The Nissan Sentra was recently deemed this year’s “most affordable” car of its size.

The newly redesigned Sentra currently featured at Tracy Nissan, 3195 N. Naglee Rd., made it to the top of the www.Cars.com list for “Most Affordable Compact Sedan of 2013.”

This is after assessing 11 compact sedans equipped with six key features and factoring in five years of fuel costs. Sentra has the edge with $730 separating it from the next affordable car on the list. Sentra bested its closest competition thanks to its segment-leading fuel costs, according to the editors at Cars.com.

Each vehicle comparison was evaluated with the following features: automatic transmission, cruise control, USB input, remote entry, tilt steering, and steering-wheel audio controls. Nissan used this combination, testing the SV trim level with the addition of the Driver Package.

“Pairing value and best-in-class fuel efficiency with style and comfort, the all-new Nissan Sentra truly stepped up its compact car game in 2013,” said John Brancheau, who is vice president of Marketing for Nissan North America Inc.

He added: “Sentra is a solid offering in Nissan’s most innovative, highest-quality, highest-value sedan lineup ever, and we are excited to see it on the top of this year’s Cars.com ‘Most Affordable Compact Sedan’ list.”

Several changes were made to the Sentra to contribute to the increased fuel savings. This 2013 Nissan compact is 150 pounds lighter than the outgoing model, yet has slightly larger overall dimensions and more interior room. The lighter and more aerodynamic Sentra also uses a fuel-efficient 1.8-liter engine with next-generation Xtronic CVT featuring sub-planetary gear to help deliver a 13 percent improvement in EPA combined fuel economy.

Fuel economy for the Sentra was rated at 30 mpg city, 39 mpg highway, and a class-leading 34 mpg combined with the CVT.

Sentra is offered in a selection of well-equipped trim levels. All models come with standard Xtronic CVT for the exception of the base Sentra S, which is available with a choice of 6-speed manual or CVT.

The Tracy dealership, as part of the Fourth of July celebration, is currently offering up to $1,000 bonus cash on the certain Nissan models.

For more information, call Tracy Nissan at 209-820-6000 or log on to www.tracynissan.com.