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2000 Nissan Sentra Full Review
Date Published: 7/31/08
2000 Nissan Sentra Review
Nissan's subcompact sedan is redesigned for 2000, with a larger base engine, available front side airbags, and a higher level of standard equipment. Wheelbase is unchanged, but Sentra is 6.5 inches longer than before, with slight gains in width and height. Curb weight increases about 150 pounds. XE and uplevel GXE models return, but with a new 126-horsepower 1.8-liter 4-cylinder engine in place of a 115-hp 1.6 liter. The sporty SE model retains a 2.0-liter four with 145 horsepower, 5 more than before. Manual transmission is standard and a 4-speed automatic is optional with both engines. Sentra also offers a special CA model in California that meets that state's Super Ultra Low Emission Vehicle requirements.
Antilock brakes combine with the front side airbags in an option package for GXE and SE models. The SE also comes with 4-wheel disc brakes and is the only model to offer a sunroof. Newly standard on the XE are 14-inch wheels in place of 13s and a height-adjustable driver's seat. GXE trades a cassette player for a CD player, though its split/folding rear seat is now an option. SE gains optional 16-inch alloy wheels in place of the standard 15s.
Competition
This crowded segment is best represented by two exceptional cars--one a Best Buy and the other a Recommended. Our Best Buy is the Honda Civic, which offers a wide range of bodystyles, engines, and equipment levels. Civic is a solid car that has good performance, a nice ride, and is very civilized.
Topping the Recommended list are the Volkswagen Golf and Jetta. They easily could be Best Buys as they are better than the Civic in many ways. However, they are also the most expensive cars in this segment. Other Recommended choices include the no-frills Chevrolet Cavalier and Dodge Neon, the slightly-upscale Chevy Prizm and clone Toyota Corolla, and the roomy Mazda Protege.
If you are looking for a Budget Buy we recommend you stay away from the Hyundai or Daewoo models and take a look at the Ford Escort.
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2000 Nissan Sentra Road Test
Pros Cons
Fuel economy Rear-seat entry/exit
Consumer Guide® Road Test Ratings
Acceleration

XE, auto. GXE, man. SE, man. Class Average
3 4 5 3.7

The SE is quick, and other Sentras aren't bad now either thanks to the bigger engine.
Fuel Economy

XE, auto. GXE, man. SE, man. Class Average
6 7 7 6.6

We averaged 25-30 mpg on the previous 1.6-liter models, but the new ones have a larger engine and more weight, and EPA figures are down by as much as 4 mpg.
Ride Quality

XE, auto. GXE, man. SE, man. Class Average
4 4 4 3.5

While not quite as absorbent as the class-leading Honda Civic, XE and GXE are supple and well controlled for small sedans. The SE's ride is firmer.
Steering/Handling/Braking

XE, auto. GXE, man. SE, man. Class Average
4 4 6 4.3

Steering is quick and responsive, and handling is safe and predictable. The agile SEs nearly qualify as budget-priced sports sedans.
Quietness

XE, auto. GXE, man. SE, man. Class Average
3 3 3 3.6

Though solid in construction, road noise is more prominent than in most small sedans.
Controls

XE, auto. GXE, man. SE, man. Class Average
7 7 7 5.5

The dashboard layout is friendly and unremarkable, though radio controls are too small.
Room/Comfort/Driver Seating (front)

XE, auto. GXE, man. SE, man. Class Average
4 4 4 4.2

Leg room is tight for taller folks, but head room is adequate and comfort is improved over last year's flat, thinly-padded seats.
Room/Comfort (rear)

XE, auto. GXE, man. SE, man. Class Average
3 3 3 2.8

Head room is adequate for those up to about 6-feet tall, but leg room is skimpy if the front seats are pushed very far back. Most adults find it a tight squeeze through the rear doors.
Cargo Room

XE, auto. GXE, man. SE, man. Class Average
2 2 2 3.3

On the small side for the class, and the trunk opening isn't very large. The interior sports a fair number of cubbies.
Value within Class

XE, auto. GXE, man. SE, man. Class Average
7 7 7 4.2

It's not a refined as a Honda Civic or as roomy as a Ford Focus, but the solid, grown-up Sentra nonetheless merits a place on any subcompact-shopper's list.
Total Score

XE, auto. GXE, man. SE, man. Class Average
43 45 48 41.7
Scores for all Compact Cars

