2008 Nissan Sentra Consumer Reviews

Feels more than entry level

Written by: Michael on 06/24/2008

Vehicle

2008 Nissan Sentra 2.0 S 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl 6M)

Review

The car drives great. I was concerned when reading reviews after hearing that the car was uncomfortable to ride in, and that there was more noise than other cars, but when I test drove, I did not notice any of these. The car is as smooth as any I have ever been in, and road noise is no higher than any car I test drove, including the Civic. It handles a bit better than the Civic and other cars I tried as well. Where it really shines, then, is the feature set. No other entry level car I looked could match the Sentra. I got an auxiliary jack for my iPod, steering wheel audio controls, and a bluetooth phone system. Not even the Civic could match that.

Favorite Features

Great gas mileage, auxiliary input, bluetooth phone, comfortable, nice looking interior. Nissan cars are generally reliable. Excellent safety features

Suggested Improvements

6 out 7 people found this review helpful

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Love it

Written by: julie on 06/23/2008

Vehicle

2008 Nissan Sentra 2.0 SL 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl CVT)

Review

I just traded in my 2004 Expedition for the Sentra. It broke my heart. But you have to do what you have to do. For not being a "car" person, so far I love it. The outside is sporty the inside is comfy. A lot of great features for the money. My only complaint is that I am not crazy about the mileage yet. The car only has 600 miles on it so far. I guess you have to "break in" the engine. Or so I have read. And I don't drive like a nut either so I was expecting more miles than I am getting. From just about empty it costs $52 to fill up at $3.97 a gallon where I live. Overall, I am happy.

Favorite Features

CVT is pretty cool, has awesome pick up, hope that's not killing my gas mileage. I love the interior.

Suggested Improvements

The driver's arm rest on the right needs to be longer. I would give up one cup holder for this. Other than that, NOTHING

1 out 2 people found this review helpful

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I love this car

Written by: LovesHerSentra on 06/19/2008

Vehicle

2008 Nissan Sentra 2.0 S 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl CVT)

Review

The Sentra had everything I was looking for, fantastic fuel economy, power, economy and great styling. I drove the corolla as well, and there was just no comparison in how it felt. Upon taking the test drive, I knew immediately this was the car for me. The fuel economy is very good as well. I've been getting 28-30 mpg on average with mixed driving, and up to 35 during pure highway driving. Did I mention its fun to drive? The CVT is so smooth and I feel that I'm getting better fuel efficiency without sacrificing power. The styling is great. I think it looks like a much more expensive car. The convenience package is definitely a must.

Favorite Features

Styling, fuel economy, power, voice activated bluetooth, steering wheel audio controls and price.

Suggested Improvements

Can't think of any

0 out 1 people found this review helpful

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Very happy

Written by: neal on 06/18/2008

Vehicle

2008 Nissan Sentra 2.0 SL 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl CVT)

Review

This car has exceeded my expectations so far. It's fun to drive and looks smart both on the inside and from the outside. It's quiet and was a great value, considering all of its standard features.

Favorite Features

Bluetooth is awesome,trip computer, radio display, large glovebox, intelligent key system

Suggested Improvements

Need folding sideview mirrors

4 out 5 people found this review helpful

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It's ok I guess

Written by: jc on 06/18/2008

Vehicle

2008 Nissan Sentra 2.0 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl CVT)

Review

Perfectly fine vehicle to get from point A to point B. The ride was fairly smooth compared to other cars in the segment. I like the brisk acceleration. The doors had a good solid feel. This is the first car to get me car sick as a drive as the car rolled around in fast turns. I only averaged 28 mpg on the highway with the Sentra. This was probably due to the ride height, springy gas pedal and CVT config. Nissan still needs to improve their build quality. Plastic looked like they came out of a generic brand toy. Bottom line, you can get better driving dynamics, build quality, fuel economy or value with a Corolla, Civic or a Mazda3.

Favorite Features

Smooth ride, decent acceleration during highway speeds with the CVT, light steering while parking, good visibility, quiet interior, nice solid doors.

Suggested Improvements

Quality of plastics, fit and finish, colder AC, driving dynamics such as handling and throttle feedback, real world fuel economy, and better (not more) standard content (i expected Nissan was able to pack them in due to the lowered labor cost of mexico)

3 out 5 people found this review helpful

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Good so Far

Written by: FirstCar on 06/18/2008

Vehicle

2008 Nissan Sentra 2.0 S 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl 6M)

Review

Not too many miles driven, but they've been good miles thus far. 6 speed took a while to get used to, but that's because I transferred from a Jeep. It has plenty of power for an economy car, loads of features, and looks very sharp (I got the black). I'm 6'2 and I still have a few inches from the ceiling. Everything is placed well, besides maybe the center console (nowhere to rest my elbow while shifting). Trunk is HUGE, engine compartment open and easy to access (this will be great 5 to 10 years from now). The base radio leaves a little to be desired, bluetooth a little clumsy (not synched well for my phone brand). Quiet, comfortable, does 80 just fine, cruises at low speeds well.

