Conicelli Nissan

New 2010 Nissan Sentra

The 2010 Nissan Sentra offers a roomy interior as well as respectable fuel economy and
power.

The 2010 Nissan Sentra receives a new optional navigation system (late availability) that includes a 5-inch color screen and real-time traffic information. Other tweaks include revised headlights and taillights for all models, a new grille and front fascia for the 2.0, 2.0 S and 2.0 SL, a standard 4.3-inch color-display audio head unit with iPod and Bluetooth controls for 2.0 SL and the SE-R models, and an optional back-up camera for the navigation system. Also, the 2.0SL receives standard stability control, but its leather upholstery is now optional rather than standard. Finally, the slight fuel economy increase provided by last year's "FE+" trim level has been added to all models with the 2.0-liter engine and continuously variable transmission (CVT).

The 2010 Nissan Sentra torpedoes the notion that economy cars must have relatively cramped cabins. Full-size adults fit just fine, thanks to the Sentra's tall hatchback roots -- its platform is derived from the Euro-market Renault Mégane. Despite this French connection, the Sentra retains Nissan's trademark sporty-yet-functional interior design, including orange backlighting and a nicely contoured steering wheel. However, its driving character is just so-so by the ever-escalating standards of this segment.
Under the hood, at least, the Sentra is plenty competitive. Most models come with a solid 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine that produces 140 horsepower and up to 34 miles per gallon on the highway. Standard on the uplevel SE-R is a 2.5-liter four that sacrifices a few mpg in return for a healthy 37-hp power bump. The high-performance SE-R Spec V receives a massaged version of the 2.5-liter engine with a 7,000-rpm redline and an impressive 200 hp and 180 pound-feet of torque. Nissan has made a point of offering capable power plants across its model lineup, and the Sentra is no exception.

Body Styles, Trim Levels, and Options

The 2010 Nissan Sentra is offered in six trim levels: 2.0, 2.0 S, 2.0 SR, 2.0 SL, SE-R and SE-R Spec V. The base model 2.0 includes 15-inch steel wheels, power windows and locks, 60/40-split-folding rear seats, air-conditioning and a four-speaker sound system with a CD player and an auxiliary audio jack. Add-ons for the base 2.0 are few.
The 2.0 S gains 16-inch steel wheels, driver seat height adjustment, keyless entry, cruise control, power mirrors, a trip computer, steering-wheel-mounted audio controls and a six-speaker stereo with MP3 capability. The 2.0 SR adds an SE-R-inspired body kit and 16-inch alloy wheels at no extra cost. Opting for the 2.0 SL trim nets 16-inch alloy wheels, keyless ignition and entry, satellite radio, overhead storage for CDs and a 4.3-inch color display audio head unit with Bluetooth and an iPod adapter. Many of the SL's standard features are available as options for the 2.0 S. Options available for either S or SL trims include a sunroof, heated front seats, a rear spoiler, a trunk divider and an eight-speaker Rockford Fosgate sound system with a six-CD changer. Leather upholstery is available, but only on the SL. As with other Nissans, these options are grouped into larger, more expensive packages.
The Sentra SE-R trim level heaps on more amenities to the SL trim, but keyless start,
satellite radio and steering-wheel-mounted audio controls are available only as options.
Standard features for the SE-R include 17-inch alloy wheels, more performance-minded
suspension tuning, larger brakes, a lower body kit, cloth sport seats, aluminum-trimmed
pedals, the SL's color-display stereo and gauges for oil pressure and G-force.
The SE-R Spec V further enhances the SE-R's sporting nature by adding higher-performance tires, an even firmer and lower suspension, larger front brakes and racier interior trim.
One drawback to the added performance of the Spec V is a reinforcement brace that prevents the rear seats from folding. Both SE-R models offer options like a sunroof and the Rockford Fosgate sound system, but keyless ignition and entry are only available with the standard SE-R. A limited-slip front differential is only available on the Spec V.
A navigation system (late availability) with real-time traffic is optional on the SL and
both SE-R models, as is a back-up camera.

