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2003 Nissan Sentra Full Review
Date Published: 5/31/08
Also in the 2003 Nissan Sentra Review:
2003 Nissan Sentra Review
Nissan's smallest cars juggle models and features for 2003. All Sentras are 4-cyl 4-dr sedans. The base XE and step-up GXE use a 126-hp 1.8-liter engine that meets the stricter emissions standards of last year's California-only CA model, which is dropped. New is the Limited Edition, basically a GXE with a 165-hp 2.5-liter engine, plus standard automatic transmission, ABS, and front side airbags. XE and GXE offer automatic as an option to 5-speed manual, and this year go from 14- to 15-inch standard wheels. Again topping the line are the sporty 2.5-liter SE-R and SE-R Spec V models with 165 and 175 hp, respectively, plus 6-speed manual transmission for the Spec V. SE-R boasts specific interior trim, sport suspension, 16-inch wheels, and 4-wheel disc brakes. Spec V has a tighter suspension, 17-inch wheels, unique exterior touches, and sport front seats, now with silver-color cloth inserts instead of red. Side airbags and ABS remain available for GXE, SE-R, and Spec V.
Competition
Honda Civic continues to be the car to beat with a wide range of bodystyles, engines, and equipment. Civic is a solid car that has good performance, a nice ride, and a high degree of civility. Also a Best Buy, Ford Focus doesn't offer the refinement of the Civic, but doesn't cost as much either.
Topping the crowded Recommended list are Volkswagen Golf and Jetta. They easily could be Best Buys. However, they are among the most expensive cars in this segment. Other Recommended choices include the redesigned but still reliable Toyota Corolla, the sporty Nissan Sentra, and the roomy Mazda Protege. Each of these is a valid alternative to a Best Buy if price is your major concern.
Topping the crowded Recommended list are Volkswagen Golf and Jetta. They easily could be Best Buys. However, they are among the most expensive cars in this segment. Other Recommended choices include the redesigned but still reliable Toyota Corolla, the sporty Nissan Sentra, and the roomy Mazda Protege. Each of these is a valid alternative to a Best Buy if price is your major concern.
News
A redesigned Sentra is said to be due for 2006 on a new platform being jointly designed by Nissan and parent Renault of France. Size may go up a bit, and styling should be in Nissan's new bolder mode, but that's about all one can say right now.
Sentra remains well down the list in subcompact sales, and went a little lower in 2002, as deliveries dropped 4.5 percent after rising 12.4 percent year-to-year in calendar '01.
Sentra remains well down the list in subcompact sales, and went a little lower in 2002, as deliveries dropped 4.5 percent after rising 12.4 percent year-to-year in calendar '01.
2003 Nissan Sentra Road Test
| Pros | Cons |
| Acceleration (SE-R) | Ride (SE-R) |
| Steering/handling (SE-R) | Rear-seat entry/exit |
| Fuel economy | |
Consumer Guide® Road Test Ratings
Acceleration
A manual-transmission GXE clocked a lazy 9.9 sec in our 0-60 mph test; expect about 11 sec with automatic. Test 175-hp Spec V took 7.9 sec, close to Nissan's claim for the 165-hp SE-R. Manual transmission in any Sentra suffers imprecise shift action. We haven't yet tested the new automatic-only Limited Edition.
| XE, auto. | GXE, man. | SE-R Spec V | Class Average |
| 3 | 4 | 6 | 4 |
A manual-transmission GXE clocked a lazy 9.9 sec in our 0-60 mph test; expect about 11 sec with automatic. Test 175-hp Spec V took 7.9 sec, close to Nissan's claim for the 165-hp SE-R. Manual transmission in any Sentra suffers imprecise shift action. We haven't yet tested the new automatic-only Limited Edition.
Fuel Economy
Test manual-transmission GXE averaged 24.9 mpg; expect slightly less with automatic. SE-R Spec V averaged 18.2 mpg. Nissan recommends premium fuel for the Spec V.
| XE, auto. | GXE, man. | SE-R Spec V | Class Average |
| 6 | 7 | 5 | 6.5 |
Test manual-transmission GXE averaged 24.9 mpg; expect slightly less with automatic. SE-R Spec V averaged 18.2 mpg. Nissan recommends premium fuel for the Spec V.
Ride Quality
XE/GXE tend to bound over large moguls and jiggle on rippled freeways. SE-Rs have firmer, more-controlled ride motions, but Spec V can be fidgety even on apparently smooth pavement.
| XE, auto. | GXE, man. | SE-R Spec V | Class Average |
| 5 | 5 | 3 | 4.4 |
XE/GXE tend to bound over large moguls and jiggle on rippled freeways. SE-Rs have firmer, more-controlled ride motions, but Spec V can be fidgety even on apparently smooth pavement.
