1990 Nissan Sentra specs are simple: it was a small front-wheel-drive economy car with a 90 hp, 1.6-litre GA16i four-cylinder as its only engine. It was the last year of the B12 generation, which was replaced by the B13 for 1991, and it came as a sedan, hatchback, wagon or the Sport Coupe.
Quick answer
- Engine: 1.6 L GA16i inline-four, 90 hp (the only engine in 1989 and 1990).
- Drive: front-wheel drive, with 4- or 5-speed manual and a 3-speed automatic offered across the generation.
- Body styles: sedan, hatchback, wagon and Sport Coupe.
- Trims: E, XE, GXE and SE, depending on body style.
1990 Nissan Sentra specs
| Item | 1990 Sentra (B12) |
|---|---|
| Engine | 1.6 L GA16i inline-four, 90 hp |
| Transmissions | 4- and 5-speed manuals, 3-speed automatic with lockup (by trim) |
| Drive | Front-wheel drive |
| Body styles | Four-door and two-door sedan, three-door hatchback, wagon, Sport Coupe |
| Trims | E (base), XE, GXE, SE |
| Wheelbase / weight | Roughly 96 in and just over 2,100 lb for light trims; figures vary by body style |
Treat dimension and weight figures as approximate, since they differ by body style and trim. Check the owner’s manual or a vehicle-specific listing before comparing parts or tyre sizes.
What changed in 1989 and 1990
For 1989 the Sentra got new front corner lights, taillights and a centred grille logo. For 1990, U.S. cars added electric retracting front shoulder belts and three-point belts for outboard rear passengers.
The 70 hp E16i engine of 1987 and 1988 was replaced by the 90 hp GA16i in 1989, which is why 1989 and 1990 cars feel noticeably livelier than earlier ones.
Trims and features
- E: the base trim.
- XE and GXE: more equipment; the GXE was the top sedan and wagon trim, with items such as body-coloured bumpers, a tachometer, alloy wheels and air conditioning.
- SE: a sportier coupe-style trim with a tachometer and air conditioning.
- Sport Coupe: imported from Japan on a different body, with dual sway bars.
The 1990 Sentra in Canada
In Canada, the B12-based sedan continued through 1993 as the Sentra Classic, a rebadged Mexican-built Tsuru II. Because of that, parts and specs for a Canadian-market car can differ from a U.S.-built Sentra, so match parts by VIN rather than by year alone.
Safety
This is a 1980s-era design. In NHTSA’s 35 mph frontal test, 1988 and later B12 cars earned three stars for the driver. There was no stability control and no side-curtain airbags, so judge it as a classic economy car, not a modern one.
Buying a used 1990 Sentra
- Rust: check floors, sills, strut towers and the rear arches on cars from Canadian winters.
- Engine and transmission: look for oil leaks, clutch wear and smooth gear changes.
- Rubber and electrics: inspect hoses, belts, wiring and window regulators, which age with time.
- Documents: service history and a clean ownership record matter more than mileage.
If you want the sporty version of this family, the following generation brought the SE-R and the NX coupe; see our Nissan NX specs. For a modern Nissan performance coupe, read about the Nissan 350Z for drifting.
Sources: Wikipedia’s Nissan Sentra (B12) coverage and period model-year information.
Frequently Asked Questions
What engine did the 1990 Nissan Sentra have?
The only engine in 1990 was the 1.6-litre GA16i four-cylinder making 90 hp.
Was the 1990 Nissan Sentra front-wheel drive?
Yes. The B12 Sentra was front-wheel drive, with a 4WD wagon offered only from 1987 to 1989.
What body styles did the 1990 Sentra come in?
It was offered as a sedan, three-door hatchback, wagon and Sport Coupe, with E, XE, GXE and SE trims depending on the body.
Was the 1990 Sentra the last of its generation?
Yes. The B12 generation ended after the 1990 model year and the B13 arrived for 1991.
Was there a 1990 Sentra in Canada?
Canada received the Sentra sedan through 1993 as the Sentra Classic, a rebadged Mexican-built Tsuru II, so specifications may differ from U.S. cars.
What should I check on a used 1990 Sentra?
Check for rust, oil leaks, clutch and transmission condition, aging rubber and wiring, and service records before buying.
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