Nissan Sentra Review

2011 Nissan Sentra 2.0 SL Sedan

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Used Models

  • 2010 Nissan Sentra 2.0 SL Sedan View photos
    2010 Nissan Sentra Used TMV from $13,615 Find Used Inventory
  • 2008 Nissan Sentra SE-R Spec V Sedan View photos
    2010 Nissan Sentra SE-R Spec V Used TMV from $17,678 Find Used Inventory
  • 2008 Nissan Sentra 2.0 SL Sedan View photos
    2009 Nissan Sentra Used TMV from $11,609 Find Used Inventory
  • 2008 Nissan Sentra SE-R Spec V Sedan View photos
    2009 Nissan Sentra SE-R Spec V Used TMV from $15,914 Find Used Inventory
  • 2008 Nissan Sentra Exterior View photos
    2008 Nissan Sentra Used TMV from $11,660 Find Used Inventory
  • 2008 Nissan Sentra SE-R Spec V Sedan View photos
    2008 Nissan Sentra SE-R Spec V Used TMV from $14,580 Find Used Inventory
  • 2007 Nissan Sentra 2.0 SL Sedan View photos
    2007 Nissan Sentra Used TMV from $9,306 Find Used Inventory
  • 2007 Nissan Sentra SE-R Spec V Sedan View photos
    2007 Nissan Sentra SE-R Spec V Used TMV from $12,325 Find Used Inventory
  • 2004 Nissan Sentra 1.8 S 4dr Sedan View photos
    2006 Nissan Sentra Used TMV from $6,570 Find Used Inventory
  • 2004 Nissan Sentra SE-R Spec V 4dr Sedan View photos
    2006 Nissan Sentra SE-R Spec V Used TMV from $9,220 Find Used Inventory
  • 2005 Nissan Sentra Exterior View photos
    2005 Nissan Sentra Used TMV from $5,481 Find Used Inventory
  • 2004 Nissan Sentra SE-R Spec V 4dr Sedan View photos
    2005 Nissan Sentra SE-R Used TMV from $6,765 Find Used Inventory
  • 2005 Nissan Sentra Exterior View photos
    2005 Nissan Sentra SE-R Spec V Used TMV from $7,291 Find Used Inventory
  • 2004 Nissan Sentra Exterior View photos
    2004 Nissan Sentra Used TMV from $4,721 Find Used Inventory
  • 2004 Nissan Sentra Exterior View photos
    2004 Nissan Sentra SE-R Used TMV from $6,062 Find Used Inventory
  • 2004 Nissan Sentra Exterior View photos
    2004 Nissan Sentra SE-R Spec V Used TMV from $6,452 Find Used Inventory
  • 2003 Nissan Sentra Center Console View photos
    2003 Nissan Sentra Used TMV from $4,266 Find Used Inventory
  • 2003 Nissan Sentra 2.5 Limited Edition 4dr Sedan View photos
    2003 Nissan Sentra SE-R Used TMV from $5,475 Find Used Inventory
  • 2002 Nissan Sentra SE-R Spec V 4dr Sedan View photos
    2003 Nissan Sentra SE-R Spec V Used TMV from $5,825 Find Used Inventory
  • 2002 Nissan Sentra GXE 4dr Sedan View photos
    2002 Nissan Sentra Used TMV from $3,767 Find Used Inventory
  • 2002 Nissan Sentra SE-R 4dr Sedan View photos
    2002 Nissan Sentra SE-R Used TMV from $4,921 Find Used Inventory
  • 2003 Nissan Sentra SE-R Spec V 4dr Sedan View photos
    2002 Nissan Sentra SE-R Spec V Used TMV from $5,150 Find Used Inventory
  • 2001 Nissan Sentra GXE 4dr Sedan 4A View photos
    2001 Nissan Sentra Used TMV from $3,407 Find Used Inventory
  • 2000 Nissan Sentra 4 Dr GXE Sedan View photos
    2000 Nissan Sentra Used TMV from $2,916 Find Used Inventory
  • 1999 Nissan Sentra 4 Dr GXE Sedan View photos
    1999 Nissan Sentra Used TMV from $2,523 Find Used Inventory
  • 1998 Nissan Sentra 4 Dr GXE Sedan View photos
    1998 Nissan Sentra Used TMV from $1,950 Find Used Inventory
  • 1998 Nissan Sentra 4 Dr GXE Sedan View photos
    1997 Nissan Sentra Used TMV from $1,740 Find Used Inventory
  • 1996 Nissan Sentra 4 Dr GLE Sedan View photos
    1996 Nissan Sentra Used TMV from $1,383 Find Used Inventory
  • 1995 Nissan Sentra 4 Dr XE Sedan View photos
    1995 Nissan Sentra Used TMV from $1,273 Find Used Inventory
  • 1994 Nissan Sentra 2 Dr SE-R Sedan View photos
    1994 Nissan Sentra Coupe Used TMV from $1,012 Find Used Inventory
  • 1994 Nissan Sentra 2 Dr SE-R Sedan View photos
    1994 Nissan Sentra SE-R Used TMV from $1,448 Find Used Inventory
  • 1994 Nissan Sentra 4 Dr XE Sedan View photos
    1994 Nissan Sentra Sedan Used TMV from $1,177 Find Used Inventory
  • 1994 Nissan Sentra 2 Dr SE-R Sedan View photos
    1993 Nissan Sentra Coupe Used TMV from $970 Find Used Inventory
  • 1994 Nissan Sentra 2 Dr SE-R Sedan View photos
    1993 Nissan Sentra SE-R Used TMV from $1,324 Find Used Inventory
  • 1994 Nissan Sentra 4 Dr XE Sedan View photos
    1993 Nissan Sentra Sedan Used TMV from $1,049 Find Used Inventory
  • 1994 Nissan Sentra 2 Dr SE-R Sedan View photos
    1992 Nissan Sentra Coupe Used TMV from $851 Find Used Inventory
  • 1994 Nissan Sentra 2 Dr SE-R Sedan View photos
    1992 Nissan Sentra SE-R Used TMV from $1,106 Find Used Inventory
  • 1994 Nissan Sentra 4 Dr XE Sedan View photos
    1992 Nissan Sentra Sedan Used TMV from $911 Find Used Inventory
  • 1994 Nissan Sentra 2 Dr SE-R Sedan View photos
    1991 Nissan Sentra Coupe Used TMV from $819 Find Used Inventory
  • 1994 Nissan Sentra 2 Dr SE-R Sedan View photos
    1991 Nissan Sentra SE-R Used TMV from $1,037 Find Used Inventory
  • 1994 Nissan Sentra 4 Dr XE Sedan View photos
    1991 Nissan Sentra Sedan Used TMV from $840 Find Used Inventory
  • 1990 Nissan Sentra Coupe Used TMV from $673 Find Used Inventory
  • 1990 Nissan Sentra 2 Dr XE Coupe View photos
    1990 Nissan Sentra Hatchback Used TMV from $1,013 Find Used Inventory
  • 1990 Nissan Sentra 4 Dr XE Sedan View photos
    1990 Nissan Sentra Sedan Used TMV from $851 Find Used Inventory
  • 1990 Nissan Sentra Wagon Used TMV from $945 Find Used Inventory