Powertrains and Performance

Nissan Sentra 2.0 models come equipped with a 2.0-liter inline four-cylinder engine that
produces 140 hp and 147 pound-feet of torque. Power is routed to the front wheels through a CVT or a six-speed manual gearbox (base 2.0 only). Fuel economy for the CVT registers an EPA-estimated 26 mpg city/34 mpg highway and 29 mpg in combined driving, while the manual transmission drops fuel economy noticeably to 24/31/27 mpg.
The Sentra SE-R models feature four-cylinder engines that displace 2.5 liters. The regular SE-R cranks out 177 hp and 172 lb-ft of torque, and a CVT with manual shift control is the only transmission available. For those with more of an appetite for power and performance, the SE-R Spec V produces a higher-revving 200 hp and 180 lb-ft of torque, and it's available only with a six-speed manual. In performance testing, we clocked a Spec V from zero to 60 mph in a quick 6.7 seconds. The added performance hurts fuel economy, but not too much -- the SE-R manages 24/30/26 mpg and the Spec V returns 21/28/24 mpg, though the latter requires premium fuel.

Safety

The entire 2010 Nissan Sentra line comes standard with front-seat side airbags and full-length side curtain airbags. Antilock brakes are an option for the base 2.0 model and standard on all others. The higher-performing SE-R models come with four-wheel disc brakes, while the others have rear drums. Stability control is standard on the 2.0SL, SE-R and SE-R Spec V, but unavailable on other Sentras.
In government crash testing, the Nissan Sentra earned a perfect five-star rating for front passenger protection in frontal and side-impact crashes. Four stars were given for rear-seat side-impact protection. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety awarded the Sentra its highest score of "Good" for both frontal-offset and side impacts.

Interior Design and Special Features

Inside, the Sentra is recognizably a Nissan product, with the company's trademark orange backlighting, sporty gauges and slick-looking but easy-to-use controls. Impressive high-tech goodies like available navigation, iPod and Bluetooth functionality sweeten the deal. Materials quality is decent and the cabin is surprisingly spacious, comfortably accommodating taller adults in any seat. Trunk space is good for this segment at 13.1 cubic feet.

Driving Impressions

Overall, the 2010 Nissan Sentra gets the job done on the road. The 2.0-liter engine is
adequately smooth and peppy. Those looking for performance will gravitate toward the SE-R models. Both variants are more at home in tight corners, but the Spec V is significantly sharper, and its free-revving yet torque-rich engine delivers plenty of lively fun.

To schedule a test drive for a new Nissan, call 1-888-CONICELLI or click the Contact Us link above.

 

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CHILI

1 pound(s) beef round, trimmed and cut into 1/2-inch chunks
Salt & freshly ground pepper, to taste
1 1/2 tablespoon(s) canola oil, divided
3 onions, chopped
1 green bell pepper, seeded and chopped
1 red bell pepper, seeded and chopped
6 clove(s) garlic, minced
 2 jalapeño peppers, seeded and finely chopped
 2 tablespoon(s) ground cumin
2 tablespoon(s) chili powder
1 tablespoon(s) paprika
2 teaspoon(s) dried oregano
12 ounce(s) dark or light beer
1 cup(s) diced tomatoes
8 sun-dried tomatoes (not packed in oil), snipped into small pieces
2 bay leaves
3 cup(s) dark kidney beans, rinsed
1/4 cup(s) chopped fresh cilantro

Directions
1.    Season beef with salt and pepper. Heat 1 1/2 teaspoons oil in a Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add half the beef and cook, stirring occasionally, until browned on all sides, 2 to 5 minutes. Transfer to a plate lined with paper towels. Repeat with another
1 1/2 teaspoons oil and remaining beef.
 
2.    Reduce heat to medium and add remaining 1 1/2 teaspoons oil to the pot. Add onions and bell peppers; cook, stirring frequently, until onions are golden brown, 10 to 20 minutes. Add garlic, jalapenos, cumin, chili powder, paprika and oregano. Stir until
aromatic, about 2 minutes.

3.    Add beer and simmer, scraping up any browned bits, for about 3 minutes. Add diced tomatoes, sun-dried tomatoes, bay leaves and reserved beef. Cover and simmer, stirring
occasionally, until beef is very tender, 1 1/2 to 2 hours.

