User Reviews:

2006 Sentra Continues to Offer Unique Combination of Performance and Value in the Compact Car Segment

The popular Nissan Sentra receives minor enhancements for 2006, including an in-dash 6-disc CD changer added to the Audio Fanatic Package and two new colors Sapphire Blue and Sunburst (new for 1.8 S). The Sentra continues to use a standard 1.8-liter 4-cylinder engine, which meets ULEV (Ultra Low Emission Vehicles) standards.

The 2006 Sentra is available in four models the 1.8 and the 1.8 S, and two high performance models, the Sentra SE-R and Sentra SE-R Spec V, featuring a powerful 2.5-liter engine rated at 165 horsepower* (SE-R) or 175 horsepower (SE-R Spec V).

Sporty Design Features
The 2006 Sentra exterior is stylish, assertive and self-confident. With an overall length of 177.5 inches, body width of 67.3 inches and a height of 55.5 inches, Sentra features contemporary styled headlamps and rear combination lamps, a smooth front and rear fascia with a fresh, distinctive hood design and grille and two new sport-inspired exterior colors Sapphire Blue and Sunburst (newly available on 1.8 S).

The Sentra maintains its flush-mounted, one-piece multi-parabola halogen headlamps as well as its body-color door handles, side moldings and bumpers. The Sentra SE-R adds a rear spoiler and large chrome exhaust tips.

The Sentra carries into 2006 a sleek low hoodline, high rear deck, and strong rear fenders, while also preserving its distinct front-to-rear character line.

Distinct Interior Environment
The Sentra's crisp exterior is complemented by its clean-cut interior. The 5-passenger Sentra continues to offer a rewarding interior environment with excellent front and rear head room and leg room combined for a total interior volume of 100.1 cubic feet (88.5 cubic feet passenger compartment/11.6 cubic feet of cargo area).

The front interior features large bucket seats with an 8-way adjustable (4-way on Sentra 1.8) driver seat and 4-way adjustable passenger seat to suit occupants needs. The seat design provides an open feeling through use of a large, one-piece cut pattern around the shoulder area and the raised hip point aids in easier entry and exit. A 60/40 split fold-down rear seat with locking seat back is standard on the Sentra 1.8 S. Cloth bucket seats are standard on all models.

Continuing the tradition of sport-inspired interior design, SE-R provides an interior environment designed for the racer-at-heart. Its ergonomic interior styling combines a modern appearance with sport-styled seats, steering wheel and gearshift knob.

The SE-R Spec V features a special interior with black and silver accents, which is accompanied by Nissan Skyline-style sport bucket seats (SE-R Spec V). The 2006 Sentra SE-R continues to offer power windows and door locks.

The Sentra 1.8 S also continues to offer great interior amenities including a trip computer, remote keyless entry system, power windows and doors, vanity mirrors, map lights, assist grips and conveniently placed cup holders. A 300-watt, 9-speaker Rockford Fosgate-powered audio system, with in-dash 6-disc CD changer, and power sunroof are also available on the 1.8 S model.

The instrument panel features a cluster design with large easy-to-read gauges. For a vehicle in the small car market, the Sentra is equipped with a substantial amount of storage capacity and storage pockets including a stylish center-console with lid and a large glove box.

High Level of Performance
The 2006 Sentra continues to set the performance standard in the small car market with its 126-horsepower 16-valve DOHC 1.8-liter 4-cylinder engine. Also standard on 1.8 and 1.8 S models is a 5-speed manual, with optional 4-speed automatic transmission with overdrive.

Powering the Sentra SE-R is a 16-valve 2.5-liter DOHC 4-cylinder engine producing 175 horsepower @ 6,000 rpm and 180 lb-ft of torque @ 4,000 rpm in the SE-R Spec V model and 165 horsepower @ 6,000 rpm and 175 lb-ft of torque @ 4,000 rpm in the SE-R. The SE-R Spec V gains its 10 horsepower and five lb-ft torque advantage over the standard SE-R through additional tuning. Available SE-R transmissions include a responsive, close-ratio 6-speed manual transmission (standard on SE-R Spec V) or a 4-speed electronically controlled automatic transmission with overdrive (standard on SE-R).

