Vehicle comparison
Nissan Sentra vs Toyota Corolla
Side-by-side fuel and ownership cost comparison. Estimates use 12,000 mi/year at average US gas prices.
- Updated for 2026
- EPA-style MPG
- US avg fuel prices
- US units
- Transparent assumptions
Lowest running cost
Toyota Corolla wins on fuel cost
At 12,000 miles per year, the Toyota Corolla costs about $1183 per year, roughly $72 less than the Nissan Sentra. Over 5 years, that's about $358 in fuel savings.
Spec & cost comparison
MPG/MPGe figures are estimates based on typical recent model years.
| Spec | Nissan Sentra | Toyota Corolla |
|---|---|---|
| Type | SEDAN | SEDAN |
| Fuel | Regular gas | Regular gas |
| City MPG/MPGe | 29 | 32 |
| Highway MPG/MPGe | 39 | 41 |
| Combined MPG/MPGe | 33 | 35 |
| Tank / Battery | 12.4 gal | 13.2 gal |
| Energy cost | $3.45/gal | $3.45/gal |
| Cost per mile | $0.105 | $0.099 |
Annual cost at 8k / 12k / 15k miles
Estimated yearly fuel spend at common US mileage levels.
| Miles/year | Nissan Sentra | Toyota Corolla | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8,000 | $836/yr · $70/mo | $789/yr · $66/mo | $48 (Toyota Corolla) |
| 12,000 | $1255/yr · $105/mo | $1183/yr · $99/mo | $72 (Toyota Corolla) |
| 15,000 | $1568/yr · $131/mo | $1479/yr · $123/mo | $90 (Toyota Corolla) |
Estimates only. Real costs depend on driving style, terrain, local gas/electricity prices and weather.
Which one is best for…
Best for commuting
Toyota Corolla
Highest combined MPG/MPGe and lowest cost per mile means cheaper daily driving.
See Toyota CorollaBest for road trips
Toyota Corolla
Better highway efficiency, larger tank/battery and longer range between stops.
See Toyota CorollaBest for families
Toyota Corolla
SUVs, minivans and three-row vehicles win on space and child-seat flexibility.
See Toyota CorollaBest for lowest running cost
Toyota Corolla
Cheaper energy use and lower cost per mile at every common mileage tier.
See Toyota CorollaHow 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 Sentra or Toyota Corolla?
At 12,000 miles per year, the Toyota Corolla costs about $1183 per year vs $1255 for the Nissan Sentra — roughly $72 less per year.
What's the MPG difference between the Nissan Sentra and Toyota Corolla?
The Nissan Sentra is rated around 33 combined MPG versus 35 MPG for the Toyota Corolla. Highway figures are 39 vs 41.
How much will I spend on fuel over 5 years?
Driving 12,000 miles a year for five years, expect about $6273 for the Nissan Sentra and $5914 for the Toyota Corolla, a difference of roughly $358.
Is the Nissan Sentra or Toyota Corolla better for commuting?
For pure cost per mile, the Toyota Corolla wins. EVs charged at home typically deliver the lowest commuting cost, followed by hybrids and efficient compacts.
Which one is better for road trips?
Toyota Corolla 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 prices. Real-world cost depends on local fuel prices, driving style, terrain, weather and how much city vs highway driving you do.