2003 Nissan Sentra Review

The fifth-generation Nissan Sentra front-drive small sedan line is like a growing number of small car lines in that it offers soft, fuel-stingy models for folks who don't care much about driving--and hot rod models for those who love to get behind a steering wheel.

The front-drive Sentra's styling is nothing special. And the base XE and mid-range GXE Sentras have average performance from a 1.8-liter, 126-horsepower four-cylinder engine. They come with either a standard five-speed manual gearbox or extra-cost automatic transmission.

There's no edginess to those 2003 models--they're like a scaled-down Buick Century and are something your sensible grandmother might enjoy driving. Fuel economy is high, at an estimated 27 mpg in the city and 33-35 on the highway.

In contrast, the racier, higher-line four-cylinder 165-horsepower SE-R and 175-horsepower SE-R Spec V could be from the movie "The Fast and the Furious,'' which essentially was about young West Coast people roaring around in hopped-up Japanese small cars.

In between is a new Sentra Limited Edition model, which is designed to combine the comfort of lower-line models with the speediness of the SE-R. The Limited Edition is basically a GXE with the SE-R's 165-horsepower engine. It comes only with the automatic transmission, whereas the SE-R also can be had with a five-speed manual gearbox.

The Spec V is the fastest Sentra, streaking to 60 mph in 7.3 seconds while still delivering 24 mpg in the city and 29 on highways. The SE-R and Limited Edition are nearly as fast and deliver the same fuel economy.

The Spec V has a special free-flowing exhaust system for its added power. This model gets its designation from Nissan's ferocious Skyline GT-R V Spec, a high-performance model not sold in America.

The XE and GXE take a so-so 9.4 seconds to reach 60 mph with their standard five-speed manual transmission, and are a bit slower with the extra-cost four-speed automatic transmission. They have cushy seats, decent steering and handling and a supple ride that's on the soft side.

All Sentras have adequate room in the quiet interior for four 6-footers, but there isn't much room to spare. A tall driver might want more seat travel, and narrow rear door bottoms impede entry and exit.

Controls are easily reached, but small radio controls sit above only moderately sized climate controls. The fairly large trunk has a low opening, but its lid has intrusive manual hinges.

The XE has only an average amount of standard equipment. But the GXE, which starts at $14,099, has a lot more stuff, including air conditioning, split folding rear seat, AM/FM/CD player and power door locks, windows and mirrors.

The $16,199 SE-R and race-style $17,199 Spec V version of that model have a firmer sport suspension and wider tires on larger wheels for much sharper handling. The Spec V gets 17-inch wheels and wider 45-series tires than the SE-R, which has 16-inch wheels and 55-series tires. The Spec V also has a limited-slip differential for better traction with the front-drive setup. Both hot rod models have powerful four-wheel disc brakes.

The Spec V still has torque steer, which causes it to jerk a bit to the left and right during hard acceleration. The Spec V's ride also gets jerky even on apparently smooth roads with its track-tuned suspension, which gives it go-kart reflexes. That ride and torque steer are taken in stride by high-performance car fans, but wouldn't be appreciated by average motorists.

The SE-R is the most fun with its five-speed manual transmission. The Spec V comes only with a special close-ratio six-speed manual gearbox, which invites car buffs to change gears just for the fun of it.

A driver needs to shift a lot with the SE-R and Spec V for the fastest acceleration because they're designed to provide very strong acceleration in lower gears. However, even the Spec V shows only 2,400 rpm on the tachometer at 65 mph with its overdrive sixth gear.

As with the GXE and Limited Edition, the SE-R and Spec V are well equipped with comfort and convenience items, although only one of the Spec V's two rear seatbacks fold forward.

The SE-R and Spec V look racier than other Sentras because they have body colored grille, bumpers, door handles, mirrors and low side sill body extensions. They also have fog lights near a special mesh-pattern grille, rear spoiler, alloy wheels and chrome exhaust tips.

The SE-R and Spec V have sportier looking interiors than conventional Sentras, with such items as a leather-wrapped steering wheel. The Spec V has a special "Lava [colored] interior'' with black and new silver accents. The Spec V also has torso-hugging Skyline-style front bucket seats, but the gauges are sometimes hard to read because Nissan got too fancy with their design.

A $549 nine-speaker Rockford Fosgate-powered 300-watt audio system is custom-designed for the SE-R and Spec V.

Front side air bags and anti-lock brakes are a $749 option for the GXE, SE-R and Spec V and are standard on the Limited Edition.

The lower-line Sentras are solid, proven economy cars, and the SE-R and Spec V are exciting models--with the new Limited Edition put squarely in the middle.


NISSAN SENTRA
Prices:
$12,099-$17,199

Likes:
Fuel-stingy lower-line sedans. Hot rod high-line sedans. New mid-range model. Solid credentials.

Dislikes:
Average styling. Base model doesn't have much equipment. Jerky ride for top hot model.