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    Nissan Sentra Vs Toyota Corolla: Mileage, Interior & Safety Measures

    Image Source: Steve Lagreca / Shutterstock

    Within the compact sedan sector, the Nissan Sentra and Toyota Corolla might not shine as brightly as the chic Mazda 3 or the energetic Honda Civic. However, these often ignored mainstays prioritize value in a class where thriftiness is key.

    The updated 2024 Nissan Sentra debuts with an updated façade and boasts a more fuel-efficient gearbox, yet it remains an uncomplicated offering with a sole four-door sedan variant and lacks a hybrid version.

    The 2024 Toyota Corolla introduces a well-known hybrid system—borrowed from the Prius hatchback—into a conservatively designed chassis that’s still laden with ample safety features and advanced tech. It’s available as a hatchback and, for those seeking thrills though less fuel economy, as an exhilarating hatch in the Corolla GR 86 form.

    Comparing these two commoners, flexibility and choices give the Corolla an edge, but clear-cut value and an unembellished range allow the Sentra to firmly hold its ground. Below is our breakdown of their contrasts and our recommended choices.

    The Sentra’s cost ranges from $22,320 to $25,410. The Corolla sedan’s pricing begins at $23,145, with the Hybrid LE costing an additional $1,450. The Corolla hatchback’s price spans from $24,600 to $37,595 for the boisterous GR Corolla. Optimal picks: Nissan Sentra SV, Toyota Corolla Hybrid XLE

    What does a Toyota Corolla set you back? Which Corolla is the right purchase?

    The Corolla’s price range is broader compared to the Sentra’s, due to its essentially four distinct variations: the sedan ($23,145), the sedan hybrid ($24,395), the hatchback ($24,600), and the heated-up GR Corolla ($37,595). Listed prices include a $1,095 freight charge.

    The entry-level Corolla LE sedan offers an 8.0-inch display screen, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility, keyless ignition, climate control automation, cloth seats, and an extensive roster of proactive safety mechanisms. Investing a bit more in the $24,595 Corolla LE Hybrid equates to greater value, and it even comes with the possibility of adding all-wheel drive for an additional $1,400. If more space and versatility is essential, the Corolla SE hatchback becomes a sensible choice, and it’s available in more luxury trims such as Nightshade and XSE.

    Should cargo capacity be a primary concern, the Toyota Corolla Cross, a smaller crossover, begins at a price point similar to the hatchback and offers all-wheel drive as well as a hybrid version, but it reaches nearly $30,000.

    Every Corolla model includes a 3-year/36,000-mile warranty along with scheduled upkeep for the initial two years or up to 25,000 miles.

    What does a Nissan Sentra cost? Which Sentra should one choose?

    The straightforward Sentra array kicks off with the S model at $22,320, inclusive of a $1,140 shipment charge. This base version is furnished with elemental features such as a 7.0-inch display screen, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay support, powered locks and windows, keyless ignition, and a 3-year/36,000-mile guarantee.

    We suggest moving up to the SV at $23,250 for its 8.0-inch display, a digital dashboard readout, and dynamic cruise control. Those who dwell in colder climates might value the $590 All-Weather package, featuring a remote starter, heated seats in the front, and a steering wheel that heats up.

    The top-tier SR’s value of $25,410 is justifiable with its black detailing and larger 18-inch black wheels, LED headlights, and heated front seating.

    Advantage: The Nissan Sentra is more affordable, but the Toyota Corolla presents far more alternatives.

    Subtle yet appealing, the Sentra captures attention with fitting paint choices. The Corolla sedan appears as the entry-level option it represents. In comparison, the Corolla hatch carries a sharper appearance

    Does the Nissan Sentra possess aesthetic appeal?

