2008 Nissan Sentra [ 2007 ]
Based on analysis of 45 Sentra reviews and test drives.
Nissan Sentra - What the Auto Press Says
The 2008 Nissan Sentra ranks 25 out of 29 Affordable Small Cars. This ranking is based on our analysis of 45 published reviews and test drives of the Nissan Sentra, and our analysis of reliability and safety data.
The Sentra delivers an affordable price with an emphasis on efficiency over style, but take a hit on its underwhelming overall performance.
Reviews express ambivalence concerning the 2008 Nissan Sentra. Although its generally regarded as a good car, most report the four-door sedan gets lost in the shuffle of sporty Civics and functional Fits. Redesigned for the 2007 model year, the Sentra is marketed as the sporty sibling to another Nissan compact, the Versa. But test drivers have split views on the car's performance as well -- although the Sentra has good fuel economy, its acceleration is disappointing and its engine noise is excessive.
The 2008 Nissan Sentra sedan is available in four trims: the base 2.0, the 2.0 S, the 2.0 SL and the SE-R. The SE-R Spec-V is the Sentra's performance-trim sports compact. If you're in the market for an affordable compact, you should note the Honda Civic is noted as a well-equipped small car with responsive performance.
- "Good on paper and the engine is willing, but in reality, this is a rather dull handling car that lacks any kind of spirit." -- Car and Driver
- "It does not outclass rivals such as the Honda Civic, Toyota Corolla, the Ford Focus or the Mazda3. But it is a very decent commuter -- a good car for moving people of all ages between home and work, home and school, home and social events." -- Washington Post
- "If it weren't for the ugly styling and the cranky-sounding engine, Sentra would be an easy car to applaud, mainly for its driving feel and pleasant furnishings. But it's not necessarily pick of the litter." -- USA Today
- "The just-introduced sixth-generation Nissan Sentra has grown up. It's larger, especially inside, very well-equipped, yet still reasonably priced and offers a more upscale experience than expected from a compact sedan." -- The Auto Channel
- "Even if it doesn't overwhelm, it seems worth considering." -- Newsday
- "Sentra is truly like an IKEA appliance, attractive, modern, and perhaps just the furniture for your life, even if you're well beyond the target age. But before long, you'll be aspiring to something more." -- Motor Trend
Sentra Performance - 6.3 (Mediocre)
Reviews say the 2008 Sentra is just okay on the road. "Nissan knows how to make a decent CVT -- take the Murano, for example. But suffer the one in the Sentra, and you'd never know that fact," AutoWeek says. "On the positive side, the engine does have decent throttle response. The car gets pretty responsive brakes, too." On the plus side, the Sentra is praised for its fuel economy. The full Performance Review gives more assessments of the Sentra's performance, and details which performance features are offered standard or optional for the sedan. continue
Sentra Exterior - 6.6 (Mediocre)
Enthusiastic reviews for the 2008 Nissan Sentra's exterior are rare. Several describe it as modern and inoffensive, but some express disappointment with the overall packaging. To U.S. News reviewer Rick Newman, the Sentra is "Hot, for an economy car. Creases along the belt line and a forward-leaning stance give the Sentra a modest athletic look -- more than you can say about most inexpensive sedans." Check out the Nissan Sentra Photo Gallery to judge the car's features for yourself, or continue with our full Exterior Review to read how the Sentra resembles larger Nissan sedans. continue
Sentra Interior - 7.3 (Good)
The five-seat Nissan Sentra is bigger than previous models, and most agree the cabin is comfortable with well-designed ergonomics. The Auto Channel says the interior is "mighty modern and aesthetically distinctive, attractively edgy in fact. Materials are better than expected. Fit and finish are up to high standards." Check out the Nissan Sentra Photo Gallery to see images of the spacious seats, or continue with our full Interior Review for info on the Sentra's Divide-N-Hide feature, an optional trunk divider panel that creates a hidden storage compartment. continue
Sentra Safety - 9.7 (Excellent)
The 2008 Sentra receives its highest score for its comprehensive safety equipment and very good performance in government and insurance industry crash tests. Continue with our full Safety Review to learn more about the Sentra's passive and active safety features. continue
Sentra Reliability - 6.0 (Mediocre)
The 2008 Nissan Sentra reliability score shown is the Predicted Reliability rating provided by J.D. Power and Associates. This score is based on trending the past three years of historical initial quality and dependability data from J.D. Power's automotive studies, specifically the Vehicle Dependability Study (VDS) and the Initial Quality Study (IQS). The Sentra comes equipped with a three-year or 36,000-mile limited warranty. Continue with our full Reliability Review for more information on Nissan warranties. continue
