News Source: topspeed.com

Nissan  is going three for three on introducing its new, striking design themes to its sedan  lineup. First the Maxima,  then the Altima  took on the extreme show-car styling language first debuted on the Murano  in 2014. The 2016 Sentra  has just undergone a significant update that brings its sheet metal into the fold as well.

Nissan’s third best-seller after the Altima  and Rogue  crossover  has always been rather bland in terms of style (even when the rest of the sedan lineup was more radical), so the dramatic reskin is an intriguing departure from tradition. It should be a good thing for Nissan; as the subcompact market has gotten more competitive, the competent-but-forgettable Sentra has risked getting lost in the shuffle of sexier and more eye-catching offerings from Mazda,  Hyundai  and Ford.  Looking like a smaller version of the Maxima, the newly curvy Sentra is prepared to do battle with the all-new Honda Civic,  Mazda3  and Kia Forte  with a re-tuned suspension. A host of new technology has also been added, as the Sentra inherits luxury features from Nissan’s larger sedans as well. The updated 2016 Sentra goes on sale in December.

Updated 12/30/2015: Nissan announced prices for the 2016 Sentra which is now on sale at dealers nationwide. Prices will start from $16,780 for the Sentra S with 6-speed manual transmission - an increase of just $250 over the previous year.

The Sentra is bland no more! The greenhouse retains its upright look and shoulder-sided trunk, but the hood now has a dramatic curve and dip to a narrow family grille. Without the chrome horizontal bars, the new front end gives the arched front fenders and C-pillar kickup a much more dramatic flair. A new rear fascia adds boomerang-shaped taillights.

New 17-inch wheels are also available, and the LED accent lighting that’s all the rage on luxury cars will make it onto uplevel Sentras as well. It’s arguably still a bit more conservative than the Maxima, which would look at home on the Blade Runner set, but the reskin definitely adds some much-needed curb presence.

The Sentra’s cockpit takes a bit of inspiration from Nissan’s sporting history, with a driver-centric instrument panel and high-mounted secondary controls. Updates to the interior include a new steering wheel, and LCD flat-panel display for infotainment. The Sentra also gets an instrument panel-mounted driver information system, new power seats and Siri Eyes Free connectivity in higher trim levels.

The Sentra steps above its class by offering dual-zone climate control, navigation, a backup camera, upgraded Bose sound system and the NissanConnect infotainment system, but these options are becoming common in the subcompact class.

Where the Sentra stands out somewhat is with the addition of intelligent cruise control, collision-mitigation automatic braking and a blind-spot monitor with rear cross-traffic alert. These active driver aids are only just beginning to migrate into smaller, less expensive cars, and the Sentra is one of the first in its class to offer them. The 130-horsepower, 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine is capable of up to 40mpg on the freeway and hasn’t changed significantly. Sentras equipped with the Xtronic continuously variable transmission (CVT) benefit from an updated logic control module that offers more “natural” feeling shift points and takes some of the rubbery feeling out of the CVT. Nissan  has also improved suspension response with stiffened body structure and increased spring and damper rates. The electronic power steering has been improved as well. The 2015 Sentra is an IIHS Top Safety Pick, and the 2016 model uses the same structure. Front, side and side-curtain airbags are standard equipment, and front seat-mounted torso airbags are also part of the package. A rollover sensor deploys the side-curtain bags if the Sentra is inverted. Stability control is standard, and the new available active safety features work well to prevent accidents from happening in the first place. It’s always a good thing for a manufacturer to have a cohesive family look, and Nissan’s chosen a good one with the striking Murano’s new theme. Spreading this uncompromising design across the whole lineup is a great way to improve visibility, and the Sentra is a car that could use the boost. More attractive sheet metal over good mechanicals is always a good way to go, especially with value-branded cars. Things are looking bright for the Sentra.