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.