Affordable Features

The 2.0 SL is already one of the better-equipped trims in the Sentra lineup, and our test car had some premium options, like leather upholstery and a navigation system. These features are relatively common in this class, but what's interesting is that they aren't as expensive as you might think.

The leather seats cost $700. To get leather in a Corolla, you'd have to pay more than twice that, though Toyota includes front seat heaters in the package. It's not like the Sentra uses cheapo leather, either; staffers commented positively on its high-quality feel.

Even more affordable is the optional navigation system, which costs $400. That's substantially less than the $1,500-$2,000 these systems typically run and is much closer to the price of a portable navigation system. The Sentra's 5-inch screen isn't as large as some other built-in ones, but its graphics are crisp and it features easy-to-use touch-screen operation. We liked the iPod integration with the touch-screen, too.

    See also:

    Tire labeling
    Example Federal law requires tire manufacturers to place standardized information on the sidewall of all tires. This information identifies and describes the fundamental characteristics of ...

    Upper half
    Pull up on the driver’s side latch to open the upper half of the console box. The mat may be removed for cleaning. The upper half of the console box may be used for storage of cellular phones. ...

    Accelerator downshift — in D position —
    For passing or hill climbing, depress the accelerator pedal to the floor. This shifts the transmission down into a lower gear, depending on the vehicle speed. ...