    Adopting stylistic elements from its larger kin, the Altima and the now defunct Maxima, the Sentra’s design succeeds notably. Nissan has broadened its classic grille for a wider and more pronounced look that integrates with sweeping LED headlights and vertical air ducts. A line of dark accent defines the rear windows, extending towards the trunk for a strikingly dramatic visual effect. The interior is more understated, yet the universal flat-bottom steering wheel shared across Nissan models and the black-on-black attire maintain the Sentra’s stylish edge. Nissan may not innovate drastically, but it does rely on a trio of circular vents in the central console between the round control knobs for climate and sounds managing. This gets our nod of appreciation.

    Does the Toyota Corolla possess visual allure?

    Toyota has rendered the Corolla more aesthetically alluring of late, bypassing the need to adorn it with the myriad folds, sharp angles, and creases seen on some of its other mass-manufactured models. Little differentiates the petrol-driven and hybrid models apart from their compact sedan form. The hatchback variant exudes more vitality and zest, particularly with the GR variant’s bonnet and lateral intake vents, alongside the trio of exhaust ports at the back. Inside any Corolla is a spacious interior featuring a layered dashboard, but the tactile materials and baseline black plastic betray its budget origins.

    Advantage: The Nissan Sentra.

    Nissan Sentra versus Corolla in terms of capacity, size, and storage compartment

    The Corolla and Sentra measure similarly in dimensions
    The Sentra offers a trunk volume of 14.3 cubic feet, surpassing the Corolla’s 13.1 cubic feet
    While the Corolla hatchback brings more cargo space than either, it compromises somewhat on rear legroom

    How sizable is the Toyota Corolla?

    Both compact cars are equipped to accommodate five passengers, though they’re truly comfortable seating four grown-ups. Robust individuals such as college students on a road trip or economical music fans not keen on fighting for or splurging on extra parking might manage to squeeze a fifth person in the rear, but it won’t be the most comfortable ride.

    Being pleasurable is only part of the experience. The Corolla is complemented by comfortably cushioned seating and simple cloth trim, while the more luxurious variants boast heated seats in the front. However, don’t let the hatchback design deceive you: although it offers 17.9 cubic feet for storage, the space for legs in the back is reduced to under 30 inches, which is 5.0 inches shorter than in both the Corolla and Sentra sedans. Should you desire ample storage as well as enhanced space for passengers, consider the Corolla Cross. Yet, it may constrain your budget when it comes to enjoying entertainment.

    What is the size of the Nissan Sentra?

    The Sentra extends a bit broader and lengthier than the Corolla and possesses a more sizeable boot. The materials inside appear somewhat more upscale compared to the Corolla, and opting for the Premium package introduces heated power seats in the front. The seats are snug with good lateral support and support for the lumbar area, fostering comfort on prolonged journeys.

    Edge: The Sentra gives an impression of being marginally more spacious despite their nearly identical dimensions.

    Absent a sports variant akin to the GR Corolla hatchback and its 1.6-liter turbocharged three-cylinder, the Sentra shouldn’t be underestimated—this compact engine delivers 300 hp and 273 lb-ft of torque, with significant turbocharger boost propelling it to 60 mph in below five seconds. The vigor intensifies at higher speeds, and with the six-speed manual gearbox, swift shifts and a forgiving clutch allow you to constantly exploit the engine’s torque range. The addition of an all-wheel-drive system and the ability to adjust the torque split from a 60:40 front-to-back ratio to a 30:70 one, together with a track mode that nearly eliminates traction control, adds to the zest of this spirited hatchback. Pricing varies from $37,500 to $46,000, which is to be expected.

    How swiftly does the Toyota Corolla travel?

    Apart from the GR Corolla, the standard Toyota Corolla focuses on efficiency over sheer power. In both sedan and hatchback models, a 169-hp 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine operates loudly in contrast to its modest power output. A continuously variable transmission (CVT) doesn’t reduce the engine noise inside the cabin, working continuously to adjust the belt and pulleys for the most efficient—fuel economical—operation of the engine.

    The hybrid variant is more hushed and slower, wielding a 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine with a diminutive battery pack and motor that outputs 138 hp and 105 lb-ft. Standard is front-wheel-drive, with all-wheel-drive as an option. The Corolla Hybrid requires around nine seconds to hit 60 mph. It may take longer to hit 50 mpg combined, but the journey is much more satisfying thanks to its softer ride, supported by the front struts and multi-link rear suspension.

