2005 Nissan Sentra Review: Serviceable and Long-Lasting, but Outclassed by Other Budget Compacts

The 2005 Nissan Sentra can be had for a song, with the fair market range starting at under $2,500. But that same song will buy you a much better Ford or Hyundai. The Sentra is a perfectly adequate compact, but it was outdated by 2005, and outclassed by the competition.

Is the 2005 Nissan Sentra a Good Used Car?

• Overall Rating 7/10 – A perfectly adequate budget compact, but not nearly the best on the market.
• Interior, Comfort & Cargo 6/10 – The suspension rides stiff and the back seat is cramped. But the front bucket seats in the higher trim levels are a nice touch.
• Reliability 9/10 – For all the Sentra’s faults, it’ll be on the road a lot longer than most of its competitors, with drivers reporting 250,000 miles at minimum.
• Safety 6/10 – Poor crash test scores and stingy, outdated equipment make the 2005 Sentra an underwhelming compact in terms of safety.
• Gas Mileage 8/10 – There are brand new cars on the road today that don’t average 28/35 miles to the gallon.
• Value 7/10 – The 2005 Sentra is priced to move. Climb into the back seat or take it over a speed bump and you’ll see why. Even by budget compact standards, the Sentra is really bare-bones.

What Do Critics Say About the 2005 Nissan Sentra?

Consumer Reports found the 2005 version of the Nissan Sentra sadly out of date compared to other small cars. While praising the fuel-efficient engine, smooth transmission, and pleasant interior, they report that the ride is stiff, the back seat cramped, and the braking a bit wimpy. Poor crash test scores didn’t help matters, either.

Kelley Blue Book users give the 2005 Sentra a strong 88% recommendation, praising the car’s comfort, steering, longevity, and fuel economy. Some red marks were handed out for the underpowered engine, cramped back seats, and a handful of electrical issues.

Edmunds liked the intuitive cabin design, the sharp handling, and the generous standard features, and they found the 2.5L engine to be strong enough for the size class. They noted that the styling feels a bit bland, the high-end trims were overpriced on launch, and, again, the back seat is a bit tight.

What Common Problems Does the 2005 Nissan Sentra Have?

The 2005 Nissan Sentra has just 168 complaints on file with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. 48 of these complaints are for engine cooling issues, mostly relating to engine stall owing to a faulty crankshaft position sensor. A recall was issued in 2007, but drivers report stalling as recently as 2021.

A handful of drivers have reported blown head gaskets, with repairs costing as much as $2,500. This is being reported in 1.8L models with mileage as low as 64,000. Even with the issues listed above, engine and powertrain problems are fairly rare, numbering less than 50 in total.

There are 20 airbag complaints on file and 4 airbag recalls. Many of these complaints see drivers waiting months on repairs or even being turned away from the dealer and being forced to get in touch with Nissan customer support. In short: Check the VIN when buying used, and make sure the repairs were already administered.

The 2005 Nissan Sentra has just 6 recalls on file with the NHTSA in total, which is remarkably low for a 2005 model compact, but pretty standard for Nissan.

How Long Will the 2005 Nissan Sentra Last?

Sentra drivers typically report a minimum lifespan of 250,000 miles, which is where most cars tap out. 300,000 miles isn’t unrealistic, even in a used model, but you should only bet on the first quarter million when weighing the purchase price.

RepairPal estimate an annual maintenance cost of around $491, which is lower than average. Your most expensive common repairs will include new sunroof motors at around $725 on the low end, and new radiator fan assemblies starting at $672.

How Is the Technology?

Entertainment technology in the 2005 Sentra is pretty basic, even by 2005 compact standards. The base 1.8 model doesn’t even have an audio system without one of the optional packages attached, and the higher trim levels don’t offer much more than a CD player.

Safety features onboard the 2005 Nissan Sentra are, likewise, basic even for the model year, missing even some bare-minimum features like anti-lock brakes and traction control, even in the higher trim levels.

Is the 2005 Nissan Sentra a Good Value?

The 2005 Nissan Sentra is a decent value. An entry level model typically lists at around $3,611, and a high-end SE-R at around $4,153. The car is built to last, and cost of ownership is remarkably low for a 2005 compact.

