The all-new 2007 Nissan Sentra is the sixth generation of a car that has been a best-seller around the world. Unlike the first five generations, the '07 Sentra was designed primarily for the needs of North American buyers. That's quite a commitment to the belief that the U.S. is where it's at, for this market.

But we want our small cars big, so the Sentra moves into that territory. Those who want truly small cars have other options: the Nissan Versa, Honda Fit, Toyota Yaris, and all-wheel-drive Suzuki SX4, to name a few.

The Sentra is aimed at Echo Boomers, those kids of Baby Boomers. So if the Sentra is the second car they've owned in their lifetime, it might be a step up in size. Nissan believes that these folks virtually live in their cars, so in designing the new Sentra, they've tried to create a "mobile backpack."

The cabin is more spacious, and is finished like a more expensive car, with wonderfully supportive seats in either cloth or rich leather. One thing the Sentra doesn't have, surprisingly, is a fifth door: no hatchback model, only the sedan. But at least the 60/40 rear seats fold flat, opening up the trunk space, creating a large flat cargo area, or a cozy space for two Echo Boomers to sleep.

There's an all-new aluminum 2.0-liter engine, more powerful and fuel efficient than before, to go with the new chassis and body. It's mated to either a wonderful six-speed gearbox, or an optional new CVT, continuously variable transmission. If you like a manual gearbox in a car like this, the six-speed transforms the feel of the Sentra, and it's the way to go; but if you just want to forget the car has a transmission, the CVT is the call.