New 2013 Nissan Sentra delivers 34 mpg combined fuel economy, up to 40 mpg highway
01 September 2012
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| 2013 Nissan Sentra. Click to enlarge. |
Nissan’s all-new 2013 Sentra, featuring a new 1.8-liter engine and next-generation Xtronic CVT with sub-planetary gear, offers combined fuel economy of 34 mpg (6.9 L/100km).
The new Sentra is 150 pounds (68 kg)—5%—lighter than the outgoing model, yet has slightly larger overall dimensions and more interior room. The lighter and more aerodynamic new Sentra allows Nissan to use the more fuel-efficient 1.8-liter engine, which along with the Xtronic CVT with sub-planetary gear helps deliver a 13% improvement in EPA combined fuel economy. With the FE+ models, Sentra achieves up to 40 mpg (5.88 L/100km) on the highway. Other CVT-equipped models are rated at 39 mpg (6.03 L/100km) on the highway. All CVT models achieve a best-in-class EPA rated 34 mpg combined (City and Highway).
The new Sentra has a strong family resemblance to the recently introduced 2013 Nissan Altima, both in exterior and interior styling cues and its “class-above style” against competitive vehicles in the compact sedan segment.
The 2013 Sentra is built on a new platform that is lighter than the previous design, contributing to the new model’s more than 150-pound weight reduction. It also helps Sentra provide one of the largest interior volumes in class, along with ample rear seat legroom and enhanced trunk capacity.
Compared with the previous generation Sentra, the 2013 model offers a 0.6-inch longer wheelbase (106.3 inches) and a 2.3-inch longer overall length (182.1 inches). The front overhang is shorter and the rear overhang extended. It is slightly lower in height (-0.6 inches) and narrower in width (-1.2 inches) for enhanced aerodynamics, yet offers nearly identical total interior volume (111.0 cubic feet versus the previous 110.8). The coefficient of drag has been significantly reduced to 0.29 from the previous 0.34.
New 1.8-liter engine and advanced CVT. As expected from a ground-up redesign, the new Sentra features an all-new engine and CVT transmission. Now displacing 1.8-liters, Sentra’s advanced DOHC 4-cylinder engine offers a longer stroke than typical engines in its class, resulting in improved combustion speed and efficiency. The engine is equipped with a twin Continuously Variable Timing Control (CVTC) system which modulates both the intake and exhaust valve opening time (similar to that used on the flagship Nissan Maxima).
The engine’s internal friction has been reduced, improving efficiency. The DLC (diamond-like carbon coating) creates about half the friction of previous coatings. In addition, the valve springs are shaped similar to a beehive, with a smaller diameter towards the top—reducing inertia weight, improving valvetrain efficiency and smoothing engine operation. The engine is rated at 130 hp (103 kW) and 128 lb-ft (173 N·m) of torque.
The new engine is matched with a new-generation Xtronic CVT (a 6-speed manual is available in the base Sentra S model). The new CVT features a number of enhancements (versus the previous CVT) that contribute to an improvement in fuel efficiency and lower vehicle weight. It also offers a wider gear ratio of 7.3:1 through use of a sub-planetary gear and smaller pulleys, resulting in high-speed fuel efficiency at low rpm and responsive acceleration. Fuel economy is rated at 30 mpg (7.84 L/100km) city, 39 mpg highway (6.03 L/100km) and a class-leading 34 miles per gallon combined with the CVT.
The new Sentra also features an independent strut front suspension with stabilizer bar, torsion beam rear axle with integrated stabilizer bar, power-assisted vented front disc/rear drum braking system (4-wheel disc brakes are available), and vehicle-speed-sensitive electric power steering. Available wheels and tires include 16-inch steel wheels with full covers with 205/55R16 size all-season tires or 17-inch aluminum-alloy wheels with 205/50R17 all-season tires.
The 2013 Nissan Sentra is offered in a selection of well-equipped S, FE+ S, SV, FE+ SV, SR and SL trim levels. All models come with standard Xtronic CVT, except the base Sentra S that is available with a choice of 6-speed manual or CVT.
The NissanConnect with Navigation system, leather-appointed seats, heated front seats, rear disc brakes, power sliding glass moonroof and RearView Monitor are among the additional features available with the various equipment packages.
Is it back to the future with 40 mpg like the early Sentra used to do? This car is bigger but lighter. That's the way to go for better fuel economy.
Posted by: HarveyD | 01 September 2012 at 07:34 AM
Nissan like Mazda has never been a champion of high mileages figures...just a follower, the design is slightly better than others Nissan models but still on the ugly sides like all Nissan models.