But, the question is what you’re getting for that price. If you’re happy with a bare-bones car that’ll last you another 100,000 miles, $3,611 isn’t a bad price. If you’re shelling out for the creature comforts in the SE-R, that price point expands your options, and there are plenty of compacts that give you a lot more for four grand.

What are the Different Models of the 2005 Nissan Sentra?

The 2005 Nissan Sentra is offered in four trim levels, from the bare-bones 1.8 to the high-end SE-R Spec V.

With the entry-level 1.8, you’re getting:

• Cloth seating
• Manual windows and door locks
• Remote trunk and fuel door release

The 1.8S adds:

• Manual air conditioning
• Remote keyless entry
• Power windows and door locks
• AM/FM stereo

With the mid-range SE-R you get:

• Fog lights
• Premium cloth seating
• CD player with 7 speakers
• 8-way manual adjust driver seat
• Leather wrapped steering wheel
• Cruise control with steering wheel mounted controls

Finally, the SE-R Spec V features:

• Skyline bucket seats
• Leather wrapped shift knob

What Engines Come In the 2005 Nissan Sentra?

• 1.8 models are named for the 1.8L inline-four engine under the hood, delivering 126 horsepower and 129 lb.-ft. of torque at an average miles-per-gallon of 28/35, city/highway. This is paired to a 4-speed automatic transmission in front wheel drive.
• SE-R models come equipped with a 2.5L inline-four delivering 165 horsepower and 175 lb.-ft. of torque at 23/28 miles to the gallon. Just like the 1.8L, this one is paired to a 4-speed automatic in front wheel drive.

What Colors Does the 2005 Nissan Sentra Come In?

How Comfortable Is the 2005 Nissan Sentra?

The 2005 Sentra isn’t the most comfortable compact on the road. It offers adequate hip room in the back seat at 53 inches, but the low ceiling and short leg room offset the horizontal space. The suspension rides a bit stiff for such a lightweight car, too.

On the upside, the front bucket seats are nice and firm in the higher trim levels, and the shocks and struts have held up over the years without many reports of premature corrosion.

How Much Storage Space Does the 2005 Nissan Sentra Have?

With 11.6 cubic feet of trunk space, the 2005 Nissan Sentra can handle grocery trips and not much else. You could pack four medium sized suitcases in there if you’re dropping a friend off at the airport, but you can forget picking up even small furniture items.

What Are the Differences Between Years?

The 2005 Nissan Sentra was the second to last of the 5th Generation models (2000-2006), with many drivers feeling that it was showing its age by this point and long overdue for the 6th Generation overhaul that would come about in the 2007 model year.

2002: The SE-R had been left out of the first couple years for the 5th Generation and finally made its return for 2002.

2003: Nissan improved the suspension in 2003, boasting in the press release of a “15-16 percent spring rate improvement.”

2004: The 2004 Sentra was given a slight visual overhaul with new fascias and hoods, and Nissan added a trip computer to the SE-R models.

2005: Cruise control was new for 2005.

2006: Nissan finally added a 6-disc CD changer for 2006, dragging the car kicking and screaming into the 1990s.

2007: The 2007 Nissan Sentra was such an improvement over the 2006 model you might think they skipped a generation. Bluetooth was standard, as were MP3 and auxiliary input. The body style was dramatically overhauled with a much more modern appearance, the engine lineup was all new, and the interior was roomier.

How Does the 2005 Nissan Sentra Compare to the Competition?

Year after year the leading name in budget compacts is the Hyundai Elantra. At the entry level, the base Elantra is a couple hundred dollars cheaper than the Sentra, it’s a dozen horses stronger, and it comes with a CD player. It’s the clear winner, hands down, in every category.

If you’re after something American-made, the 2005 Ford Focus has a 10 horsepower advantage over the Sentra, it’s priced in the same range, and it’s noticeably roomier. Once more, it’s the clear winner, hands down, in every category.

The Sentra is more powerful than either of these vehicles in the higher trim levels, but if you’re willing to spend more than four grand, you might as well expand your shopping list to include Civics and mid-sizes. The 2005 Sentra is marketed as a budget compact, and you just plain get more from the competition.

Do Owners Recommend the 2005 Nissan Sentra?