We’re huge fans of “sleeper” vehicles here at C/D. You know, cars like the 507-hp Mercedes-Benz E63 AMG wagon that can assassinate an Audi R8 while taking the kids to soccer practice. However, some automakers choose to let their vehicles venture in the opposite direction, where looking formidable trumps having the actual gusto to back up a flashy exterior. Enter Nissan’s 2009 Sentra FE+ 2.0 SR.
Forget the alphabet-soup name, because all you need to know is the SR is nothing more than a standard Sentra 2.0 S trim gussied up in SE-R-style drag. The SR adds most of the exterior enhancements from the SE-R, including front and rear fascias, side skirts, rear spoiler, grille, and smoked taillight bezels, to complete a sporty look without the dynamic spunk or price. It’s even available in several unique SE-R and SE-R Spec V colors, but retains the standard 140-hp 2.0-liter four-cylinder, mated to either a six-speed manual or continuously variable transmission.
The SR will carry a base price of $18,455 when sales start in mid-April, bringing the wide-ranging Sentra family to seven members. It should score well with buyers solely focused on turning heads, so remove the SR badge from the trunk and your friends might never know it’s not a real SE-R.