Posted by: Treehugger | 01 September 2012 at 10:47 AM
Almost as good as the Chevrolet Cruze which has 140 hp and gets 42 mph highway. Also, the Cruse does not have the problematic continuously slipping and continuously wearing traction type CVT.
Posted by: sd | 01 September 2012 at 11:23 AM
If they can repeat the 13% improvement 3 times in 13 years, they will hit the 49 mpg level CAFE seems to want by 2027.
That is 3 generations of 5 years each.
Should be possible.
Or 1 jump of 30% with hybridisation.
Posted by: mahonj | 01 September 2012 at 01:56 PM
I'm sorry but 40 mpg does not blow any wind up my skirt.
Regulators should demand space frame architecture and composite frame materials to make any real difference.
North America should ban the licensing of any car with frame components heavier than a certain percentage of the car. That way it gets lighter while still meeting safety specs. Any foreign car maker will simply have to sell their heavy cars elsewhere.
Also, certain classes of EV should be exempt from the more stringent crash safety demands or specific safety equipment that makes a car heavier where reasonable. Let's face it. Crash safety equipment is not really keeping drivers safe. They are killing each other and themselves at a higher rate than ever!
Posted by: EVryman | 01 September 2012 at 09:50 PM
The CVT Nissan will use is a high quality one, well liked by drivers and durable.. its not continuously slipping or wearing. 40mpg hwy seems to be standard today for this class of cars, not sure why everyone is so surprised.
Posted by: Herm | 01 September 2012 at 11:03 PM
Why is everyone so upset that one of the cheapest family sedans on the market now gets even better mileage? Granted, a hybrid would have done somewhat better, but not everyone has a big enough car budget to spend 50% more on a car with a tiny trunk that will save them (max) $500/year in gas.
Posted by: Bernard | 02 September 2012 at 08:25 AM
Herm
You need to study some physics or engineering or maybe both. A traction type CVT device will not work without slipping. The transmitted force or torque is proportional to slip up to a point. It is generally linear in the operating range. IE, twice the torque, twice the slip. After a point the torque vs slip curve starts to fall off and eventually you can not longer transmit any more torque. Obviously, you would not purposely design a transmission to work in this range. But again, no slip, no work. This is basic physics.
Posted by: sd | 02 September 2012 at 10:36 AM
@EVryman: you say:
"Let's face it. Crash safety equipment is not really keeping drivers safe. They are killing each other and themselves at a higher rate than ever!"
Say what? Highway fatalities/miles traveled has been declining for years, in part because of mandated safety equipment. See for instance:
http://www-nrd.nhtsa.dot.gov/Pubs/809855.pdf
Please supply a source for your assertion.
Posted by: Nick Lyons | 02 September 2012 at 04:31 PM
"You need to study some physics or engineering or maybe both. A traction type CVT device will not work without slipping."
I thought it worked by varying the diameter of the cones and thus changing the gear ratio.. In any case it does not "slip" like a bad friction clutch or an unlocked hydraulic torque converter. The Nissan CVT is highly respected.
Posted by: Herm | 02 September 2012 at 09:40 PM
Herm
It does work by changing the diameter of the cones and therefore the effective drive ratio and it does not slip like a bad clutch but all traction devices slip under load. If you ride a bicycle, you may notice that the rear tire wears more than the front tires but it is unlikely that you can cause break away spinning on a dry road. This is because the rear tire is slipping some as you pedal and therefore wearing more. Likewise, your alternator belt is always slipping under load even if it is relatively new and properly installed.
Posted by: sd | 03 September 2012 at 07:19 AM
I wonder why in USA cars like Toyota Corolla, Honda Civic come with cheaper (and inferior) rear DRUM BRAKES, while in Europe (and Australia) those models use rear DISCS. In US, only top end model of Honda Civic comes with discs. Corolla doesn't even has an option of rear discs.
This 2013 Nissan Sentra also has rear drums.
On the other hand, Mazda3, VW Golf, Mitsubishi Lancer all have rear discs on all trim levels.
Posted by: MG | 03 September 2012 at 01:13 PM
To lower initial cost (visible cost) by almost $100 and most Americans do not know/see the difference, only the $$$$.
Posted by: HarveyD | 04 September 2012 at 12:38 PM
Drum brakes work just as well as disc brakes in the rear wheels of a typical sedan vehicle because during heavy braking, the weight distribution will move much to the front wheels, such that the front wheels may support 2/3 of the vehicle's weight and the rear wheels only 1/3 of the vehicle's weight. You definitely do not want the rear wheels to lock up hence losing control of the vehicles, hence you do not want the rear wheels to have too good a set of brakes!
Posted by: Roger Pham | 09 September 2012 at 12:47 AM