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Nissan Sentra vs Toyota Corolla

2026 Nissan Sentra vs 2026 Toyota Corolla — two rivals compared on efficiency, size, safety and reliability.

Nissan Sentra

2026 Nissan Sentra

Midsize Cars
VS2 – 4Toyota Corolla wins 4 of 6 categories
Toyota Corolla

2026 Toyota Corolla

Compact CarsAWD/4WDHybrid/EV

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The short version

The Toyota Corolla is more fuel-efficient: 50 vs 33 MPG combined in its best version.

That works out to about $700 a year less in fuel for the Toyota Corolla (EPA estimate, 15,000 miles).

The Nissan Sentra is the bigger car, about 11 inches longer.

Across all model years since 2005, the Nissan Sentra has had fewer recall campaigns (32 vs 43).

The two cars

The 2026 Nissan Sentra is a midsize car offered with a 2.0L 4-cyl engine and front-wheel drive. It measures about 184 inches long and 72 inches wide on a 106-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 4,087 lb.

The 2026 Toyota Corolla is a compact car offered with 3 engines (1.8L 4-cyl, 2.0L 4-cyl and 1.6L 3-cyl turbo), including a hybrid version and front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive. It measures about 183 inches long and 69 inches wide on a 106-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 3,053 lb (4dr Sedan Hybrid).

Buying used? The 2023 Sentra and the 2022 Corolla have the fewest problems in our data; avoid the 2015 Sentra and the 2020 Corolla.

Basics

Midsize Cars
Class
Compact Cars
Regular Gasoline
Fuel
Hybrid, Regular Gasoline, Premium Gasoline
2.0L 4-cyl
Engines
1.8L 4-cyl, 2.0L 4-cyl, 1.6L 3-cyl turbo
Front-Wheel Drive
Drivetrain
Front-Wheel Drive, All-Wheel Drive

Efficiency

33 MPG
Best combined MPG
50 MPG
30 city
City / highway MPG (best)
53 city
$2,050
Fuel cost per year (EPA)
$1,350

Performance & space

149 hp
Horsepower (most powerful)
169 hp
5
Seats (most)
5
183.5 in
Length
172.4 in
71.7 in
Width
69.3 in
57.1 in
Height
55.9 in
4,087 lb
Curb weight (lightest)
2,954 lb

Safety & reliability

12
Driver-assist features standard
11
1
Recalls (2026)
1
32
Recalls, all years since 2005
43
19
Owner complaints (latest year)
18

Interest

15,594
Wikipedia views, 30 days
52,279

Buying used

2023
Best used year
2022
2015
Year to avoid
2020

Green = clearly better. Prices are not included. How we calculate this →

Which one should you choose?

Choose the Nissan Sentra if…

  • You want more room (11 in longer)
  • You put reliability history first (32 vs 43 recalls since 2005)

Choose the Toyota Corolla if…

  • You want lower fuel bills (50 vs 33 MPG)
  • You want more power (up to 169 vs 149 hp)
  • You want something easier to park (11 in shorter)
  • You need AWD or 4WD
  • You want a hybrid or electric option

Pros & cons of each

2026 Nissan Sentra

  • Lots of standard safety tech5 of 5 key driver aids standard on the versions we checked.
  • Modest powerUp to 149 hp, versus about 188 hp for similar 2026 models.

2026 Toyota Corolla

  • Excellent fuel economyUp to 50 MPG combined — 71% better than the average 2026 compact car (29.2 MPG).
  • Hybrid version availableOffered as a hybrid as well as gas.
  • AWD / 4WD available
  • Lots of standard safety tech5 of 5 key driver aids standard on the versions we checked.

Full 2026 Nissan Sentra specs →Full 2026 Toyota Corolla specs →Compare fuel costs for your driving →Compare size & garage fit →