Steering/Handling/Braking
XE/GXE make predictable front-drive moves, with modest cornering grip but quick, responsive steering. SE-Rs have impressively grippy, agile handling, but suffer marked torque steer--unwanted pulling to one side--during quick acceleration. Brakes feel strong, but non-ABS test models tended toward sudden front-wheel locking in simulated panic stops.
| XE, auto. | GXE, man. | SE-R Spec V | Class Average |
| 5 | 5 | 7 | 5.3 |
XE/GXE make predictable front-drive moves, with modest cornering grip but quick, responsive steering. SE-Rs have impressively grippy, agile handling, but suffer marked torque steer--unwanted pulling to one side--during quick acceleration. Brakes feel strong, but non-ABS test models tended toward sudden front-wheel locking in simulated panic stops.
Quietness
Mediocre even for small cars. Tire roar higher than the class norm--especially in Spec V--and engines get fairly loud and thrashy sounding in full-throttle work.
| XE, auto. | GXE, man. | SE-R Spec V | Class Average |
| 3 | 3 | 3 | 3.7 |
Mediocre even for small cars. Tire roar higher than the class norm--especially in Spec V--and engines get fairly loud and thrashy sounding in full-throttle work.
Controls
Neat, logical, unremarkable. Radio sits nice and high, but has small buttons. Interior materials solid and serviceable. SE-Rs dress things up with metal-look finishes and leather trim.
| XE, auto. | GXE, man. | SE-R Spec V | Class Average |
| 7 | 7 | 7 | 5.6 |
Neat, logical, unremarkable. Radio sits nice and high, but has small buttons. Interior materials solid and serviceable. SE-Rs dress things up with metal-look finishes and leather trim.
Room/Comfort/Driver Seating (front)
Typical small-car space. Seats nicely padded and shaped; special Spec V buckets are very firm, with prominent bolstering for great support in fast cornering. Drivers enjoy standard tilt steering wheel, seat-height adjustment starting on GXE models, plus good visibility, but insufficient seat travel may cramp longer legs.
| XE, auto. | GXE, man. | SE-R Spec V | Class Average |
| 4 | 4 | 5 | 4.8 |
Typical small-car space. Seats nicely padded and shaped; special Spec V buckets are very firm, with prominent bolstering for great support in fast cornering. Drivers enjoy standard tilt steering wheel, seat-height adjustment starting on GXE models, plus good visibility, but insufficient seat travel may cramp longer legs.
Room/Comfort (rear)
OK head room for those 6-ft and under, but very little leg or foot room if front seats very far back. Entry/exit hampered by narrow door bottoms.
| XE, auto. | GXE, man. | SE-R Spec V | Class Average |
| 3 | 3 | 3 | 3.7 |
OK head room for those 6-ft and under, but very little leg or foot room if front seats very far back. Entry/exit hampered by narrow door bottoms.
Cargo Room
Subpar for class, with intrusive trunklid hinges and scant height beneath rear parcel shelf. Average-size trunk opening, too. All but the Spec V have folding rear seatbacks. Decent interior storage across the board.
| XE, auto. | GXE, man. | SE-R Spec V | Class Average |
| 2 | 2 | 2 | 3.8 |
Subpar for class, with intrusive trunklid hinges and scant height beneath rear parcel shelf. Average-size trunk opening, too. All but the Spec V have folding rear seatbacks. Decent interior storage across the board.
Value within Class
No Sentra is as refined as a Honda Civic or Volkswagen Jetta, or as roomy as Ford's Focus. But these are solid-enough small cars, and prices are competitive, even for the lively SE-R versions.
| XE, auto. | GXE, man. | SE-R Spec V | Class Average |
| 7 | 7 | 6 | 5.4 |
No Sentra is as refined as a Honda Civic or Volkswagen Jetta, or as roomy as Ford's Focus. But these are solid-enough small cars, and prices are competitive, even for the lively SE-R versions.
Total Score
| XE, auto. | GXE, man. | SE-R Spec V | Class Average |
| 45 | 47 | 47 | 47.2 |
Scores for all Compact Cars
| Low Score | 34 | |
| Average Score | 47 | |
| High Score | 62 |
2003 Nissan Sentra Prices & Equipment
Model Prices
Prices Updated: 02/03/2003
| Trim Name | Retail Price | Dealer Invoice | Destination Charge |
|
|
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| XE 4-door sedan, manual | $12,099 | $11,379 | $540 |
|
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| XE 4-door sedan, automatic | $12,899 | $12,131 | $540 |
|
|
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| GXE 4-door sedan, manual | $14,099 | $12,892 | $540 |
|
|
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| GXE 4-door sedan, automatic | $14,899 | $13,624 | $540 |
|
|
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| Limited Edition 4-door sedan, automatic | $16,599 | $15,178 | $540 |
|
|
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| SE-R 4-door sedan, manual | $16,199 | $14,812 | $540 |
|
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| SE-R 4-door sedan, automatic | $16,999 | $15,543 | $540 |
|
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| SE-R Spec V 4-door sedan, manual | $17,199 | $15,726 | $540 |
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, emergency inside trunk release.
