All hail the B13!
Photography courtesy Nissan
[Editor's Note: Photography depicts a Sentra SR, while the Nissan we drove was a Sentra SV.]
Once upon a time–and this is way back in the ’90s–the Sentra nameplate meant something to most any SCCA card-carrying member. What until then had mostly been an efficient, fairly anonymous little car–okay, Nissan offered that cool Sport Coupe for a hot minute–had received an injection of holiness in 1991.
The Sentra SE-R had the goods: more power, more brakes, a factory limited-slip diff. It could rev north of 7000 rpm. Only one transmission was offered: a close-ratio, five-speed manual.
[Nissan Sentra SE-R: Cheaper and more powerful than a Civic Si?]
It was the weapon of choice for autocross and road racing. I ran mine in D Stock autocross.
And then add in factory motorsports support. Nissan even offered fiberglass body panels for those who wanted to build a Sentra-looking GT race car.
The Sentra SE-R nameplate continued into the early 2000s before, sadly, disappearing. But today Nissan still offers a Sentra, one of the remaining car-shaped cars still offered.
The sportiest thing about the current Sentra might be its steering wheel. It’s D-shaped, with Nissan noting that it recalls the GT-R. No matter how it’s configured, power comes from a 2.0-liter engine making 149 horsepower. In the states, you can only get it with a CVT. The base model comes with rear drums.
[Nissan Sentra Cup: Is this one of the best deals in motorsport?]
Our 2025 Nissan Sentra 2.0 SV tester had rear discs along with 17-inch wheels. I see that 18s, paired with all-season tires, come with the SR package. The Sentra line starts at $21,590. Our test car stickered at $28,035.
While most sporting concessions have been cast aside, the latest Sentra looks good. Nissan’s current angular design language works well on this four-door sedan. Dare I say it looks a bit upmarket?
It’s comfortable, quiet and roomy. It has today’s expected USB plugs.
It’s a fine people mover for the masses.
It’s just not an SE-R.
All hail the B13!
If the CVT grenades as soon as Nissan's earlier designs supposedly do, I have to question that "fine car for the masses" conclusion. What evidence has Nissan offered that they fixed their CVT teething problem?
Appleseed said:All hail the B13!
+1
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