Nissan Sentra Review

2008 Nissan Sentra 2.0 SL Sedan Shown

The Nissan Sentra has been vying for the wallets of economy-car shoppers since 1982. For most of that time, the Sentra has lagged a little behind the segment leaders in terms of overall refinement and image. Still, there have been periods where this car has been one of the best choices available.

For automotive enthusiasts, a key point in the Nissan Sentra's history came with the introduction of the SE-R version that debuted in 1991. This peppy two-door boasted 140 horsepower (serious output for a 2.0-liter, four-cylinder of the time), four-wheel disc brakes and a firmly calibrated independent suspension. The Sentra SE-R was a big hit with enthusiasts on a tight budget, and the sprightly sport compact harkened back to the boxy Datsun 510 of two decades prior. The latter was a favorite of club racers due to the car's sporty handling and tough four-cylinder engine.

Nowadays, the Nissan Sentra is facing a much tougher battle than when it debuted, especially as many automakers are now offering specialized performance models that compete directly with the SE-R. Still something of a dark horse in the market, the Sentra nonetheless remains a solid choice thanks to its performance variants, high fuel efficiency and low upkeep costs.

Current Nissan Sentra

Debuting for 2007, the current Nissan Sentra is a bit larger than the previous version and employs Nissan's new design language, giving it a measure of styling pizzazz it never had. From nearly all angles, the Sentra looks a lot like a smaller version of the Altima or Maxima. The lone body style is a four-door sedan. All models but the SE-R get a 2.0-liter inline-4 that makes 140 hp. The SE-R has a 2.5-liter four with 177 hp, while the SE-R Spec V has a modified version of the 2.5-liter engine that packs 200 hp. Transmission choices consist of a six-speed manual or a continuously variable transmission (CVT) -- the latter available in all but the Spec V.

The latest Sentra offers a few upscale features not typically seen on an economy car, such as Bluetooth connectivity and keyless start. Thanks to the longer wheelbase on which the car now rides, the cabin is roomy, with ample headroom and legroom for 6-footers.

We've found this Sentra to be strong in many key areas -- it's comfortable, roomy, economical and peppy. The SE-R, especially in Spec V form, provides ripping performance. (It can run to 60 mph in just 6.7 seconds.) It also offers a lot of grip in the corners, though due to the somewhat tall body design, there's more body roll than expected for this type of car.

One downside to the Nissan Sentra is the CVT's lack of versatility -- there's no way for a driver to change or hold "ratios" on his own, for instance. In addition, the car's suspension could be more effective at damping out bigger bumps and road undulations.

Past Nissan Sentra models

Most used-car shoppers will be interested in the fifth-generation Nissan Sentra (2000-'06), which saw the car grow up in several ways. Larger than the fourth-gen car, this Sentra moved up from the subcompact to the compact class. Available in sedan form only, it featured a fully independent suspension and was initially available in base XE, nicely equipped GXE and top-of-the-line SE trims. All were powered by a 1.8-liter inline-4 with 126 hp and power was sent to the front wheels via a four-speed automatic or five-speed manual gearbox. The sporty SE-R returned in '02, and just like today, there were two versions: the standard SE-R (165 hp, five-speed manual) and the hot rod SE-R Spec V (175 hp, six-speed manual, 17-inch wheels).

At the time, our editors praised this Sentra for its functional cabin design, nimble handling, many standard features and peppy SE-R trim level. Downsides included bland styling, an awkward driving position and a small backseat. This generation generally has a solid reputation as far as mechanical reliability, though anecdotal evidence suggests that the engine in the SE-R models was more trouble-prone.

The fourth-generation Sentra (1995-'99) had styling that, with its low nose and high tail, moved away from the straight-edged look of the previous car. Officially offered just as a sedan (the coupe version became the 200SX), this Sentra had more interior room than before, but sadly lost its independent rear suspension. (Notably, independent rear suspension has never returned to the Sentra line -- today's sixth-generation car continues on with a rear torsion-beam setup.) Trim levels consisted of a bare-bones base model, the slightly less stripped XE, the popularly equipped GXE, the luxury GLE and the sporty SE. All trims but the SE had a 115-hp engine, while the SE actually featured the same 140-hp engine as the previous SE-R.

The sporty SE-R debuted with the third-generation Nissan Sentra (1991-'94). Buyers had a choice of either a coupe or sedan, though both shared the same simple, boxy styling. With 140 hp, four-wheel disc brakes and a tuned, fully independent suspension, the Nissan Sentra SE-R coupe provided a lot of bang for the buck and was a favorite among driving enthusiasts. All other Sentras of this generation had a 110-hp engine and trims included the stripper E, base XE, sporty SE and well-equipped GXE.

Running from 1987-'90, the second-generation Sentra was available in a multitude of body styles, including a coupe, a sedan, a wagon, a hatchback and a Sport Coupe fastback. Engine output ranged from 69 to 90 hp, depending on the year. Many of these Nissan Sentras are still on the road, and they have a respectable reputation for reliability and a miserly fuel appetite.

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* Edmunds.com maintains vehicle data as far back as 1990.