Nissan’s new classy compact sedan: Goodbye Sentra, hello Sylphy

At first glance of the Sylphy, you’ll think you’re looking at a D-segment car.
CDN PHOTO/BRIAN J. OCHOA

From now on, motoring enthusiasts should start getting used to the Nissan Sylphy’s name.
The Sylphy will now be Nissan’s bet in the compact sedan category (C-segment), replacing the successful and well-known Nissan Sentra.
Sylphy comes from the word sylph, which, in merriam-webster.com, means an elemental being in the theory of Paracelsus that inhabits air. Its second definition states a slender graceful woman or girl.
From the name itself, it’s clear that Nissan wanted this new compact sedan to be as classy and elegant as possible. And it didn’t fail.
The Sylphy looks so elegant from inside out that I thought I was in a D-segment car or in a premium midsize sedan when I got in for the first time.
(Nissan Cebu lent Cebu Daily News a 1.8 V variant test unit for three days)
The quality of the interior is very good, from the leather seats to the soft-pad trim. Adding class is the push start/stop button, the Sony touch screen audio head unit with six speakers and dual-zone auto climate control. Take note, there’s a separate aircon vent for the passengers in the rear.

Inside, the dashboard boasts of a cool touchscreen audio head unit and easy to use dual zone autoclimate controls. CDN PHOTO/BRIAN J. OCHOA

Interior space has also been improved for a more premium ride and that can be experienced more at the rear. Nissan also claims it has the largest cargo space in its class at 510 liters.
Driving the sedan around Cebu meant having to go through some unforgivable roads and hostile traffic jams but that didn’t quite bother me like it usually did on a normal day.
It must have been something with the light steering of the Sylphy that allowed me to squeeze through traffic jams with ease. The improved suspension also soaked up road imperfections well, giving me a somewhat stress-free drive despite all the chaos happening outside.
The designers did quite a good job on the outside too, giving the Sylphy an up-market look.
The lower roofline and beltline give it a forward-looking stance. A character line that runs from the front fender to the rear combination lights add more style and class. The tail lights are LED-filled while the front headlights are also highlighted with LED lights below the xenon projectors. Its 17-inch wheels further accentuate the premium exterior design.
This classy look gives the Sylphy a different taste in the subcompact category that seems to be leaning more on the sporty side (e.g Toyota Corolla Altis and Mazda 3).
But this elegant look doesn’t mean the Sylphy can’t perform.
The Sylphy I drove was fitted with Nissan’s new lightweight 1.8-liter MRA8DE engine that produces 129 horsepower and 174 Newton-meters of torque. The lower variant is packed with an updated 1.6-liter HR16DE engine that makes 114 hp and 154 NM.
Both engines feature dual variable valve timing and a dual injector system that improves fuel efficiency and lessens harmful exhaust emission.
The Sylphy’s transmission is Nissan’s own Xtronic CVT, which incorporates a subplanetary gear claimed to smoothen shifting and minimize power losses. This means a smoother acceleration and more fuel efficiency.

LED tail lights and the Puredrive Xtronic CVT badge highlight the rear side of the Sylphy.
CDN PHOTO/BRIAN J. OCHOA

The Sylphy also boasts of improved safety features over its predecessor, with driver and passenger SRS airbags, anti-lock brake system with electronic brake force distribution and brake assist highlighted with an all-disc brake setup.
For better security, the Sylphy features a keyless entry system with remote trunk opener and immobilizer. The top-spec variant that I tested had the new I-Key, that allows for full keyless operation, thanks to the push-button engine start/stop.
With all these features, I think the Sylphy has what it takes to continue with the success of the Sentra. People will love its up-class look and feel.
The name may take a while to get used to but hey, Sylphy sounds like “selfie” so I think the car is going to be a hit too.