The compact sedans of old were some of the worst cars to drive. For many of us who were in high school in the 1980s, 90s and even at the turn of the century the cars we had to drive to school would be classified as embarrassing and ridiculous. While these cars were cheap and for the most part we enjoyed driving them because they represented the freedom we desired, the lack of power and safety was more than a little alarming. Thankfully the compact sedans of today have grown up to become cars that are more enjoyable and easy to love.

It’s a good thing these cars have become much better. The compact sedan segment is the third largest in the market with fourteen percent of the overall sales for the automotive industry. Even though the largest segment is now the compact SUV market with eighteen percent, you can see how the compact sedans don’t fall too far behind at all. With this large portion of the industry adding more power, better style and improved safety we can see compact sedans that are more attractive to drive now as compared to the models of the previous decades.

One of the best examples of the improvements made in this segment is the new Nissan Sentra that looks more like a full sized sedan but still comes in the compact size you want. Using the 1.8-liter engine to make 130 horsepower the Sentra is a car that gives you good acceleration, especially since this car weighs in at nearly 3,000 pounds which is much lighter than many other cars. The power of the car isn’t really where you expect to find the improvements you are looking for, but at least this car can handle the job.

On the inside you find a more luxurious feel and look to give you the right place to enjoy the drive. The seating and surfaces have added padding and improved materials to give us a new look and feel of the drive. Even the rear seat has plenty of legroom for you to enjoy and if you need to haul a long item, such as a surfboard, you can fit it through the trunk with the 60/40 split folding rear seat. With this added comfort and the pass through the Sentra becomes more functional and versatile than ever before, giving you more of what you need.

Adding padding and comfort does make the car more enjoyable, but an improved suspension is also present on the new Sentra to give you a smoother ride. When you park this car and step outside you can see how attractive the lines are, which make this a car anyone will want to drive. While this is only one example of how the segment has changed, you can find a wide variety of compact sedans that have improved their overall performance, look and comfort to now have a segment full of great cars that compete for your attention. Which one is the right one for you?