Nissan Sentra vs Toyota Corolla
Compact cars · head to head, 2010–2027
The Nissan Sentra and Toyota Corolla were both sold for 18 model years (2010–2027). Among the Sentra's own years, its best bet is 2023; no year to avoid; the newest year rated a good buy is 2025. Among the Corolla's own years, its best bet is 2017; no year to avoid; the newest year rated a good buy is 2025.
Nissan Sentra
Car · 2010–2027
- Best bet 2023
- Newest good buy 2025
- Avoid none
- Be careful 2013–2014, 2020
Toyota Corolla
Sedan · 2010–2027
- Best bet 2017
- Newest good buy 2025
- Avoid none
- Be careful 2011–2012, 2019–2021
How to read this: each model's verdicts compare that model's own years with each other (serious owner complaints per car on the road against that model's usual year, using New York registrations). They are not a reliability ranking of one model against the other, so a good-buy Sentra year says nothing about whether it beats a Corolla. (How we judge.)
Year by year, side by side
| Year | Nissan Sentra | Toyota Corolla | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2027 | Not rated | Not rated | Side by side |
| 2026 | TOO NEWOnly 1.1 years of owner reports | Not rated | Side by side |
| 2025 | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 0.6× usual | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 1.0× usual | Side by side |
| 2024 | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 0.8× usual | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 1.0× usual | Side by side |
| 2023 | BEST BUYSerious complaints 0.4× usual | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 0.9× usual | Side by side |
| 2022 | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 1.2× usual | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 0.8× usual | Side by side |
| 2021 | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 1.5× usual, mostly steering and collision avoidance | CAREFULSerious complaints 1.6× usual, mostly air bags and engine | Side by side |
| 2020 | CAREFULSerious complaints 1.9× usual, mostly collision avoidance and steering | CAREFULSerious complaints 2.0× usual, mostly engine and power train | Side by side |
| 2019 | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 0.8× usual | CAREFULSerious complaints 2.1× usual, mostly power train and engine | Side by side |
| 2018 | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 1.2× usual | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 0.8× usual | Side by side |
| 2017 | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 1.0× usual | BEST BUYSerious complaints 0.7× usual | Side by side |
| 2016 | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 1.3× usual, mostly power train and engine | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 0.6× usual | Side by side |
| 2015 | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 1.3× usual, mostly power train and engine | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 0.6× usual | Side by side |
| 2014 | CAREFULSerious complaints 1.3× usual, mostly power train and engine | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 0.7× usual | Side by side |
| 2013 | CAREFULSerious complaints 1.9× usual, mostly power train and air bags | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 0.5× usual | Side by side |
| 2012 | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 0.8× usual | CAREFULSerious complaints 1.3× usual, mostly air bags and steering | Side by side |
| 2011 | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 0.8× usual | CAREFULSerious complaints 1.3× usual, mostly air bags and speed control | Side by side |
| 2010 | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 0.7× usual | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 1.1× usual | Side by side |
Each chip rates that year against the same model's other years. Tap a chip for the year's details; "Side by side" compares both models that year, trim by trim.
Compare any year, trim by trim
2026: the newest shared year with full data, at a glance
Newer years (up to 2027) have thinner price and equipment data for one or both models, so this table uses 2026. Use "Compare any year" above for the others.
| 2026 Nissan Sentra | 2026 Toyota Corolla | |
|---|---|---|
| Our verdict (vs the model's own years) | TOO NEW | Not rated |
| Starting price (MSRP range) | — | $22,925 to $29,140 base price by trim, 9 trims |
| Engines and horsepower | 2.0L 4-cyl | 1.8L 4-cyl hybrid, 97 hp 2.0L 4-cyl, 169 hp |
| Fuel economy (EPA combined) | 32–33 mpg | 33–50 mpg |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Third row | No | No |
| Cargo behind last row | — | 17.8 cu ft |
| NHTSA crash rating | Not rated | 5 of 5 stars |
| Recalls · owner complaints (NHTSA) | 1 · 16 | 0 · 0 |
Sources: OpenSpec and the makers' equipment guides, NHTSA vPIC, EPA and NHTSA ratings. Cargo, towing and bed length rows appear when we have them. "—": not in our data. Compare every 2026 trim →
Key features: base trim vs top trim
| Sentra S first listed | Sentra SL last listed | Corolla LE lowest price, $22,925 | Corolla Hybrid XLE highest price, $29,140 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wireless Apple CarPlay | Standard | Standard | Standard | Standard |
| Adaptive cruise control | Standard | Standard | Standard | Standard |
| Blind-spot warning | Standard | Standard | Standard | Standard |
| Heated front seats | Optional | Standard | — | Standard |
| Sunroof or moonroof | No | Standard | — | Standard |
| Remote start | No | Standard | Standard | Standard |
"Standard" and "Optional" are for that trim as the 2026 data lists it (a package or option adds an "Optional" item); "—": not verified in our sources, never a guess. The cheapest and most expensive trim of each model; every trim is on the model's 2026 page (Sentra, Corolla).
Known fixes and extended coverage
Nissan Sentra
25 manufacturer programs on file: 4 extended coverage, 21 repair programs.
- Extended coverage OBD II EVAP Tube Warranty Enhancement The update below was sent out to Regions and Dealers in August of this year. (2010–2016 models)
- Extended coverage The factorytrained technical staff at the Nissan dealer will have the diagnostic tools and knowledge to provide you with the appropriate service and submit your warranty claim As you take care of yourself and your family during the… (2013–2017 models)
- Extended coverage CVT Class Action Owner Notification Attention: Dealer Principal, Sales, Service & Parts Managers In early November, current and former owners and lessees of the following vehicles will receive a postcard from a Settlement Administrator… (2013–2017 models)
- Extended coverage CVT Class Action Owner Notification In mid-December, current and former owners and lessees of the following vehicles will receive a postcard from a Settlement Administrator informing them of the terms of a proposed class action that,… (2018–2019 models)
Toyota Corolla
20 manufacturer programs on file: 12 extended coverage, 8 repair programs.
- Extended coverage Repair is Now Available Multiple Models and Model Years Vehicles Painted with Blizzard Pearl (070) or Super White (040) Paint Color Coverage for Peeling of Factory-Applied Paint. (2010–2019 models)
- Extended coverage These reports indicate that vehicles with these specific paint colors, applied during the vehicle manufacturing process, may experience paint peeling on exterior metal body panels. Toyota is providing coverage for repairs related to the… (2010–2019 models)
- Extended coverage Customer Support Program ZKG ? (Z3G, 2012, 2014–2019 models)
- Extended coverage CUSTOMER SUPPORT PROGRAM ZKG Multiple Models and Model Years Vehicles Painted with Blizzard Pearl (070) or Super White (040) Paint Color Coverage for Peeling of Factory-Applied Paint (2012, 2014–2019 models)
From manufacturer bulletins filed with NHTSA, counted per program. A count is how many programs exist, not how good or bad a model is: a maker that extends coverage is paying for a known problem. A dealer can look up whether a car has had the work done or is still covered.
Which should you buy?
- Buying used, years both are rated a good buy: 2010, 2015–2018, 2022–2025. In those years, choose on price, size and features.
- Years to skip: neither model has a year we rate avoid.
- Newest year rated a good buy: Sentra 2025; Corolla 2025.
- Third row: neither has one in 2026.
- Best EPA combined rating in 2026: Corolla at 50 mpg (Sentra: 33), for the most efficient version of each.
- Before you buy either: run the VIN for open recalls and ask the dealer whether the extended-coverage repairs above were done.
Rules applied to the data on this page: no overall winner is declared, because our verdicts compare each model with itself.