The Sentra's facelift echoes the design of the latest Maxima and Altima with their V-shaped noses. The changes also adjust the shape of the hood and add boomerang-shaped headlights, which feature LED low beams on the SR and SL trims. At the rear, Nissan restyles the bumper and fits updated taillights.
The improvements continue inside where the Sentra has upgraded seat fabrics, as well as a new steering wheel and shift knob. Nissan also tweaks the center console design, and the SV, SR, and SL trims now feature a 5.0-inch Advanced Drive-Assist Display between the tachometer and speedometer.
The Sentra is available with a heap of driver assistance systems depending on trim level and options. Intelligent Cruise Control and Forward Emergency Braking come in a Technology Package on the SR and SL trims. In addition, Blind Spot Warning and Rear Cross Traffic Alert are part of the Navigation Package on the SV and SR levels and standard on the SL.
The only powertrain is a 1.8-liter four-cylinder with 130 horsepower and 128 pound-feet, and it's available with a six-speed manual on the base S trim or a CVT on the rest of the range. However, Nissan retunes the suspension for 2016 with a 10 percent increase in the spring and damper rates. The body is also stiffer thanks to additional chassis bracing.
Nissan spokesperson Dan Passe tells Autoblog the 2016 model will be available by the end of the year. The 2016 Sentra S with the six-speed will start at $17,605 (after $825 destination), which is up $250 from 2015. Nissan won't yet release pricing for the rest of the range, but an SV trim with the Driver Assist Package, Blind Spot Warning, and Rear Cross Traffic Alert will go for less than $20,000, the company estimates.
