2004-2005 Nissan Sentra 2.5 S

Pros :
- Smooth power delivery.
- High bang-for-buck factor.
- Sensible interior.
- Sporty handling for an economy car.
- Stock Sentra look won't catch the attention of cops.

Cons :
- Somewhat harsh ride for a so-called luxurious daily commuter.
- Sports-car fuel economy.
- A little short on rear legroom and trunk space.
- Build quality behind Japanese competition.
- Stock Sentra look won't catch the attention of your neighbors.

Interior :

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Press Coverage :
The 2004 Nissan Sentra 2.5 S is a Frankenstein-like mixture of all the other models in the current Sentra lineup. Originally debuting for the 2003 model year as the Sentra 2.5 LE, it was supposed to be a limited edition. But for the 2004 model year, it gets a slight name change and becomes a permanent fixture in the lineup.
The exterior shell and most of the interior is borrowed from the base 1.8 model, earlier known as the GXE trim. Standard interior features include air conditioning, power windows, remote keyless entry, a 180W CD stereo with four speakers, eight-way adjustable driver's seat, a 60/40 split fold-down rear seat, rear heater ducts and security system. The small trunk space holds just 11.6 cubic feet, but the 60/40-split rear seat folds flat to increase luggage room. On the safety front, ABS, front airbags and side airbags are standard. Exterior features that hint at its hidden power are 15 inch aluminum alloy wheels wrapped in P195/60HR15 H-rated all-season tires and dual chromed tailpipes. A $360 rear spoiler and $700 power sunroof are optional.
Items borrowed right off the basic SE-R model are the 165 hp engine, four-wheel-disc brakes and automatic transmission with the exact same gear ratios as the SE-R, although the 2.5 S retains the steering setup of the lower models, with a larger turning circle than the SE-R.
ModernRacer.com

The term compact is relative, as all of these cars seem to grow over time. The Sentra pushes the boundaries of its industry classification. It is longer than other four-door compact sedans, and looks it.
The Sentra interiors are well-designed and everything seems to fit well. The interior is roomy, both for people and cargo. The rear seats can accommodate grownups, and all seating positions provide good breathing room. All three rear-seat positions have three-point belts, though three back there is a crowd. The four outboard belts are equipped with automatic pretensioners, an important safety feature for an economy car. This is equipment that many bigger sedans didn't have just five years ago.
At first glance the Sentra's front seats look like normal economy car perches, but once you're in them they feel much roomier than they look. The seats adjust for height with dual lifters.
Nctd.com

Quick throttle response and snappy shifts from the four-speed automatic add to the sport sedanlike feel; although, most editors found the drivetrain far less refined than most other competitors'. Mileage also suffers, as it is rated at just 23 city/28 highway.
The suspension turns in a similarly one-dimensional performance as its road-holding skills were deemed excellent while its ability to handle rutted roads was less than exemplary. "Too jarring for a daily driver," was the most common complaint, while one editor went as far as to say "you might as well just upgrade to the SE-R performance model; as least then you would have a well-tuned suspension to go along with the strong engine."
Braking distances from 60 mph came in on the short side of the group at 129 feet, but the feel through the pedal could use some improvement. Likewise, the steering was most often cited as one of the best setups in terms of road feel but a little too heavy for everyday driving.
As much performance as the Sentra offers, there's more to it than just horsepower and handling. Despite its relatively low sticker price, the model is packed with features, most of which landed in our "Top 10 Features" category. Some of the items include a driver-seat two-way tilt and a center armrest that gives you somewhere to lean when you're just cruising. There's also a CD player, steering wheel-mounted cruise controls and keyless entry with a handy trunk button that pops the lid.
Drab colors and average-quality plastics are the only aesthetic drawbacks to the Sentra's otherwise well-laid-out interior. Climate control functions are directed through a standard three-dial setup, and the stereo is placed high for a short reach.
Space and seat comfort are two areas in which the Sentra could use some improvement. The driver and front-passenger seats earned bottom-of-the-pack scores for short seat cushions and a limited range of adjustment, while the near total lack of legroom for rear passengers landed the Sentra near the bottom of that category as well.
Crash test results for the Sentra indicate that it protects passengers well in all types of accidents. The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA) gave it four out of five stars for driver and front-passenger protection in a frontal impact, while the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety gave it an "Acceptable" rating (its second highest) in its 40-mph offset frontal impact tests.
Edmunds.com

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History:
2000-2001 Nissan Sentra SE
1,998 cc / 145 hp / 136 lb-ft / 2674-2713 lbs / 0-60 mph 8.2 sec.