2008 Nissan Sentra

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By  Rex Roy, Editor

2008 Nissan Sentra
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TheCarConnection.com’s editors read the latest reviews on the new 2008 Nissan Sentra to write this comprehensive review. Experts from TheCarConnection.com also drove several different 2008 Sentra models, including the 2.0 L, SL, SE-R, and Spec V, and offer additional driving impressions and details to assist you in making the best choice in your next new car.

Likes:
- Roomy, quiet interior
- Stand-out styling
- Huge glove box
- SE-R and Spec V performance models
- Fuel economy

Dislikes:
- Only one body style: a sedan
- Continuously variable transmission (CVT)
- Inconsistent suspension performance
- Performance models outgunned

The 2008 Nissan Sentra is no longer Nissan's smallest car for sale in the U.S. market. For Nissan, 2008 is the year the company introduces the Versa into a slot below the Sentra, making the Sentra more of a compact than a subcompact.

The base 2008 Nissan Sentra makes a great high-value commuter car given its solid list of standard features, including six airbags. Anti-lock brakes are included on 2.0 S models, while the fancy 2.0 SL boasts a Bluetooth hands-free phone system and leather appointed seats. Unfortunately, the 2.0 SL also sticks you with Nissan's Xtronic CVT, which seems to cause engine drone. We'd rather drive the standard six-speed manual transmission that's available on the S.

Overall, the 2008 Nissan Sentra has sharp styling and a roomy, quiet interior. Because it only comes as a sedan, it suffers against competitors that offer other body styles (like the two-door Honda Civics). The Sentra gets good fuel economy from its peppy 140-horsepower 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, but your driving experience can be dampened a bit by the CVT, and the suspension occasionally bobbles when you expect consistent responses.

Nissan offers higher-performance Sentra models: the SE-R and the Spec V. Both feature significant performance enhancements over lesser Sentra models because the SE-R and Spec V utilize 177- and 200-hp versions of the larger 2.5-liter four-cylinder found in the Nissan Altima sedan and Rouge crossover. Suspensions, brakes, and interiors of these Sentra performance models are also enhanced.

The Bottom Line:
The 2008 Nissan Sentra is worth a drive, but its CVT may turn off some buyers.

Other Choices:
If you’re interested in the 2008 Nissan Sentra, also consider:

- Honda Civic
- Toyota Corolla
- Ford Focus
- Hyundai Elantra
- Mazda3
- Dodge Caliber

The 2008 Nissan Sentra is up against tough competition. The 2008 Honda Civic offers such variety, including coupe and sedan body styles and multiple powertrains, even hybrid and natural gas. The 2009 Toyota Corolla is especially attractive in its top trim level, but the Corolla looks less appealing in the base trim. Domestically, the all-new 2008 Ford Focus offers coupe and sedan body styles, but buyers tend to be attracted to its powerful SYNC entertainment system rather than its homely new look. The 2008 Sentra also has to compete against the Mazda3, a perennial enthusiast favorite for its handling. Comparatively, the Hyundai Elantra and Dodge Caliber lag this pack in overall refinement and style, but the Sentra (even in Spec V trim) is no match for the 285-hp Caliber SRT4.

Buying Tip:
The subcompact and compact markets are crowded, so there are plenty of choices. Curiously, one of the Sentra's biggest competitors could be the smaller Nissan Versa, because it may be plenty large for many drivers. TheCarConnection.com also recommends that you drive a vehicle with a CVT before you buy it to make sure you'll acclimate yourself to this transmission's performance.