New Car Review of the 2004 Nissan Sentra Compact Sedan.

Description: Mid-Size Sedan
Base MSRP Range: $12,300 - $17,400
Invoice Price Range: $11,762 - $16,183

The fifth generation of Nissan's compact-class Sentra sedan gains styling enhancements for 2004 plus more convenience features.

Headlamps and rear combination lamps have been reworked with smooth fascia added front and rear plus a carved hood and unique grille.

Inside the generous cabin, two race-style bucket seats stand up front with a split-and-fold rear bench. Cloth bucket seats are standard on all models in three new colors, depending on model and trim. Added interior gear ranges from Rockford Fosgate audio kits to a trip computer, optional sunroof and remote keyless entry system.

Models change nomenclature for 2004 with Sentra 1.8 replacing a base XE, Sentra GXE becoming the 1.8 S and the 2.5 LE changing to 2.5 S. Sentra 1.8 and 1.8 S draw from a dual-cam 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine racked to 126 hp with five-speed manual or optional four-speed automatic transmission. The 2.5 S stocks a 2.5-liter four-pack scored to 165 hp and linked to an automatic four-speed. Sport-tuned SE-R and racy SE-R Spec V Sentras return for 2004 with more equipment. A special front fascia, styled after Nissan's exotic and powerful Skyline GTR sports sedan, adds a crisp mesh grille and round foglamps. Body-colored sills stretch toward the pavement along each side, while at the tail a winged spoiler flies off the trunk's flat deck.

Power for SE-R Sentras is the twin-cam 2.5-liter four that hits 175 hp for the Spec V performance edition. Spec V also has serious performance hardware, including a six-speed manual shifter, limited-slip differential, four-wheel disc brakes and tighter suspension tuning. A Brembo Brake Package for high performance appears on the option list for SE-R Spec V now with gold-painted Brembo four-piston front calipers, 12-inch Brembo vented front discs and 10.9-inch rear discs.