
But yes: as someone before me posted. It looks like an Altima, a Maxima and the Ion, plus the Daewoo Lacetti (if I remember right), BUT still they are not the same. If you want an identical car with the Sentra take a look at the Renault Megane (www.renault.co.uk), look at specs for de 2.0 16V engine, safety features (although the Megane does have ESP - I guess Europeans love life more than we do) and platform.

#27 of 66 Car and Driver review by bamacar

Oct 31, 2006 (5:18 pm)

Elantra came in 4th out of 6; Sentra came in last. Surprises were 1st place to the Rabbit, and the Sentra could not even beat out the "old" Corolla.
 
Car and Driver said the Elantra roars on the highway. I will still give it a try, but that is the 2nd review (both with manuals) with that comment. What is strange is the fact that the Elantra was the quietest of all 6 cars at both idle and 70mph cruise. Maybe it is not the noise volume, but the sound of the engine itself.

#28 of 66 Re: Car and Driver review [bamacar] by backy

Oct 31, 2006 (5:30 pm)

Replying to: bamacar (Oct 31, 2006 5:18 pm)
I've read other reviews that noted the Elantra is a very quiet and smooth car. What could be happening is that whatever engine noise is there really stands out due to the relative quietness of the car. I experienced this effect when I drove the Sentra the other day. The car is pretty quiet in terms of wind and engine noise, and has a solid chassis. So that made the noise from hitting expansion joints on highways quite noticeable--moreso than if it happened in a noisier car I think.
 
Also I think some car reviewers hear what they expect to hear.

#29 of 66 Re: Car and Driver review [bamacar] by germancarfan1

Nov 01, 2006 (9:29 am)

Replying to: bamacar (Oct 31, 2006 5:18 pm)
This is in the December edition of C&D? Haven't received mine yet. A "completely" resdesigned car and the best it could muster was 4th out of 6th? yikes. Who came in second and third?

#30 of 66 Review by bamacar

Nov 01, 2006 (11:48 am)

Just got it yesterday. The second was the Mazda3 and the third was the Civic.

#31 of 66 Re: Review [bamacar] by germancarfan1

Nov 01, 2006 (11:51 am)

Replying to: bamacar (Nov 01, 2006 11:48 am)
Which Elantra trim level was tested?
 
What was the CD tested mileage for the Elantra as compared with the Civic/M3/Rabbit/Sentra?
 
Anyone know when the CR comparo will be done?
 
Somewhere in Hyundai corporate land, execs are praying for high NHTSA and IIHS scores to salvage this car.
 
This doesn't bode well for the Elantra. What will happen when the 2008 Corolla and 2008/2009 Saturn Ion/Opel Astra hit the market?
 
Hyundai desperately needs to drop the ancient 4-speed AUTO, revise the suspension, drop the 2.4l in, include traction control as standard and make ESC optional and keep the price the same. A few more centimeters of interior space just don't cut it in 2007 when your powerplant and chasis is sub par.

#32 of 66 Re: Review [germancarfan1] by bamacar

Nov 01, 2006 (11:58 am)

Replying to: germancarfan1 (Nov 01, 2006 11:51 am)
SE. All with manual transmissions. Don't have the mag with me, but it was Corolla/Civic 1st, Elantra 3rd, Mazda 4th, Sentra 5th, Rabbit last. I will revise if I remembered incorrectly.
 
All got their city or better rating except the Sentra was slightly worse. Is this a Nissan pattern along with the Versa not even getting the city EPA numbers?

Messages Page 4 of 8

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