chicagotribune.com's view

Call it Altima II.

The all new subcompact Nissan Sentra is like its compact cousin in that it’s a marvelous replacement for an old model-in Altima’s case the Nissan Stanza; in Sentra’s, the old Sentra.

The new car is longer, wider and, therefore, roomier and more comfortable-and at the same time surprisingly more quiet, which adds to the impression that it’s a heck of a lot more peppy.

Though a mere 1.6-liter, 115-h.p., 4-cylinder engine rests under the hood, the power is sufficient and fuel economy is scintillating at 28 m.p.g. city/37 m.p.g. highway with 4-speed automatic.

Slam the door without suffering the sound of tin. Sit in the back seat without hitting your head on the rear glass. Pull out into the passing lane without having to make some religious gesture in the hope of making it back into your lane before the next mileage marker. A job well done by the engineers, except for saddling the XE with 13-inch tires, which are more prone to grope than grip.

The stylists, however, sat on their hands. Sentra is too conservative. You’ll be hard-pressed to tell a Sentra from a Tercel or Civic or just about any of the Japanese subcompacts.

Dual air bags are standard, an attraction among youth and parents shopping for youth. ABS isn’t available, at least not in the XE we test drove.

Sentra is a nice subcompact, but to equip one as most people prefer, you have to move up (and pay more) for a GXE or GLE.

To get ABS you have to buy a GXE or GLE and even then ABS is a hefty $995 option.

The XE not only doesn’t offer ABS, you can’t get power windows or power door locks or 14-inch tires. Younger drivers, especially women, want the power items. And after spending a week in the XE, we can think of at least one old man who would like the push-button windows and locks.

And anyone who wants surefootedness on the road should pass on a vehicle with13-inch tires. XE base price is $13,549-attractive, until you check out what you don’t get. The unavailability of power windows, locks and 14-inch tires are annoyances, but no ABS is foolhardy. For that we can’t forgive Nissan, even if the XE does have a cupholder.

Want power windows and locks and 14-inch tires? You’ll have to move up to a GXE, starting at $14,249 with automatic, or a GLE, starting at $15,249 with automatic.

>> 1995 Nissan Sentra XE sedan Wheelbase: 99.8 inches Length: 170.1 inches Engine: 1.6-liter, 115-h.p., 16-valve, 4-cylinder Transmission: 4-speed automatic; 5-speed manual standard EPA mileage: 28 m.p.g. city/37 m.p.g. highway Base price: $13,549 Price as tested: $13,549. Add $390 for freight. Pluses: Dual air bags standard. Quiet ride, with more stability thanks to wheelbase that has grown by 4.1-inches. Roomier than model it replaces. Peppy 4-cylinder. Excellent mileage. Minuses: Styling too conservative. ABS, power windows and power door locks not available until you move up to more expensive GXE or GLE versions, in which power windows and locks standard but ABS is a $995 option. >>