Favorite Features

Center controls (A/C, radio, trip computer). Trip computer about as good as the Chevy Malibus. Also the roomy engine area (you can almost fit a second engine in there).

Suggested Improvements

Better bluetooth system. Let base radio play WMA/MP3. Also a current fuel mileage readout, instead of just average.

1 out 2 people found this review helpful

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2008 Sentra S 2.0 CVT

Written by: talisman on 06/15/2008

Vehicle

2008 Nissan Sentra 2.0 S 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl CVT)

Review

The new Sentra has 2800 miles on it and was purchased about 7 weeks ago. Vehicle has been completely reliable, as a new car should be. It's a very comfortable highway cruiser, with a smooth quiet ride and reasonably comfortable seats in a roomy interior. Build quality is good, but some of the interior plastic parts (like the dash top, sun visors and cubby holes) could really use some improvement. Styling is attractive to most people, especially in the "magnetic gray" paint. Interior is a charcoal gray, which is somewhat depressing color, but it hides dirt fairly well. It has plenty of space for 4 adults, but trying to put 3 adults into the back seat is not a good idea - not enough hip room.

Favorite Features

The car gets excellent gas mileage that averages about 30 mpg in mixed driving. The trunk is huge for a compact car and is roomy inside for 4 people. It has a smooth and quiet highway ride. Price was reasonable given all of the safety features (ABS, front, side, and side curtain airbags).

Suggested Improvements

The car needs better steering feel - the steering is very heavy at lower speeds and needs to have more power assist. Driving with a CVT takes some getting used to, as the car's power comes on more slowly than with a normal tranny. More power outlets and reposition the central armrest!!!

1 out 2 people found this review helpful

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Won me over

Written by: MerryK on 06/09/2008

Vehicle

2008 Nissan Sentra 2.0 SL 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl CVT)

Review

This car really has a lot of quality in what is a mid compact or smaller size car. The interior package and smooth handling makes you think your in a higher price car models. Great features, fuel averaging and mileage eta, 3 trip mileage meters, blue tooth, mp3 jacks, 18 station presets, keyless start and security engine kill override system. You dont even need to take the keyless remote out of your pocket or purse you just push the unlock button on the door handle with the keyless fob in your pocket and it unlocks the car. Gas pump door is secured and has to be released from inside the car reducing gas theft. Every day I drive it I fall in love with it more.

Favorite Features

Keyless remote, all the leg room you get in this car front and back.

Suggested Improvements

Need a longer armrest on the center console. Not particularly a fan of the bubble wrap seat fabric. Kinda let the cheap image creep back in on a luxury interior

3 out 4 people found this review helpful

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SE-R Engine/CVT/Seats=Grand Touring Car

Written by: Peter on 06/06/2008

Vehicle

2008 Nissan Sentra SE-R 4dr Sedan (2.5L 4cyl CVT)

Review

The 2.5L DOHC 4 cyl with perfect balance is made in Japan and gets its maximum torque at 2800 rpm. The CVT senses the engine is very strong and sets itself with high speed gearing to save fuel with low engine rpm: 1600 rpm at 60mph and 1200rpm at 45mph for over 27 mph while brand new. Ride is taut yet bumps fully absorbed. Steering is outstanding with 34 ft turn radius and a dead-flat-level suspension. Exterior is very striking and attractive. Paddle shifters on steering wheel allow CVT to be shifted like a six-speed..a way-cool feature. Intelligent tranny will perceive your foot off the gas on a downhill and drop the gearing to provide engine braking automatically without needing brakes.

Favorite Features

Low speed torque = surprising fuel economy. Quiet, bump absorbing ride with outstanding maneuverablity and terrific wheels and tires. Seating quality in SE-R way superior to regular seating. Highly recommend. CVT integrates with power seamlessly and can be shifted like a 6-speed manual. Sharp car.

Suggested Improvements

Bluetooth and audio controls on wheel should be standard in SE-R as they are in 2.0S and 2.0SL. Cup holders for back seat should be integrated into the rear of the center console.

1 out 2 people found this review helpful

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Overall it seems good

Written by: stella on 06/04/2008

Vehicle

2008 Nissan Sentra 2.0 S 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl 6M)

Review

Our biggest disappointment is that there is no key entry on the passenger side. It is a safety concern for us. What do you do when you are trying to get an elderly person, child or pet into the car at a curb and have to go into traffic leaving the aforementioned person alone. It is inconvenient if not downright safe. What if you have packages? You leave them on the sidewalk and have to go to the driver's side. Down right stupid feature... feature???? it is just a stupid cost cutting measure.

Favorite Features

The internal room and the ease of the ergonomic radio, control features.

Suggested Improvements

As above

2 out 5 people found this review helpful

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