2000 NISSAN Sentra 2.5L 16V 5MT (165 HP)

Vehicle Overview

Nissan introduced the fifth generation of the Sentra in 1999 as a 2000 model year and was a clear upgrade into the compact segment.

With the Altima moved into the mid-size segment, Nissan was left uncovered on the compact-sized sedans, a spot which it filled with the revised and upgraded Sentra. As a result, it was not only a bigger vehicle but also a sportier one, with the SE-R version becoming one of the best hot sedans on the market, beating Honda Civic in terms of performance and features.

The new design dropped the slim headlights at the front, favoring taller headlamps flanked the grille. Thus, the entire front fascia became more prominent. In addition, the overall design was formed by curved panels, dropping the sharp and straight lines of the previous Sentra. At the back, the short straight deck amplified the sensation of a sporty vehicle.

Inside, Nissan introduced a new design language, with rounded shapes and a distinct look for the center console, which was a tad taller than its predecessor. The center stack sported a contrasting color to the rest of the dashboard. Since it tried to keep the car’s price low, the standard upholstery was not from a top-quality fabric.

Under the hood, Nissan installed the 1.8-liter powerplant and dropped the 1.6-liter version for good. A punchier version was the 2.5-liter inline-four that provided 162 hp (165 PS), and it was installed on the SE-R version.