4.    Add beans; cook, covered, stirring occasionally, until chili has thickened, 30 to 45 minutes. Remove bay leaves. Stir in cilantro and lime juice . Adjust seasoning  with salt and pepper.

1. Never assume the other driver sees you. Whether you are making a turn, changing lanes, pulling out into traffic, never assume drivers in oncoming traffic see you or will react correctly to your maneuver. They may be distracted, intoxicated, in a daze or just plain
pissed off about something. This is especially important if you are driving a small car or riding a bicycle.
 
2. Never trust a turn signal. How many times do you see vehicles driving down the road with the turn signal on, but they never change lanes or make a turn? The advice is do NOT pull out in front of these people assuming they are going to turn, and do NOT try to pass them
on the side their turn signal is flashing. But who knows? They may fool you and actually make a lane change or a turn (maybe in the opposite direction!).

3. Assume the other driver is not paying attention. You pull up to a four-way stop a few seconds before another vehicle to your left or right. Who goes first? You should because you got there first, stopped first and have been waiting the longest. But many drivers apparently haven't learned this rule of driving courtesy and may charge ahead totally oblivious to others who might be in their way.

4. Leave yourself some maneuvering room when stopping behind another vehicle. When traffic stops, don't get right up on the bumper of the vehicle ahead of you. If you're on a four lane street, the car ahead of you may be waiting to turn, leaving you trapped until they can make their turn. Even if the vehicle ahead of you is apparently going straight, drivers have been known to suddenly change their minds. Engines have also been known to stall. Leave a car length so you can pull around if the need arises.

5. Never try to beat a red light to save time. Nobody likes to waste time sitting at a stop light. But other that wasting a little gas and possibly making you late, it won't cost you a fine for running a red light, thousands in collision repairs should you hit somebody or somebody hits you. Many urban areas are now installing red light camera as a way to generate revenue. Big Brother is watching, so when the light turns yellow put on the brakes. And never blow through a stop sign. It could be the last traffic sign you disobey.
 
6. Be a "heads up" driver. As your speed increases, so should your gaze down the road. Too many drivers get tunnel vision following the vehicle ahead of them, and do not look ahead to get the big picture of what traffic is doing. It's hard to see around a big SUV or a truck, so don't follow too closely, or change lanes and get behind a car.

7. Don't hurry. Be happy! Urban driving can be a challenge, especially during rush hour when everybody is rushing to get to work or rushing to get home. It's the NASCAR mentality that gets their shorts in a bind. Rush hour isn't a race, though it may seem that way. So relax,
go with the flow and arrive home happy. Listen to your favorite music to soothe the soul. Life is a journey, so enjoy the trip.

8. Give the other driver a break. Be the nice guy who lets another driver pull out of a driveway or side street into heavy traffic. Pull over into the left lane on a four-lane highway or interstate is somebody is trying to merge from the right. Don't be a jerk. Be nice and be sure to wave. Your good deed will be paid back sooner or later.

9. Don't flip off other drivers. They may be packing heat (carrying a gun!). If somebody cuts you off in traffic or makes a driving blunder, a toot on your horn should suffice (the duration of which may increase with the severity of the offense). Giving some idiot the
finger is a good way to encourage more obnoxious behavior. That, in turn, may start a game of "getting even" which can lead to road rage, people trying to run other people off the road or punch each other out. It's not worth it.
 
10. Be Polite. Stay Right. And Step on the Gas when you Pass. A pet peeves is drivers who get in the left lane on a four lane highway or interstate (which is supposed to be the PASSING
lane), and they poke along blocking others who might want to pass. They'll roll along for mile after mile, two abreast blocking traffic, not daring to adjust their speed slightly for fear they might use an extra drop or two of fuel.

11. Go Right! UPS says it saves a ton of fuel as well as delivery time by avoiding LEFT turns.
Your odds of being rear ended or having an accident in the middle of an intersection are greatly reduced by turning RIGHT as much as possible.

12. Give Truckers a Break, not the Brakes. Big semi-trucks are HEAVY, with some hauling loads of 60,000 to 80,000 lbs. They can't stop on a dime, or a quarter, or a hundred dollar bill. So don't cut them off in traffic, or zip into the lane ahead of them and suddenly hit your brakes. The truck will run over you like a steam roller.