Low Score
27
Average Score
41
High Score
54
2000 Nissan Sentra Prices & Equipment
Model Prices
Prices Updated: 06/15/2000
Trim Name Retail Price Dealer Invoice Destination Charge
XE 4-door sedan, 5-speed $11,649 $10,956 $520
XE 4-door sedan, automatic $12,399 $11,661 $520
GXE 4-door sedan, 5-speed $13,499 $12,343 $520
GXE 4-door sedan, automatic $14,299 $13,075 $520
CA 4-door sedan, automatic $14,799 $14,106 $520
SE 4-door sedan, 5-speed $14,899 $13,624 $520
SE 4-door sedan, automatic $15,699 $14,355 $520
Price note: CA only available in California.
Pricing Key: Retail prices listed with each report are set by the vehicle's manufacturer. These figures appear on each car's federally mandated window sticker. Most price lists also include dealer-invoice prices. Dealer-invoice prices are what the dealer pays the manufacturer for the car and its factory-installed options. The destination charge is not included in the suggested-retail or dealer-invoice price and must be added to the cost of the vehicle. Car companies change prices frequently throughout the year. If the prices published do not match those on the vehicle's window sticker, the manufacturer has probably altered the price recently.
NA = price note available, NC = no charge.
Rebates and Incentives
There are no rebates or incentives at this time.
Consumer Guide®'s Rebates and Incentives represent a summary of national manufacturer programs available. Regional restrictions may apply, and offerings may vary by model. For a complete list of Rebate & Incentive programs click here.
Standard Equipment
XE
Powertrain
1.8-liter dohc 4-cylinder engine, 5-speed manual or 4-speed automatic transmission.
Safety
Dual front airbags.
Comfort and Convenience Features
Variable-assist power steering, tilt steering wheel, cloth upholstery, front bucket seats, height-adjustable driver seat, front console, cupholders, rear defogger, passenger-side visor mirror, remote decklid and fuel-door releases.
Appearance and Miscellaneous
Dual outside mirrors, 185/65R14 tires, wheel covers.
GXE adds to XE:
Comfort and Convenience Features
Air conditioning, cruise control, AM/FM/CD player, digital clock, tachometer, power mirrors, power windows, power door locks, variable intermittent wipers, driver-side visor mirror.
CA adds to GXE:
Powertrain
4-speed automatic transmission.
Comfort and Convenience Features
Remote keyless entry.
Appearance and Miscellaneous
195/60HR15 tires, alloy wheels.
SE adds to GLE:
Powertrain
2.0-liter dohc 4-cylinder engine.
Safety
4-wheel disc brakes.
Comfort and Convenience Features
Leather-wrapped steering wheel, remote keyless entry, split folding rear seat.
Appearance and Miscellaneous
Fog lights, 195/55R15 tires, alloy wheels.
Optional Equipment
Major Packages
Retail Price
Invoice Price
XE Option Pkg.
XE
$1,199
$1,040
Air conditioning, AM/FM/cassette, digital clock.
GXE Convenience Pkg.
GXE
$150
$131
Remote keyless entry, split folding rear seat, cargo net, rear auxiliary power outlet, valet key.
GXE Luxury Pkg.
GXE
$649
$563
Illuminated visor mirrors, upgraded sound system, overhead storage console, map lights, theft-deterrent system, 195/60HR15 tires, alloy wheels. Requires GXE Convenience Pkg.
SE Performance Pkg.
SE w/automatic
$699
$606
SE w/5-speed
$899
$779
Limited-slip differential (5-speed), upgraded sound system, illuminated visor mirrors, upgraded upholstery, overhead storage console, map lights, rear spoiler, theft-deterrent system, 195/55R16 tires.
Safety
Front side-impact airbags and antilock brakes
GXE, SE
$699
$606
Comfort and Convenience Features
Upgraded sound system
SE
$190
$170
In-dash 6-disc CD changer
GXE, SE
$399
$346
GXE requires GXE Luxury Pkg. SE requires upgraded sound system or SE Performance Pkg.
Power sunroof
SE
$599
$519
Floormats
CA, GXE, SE, XE
$79
$58
Appearance and Miscellaneous
Theft-deterrent system
GXE, SE
$299
$259
2000 Nissan Sentra Specs & Safety
Vehicle Dimensions
Specification Nissan Sentra 4-door sedan
Wheelbase, in. 99.8
Overall Length, in. 177.5
Overall Width, in. 67.3
Overall Height, in. 55.5
Curb Weight, lbs. 2548
Cargo Volume, cu. ft. 11.6
Standard Payload, lbs. --
Fuel Capacity, gals. 13.2
Seating Capacity 5
Front Head Room, in. 39.9
Max. Front Leg Room, in. 41.6
Rear Head Room, in. 37.0
Max. Rear Leg Room, in. 33.7
Specifications Key: NA = not available; "--" = measurement does not exist.
Engines
  dohc I4 dohc I4
Size, liters/cu. in. 1.8 /110 2.0 /122
Horsepower @ rpm. 126 @ 6000 145 @ 6400
Torque (lb-ft) @ rpm. 129 @ 2400 136 @ 4800
Availability Standard Standard
EPA City / highway mpg
   
5-speed manual 27/35 24/31
4-speed automatic 26/33 24/30
Engine Key: l/cu in. = liters/cubic inches; ohv = overhead valve; ohc = overhead camshaft; dohc = dual overhead camshaft; I = inline cylinders; H = horizonally opposed cylinders; V = cylinders in a V configuration; W = cylinders in a W configuration; rpm = revolutions per minute; CVT = continuously variable (automatic) transmission; NA = not available; "--" = measurement does not exist.
Safety Features
Antilock Brakes
Traction Control
Antiskid System
Front Side Airbags
Curtain Side Airbags
Rear Side Airbags
NHTSA Crash-Test Results
Test Nissan Sentra 4-door sedan
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%. Side-impact 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%.
Manufacturer's Warranty
Class Years/Miles Comments
Powertrain 5/60,000 --
Bumper-to-bumper 3/36,000 --
Corrosion 5/unlimited --
Free roadside assistance None/-- --
Free scheduled maintenance None/-- --
Manufacturers may periodically offer additional coverage as a purchase incentive. There offers are not reflected on this chart. The federal government requires two other warranties. The Exhaust Emission Warranty covers corrosion-related parts for 2 years/24,000 miles, plus 8 years/80,000 miles on the catalytic converter and any on-board diagnostic device. The Passenger Restraint Warranty covers seat belts and airbags for 5 years/50,000 miles.
Built in: Mexico
Drivewheels: front-wheel drive
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