Since this is just a preview, we only get information about the physical dimensions compared to the previous generation, the materials, and technical specs. But one has to think other than the appearance, what incentive is there to get this one over the last one. The fuel economy appears very similar, you get one less cog, the starting price is cheaper, the floor in the back has been addressed. They are also new features found in the top of the line trim with the tech package (but for most people, the subcompact class is meant for basic transportation, so the lower trims sell more) Bet Nissan will be offering big rebates to get rid of the previous gen.
If it was cheap enough, a used Versa, would make more sense for me than a Sentra as a commuter car, for the utility of the hatch. Haven't sat in a Versa, my wife finds the sitting position of the Sentra tight, near the steering wheel, on a 2002 Nissan Sentra GXE. If the Versa was still kind of tight, might move to a mid size for a commuter car.