2000 Nissan Sentra Review

Without the least sense of irony, then, did Nissan spokesman Mark Perry introduce his new Sentra as the starter sedan "that only looks like you can't afford it." For 2000, Sentra wears kicky new frocks, with a more streamlined front silhouette that sweeps rearward into muscular haunches. Many journalists in attendance wondered openly if Sentra might not cannibalize sales of Nissan's own Altima sedan, which sits one rung higher in the product line pecking order. "Not so," Perry predictably parried; but then, with admirable candor, he admitted the graver threat: "It's the two-year-old vehicles just coming off lease that we're really gunning for. Sure, their prices are competitive, because they're used; but isn't a new car at a similar price more desirable yet?"

Let's leave till another day a consideration of whether Altima is being squeezed out of existence by Nissan's new Sentra below and a restyled Maxima above. For the present, it's Sentra's turn to shine, and for the most part it does. This compact's palpable self-confidence owes to strategically larger physical dimensions. Wheelbase remains about 100 inches, but track is an inch wider than '99, height is an inch taller, and overall length grows a whopping 6.5 inches. The resulting extra three cubic feet of interior space are distinctly noticeable. Although more subjective, the Sentra's emboldened "presence" on the road is psychologically persuasive.

Under the hood, a larger 1.8-liter four-banger inhabits the entry-level XE and "volume leader" GXE models, and this is big news, on paper especially. Compared to last year's 1.6-liter, the new 1.8 delivers 126 horsepower for a ten-percent boost. Better yet, torque grows almost 20 percent to 129 lb-ft; and since torque is the home of "throttle response," the smaller-motored Sentras are demonstrably perkier than before.

But with ride quality tuned for softness, handling is moderately mushy; the combination of Sentra's commuter-tuned powerplant, soft-shifting optional four-speed automatic, and over-pliant suspension made for a relatively lackluster drive through Nevada's sweeping desert highways outside Las Vegas.

Desert strafer

After the stunning success of Nissan's new Xterra compact-SUV in '99, the 2000 Sentra represents a significant second act in Nissan's dramatic process of self-rescue. There's more to follow, Nissan types broadly hint, obviously referring to a resurrected Z-car sports model. But the Sentra is making a credible effort to win over the hearts and minds of entry-level buyers now. And who knows? If the CA model cultivates a following, maybe Sentra will accomplish a clean sweep.