The Nissan Sentra has been vying for the wallets of economy-car shoppers since 1982. For most of that time, the Sentra's overall refinement and image have trailed the segment leaders. There have been periods, however, when this car has been one of the best choices available.

Unfortunately, that doesn't happen to apply to the current Nissan Sentra, which is outclassed by competing small sedans that offer more in terms of features, refinement and driving enjoyment. As a used model, though, the Sentra nonetheless remains a solid choice thanks to its performance variants, high fuel efficiency and low upkeep costs.

Current Nissan Sentra
The Nissan Sentra small sedan is available in six main trim levels: four variants based on the 2.0-liter engine (base, S, SR and SL) and two high-performance versions (SE-R and SE-R Spec V). All models but the SE-R get a 2.0-liter inline-4 that makes 140 horsepower. 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 makes 200 hp. A six-speed manual or continuously variable transmission (CVT) are the available transmission options, the latter available in all but the Spec V.

The base Sentra offers just the basics, but includes power windows and locks and air-conditioning. The S and SL levels include some features not normally found in economy cars, including keyless entry/ignition, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, iPod interface and Bluetooth. The 2.0 SR essentially adds a body kit and wheels inspired by the SE-R.

The SE-R and Spec V trims add performance-tuned suspensions, performance tires and larger brakes. The Spec-V, particularly, provides stirring dynamics; it can run to 60 mph in just 6.7 seconds and offers plenty of grip during cornering. Its tall body design introduces more body roll than expected from a compact car, however. One upside: Combined with a generous wheelbase, the Sentra offers a roomy cabin with ample headroom and legroom for 6-foot passengers. 

One downside to the Nissan Sentra is the CVT -- specifically, there's no way for a driver to change or hold ratios on his own. The SE-R with manual shift mode addresses this problem with simulated gear ratios, but for most enthusiasts, this won't substitute for a traditional manual. The car's suspension also struggles to dampen bigger bumps and road undulations.

Used Nissan Sentra Models
The current, sixth-generation Nissan Sentra debuted in 2007, with slightly larger dimensions than the previous version, and employed Nissan's new design language, giving it a measure of styling pizzazz it never had.

Changes were limited to minor standard feature upgrades until 2009, when the moniker "FE+" was affixed to all Sentras except the manual-transmission 2.0S and both SE-R trims. Ostensibly meaning "Fuel Economy Plus," the new name signified a 1-mpg increase in fuel economy for those Sentras via a tweak to the engine computer. An "SR" trim level also made a late debut -- it was essentially an FE+ 2.0 S with an SE-R-inspired body kit and 16-inch alloy wheels all thrown in at no extra cost. The FE+ fuel economy improvements were standardized on all except the SE-R trims the following year. Other 2010 changes included a new grille and headlights, standard stability control for the 2.0SL and the availability of an iPod interface and a navigation system with real-time traffic.

Nissan's fifth-generation Sentra ran from 2000-'06. Available in sedan form only, it 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), with its low nose and high tail, was a styling departure 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.

Read the most recent review for 2011 Nissan Sentra

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