To combat vibrations inherent in large 4-cylinder engines, the SE-R's QR25 engine features a silent chain drive and compact balancer system that effectively negates vibrations without taking up too much space a problem with previous balancer designs.

A helical limited-slip differential is standard on the 6-speed equipped SE-R Spec V. This mechanical differential is torque sensitive and provides instantaneous locking for increased traction and performance.

All 2006 Sentra models utilize platinum-tipped spark plugs with 105,000-mile tune-up intervals. The engine is outfitted with numerous performance enhancing design features, including variable valve timing, microfinished crankshaft and camshafts, 32-bit engine control module and a special swirl control valve, which increases air/fuel mixing during engine warm-up to improve combustion.

Sentra?s suspension combines front independent MacPherson struts with Nissan's rear Multi-Link Beam design with rear stabilizer bar. The Multi-Link Beam reduces road noise and improves Sentra's handling capabilities through the use of a unique lateral link.

The 2006 Sentra's braking system features power-assisted front discs and rear drums on 1.8 and 1.8 S models. Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) is available on the Sentra 1.8 S and SE-R models.

SE-R Braking and Suspension
Sentra SE-R's suspension has been tuned to help provide a maximum amount of performance and ride comfort. There are two levels of suspension tuning available, corresponding with model choices the standard SE-R and the ultimate, track-oriented SE-R Spec V.

SE-R features performance-tuned shock absorbers, a front strut tower brace for additional stiffness and suspension feel and 16-inch alloy wheels with 195/55HR16 tires.

SE-R Spec V builds upon the SE-R's handling capabilities. Front spring rates increase 15 percent (over SE-R) and the rear spring rate increases 16 percent. High-performance 215/45ZR17 tires on special 17-inch aluminum-alloy wheels complete the package and give Sentra an aggressive, sport-compact look.

Braking is provided by large 4-wheel disc brakes the fronts measure a full 11 inches, larger than many so-called sporting machines. A high-performance Spec V Brake Package is offered on the SE-R Spec V model. The exclusive package includes gold-painted Brembo 4-piston front calipers, 12-inch Brembo vented front discs and 10.9-inch rear discs.

Safety and Security
Again in 2006, all Sentra models feature standard dual front supplemental air bags, 3-point front and rear seatbelts, front seatbelt limiters and pretentioners, manual height-adjustable front-seat shoulder belt anchors, the LATCH (Lower Anchors and Tethers for CHildren) system and child safety rear door locks.

Along with those standard features, Sentra also offers an energy-absorbing steering column, front and rear crumple zones, and body side reinforcements. Sentra 1.8 S and SE-R models comes with available front-seat side-impact supplemental air bags.

2006 Models and Packages
The 2006 Sentra is also available with a number of option packages including the Convenience Package (on 1.8) with air conditioning and a 100-watt AM/FM/CD audio system with 4 speakers.

The 1.8 S Audio Package comes with a 300-watt Rockford Fosgate-powered audio system with in-dash 6-CD changer and partial fold-down rear seat. The 1.8 S Sport Appearance Package includes front fog lights, rear spoiler, SE-R style front grille, 16-inch alloy wheels and leather wrapped steering wheel and shift knob (M/T only.) Other available equipment includes side-impact supplemental air bags and Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) and power sunroof.

The value-driven 1.8 S Special Edition Package includes both the Audio Package and the Sport Appearance Package and adds SE-R seat fabric and Special Edition Badging. The 1.8 S Special Edition Package is offered at a significant savings when compared to purchasing the Audio and Sport Appearance Packages separately.

Sentra SE-R comes well equipped with several available options, including ABS and front-seat side-impact supplemental air bags. Packages for the SE-R include the Audio Fanatic Package, featuring the 300-watt Rockford Fosgate-powered audio system with new in-dash 6-disc changer added for 2006, partial fold-down rear seat and Vehicle Security System and Immobilizer; and Power Sunroof Package, with dual illuminated visor vanity mirrors and sunroof.

Sentra SE-R Spec V is available with the exclusive Spec V Brake Package.