    How rapid is the Nissan Sentra?

    Employing a peppy 147-hp 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with front-wheel drive, the Sentra is not particularly known for speed. While optimized for both efficiency and refinement, the CVT may display sluggishness when starting from a standstill or when there’s low torque. However, once it’s in motion, it aligns the power to the demand, allowing the Sentra to showcase its superior ride comfort and steering. The independent suspension smooths out the ride because it can’t carve sharp turns, and the steering maintains that fluidity, making winding roads enjoyable.

    Nissan Sentra versus Toyota Corolla fuel economy

    • The Sentra achieves a maximum of 30 mpg in the city, 40 on the highway, and 34 combined
    • Corolla Hybrid sedan accomplishes 53/46/50 mpg
    • Corolla sedan and hatchback surpass the Sentra with 32/41/35 mpg

    A key benefit of these entry-level cars is their lower ownership costs compared to other new vehicles, with decreased fuel expenses being a prominent factor. The Sentra attains 34 mpg combined, and even with a 1-mpg reduction on the Sentra SR due to its larger wheels, it still exceeds the average for a gasoline-powered automobile.

    The Corolla sedan and hatchback manage even better, achieving 35 mpg combined for the base models. Opting for larger wheels and additional amenities lowers it by approximately 1 mpg on sedan XLE or hatch XSE variations, and the GR Corolla, rated at 21/28/24 mpg, is not the choice for those trying to save at the gas station.

    Standing out is the Toyota Corolla Hybrid sedan with ratings of 53/46/50 mpg. There are almost a dozen hybrids with a 50 mpg rating or better, including the larger 2025 Toyota Camry, indicating that a smaller vehicle isn’t a prerequisite for reduced fuel consumption. The all-wheel-drive Corolla Hybrid reduces to 51/44/48 mpg, and the higher-tier versions like the Hybrid XLE with AWD dip to 47/41/44 mpg.

    Sentra vs. Corolla safety

    Both vehicles receive the highest five-star ratings from the NHTSA
    The Corolla attains a Top Safety Pick+ from the IIHS
    Toyota outfits the Corolla with an abundance of standard safety technologies

    How secure is the Toyota Corolla?

    It’s as protected as a compact auto could be. Next to its five-star rating from the NHTSA, the IIHS bestows its most strict honor on the Corolla with a Top Safety Pick+ (including LED headlights on upper trims). Toyota outfits it with an array of driver-assist features rarely found on entry-level autos, such as adaptive cruise control. Similar to the Sentra, it also comes with active lane control and automatic emergency braking that can detect pedestrians. Blind-spot monitors are available as an option on the base LE variant.

    How protected is the Nissan Sentra?

    Uniquely, Nissan incorporates blind-spot monitors across all Sentra models. Selective high-tier models offer a surround-view camera system and adaptive cruise control. The IIHS has marked its headlights as “Poor,” impeding it from achieving a Top Safety Pick, but the NHTSA gives it a stellar five-star overall rating, despite one star lacking in front crash safety.

    Edge: The Corolla stands as the more secure car.

    Which automobile prevails: Nissan Sentra or Toyota Corolla?

    The vast spectrum covered by the Corolla, ranging from the efficient hybrid to the exhilarating GR Corolla hot hatch, allows dealers to cast a broad net. Nevertheless, it’s the aspects such as safety and fuel efficiency that secure its victory here, not to mention a TCC Rating of 6.5 out of 10.

    The Sentra, with a TCC Rating of 5.7 out of 10, should not be disregarded. It presents better value for money at the point of sale and showcases more captivating looks, both internally and externally. With these autos being closely matched in areas of primary concern to consumers, the decision could hinge on a factor we’re unable to quantify: the emotional response it invokes in you.

    Image Source: Steve Lagreca / Shutterstock

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