MSRP: $16,140 - $20,570
Invoice: $15,275 - $19,181
MPG: 25 City / 33 Hwy
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U.S.News Scores

Overall:6.8
Performance:6.4
Exterior:6.7
Interior:7.3
Safety:9.7
Reliability:6.0
Research we analyzed for this review
Pros and Cons
  • Affordable price and excellent predicted value
  • Seats provide a satisfying level of comfort and support
  • Superior fuel economy
  • The 2.0-liter engine is underpowered, with low horsepower and torque
  • Mixed response to steering and overall handling
  • Electronic Stability Control (ESP) is unavailable and ABS is not standard on some trims

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Nissan Sentra - What the Auto Press Says

The Sentra places an emphasis on efficiency over style with an affordable price. But it's stellar gas mileage means the car takes a hit for 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 - 6.4 (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. Read More

Sentra Exterior - 6.7 (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." Read More

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." Read More

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. But many 2007 and 2008 Sentras have recently been recalled for a leaking brake cylinder. Read More

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. Read More

Review Last Updated: 2/17/09