2004 Nissan Sentra New Car Buyer's Guide

What's New for the 2004 Nissan Sentra?
The 2004 Nissan Sentra is updated to more evenly match the rest of the Nissan sedan lineup in terms of appearance and content. New front and rear styling mimics the look of the Nissan Altima and Nissan Maxima, and a new hood has been added to the 2004 Nissan Sentra. The model nomenclature is revised: 1.8, 1.8S, 2.5S, SE-R and SE-R Spec V models are offered. The standard 1.8-liter engine meets SULEV emissions standards nationwide, and zero evaporative emissions when sold in California. Nissan Sentra 1.8 models make 126 horsepower, 2.5 S and SE-R crank out 165 horsepower, and the racy SE-R Spec V whips up 175. Upper trim levels of the 2004 Nissan Sentra get a trip computer and an improved Rockford Fosgate sound system option. The SE-R Spec V has a new Brembo brake option, a new Charcoal interior color and two new exterior colors: Volcanic Orange and Sapphire Blue.

Advantages of the 2004 Nissan Sentra:

• SULEV 1.8-liter engine on base models
• High-powered 2.5-liter engine on higher level trims
• Quality interior materials
• Competitive pricing

Objections to the 2004 Nissan Sentra:

• Cramped rear seat room
• Dowdy styling
• Archaic rear suspension design

Editor's Advice:
Consider the 2004 Nissan Sentra to be an also-ran in the economy car sweepstakes. Despite styling that has been cleaned up (dig that Maxima knockoff grille), this is an innocuous and forgettable ride unless you pop for the sporty SE-R Spec V or your environmentalist leanings dictate that you must drive a vehicle with ultra-low emissions (if this is the case, may we show you a Ford Focus with a PZEV motor?). Add in a lack of rear seat room, and the Nissan Sentra gets lost in a sea of good to excellent competitors such as the Honda Civic, the Ford Focus, the Mazda 3 and the Hyundai Elantra.