Comfort and Convenience Features
Power steering, tilt steering wheel, cloth upholstery, front bucket seats, center console, cupholders, rear defogger, remote fuel-door and decklid release.
Appearance and Miscellaneous
195/60R15 tires, wheel covers.
GXE adds to XE:
Comfort and Convenience Features
Air conditioning, height-adjustable driver seat, split folding rear seat, power mirrors, power windows, power door locks, remote keyless entry, AM/FM/CD player, digital clock, tachometer, variable-intermittent wipers, visor mirrors, map lights.
Limited Edition adds to GXE:
Powertrain
2.5-liter dohc 4-cylinder 165-horsepower engine, 4-speed automatic transmission.
Safety
Front side airbags, antilock 4-wheel disc brakes.
Comfort and Convenience Features
Leather-wrapped steering wheel, cruise control.
Appearance and Miscellaneous
Theft-deterrent system, alloy wheels.
SE-R adds to GXE:
Powertrain
2.5-liter dohc 4-cylinder 165-horsepower engine.
Safety
4-wheel disc brakes.
Comfort and Convenience Features
Leather-wrapped steering wheel, cruise control.
Appearance and Miscellaneous
Fog lights, rear spoiler, sport suspension, 195/55HR16 tires, alloy wheels.
SE-R Spec V adds to SE-R:
Powertrain
2.5-liter dohc 4-cylinder 175-horsepower engine, 6-speed manual transmission, limited-slip differential.
Appearance and Miscellaneous
Deletes: split folding rear seat.
Spec V suspension, 215/45ZR17 tires.
Optional Equipment
Major Packages |
Retail Price |
Invoice Price |
|
XE Option Pkg.
|
||
|
XE
|
$1,249
|
$1,084
|
|
Air conditioning, AM/FM/CD player.
|
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|
Road Trip Pkg.
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GXE
|
$329
|
$285
|
|
Cruise control, upgraded sound system.
|
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|
Road Hugging Pkg.
|
||
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GXE automatic
|
$449
|
$390
|
|
Fog lights, alloy wheels.
|
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Synergy Pkg.
|
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GXE manual
|
$969
|
$840
|
|
GXE automatic
|
$919
|
$797
|
|
Road Trip Pkg. plus Road Hugging Pkg., leather-wrapped steering wheel, illuminated visor mirrors, rear spoiler.
|
||
|
Sunroof Pkg.
|
||
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Limited, SE-R automatic, SE-R Spec V
|
$699
|
$606
|
|
Power sunroof, illuminated visor mirrors.
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Audio Fanatic Pkg.
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SE-R automatic, SE-R Spec V
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$549
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$477
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Rockford Fosgate sound system, partial folding rear seat, theft-deterrent system w/alarm.
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Safety |
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Front side airbags and antilock brakes
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GXE, SE-R, SE-R Spec V
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$749
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$650
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GXE w/manual transmission requires Synergy Pkg. GXE w/automatic transmission requires Synergy Pkg. or Road Trip Pkg.
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Comfort and Convenience Features |
||
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Interior air filter
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XE, GXE
|
$49
|
$38
|
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Floormats
|
||
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GXE, Limited Edition, SE-R, SE-R Spec V, XE
|
$79
|
$61
|
|
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Appearance and Miscellaneous |
||
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Rear spoiler
|
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XE, GXE, Limited
|
$359
|
$278
|
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2003 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 | 2.5 /152 |
| Horsepower @ rpm. | 126 @ 6000 | 165 @ 6000 |
| Torque (lb-ft) @ rpm. | 129 @ 2400 | 175 @ 4000 |
| Availability | Standard | Standard |
|
EPA City / highway mpg
|
||
| 5-speed manual | 28/36 | 24/29 |
| 6-speed manual | --/-- | 22/29 |
| 4-speed automatic | 28/35 | 23/28 |
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 |
| Front Impact, Driver | 4 |
| Front Impact, Passenger | 4 |
| Rollover Resistance | 4 |
| Side Impact, Driver | 2 |
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
Also in the 2003 Nissan Sentra Review:
1.
2.
3.
4.
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