2017 Toyota Corolla vs. 2017 Nissan Sentra: Head to Head

Sentra vs. Corolla: Which Compact Car Is Right for You?

You would be hard-pressed to find two more similar cars than the Nissan Sentra and Toyota Corolla. They’re both top choices for those looking for an economical daily commuter due to offering class-topping space, as well as focusing on practicality, comfort, and fuel efficiency.

The Corolla is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year and has undergone a significant refresh inside and out, though the car’s last full redesign dates back to the 2014 model year. Nissan hasn’t redesigned the Sentra since 2013, and notable model year updates have been limited.

We’ve put the Sentra and Corolla head to head in the categories that matter most to compact car buyers. Keep in mind that we update U.S. News scores regularly as new expert reviews and data become available. For this reason, the scores in this slideshow may not match the scores in our rankings.

What sets these two sedans apart? Which is the best choice for you? Read through the following slides to learn more about the Nissan Sentra and Toyota Corolla.

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Price

Winner: 2017 Nissan Sentra

The 2017 Nissan Sentra starts at $16,990. It comes in five trims: S, SV, SR, SR Turbo, and SL, which range from $18,790 to $21,990.

The 2017 Toyota Corolla has a starting price of $18,935. You can choose between five different models, as well as a limited release 50th Anniversary Edition. Opt for the range-topping XSE and the starting price bumps up to $22,680.

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Reliability

Winner: 2017 Toyota Corolla

According to J.D. Power, the Sentra earns a 3.5 out of five for reliability. The Corolla tops our compact car rankings for reliability, with a rating of 4.5 out of five.

Both automakers cover their vehicles with a three-year/36,000-mile basic warranty and a five-year/60,000-mile powertrain warranty.

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Seat Comfort

Winner: Tie

Both the Sentra and Corolla seat five passengers and offer plenty of room and comfort. The cars share very similar dimensions and interior measurements. Though these are compact cars, the EPA classifies both as midsize cars due to their spacious cabins. The Corolla offers a bit more rear-seat legroom, while the Sentra has more hip room in the back.

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Cargo Space

Winner: 2017 Nissan Sentra

The Sentra provides 15.1 cubic feet of trunk space, which is on par with many midsize cars. The Corolla has a 13-cubic-foot trunk. Both cars have a standard 60/40 split-folding rear seat and plenty of interior storage space. The Sentra also features a fold-flat front passenger seat to accommodate longer items.

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Interior Quality

Winner: 2017 Toyota Corolla

The Sentra has a high-quality cabin, although it’s due for an update. It doesn’t possess the modern design cues found in many rivals’ models. The Corolla’s interior quality is equally impressive, with primarily soft-touch materials throughout. Due to the Corolla’s 2017 refresh, it offers more style and visual appeal than that of the Sentra.

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Interior Features

Winner: 2017 Toyota Corolla

The base Nissan Sentra comes with a four-speaker audio system, Bluetooth for phone connectivity, and a USB port. You can opt for features like a 5- or 5.8-inch display, voice recognition, smartphone app integration, push-button start, navigation, and an upgraded Bose audio system.

The Toyota Corolla comes standard with a 6.1-inch touch-screen infotainment system with smartphone app integration and Bluetooth. Critics say the system is intuitive and they appreciate the Corolla’s use of physical buttons and knobs to control primary functions, including climate and audio. You can upgrade for features like push-button start, navigation, HD Radio, satellite radio, and a 7-inch touch screen.

Neither car supports Apple CarPlay nor Android Auto.

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Acceleration

Winner: 2017 Toyota Corolla

Neither of these compact cars will thrill you with its acceleration. The Sentra has one of the weakest engines in the segment; a 124-horsepower four-cylinder mated to a six-speed manual transmission. You can choose a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT), which reviewers say is better than many in the class.

The Corolla comes standard with a 132-horsepower four-cylinder engine and a continuously variable automatic transmission. It shifts seamlessly, albeit slowly. You can opt for a six-speed manual transmission in the SE (sport-oriented) trim.

For 2017, Nissan offers the Sentra in a new SR Turbo trim, which comes with a 188-horsepower turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine. It provides plenty of power, but reviewers call it inconsistent, especially at high RPMs.

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Fuel Economy

Winner: 2017 Toyota Corolla

With its standard manual transmission, the Sentra returns 27 mpg in the city and 35 on the highway. If you upgrade to the CVT it earns 29 mpg in the city and 37 on the highway. The base Corolla returns 28 mpg in the city and 36 on the highway. You can also choose the Corolla Eco trim, which is tuned to return 29 mpg in the city and 38 on the highway.

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Ride and Handling

Winner: Tie

Both vehicles are known for their smooth ride quality and confident, comfortable handling. Either vehicle will suffice as a commuter car and should fare well in the city due to maneuverability.

Neither the Sentra nor the Corolla deliver an engaging driving experience. Even the Sentra SR Turbo, which is an upgrade from the base Sentra in terms of driving dynamics, struggles to compete with other performance-oriented compact cars. 

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Safety

Winner: 2017 Toyota Corolla

The Sentra earns the highest score of Good in all five crash tests administered by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). It’s also designated as an IIHS Top Safety Pick. It doesn’t come standard with any advanced safety features, although you can opt for a rearview camera, rear cross traffic alert, blind spot monitoring, adaptive cruise control, and forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking.

The Corolla received the IIHS’ prestigious Top Safety Pick+ designation. It also earned an overall safety score of five out of five stars from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). It comes standard with a rearview camera and Toyota Safety Sense, which includes lane departure warning, pedestrian detection, forward collision warning, adaptive cruise control, and automatic emergency braking.

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The Winner Is ...

2017 Toyota Corolla

If price is your number one consideration, the Nissan Sentra is worth a closer look. It also boasts impressive cargo space, a comfortable cabin with plenty of room, and superb fuel economy. However, the Toyota Corolla wins this battle due to exceeding the Sentra in many categories.

Even though the Corolla costs more, you get a full suite of active safety technology and a standard automatic transmission. The Corolla’s reliability is nearly unmatched and crash test ratings are exceptional. Rounding out its attributes are an intuitive infotainment system; excellent fuel economy; a coddling ride; and a comfortable, roomy cabin.

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• Read the 2017 Toyota Corolla Full Review
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More Shopping Tools From U.S. News & World Report

To learn more about the Nissan Sentra and Toyota Corolla, check out their reviews. See how they compare to the competition by exploring our compact car rankings. When you’re ready to buy, use our Best Price Program to find the dealership in your area with the best prices. Shoppers who use the program save an average of $3,279 off their new car purchase.