Nissan has breathed new life into their popular Sentra model by producing the first ever Sentra Turbo; the fastest Sentra in history. All Sentras are powered by a 1.8-litre engine, but for 2017, Nissan fitted a Sentra with a boosted new engine and called it the Sentra SR Turbo.

Nissan borrowed the engine from the crossover Juke (the second best-selling Nissan in Canada). The Sentra SR Turbo now gets considerably more horsepower (according to Nissan, 50 percent more) than the standard 130-horsepower Sentra, thanks to the Juke’s turbocharged 188-horsepower 1.6-litre engine. And unlike the standard Sentra, yours can come with a new SR Turbo exclusive automatic transmission with manual mode or a six-speed manual.

To handle the increased power and torque best, the Sentra got a major overhaul. A new and tighter suspension now pairs better with the higher-output engine. The power steering was also revised to be more speed sensitive than other Sentra models. The brakes were replaced with larger calipers and front discs. Heavier-duty brake pad material was used to better stop the SR Turbo. Other additions include LED lights and a rear spoiler to complete the sporty look.

The interior driver centre features a Sport button for livelier throttle response. Other drive options include Normal for everyday driving and Eco for the highest fuel efficiency. There’s now more storage available in the reconfigured centre console. The interior cabin is quieter than ever due to the thicker window and windshield glass.

Sports seats are finished in durable fabric with heated front seats. The rear seats are roomy enough for adults and according to Nissan, offer 95 centimetres of leg room. Other 2017 Nissan Sentra SR Turbo standard features include keyless entry, push button start, a rear view monitor and soft-touch surfaces and instrument panel.

An SR Turbo Premium Package is an upgrade option that adds many driver conveniences and features. Some of the most notable interior features include leather sports seats, a power sliding glass moonroof, an auto-dimming interior mirror with an integrated HomeLink Universal Garage Transceiver and a Bose 8-speaker premium audio system.

The Turbo Premium Package also adds driver safety features like Blind Spot Warning and Rear Cross Traffic Alert, plus the latest connectivity conveniences through the NissanConnect infotainment centre with Navigation and Mobile Apps via a 5.8-inch colour touch-screen display. The system operates hands-free using Nissan’s Voice Recognition system for navigation and audio.

The 2017 SRT is priced starting at $21,598 CAD for the manual transmission model and $24,998 CAD including the Premium Package. The automatic transmission can be added to either trim level for an additional $1300. 

The Nissan Sentra has always been a reliable sedan. But Nissan has finally added some fun into the equation with the new 2017 Nissan Sentra SRT Turbo. We invite you to come test-drive both Sentra versions and see what a difference there is between the two! Your daily commute is about to get a little more interesting.