Sentra has a lot of luxury touches to love

SAN FRANCISCO -- Hoping to appeal to the so-called Echo boomers, Nissan is pitching its redesigned 2007 Sentra compact sedan as a car in which you could live.

Not that the target buyers are homeless, Nissan says, just that they're kinetic, go-do-move young adults, born after 1976, whose demands on a car might, in fact, include using it as a temporary shelter.

Sentra is worth a hard look. The test cars were (with a few exceptions), smooth, refined and feature-laden beyond what you'd expect in their $15,000 to $22,000 price range. And roomier than rivals.

PHOTOS/AUDIO:Sentra with Healey's comments

First, though, you have to like, or accept, the look. The fat, flat rear flank emulates the Nissan Maxima and is an ugly, ungainly look — although reasonable people often disagree on matters of taste.

Inside, it becomes easy to appreciate the improved fuel economy, engaging driving feel, pleasant interior ambiance and general handiness. Among Sentra's thoughtful and premium touches:

•Electric power steering. That costly system usually is reserved for more expensive cars. Works nicely on the Sentra, providing good on-center feel and quick response when the driver demands. It saves fuel because the engine isn't turning a belt for the power steering pump.

•Liquid-filled engine mounts. Also usually saved for higher-price cars, the devices cradle the engine and calm its vibrations and noises. At idle, the engine is eerily quiet and vibration-free.

•Trunk divider. It's an optional, movable bulkhead that separates the part of the trunk that's immediately behind the rear seat from the rest of it. You can keep the trunk's permanent residents — jumper cables, soccer ball, change of clothes — ahead of the divider. You can put groceries and other temporary cargo in the main part of the trunk.

When it's time to fold down the back seat to expand cargo space, the divider folds onto the trunk floor via a single, finger-tip latch.

•Handy storage. See-through net pockets on the backs of the front seats mean guests are less likely to leave behind cargo because they can see it.

•Bluetooth link. It's an uncommon option on lower-price cars. Bluetooth is the technology that automatically and wirelessly connects Bluetooth-compatible cellphones, enabling hands-free, voice-activated use.