DecodedCarsNissan Sentra vs Toyota Prius
2026 Nissan Sentra vs 2026 Toyota Prius — two midsize cars compared on efficiency, size, safety and reliability.
The short version
The Toyota Prius is more fuel-efficient: 57 vs 33 MPG combined in its best version.
That works out to about $850 a year less in fuel for the Toyota Prius (EPA estimate, 15,000 miles).
The Nissan Sentra is the bigger car, about 2 inches longer.
Across all model years since 2005, the Toyota Prius has had fewer recall campaigns (29 vs 32).
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 Prius is a midsize car offered with a 2.0L 4-cyl engine, including a hybrid version and front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive. It measures about 181 inches long and 70 inches wide on a 108-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 3,098 lb (4dr Liftback).
Buying used? The 2023 Sentra and the 2021 Prius have the fewest problems in our data; avoid the 2015 Sentra and the 2015 Prius.
| 2026 Nissan Sentra | 2026 Toyota Prius | |
|---|---|---|
| Class | Midsize Cars | Midsize Cars |
| Engines | 2.0L 4-cyl | 2.0L 4-cyl |
| Drivetrain | Front-Wheel Drive | Front-Wheel Drive, All-Wheel Drive |
| NHTSA overall | Not rated | Not rated |
| Best combined MPG | 33 MPG | 57 MPG |
| City / highway MPG (best) | 30 city | 57 city |
| Fuel cost per year (EPA) | $2,050 | $1,200 |
| Horsepower (most powerful) | 149 hp | 157 hp |
| Seats (most) | 5 | 5 |
| Driver-assist features standard | 12 | 11 |
| Length | 183.5 in | 181.1 in |
| Width | 71.7 in | 70.1 in |
| Height | 57.1 in | 55.9 in |
| Curb weight (lightest) | 4,087 lb | 3,098 lb |
| Recalls (2026) | 1 | 1 |
| Recalls, all years since 2005 | 32 | 29 |
| Owner complaints (latest year) | 19 | 10 |
| Wikipedia views, 30 days | 15,594 | 27,440 |
| Best used year | 2023 | 2021 |
| Year to avoid | 2015 | 2015 |
Green = clearly better. Prices are not included. How we calculate this →
Which one should you choose?
Choose the Nissan Sentra if…
It doesn't clearly beat the Toyota Prius on any measure we track.
Choose the Toyota Prius if…
- You want lower fuel bills (57 vs 33 MPG)
- 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 Prius
- Excellent fuel economyUp to 57 MPG combined — 83% better than the average 2026 midsize car (31.2 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 Prius specs →Compare fuel costs for your driving →Compare size & garage fit →