1995-1999 Nissan Sentra: Full Review
Updated: 11/23/08
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Learn about the year-to-year changes and reliability for the 1995-1999 Nissan Sentra and our price chart details a range of prices based on vehicle mileage and condition.
Pros
- Fuel economy
- Ride
- Optional antilock brakes (GXE, GLE)
Cons
- Rear-seat room
- Acceleration (w/automatic transmission)
- Seat comfort
- Rear-seat entry/exit
Vehicle Highlights
Introduced after the start of the 1995 model year, Nissan's front-drive subcompact was redesigned in new 4-door notchback form. Two-doors, which were included in the prior Sentra generation, gave way to new notchback coupes, wearing a revived 200SX label. Besides new styling--much more rounded than before--Sentras had dual airbags and anti-intrusion door beams. Four price levels went on sale: base, XE, GXE, and GLE. All models used a revised version of the prior 16-valve, 1.6-liter twin-cam 4-cylinder engine, rated at 115 horsepower. A 5-speed manual transmission was again standard; 4-speed automatic optional. Antilock brakes were optional for the GXE and GLE only.
Expert Ratings Summary (view detailed report)
| Category | Nissan Sentra GLE automatic Rating | |
|---|---|---|
| Performance | 3 | |
| Fuel Economy | 7 | |
| Ride Quality | 3 | |
| Steering/Handling/Braking | 3 | |
| Quietness | 4 | |
| Controls/Materials | 6 | |
| Interior Room | 4 | |
| Room/Comfort (rear) | 3 | |
| Cargo Capacity | 3 | |
| Value within Class | 6 | |
| Total Score: | 42 |
Learn about the year-to-year changes of the 1995-1999 Nissan Sentra. Get full details of the styling and performance changes throughout the history of the 1995-1999 Nissan Sentra.
Year to Year Changes
1996 Nissan Sentra:
Sentras showed virtually no change for 1996, following their redesign a year earlier.
1997 Nissan Sentra:
Once again, nothing was new for Nissan's subcompact sedan.
1998 Nissan Sentra:
Nissan added a high-performance SE sedan with the 2.0-liter engine used in the 200SX SE-R, however it was badged a 1999 model. SE standard equipment included 15-inch wheels, rear disc brakes, and fog lamps. Other Sentras got a mild facelift.
1999 Nissan Sentra:
Sentras received yet another facelift, this one involving headlights, grille, and front fascia. Deleted from the lineup were the base and GLE. The hot Sentra SE with the 2.0-liter engine continued unchanged. A redesigned, larger Sentra debuted during the 2000 model year.
Our road test for the 1995-1999 Nissan Sentra includes a full evaluation from the inside out. We've evaluated every aspect of the 1995-1999 Nissan Sentra and highlighted the vehicle's performance with pros and cons. Use our comprehensive road test ratings to decide if this generation 1995-1999 Nissan Sentra is right for you.
Consumer Guide® Road-Test Evaluation
In terms of quietness and solidity, the 1995 redesign moved Sentra from the middle to near the front of the subcompact class. Even when driven over the roughest roads, Sentras act and feel far more substantial than most small cars, with a supple yet well-controlled ride and a notable absence of body drumming and road rumble. Although wind noise rises appreciably above 60 mph, the little engine doesn't thrash or boom at most speeds. You'll need to work the 1.6-liter engine hard when mated to the automatic transmission. But, when mated to the slick-shifting 5-speed manual, the Sentra feels frisky. The 140-horsepower engine in the SE has good acceleration with automatic and feels even more lively with the 5-speed. Despite a bigger interior than prior models, Sentra remains practical for only four adults. Three grownups simply cannot fit comfortably in the back seat for longer trips. A functional, attractive dashboard gives the Sentra driver a user-friendly environment, but seats are flat and hard. Cargo space isn't the greatest, but the trunk has a flat floor and low opening at bumper level.
Value for the Money
Solid and refined, Sentra looks like a good value in the small-car hunt. We'd even place it on a par with the Toyota Corolla--today's standard of comparison in the subcompact league.
Solid and refined, Sentra looks like a good value in the small-car hunt. We'd even place it on a par with the Toyota Corolla--today's standard of comparison in the subcompact league.
