Vehicle comparison
Nissan Leaf vs Nissan Sentra
Side-by-side fuel and ownership cost comparison. Estimates use 12,000 mi/year at average US gas and electricity prices.
- Updated for 2026
- EPA-style MPG
- US avg fuel prices
- EV rates vary by state
- Transparent assumptions
Lowest running cost
Nissan Leaf wins on fuel cost
At 12,000 miles per year, the Nissan Leaf costs about $565 per year, roughly $690 less than the Nissan Sentra. Over 5 years, that's about $3449 in fuel savings.
Spec & cost comparison
MPG/MPGe figures are estimates based on typical recent model years.
| Spec | Nissan Leaf | Nissan Sentra |
|---|---|---|
| Type | EV | SEDAN |
| Fuel | Electric | Regular gas |
| City MPG/MPGe | 121 | 29 |
| Highway MPG/MPGe | 98 | 39 |
| Combined MPG/MPGe | 111 | 33 |
| Tank / Battery | 40 kWh | 12.4 gal |
| Energy cost | $0.16/kWh | $3.45/gal |
| Cost per mile | $0.047 | $0.105 |
Annual cost at 8k / 12k / 15k miles
Estimated yearly fuel spend at common US mileage levels.
| Miles/year | Nissan Leaf | Nissan Sentra | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8,000 | $376/yr · $31/mo | $836/yr · $70/mo | $460 (Nissan Leaf) |
| 12,000 | $565/yr · $47/mo | $1255/yr · $105/mo | $690 (Nissan Leaf) |
| 15,000 | $706/yr · $59/mo | $1568/yr · $131/mo | $862 (Nissan Leaf) |
Estimates only. Real costs depend on driving style, terrain, local gas/electricity prices and weather.
Which one is best for…
Best for commuting
Nissan Leaf
Highest combined MPG/MPGe and lowest cost per mile means cheaper daily driving.
See Nissan LeafBest for road trips
Nissan Sentra
Better highway efficiency, larger tank/battery and longer range between stops.
See Nissan SentraBest for families
Nissan Leaf
SUVs, minivans and three-row vehicles win on space and child-seat flexibility.
See Nissan LeafBest for lowest running cost
Nissan Leaf
Cheaper energy use and lower cost per mile at every common mileage tier.
See Nissan LeafHow we compare these vehicles
- Annual mileage
- Modeled at 12,000 mi/yr unless a scenario specifies otherwise.
- Cost per mile
- $/gal ÷ MPG, or $/kWh ÷ (MPGe ÷ 33.7) for EVs.
- EV vs gas
- Compared at average US gas and residential electricity prices — fast-charging can be 2–3× higher.
- Maintenance
- Fuel cost only — EVs typically save another $400–$1,000/yr in service and brake wear.
Sources & assumptions
- EPA fuel economy data — City / highway / combined MPG and MPGe baselines.
- U.S. Department of Energy (fueleconomy.gov) — Vehicle efficiency and EV range references.
- AAA gas price trends — Recent national and regional retail fuel averages.
- EIA electricity rates — Average residential per-kWh prices used for EV charging.
We summarize publicly available data — no scraping, no external API calls. Figures are calibrated periodically; use the calculators above for your exact inputs.
Frequently asked questions
Which is cheaper to drive, the Nissan Leaf or Nissan Sentra?
At 12,000 miles per year, the Nissan Leaf costs about $565 per year vs $1255 for the Nissan Sentra — roughly $690 less per year.
What's the MPG difference between the Nissan Leaf and Nissan Sentra?
The Nissan Leaf is rated around 111 combined MPGe versus 33 MPG for the Nissan Sentra. Highway figures are 98 vs 39.
How much will I spend on fuel over 5 years?
Driving 12,000 miles a year for five years, expect about $2824 for the Nissan Leaf and $6273 for the Nissan Sentra, a difference of roughly $3449.
Is the Nissan Leaf or Nissan Sentra better for commuting?
For pure cost per mile, the Nissan Leaf wins. EVs charged at home typically deliver the lowest commuting cost, followed by hybrids and efficient compacts.
Which one is better for road trips?
Nissan Sentra is generally the better road-trip choice — gas and hybrid vehicles win on long highway routes thanks to faster refueling, while EVs work best when charging stops fit your route.
Are these fuel cost numbers accurate for my driving?
They're estimates based on EPA-style combined MPG and average US gas and electricity prices. Real-world cost depends on local fuel prices, driving style, terrain, weather and how much city vs highway driving you do.