2008 Ford Focus vs 2009 Nissan Sentra

2008 Ford Focus

2009 Nissan Sentra

Select style

2-Door Coupe S

Style	MPG City	MPG Hwy	Invoice	MSRP
Focus 2-Door Coupe S	24	35	$13,569	$14,395
Focus 2-Door Coupe SE	24	35	$14,180	$15,225
Focus 2-Door Coupe SES	24	35	$15,404	$16,570
Focus 4-Door Sedan S	24	35	$13,900	$14,755
Focus 4-Door Sedan SE	24	35	$14,508	$15,585
Focus 4-Door Sedan SES	24	35	$15,727	$16,925

Select style

4-Door Sedan I4 CVT 2.0

Style	MPG City	MPG Hwy	Invoice	MSRP
Sentra 4-Door Sedan I4 CVT 2.0	24	30	$16,047	$16,730
Sentra 4-Door Sedan I4 CVT 2.0 FE+	26	34	$16,047	$16,730
Sentra 4-Door Sedan I4 CVT 2.0 S	24	30	$16,567	$17,760
Sentra 4-Door Sedan I4 CVT 2.0 S FE+	26	34	$16,567	$17,760
Sentra 4-Door Sedan I4 CVT 2.0 SL	24	30	$18,334	$19,660
Sentra 4-Door Sedan I4 CVT 2.0 SL FE+	26	34	$18,334	$19,660
Sentra 4-Door Sedan I4 CVT 2.0 SR FE+	26	34	$16,567	$17,760
Sentra 4-Door Sedan I4 CVT SE-R	24	30	$19,265	$20,660
Sentra 4-Door Sedan I4 Manual 2.0	24	31	$14,727	$15,350
Sentra 4-Door Sedan I4 Manual 2.0 S	24	31	$15,823	$16,960
Sentra 4-Door Sedan I4 Manual SE-R Spec V	21	29	$19,729	$21,160

Show Only Differences

Pricing

Invoice Price

$13,569

$16,047

Manufacturer Suggested Retail Price

$14,395

$16,730

Monthly Payment Estimate

$240 / month

$279 / month

The Car Connection's Take

TCC Rating

7.2

Read Our Full Review

7.6

Read Our Full Review

TCC’s Bottom Line

The 2008 Ford Focus isn’t all new, but it is an improvement, and a solid choice if you’re looking for a roomy car that handles well with a base price that starts around $15,000.

The 2009 Nissan Sentra is a worthy contender in the compact segment, but the CVT transmission may turn off some buyers.

TCC Likes

Improved overall refinement
Improved interior design
Quiet ride

Spacious, quiet interior
Fuel economy
Big glove box and plenty of storage spaces

TCC Dislikes

New body lacks style
Less sporty suspension
No dedicated performance models

Offered as a sedan only
CVT automatic brings out engine drone
Styling won’t turn any heads

Fuel Economy

City

24 mpg

Highway

35 mpg

30 mpg

Vehicle

EPA Classification

Compact

Interior Dimensions

Second Leg Room (in)

36.1

34.5

Front Head Room (in)

39.2

40.6

Passenger Volume (ft³)

93.3

97.4

Second Hip Room (in)

48.3

53.0

Front Shoulder Room (in)

53.5

56.9

Second Head Room (in)

38.3

37.3

Passenger Capacity

Second Shoulder Room (in)

53.6

55.1

Front Leg Room (in)

41.7

42.4

Front Hip Room (in)

50.4

54.1

Exterior Dimensions

Track Width, Front (in)

58.2

59.8

Min Ground Clearance (in)

- TBD -

Length, Overall (in)

175.0

179.8

Height, Overall (in)

58.6

59.5

Track Width, Rear (in)

58.1

60.8

Wheelbase (in)

102.9

105.7

Liftover Height (in)

29.1

- TBD -

Width, Max w/o mirrors (in)

67.9

70.5

Cargo Area Dimensions

Trunk Volume (ft³)

13.8

13.1

Brakes

Front Brake Rotor Diam x Thickness (in)

10.9 x - TBD -

11.02 x 0.94

Drum - Rear (Yes or )

Yes

Brake ABS System

Disc - Rear (Yes or )

Rear Brake Rotor Diam x Thickness (in)

Brake Type

Pwr

Power

Rear Drum Diam x Width (in)

- TBD -

9.0 x - TBD -

Disc - Front (Yes or )

Yes

Fuel Tank

Fuel Tank Capacity, Approx (gal)

13.0

14.5

Steering

Turning Diameter - Wall to Wall (ft)

- TBD -

Steering Ratio (:1), Overall

15.8

16.4

Turning Diameter - Curb to Curb (ft)

34.2

35.4

Steering Type

Pwr Rack & Pinion

Lock to Lock Turns (Steering)

- TBD -

2.9

Tires

Rear Tire Order Code

Front Tire Size

P195/60R15

P205/60R15

Spare Tire Size

Compact

Front Tire Order Code

Spare Tire Order Code

Rear Tire Size

P195/60R15

P205/60R15

Trailering

Dead Weight Hitch - Max Tongue Wt. (lbs)

100

Wt Distributing Hitch - Max Tongue Wt. (lbs)

Dead Weight Hitch - Max Trailer Wt. (lbs)

1000

Wt Distributing Hitch - Max Trailer Wt. (lbs)

Weight Information

Base Curb Weight (lbs)

2588

2930

Wheels

Spare Wheel Material

Steel

Front Wheel Size (in)

15 x - TBD -

15 x 5.5

Spare Wheel Size (in)

Compact

Rear Wheel Material

Steel

Rear Wheel Size (in)

15 x - TBD -

15 x 5.5

Front Wheel Material

Steel

Cooling System

Total Cooling System Capacity (qts)

- TBD -

Electrical

Cold Cranking Amps @ 0° F (Primary)

- TBD -

650

Maximum Alternator Capacity (amps)

110

100

Engine

SAE Net Horsepower @ RPM

140 @ 6250

140 @ 5100

Engine Type

Gas I4

Fuel System

SMPI

SAE Net Torque @ RPM

136 @ 4250

147 @ 4800

Engine Order Code

99N

MR20DE

Displacement

2.0L/121

2.0L/122

Mileage

EPA Fuel Economy Est - City (MPG)

EPA Fuel Economy Est - Hwy (MPG)

Transmission

Fifth Gear Ratio (:1)

0.77

Trans Description Cont. Again

Drivetrain

Front Wheel Drive

Reverse Ratio (:1)

3.72

5.47

Second Gear Ratio (:1)

2.14

Trans Order Code

Final Drive Axle Ratio (:1)

3.56

2.69

Fourth Gear Ratio (:1)

1.03

Trans Description Cont.

Manual w/OD

CVT

Sixth Gear Ratio (:1)

First Gear Ratio (:1)

3.67

2.56 - 0.43

Clutch Size (in)

- TBD -

Third Gear Ratio (:1)

1.45

Trans Type

Summary

Vehicle Name

Ford Focus

Nissan Sentra

Body Style

2 Door Coupe

4 Door Sedan

Suspension

Stabilizer Bar Diameter - Rear (in)

Suspension Type - Front (Cont.)

Shock Absorber Diameter - Front (mm)

- TBD -

Stabilizer Bar Diameter - Front (in)

0.83

0.9

Suspension Type - Rear

Control blade

Torsion Beam

Suspension Type - Rear (Cont.)

Shock Absorber Diameter - Rear (mm)

- TBD -

Suspension Type - Front

MacPherson strut

Independent Strut

Emissions

EPA Greenhouse Gas Score

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