Expert Ratings Summary
| Category | Nissan Sentra GLE automatic Rating | |
|---|---|---|
| Performance | 3 | |
| Fuel Economy | 7 | |
| Ride Quality | 3 | |
| Steering/Handling/Braking | 3 | |
| Quietness | 4 | |
| Controls/Materials | 6 | |
| Interior Room | 4 | |
| Room/Comfort (rear) | 3 | |
| Cargo Capacity | 3 | |
| Value within Class | 6 | |
| Total Score: | 42 |
Each vehicle report contains one rating chart for representative model. Consumer
Guide® rates in ten key areas: Performance, Fuel Economy, Ride Comfort, Steering
and Handling, Interior Noise, Controls and Materials, Driver Room, Passenger Room,
Cargo Capacity, and Insurance Costs. These ratings compare the particular vehicle
rated to ALL other vehicles, not a vehicle's standing in a particular class. In the
ratings table, "1" is the lowest rating and "10" is the highest rating.
Our reliability study for this generation Nissan Sentra includes details on average repair costs, manufacturer recalls, and everything you need to know to gauge the long-term reliability of this generation Nissan Sentra .
Trouble Spots
Consumer Guide's® Auto Editors have scoured repair bulletins and questioned mechanics to search
for commonly occurring problems for a particular vehicle. In some cases we also give possible manufacturer-suggested
solutions. In many instances these trouble spots are Technical Service Bulletins posted by the manufacturer,
however, we have our own expert looking at additional vehicle problems.
Air conditioner:
Poor air conditioning may be due to refrigerant leaking from the service fitting valves. (1996)
Audio system:
Cellular phones can interfere and cause noise from the radio speakers if the phone is plugged into the cigarette-lighter socket near the radio rather than another 12-volt accessory socket. (1995-99)
Brake noise:
The rear drum brakes may squeal, grind, or groan due to being overadjusted. (1995)
Dashboard lights:
The check-engine light comes on due to a problem with the rear heated oxygen sensor. (1995-96)
Fuel gauge:
The gauge may not register full due to the pump wires interfering with the float arm. (1995)
Hard starting:
Starting difficulty and/or flooding while starting in cold weather at higher altitudes may require a revised powertrain-control module (PCM). (1997-99)
Horn:
The horn may sound when the wheel is turned due a spring slipping out of place in the steering column. (1995-99)
Sunroof/moonroof:
The sunroof may tilt up, but not slide back due to a problem with the lifter mechanism. (1995-96)
Consumer Guide® Estimated Repair Costs
This table lists costs of likely repairs for comparison with other vehicles. The
dollar amount includes the cost of the part(s) and labor (based on $50 per hour) for the
typical repair without extras or add-ons. Like the pricing information, replacement
costs can vary widely depending on region. Expect charges at a new-car dealership
to be slightly higher.
| Item Name | Repair Cost |
| A/C Compressor | $610 |
| Alternator | $310 |
| Brakes | $290 |
| Clutch, Pressure Plate, Bearing | $390 |
| Constant Velocity Joints | $1,120 |
| Exhaust System | $320 |
| Radiator | $300 |
| Shocks and/or Struts | $460 |
| Timing Chain or Belt | $620 |
Our price chart for this generation Nissan Sentra details a range of prices in
year-by-year listings based on vehicle mileage and condition.
| Prices | Good | Average | Poor |
|
|
|||
| 1999 | |||
| Sentra | $2,800-3,700 | $2,100-2,800 | $600-800 |
| 1998 | |||
| Sentra | $2,300-3,100 | $1,700-2,200 | $400-600 |
| 1997 | |||
| Sentra | $2,000-2,800 | $1,400-2,000 | $300-500 |
| 1996 | |||
| Sentra | $1,800-2,400 | $1,200-1,600 | $300-400 |
| 1995 | |||
| Sentra | $1,600-2,100 | $1,100-1,400 | $200-300 |
|
|
|||
This chart details a range of prices in year-by-year listings for vehicles in three condition levels:
Good: a clean low-mileage, solid-running vehicle that needs little or no repair.
