(Posted on Dec 24, 2018 at 12:32AM by Michelle Bogle)
As a parent, there is nothing more worrisome than watching your teen son or daughter pull away for the first time after gaining their driver’s permit. Their safety is always a top concern for you, but more so now as they take on Seattle’s gruelling congestion and traffic. Rest your anxious mind and equip your child with an affordable and safe compact sedan. Priced at $13,771, the 2017 Nissan Sentra S is an ideal platform for young drivers in need of an inexpensive entry-level vehicle.
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First, let’s look at the sedan’s ratings because those will definitely quell your fears. The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration gave the 2017 Sentra four-out-of-five overall stars, earning top scores in the Side Crash, Side Barrier, and Combined Side Barrier and Pole categories. What’s more, the Insurance Institute of Highway Safety also bestowed the Sentra with top “Good†scores all-around, which is the highest rating used in their extensive crash tests.
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Powered by a 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine, the 2017 Sentra dishes up reasonable power well-suited for young drivers with 130 horsepower and 128 lb-ft of torque. Mated to a continuously variable transmission with front-wheel drive, the sedan is also thrifty on gas, making it an affordable platform to keep on the road with an EPA rating of 29 mpg city and 37 mpg highway. Acceleration is decent, but not over-kill, needing 10.1 seconds to hit 60 mph from a complete stop.Â
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As for its features, the S level Sentra delivers good value with 16-inch steel wheels and automatic headlights on the exterior, along with keyless entry for added convenience. If your teen plays hockey or transports larger items, like musical instruments, the Sentra's trunk is spacious with 15.1 cubic feet of stowage. Folding down one or both sections of the 60/40-split rear seatbacks expands the capacity even further. Other comfort features also include air conditioning, a tilt-and-telescoping steering column and a height-adjustable driver's seat, while the Bluetooth phone capabilities ensure that they never talk and drive on their mobile device.
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Think this might be the most affordable and well-equipped option for your child? If so, contact our team at Kirkland Nissan in Seattle, Washington, to schedule a test drive today.