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2009 Nissan Sentra Review

February 18, 2009

STYLING | 7 out of 10

Expert Quotes:

The Sentra is a nice-looking car—young but not especially daring
Cars.com

functional interior
Edmunds

The Sentra looks too much like the Maxima and the Altima
MyRide

The 2009 Nissan Sentra has a very conventional sedan layout with, from some angles, scaled-down attributes from Nissan’s larger Altima.

Motor Trend thinks it’s “like an IKEA appliance, attractive, modern, and perhaps just the furniture for your life”—then adds, “The new Sentra copies some of big-brother Altima's styling, especially its roofline/greenhouse, but by now it also looks like a Saturn Ion or Mazda3.” Cars.com says, “The Sentra is a nice-looking car — young but not especially daring.” They note the sporty Sentra SE-R Spec V has "some very handsome exterior trim that says, but doesn't shout, performance."

Edmunds says the 2009 Nissan Sentra’s "uninspired but modern exterior design" is matched by its "functional interior." Inside, Edmunds adds, “The Nissan Sentra's cabin offers a modern design, well-organized controls and generally agreeable materials quality.”

TheCarConnection.com’s editors have driven the Sentra and the sporty SE-R versions—and found the styling attractive and the interior quality up to par for this segment. Where the Nissan 2009 Sentra suffers is in having one body style. While the Sentra is four-door only, the competition—the Honda Civic, Ford Focus, and Saturn Astra—all are available with fewer doors. The lack of a two-door version may make the Sentra seem less sporty to some reviewers and younger customers.

Conclusion

A somewhat plain exterior design is matched with a functionally stylish interior in the 2009 Nissan Sentra.

STYLING | 7 out of 10Expert Quotes:The Sentra is a nice-looking car—young but not especially daringCars.comfunctional interiorEdmundsThe Sentra looks too much like the Maxima and the AltimaMyRide The 2009 Nissan Sentra has a very conventional sedan layout with, from some angles, scaled-down attributes from Nissan’s larger Altima. Motor Trend thinks it’s “like an IKEA appliance, attractive, modern, and perhaps just the furniture for your life”—then adds, “The new Sentra copies some of big-brother Altima's styling, especially its roofline/greenhouse, but by now it also looks like a Saturn Ion or Mazda3.” Cars.com says, “The Sentra is a nice-looking car — young but not especially daring.” They note the sporty Sentra SE-R Spec V has "some very handsome exterior trim that says, but doesn't shout, performance." Edmunds says the 2009 Nissan Sentra’s "uninspired but modern exterior design" is matched by its "functional interior." Inside, Edmunds adds, “The Nissan Sentra's cabin offers a modern design, well-organized controls and generally agreeable materials quality.” TheCarConnection.com’s editors have driven the Sentra and the sporty SE-R versions—and found the styling attractive and the interior quality up to par for this segment. Where the Nissan 2009 Sentra suffers is in having one body style. While the Sentra is four-door only, the competition—the Honda Civic, Ford Focus, and Saturn Astra—all are available with fewer doors. The lack of a two-door version may make the Sentra seem less sporty to some reviewers and younger customers. ConclusionA somewhat plain exterior design is matched with a functionally stylish interior in the 2009 Nissan Sentra. 2009 NISSAN SENTRA STYLING | [7 out of 10] Cars.com: "The Sentra is a nice-looking car—young but not especially daring" Edmunds: "functional interior" MyRide: "The Sentra looks too much like the Maxima and the Altima " The 2009 Nissan Sentra has a very conventional sedan layout ...

Read More of this Review:

  1. styling
  2. performance
  3. quality
  4. safety
  5. features

Other Choices:

The 2009 Nissan Sentra stands in the middle of a fiercely competitive class with many excellent offerings. The 2010 Mazda3 launches in early 2009 and offers features not found on any other competitors; it’s also an enthusiast favorite. The 2009 Honda Civic matches the variety, including coupe and sedan body styles and multiple powertrains—even hybrid and natural gas—and it has more interior style than most others in this class. The 2009 Toyota Corolla has been recently redesigned, and its LE trim level is very attractive. The Ford Focus puts forth a coupe alongside the sedan, plus Ford’s unique SYNC hands-free system and great fuel economy, but it can’t compete with the Sentra on looks. The 2009 Hyundai Elantra and Dodge Caliber lag this pack in overall refinement and style.

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See the Nissan Sentra in Other Years:

2010 | 2009 | 2008 | 2007 | 2006 | 2005 | 2004 | 2003 | 2002 | 2001 | 2000 | 1999 | 1998 | 1997

Comments (2 total)

  1. By Brett #1, Posted: 4/29/2009

    '07 Sentra

    We've had our standard 2.0 Sentra (2007) for a year or so and I can confidently say that it was a great purchase. We paid $16,400 CAD all taxes in and for the money it has more pep than a base line Corolla and a better ride than a Civic. We also drove from Calgary to Kamloops (700km+) on one tank. Over all, what is there to complain about... it's comfortable, looks good and is economical.

  2. By  Kelsey V. #2, Posted: 7/24/2009

    I have had my Nissan Sentra sine 2007. At first I really liked it, but I rushed into it because I was in desperate need for a car. It was affordable and cute, I only paid 16,000 for it.
    Throughout the last few years I have slowly started to see things falling apart. The paint above the c.d player started to chip, and the parts just started to pop apart. Next week I will have to bring it to the shop to get it worked on because what is holding the engine in the car is deteriorating. Wonderful huh?
    Yeah, I still love my car.. but I think it is time to trade it in.

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