All About the 2012 Nissan Sentra Special Edition

The 2012 Nissan Sentra Special Edition combines packages offering drivers a deal on upgrades to its SR trim.
Written by Sophie Boka
Reviewed by Kathleen Flear
The 2012 Nissan Sentra Special Edition Package can be added to its sporty SR trim, offering drivers a combination of unique upgrades at a fraction of the price.
For better or for worse, the Sentra is about as consistent as they come. Owners can count on decent handling, solid fuel economy, and a surprising amount of room for a compact sedan. 
Consistency certainly has its merits. But come 2012, the Sentra remained largely unchanged from its 2007 drop, and it began to pale in comparison to some of its advancing competitors, like the
Ford Focus
and
Hyundai Elantra
The Special Edition Package gave Nissan an edge. It seems it was an attempt to lure drivers back to the Sentra, if not for unique features then at least for a solid deal. 
Here at
Jerry
, the app that brings you
car insurance
savings, we’re all about deals. So we wanted to take a closer look. Read on for our 2012 Nissan Sentra Special Edition review, plus learn how to lower your
Nissan Sentra SR insurance cost
in seconds.
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Compare insurance quotes from 50+ carriers with Jerry in under 45 seconds
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What is the 2012 Nissan Sentra Special Edition? 

The Nissan Sentra offered a Special Edition Package for its SR trim in 2012, stacking its sportier frame with a bevy of features to optimize the Sentra driving experience.
The SR is the most popular
trim level
of the 2012 bunch, falling third in the lineup. Drivers can choose from the
2.0
,
2.0 S
, 2.0 SR, 2.0 SL,
SE-R
, and
SE-R Spec V
.
But before we can understand what the Special Edition Package adds to the SR, we should first unpack some of the base Sentra’s beauty.

2012 Nissan Sentra overview

Compared to its peers, the 2012 Sentra may not seem so impressive. But on its own, the Sentra is still an incredibly reliable, solid sedan.
To start, the 2012 Sentra offers respectable fuel economy. If you opt for a manual, you can enjoy a fuel rating of 24 mpg city/31 mpg highway. Prefer the continuously variable transmission (CVT)? You’re looking at 27 mpg city/34 mpg highway.
As far as comfort goes, we’re still scratching our heads wondering how Nissan manages to fit so much space into such a tiny, compact frame. This is especially true up front, where long-legged folks will find plenty of room to stretch out
Its storage is less radiant, though pretty average for a car of its ilk. The trunk provides 13.1 cubic feet.
Powering up your standard model, you’ll get a 2.0-liter inline-four engine and CVT. The CVT isn’t exactly a fan favorite. But the inline-four offers quite a surprising amount of pep.
Key specs
  • $7,495 fair market value
  • 2.0-liter inline-four engine
  • CVT
  • 140 hp @ 5,100 rpm or 177
    horsepower
    @ 6,000 rpm
  • 147 lb-ft @ 4,800 rpm or 172 lb-ft @ 2,800 rpm
  • 4-star
    NHTSA
    rating 
  • IIHS Top Safety Pick

What’s special about the Special Edition?

While the 2012 Sentra may not outshine its peers, it still offers a comprehensive deal, especially to SR drivers opting for the Special Edition Package.
Opting for the Special Edition upgrade was kind of a no-brainer when buying a Sentra brand new. It combined three sweet packages:
  • Moonroof Package ($800) 
  • Technology Package ($650)
  • Convenience Package ($850)
The Moonroof Package is pretty self-explanatory. For a few extra dollars, you get a breezy, sky peeper. The Technology Package means touchscreen navigation, XM radio, and USB ports (this was 2012, mind you!). And the Convenience Package offers keyless entry and ignition, Bluetooth compatibility, cargo net and hooks, and a leather-wrapped steering wheel.
Opt for the Special Edition, and new car buyers got all three packages for only $1,300. Does that math add up? Nope. In our eyes, that’s $1,000 in savings
MORE: The best used Nissans to buy

2012 Nissan Sentra Special Edition vs. SE-R Spec V

The Special Edition offered a steal to lure drivers toward its SR trim. But if you’re interested in the 2012 top-of-the-line offering, you’ll want to look a few trims up to the SE-R Spec V.
Today, on the resale market, the SE-R Spec V will only cost you around $2,500 more than the SR. And for that price, you’ll get:
  • $9,995 fair market price
  • 2.5-liter engine
  • Six-speed manual transmission
  • 200 hp @ 6,600 rpm
  • 0-60 acceleration in 6.7 seconds
So, which is a better deal? It really depends on what you’re looking for. If you want performance, for a few extra grand, the SE-R Spec V will get you better handling and a bit more spunk. But if you’re out to optimize your overall driving experience, the Special Edition SR is the way to go.

How to find the best Nissan Sentra Special Edition insurance

Pair your Special Edition with an equally special deal on your
Nissan insurance cost
! Drivers looking for the best bang for their buck know to shop for car insurance with Jerry.
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is the
trustworthy insurance super app
designed to save drivers money without skimping on quality.
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Make your selection, and our team of experts can take it from there, helping you make the switch and cancel your old policy!
In addition to saving our drivers tons of time, drivers who switch with us save an average of $800 each year! We’d like to think that’s pretty special.
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