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Posted April, 2008

Road Test: 2008 Nissan Sentra 2.0 SL

By Thomas E. Bonsall

Nissan has a rich history in the value-driven sports sedan segment, first created by the Datsun 510 in the late 1960s and rekindled with the Sentra SE-R series in 1991. The 2002 Sentra SE-R — the previousone to our test car — debuted at the 2001 North American International Auto Show in Detroit.

The next generation Sentra appeared for the 2007 model year and our test car is a refinement of it. For 2008, a number of enhancements have been added, including additional standard equipment and package content changes for various models.

The 2008 Sentra is built on Nissan's "C" platform and offers a standard 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine, 6-speed manual transmission or Nissan's Xtronic CVT (Continuously Variable Transmission). Inside Sentra's cabin features a 60/40 split double-fold rear seat, optional hidden trunk storage compartment and optional integrated overhead compact disc holder. The 2008 edition is also available with leather-appointed seating and Nissan's Intelligent Key keyless entry system.

The new Sentra has a 5.9-inch longer wheelbase than the previous generation design. It is 2.3 inches longer in overall length, 3.2 inches wider and sits 4.0 inches taller for easier ingress and egress and enhanced headroom.

Styling is a subjective thing. We were neither turned on or off by the Sentra's exterior, but admit that it does look like a Nissan and brand identity counts for a lot.

Inside, the Sentra's passenger volume of 97.7 cubic feet is 9.2 cubic feet larger than the previous generation model. The trunk, with 13.1 cubic feet of cargo space, is designed to accommodate long, bulky and "unexpected" items through the use of an oversized pass-through opening. Combined with the 60/40 split double-fold rear seat (the cushion folds forward, allowing the seat back to fold flat), the Sentra offers exceptional cargo flexibility for carrying snowboards, hockey sticks and even bikes.

A removable divider wall, which can be positioned flat on the trunk floor when not in use, can be raised into a vertical position, creating two separate compartments. The durable, polymeric material divider (carpeted on one side to match the rest of the trunk and waterproof on the other side for easy cleaning) also includes hooks mounted on the outer surface to help secure items such as grocery bags.

The Sentra comes with a wide array of premium equipment, including leather-appointed seating, Intelligent Key keyless entry system, Bluetooth Hands-Free Phone System and premium Rockford Fosgate-powered audio system with 6-disc autochanger, 8-channel amplifier and 8 speakers.

Power is supplied by a 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine designed to combine responsive acceleration with good fuel economy and efficient operation. It is mated to a standard Xtronic CVT or 6-speed manual (Sentra 2.0 S only).

The 2.0-liter Nissan MR20DE aluminum block engine is designed to offer a balance of responsive acceleration, excellent low and mid-range torque and increased thermal efficiency. The engine is rated at 140 horsepower and 147 lb-ft of torque. Up to 90 percent of the torque is achieved by 2,400 rpm — providing comfortable driving and excellent fuel consumption in real world driving when mated to the Xtronic CVT. Fuel economy is rated at 25/33 miles per gallon city/highway with the CVT and 24/31 miles per gallon with the 6-speed manual transmission.

The 2008 Sentra also offers good handling. The front suspension is an independent strut design with coil springs and stabilizer bar. The rear features a torsion beam with integral stabilizer bar, with the rear shock absorbers mounted below the trunk floor for improved trunk roominess. Ride comfort has been enhanced through use of special "ripple control" shock absorbers, an insulated front cradle-type subframe with pendulum engine mount system, roller-type front strut bearings and large, tuned rear beam isolators.

The 2008 Sentra is offered in three models, starting with the Sentra 2.0 with 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine and Xtronic CVT transmission. Standard features include electric power-assisted steering, 15-inch wheels and tires, suede cloth interior, oversized locking glove compartment, power windows and door locks, rear folding seat, 4-speaker AM/FM/CD audio system with auxiliary input and much more.

The Sentra 2.0 S, which is offered with a choice of Xtronic CVT or 6-speed manual transmission, adds 16-inch wheels and tires, 6-speaker AM/FM/CD RDS audio system, Vehicle Security System, in-dash vehicle information display monitor, cruise control, Remote Keyless Entry, driving lights and Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) with Electronic Brake force Distribution (EBD).

Sentra 2.0 SL — the model we tested — adds leather-appointed seats, 16-inch aluminum-alloy wheels, Intelligent Key, Bluetooth Hands-free Phone System, XM Satellite Radio ( required monthly subscription sold separately) and integrated overhead CD storage.

Optional options and packages include Convenience Package, Alloy Wheels, Audio Package with 340-watt 8-speaker Rockford Fosgate audio system, XM Satellite Radio, Divide-N-Hide Trunk System and Moonroof Package.