The engine is running at peak torque when cruising at 65 mph so maintaining speed without a downshift up a steep grade is a piece of cake. This keeps the overall feel relaxed and quiet. But there is a high performance engine available and standard in the SE model. It is lifted right out of the Infiniti G20. It is a 2.0L inline four with DOHC's and 16 valves that pumps out a full 145 hp at 6,400 rpm and 136 pounds of torque at 4,800 rpm.
New power means a new level of performance.
With the standard engine, 0-60 comes up in 10.24 seconds. But that time is with the four speed automatic. When you couple this base engine with a 5 speed manual, the 0-60 times will drop into the high eight second range. Passing performance is also excellent for this overachiever, with 50-70 taking 6.36 seconds with one run below six seconds. Up a steep grade, the not so little Sentra was able to accelerate from 50-70 in an average of 11.38 seconds with no manual holding of the floor shifter.