Average: a car with normal miles on the odometer, perhaps a few scrapes or dings;
engine might need a minor repair or two, but runs acceptably well.
Poor: might have potentially dangerous problems with the engine and/or body, or
abnormally high mileage; definitely in need of mechanical attention. Valuations
reflect wholesale prices paid by dealers at auction, and retail prices on used-car
lots. Each range covers all trim levels and engine types for a vehicle with a typical
amount of equipment--usually an automatic transmission, air conditioning, stereo,
etc. Fully loaded vehicles may cost more. Average mileage is 12,000 miles per year. Keep
in mind that these are guidelines only. Actual selling prices vary- especially from
region to region.
Specs for this generation Nissan Sentra include everything from fuel mileage to seating capacity to options availability.
Vehicle Dimensions
| Specification | 4-door sedan | |
| Wheelbase, in. | 99.8 | |
| Overall Length, in. | 170.1 | |
| Overall Width, in. | 66.6 | |
| Overall Height, in. | 54.5 | |
| Curb Weight, lbs. | 2315 | |
| Cargo Volume, cu. ft. | 10.7 | |
| Standard Payload, lbs. | -- | |
| Fuel Capacity, gals. | 13.2 | |
| Seating Capacity | 5 | |
| Front Head Room, in. | 39.1 | |
| Max. Front Leg Room, in. | 42.3 | |
| Rear Head Room, in. | 39.5 | |
| Max. Rear Leg Room, in. | 32.4 | |
|
Specifications Key: NA = not available; "--" = measurement does not exist. |
||
Powertrain Options and Availability
Only one engine was available in 1995-97: a dual-overhead-cam 1.6-liter 4-cylinder, making 115 horsepower. A 5-speed manual gearbox was standard; 4-speed automatic transmission optional. In '98, Nissan added the SE model with a 140-horsepower 2.0-liter engine. It too could have 5-speed manual shift or 4-speed automatic.
| Engines | cu. in |
Horse- power | Torque | Transmission: |
Consumer Guide Observed |
| dohc I4 | 1.6 / 97 | 115 | 108 | 5-speed manual: 30/40 4-speed automatic: 28/37 |
5-speed manual: 31.7 4-speed automatic: 24.9 |
| dohc I4 | 2.0 / 122 | 140 | 132 | 5-speed manual: 23/31 4-speed automatic: 23/30 |
5-speed manual: 25.4 4-speed automatic: -- |
|
Specifications Key: NA = not available; "--" = measurement does not exist. |
|||||
Built In: USA
Drive Wheels: transverse front-engine/front-wheel drive
Detailed safety information for this generation Nissan Sentra include detailed crash test scores from the NHTSA.
NHTSA Crash-Test Results
| Test | 1999 Sentra |
|---|---|
| Front Impact, Driver | 3 |
| Front Impact, Passenger | 4 |
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) tests a vehicle's worthiness in front- and side-impact collisions and rates its resistance to rollovers. Front-impact crash-test numbers indicate the chance of serious injury: 5 = 10% or less; 4 = 10-20%; 3 = 20-35%; 2 = 35-45%; 1 = More than 45%. Sideimpact crash-test numbers indicate: 5 = 5% or less; 4 = 6-10%; 3 = 11-20%; 2 = 21-25%; 1 = More than 26%. Rollover resistance numbers indicate the chance for rollover when the vehicle leaves the roadway: 5 = Less than 10%; 4 = 10-20%; 3 = 20-30%; 2 = 30-40%; 1 = More than 40%.
Learn about official auto recalls, reliability issues, and vehicle problems for the 1995-1999 Nissan Sentra directly from the NHTSA and manufacturers.
NHTSA Recall History
1995 w/antilock brakes:
Hydraulic actuator was not properly purged of all air; bubbles can cause increased pedal travel and stopping distances.
1995-96:
Front coil springs may not have sufficient corrosion resistance in areas where significant amounts of deicing salts are applied to roads.
1995-98:
Water can enter and displace grease in wiper arm linkage joint, resulting in gradual wear over a period of time that could lead to separation of wiper linkage assembly.
1996:
Does not meet illumination requirements for brake light.
1996-97:
Stop/taillamps do not meet illumination requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 108.
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