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Toyota Corolla vs Nissan Sentra: fuel economy and fuel cost

In model year 2026 the Toyota Corolla is the cheaper of the two to fuel: about $1,310 a year for its lowest-cost configuration (Corolla Hybrid, 50 MPG combined), against $1,960 for the Nissan Sentra (Sentra (3-mode), 33 MPG combined). That is $650 a year, or $3,250 over five years.

A frequently cross-shopped pair of rivals. Costs assume 15,000 miles a year and the same fuel and electricity prices for both vehicles, using the EPA combined rating (55% city, 45% highway). Each figure is rounded to $10 and every difference is calculated from the rounded values.

The EPA is still publishing model year 2027 ratings, so this page compares model year 2026, the latest complete year.

Illustration: Small cars
  • Hybrid
  • Small cars

Toyota Corolla

Lowest fuel cost configuration

Corolla Hybrid

50 MPG
Combined
53 MPG
City
46 MPG
Highway
Annual fuel cost
$1,310

$8.73 per 100 miles

15,000 mi/yr, same fuel prices

12 configurations in MY2026

Illustration: Midsize cars
  • Gas
  • Midsize cars

Nissan Sentra

Lowest fuel cost configuration

Sentra (3-mode)

33 MPG
Combined
30 MPG
City
38 MPG
Highway
Annual fuel cost
$1,960

$13.07 per 100 miles

15,000 mi/yr, same fuel prices

3 configurations in MY2026

What the fuel costs

Annual fuel cost of the lowest-cost configuration

  • Toyota Corolla$1,310 a year · $8.73 per 100 mi
  • Nissan Sentra$1,960 a year · $13.07 per 100 mi

Difference per year

$650

Toyota Corolla costs less to fuel

Over 5 years

$3,250

$650 a year × 5, 15,000 mi/yr, same fuel prices

Head to head, MY2026

Toyota Corolla and Nissan Sentra compared on their lowest fuel cost configuration
Measure Toyota Corolla Nissan Sentra
Lowest-cost configuration Corolla HybridSentra (3-mode)
Powertrain HybridGas
Combined rating 50 MPG (better)33 MPG
City rating 53 MPG (better)30 MPG
Highway rating 46 MPG (better)38 MPG
Annual fuel cost $1,310/yr (better)$1,960/yr
Cost per 100 miles $8.73 (better)$13.07
Annual cost range, all configurations $1,310–$3,600$1,960–$2,040
Configurations in MY2026 123
EPA class Small carsMidsize cars

Best configuration by powertrain

Lowest-cost configuration of each powertrain, Toyota Corolla and Nissan Sentra
Powertrain Toyota Corolla Nissan Sentra
Gas 35 MPG · $1,870/yr Corolla (1-mode TM) 33 MPG · $1,960/yr Sentra (3-mode)
Hybrid 50 MPG · $1,310/yr Corolla Hybrid Not offered in MY2026

Each cell shows the combined rating and the annual fuel cost of the lowest-cost configuration with that powertrain.

Where each one comes out ahead

Generated from the numbers above, comparing the lowest fuel cost configurations. No subjective judgements.

Toyota Corolla

  • Lower annual fuel cost: $1,310 vs $1,960
  • Higher combined rating: 50 MPG vs 33 MPG
  • Higher city rating: 53 MPG vs 30 MPG
  • Higher highway rating: 46 MPG vs 38 MPG
  • Lower annual cost for the best gas configuration: $1,870 vs $1,960
  • Offers hybrid configurations in MY2026; the Nissan Sentra does not

Nissan Sentra

Not ahead on any measure listed here.

Year by year

Combined rating and annual fuel cost by model year, Toyota Corolla and Nissan Sentra
Model year Toyota Corolla Nissan Sentra
CombinedPer yearCombinedPer year
2026 22–50 MPG $1,310–$3,600 32–33 MPG $1,960–$2,040
2025 22–50 MPG $1,310–$3,600 33–34 MPG $1,920–$1,980
2024 24–50 MPG $1,310–$3,360 33–34 MPG $1,920–$1,980
2023 24–50 MPG $1,310–$3,360 32–33 MPG $1,970–$2,010
2022 31–52 MPG $1,260–$2,090 32–33 MPG $1,970–$2,010
2021 31–52 MPG $1,260–$2,110 32–33 MPG $1,970–$2,040
2020 31–52 MPG $1,260–$2,080 32–33 MPG $1,970–$2,050
2019 30–36 MPG $1,830–$2,150 27–32 MPG $2,020–$2,980
2018 30–34 MPG $1,920–$2,200 27–32 MPG $2,030–$2,980
2017 30–34 MPG $1,920–$2,200 27–32 MPG $2,040–$2,980
2016 30–34 MPG $1,930–$2,150 30–33 MPG $1,960–$2,190
2015 30–34 MPG $1,930–$2,150 30–33 MPG $1,960–$2,190
2014 30–34 MPG $1,930–$2,150 30–33 MPG $1,960–$2,190
2013 29 MPG $2,220–$2,290 30–33 MPG $1,960–$2,180
2012 29 MPG $2,220–$2,270 24–29 MPG $2,240–$3,400
2011 24–30 MPG $2,170–$2,670 24–29 MPG $2,240–$3,400
2010 25–30 MPG $2,180–$2,610 24–29 MPG $2,250–$3,350
2009 25–30 MPG $2,180–$2,610 24–29 MPG $2,250–$3,350
2008 29–31 MPG $2,110–$2,250 24–28 MPG $2,330–$3,350
2007 29–31 MPG $2,110–$2,250 24–28 MPG $2,330–$3,350
2006 25–31 MPG $2,110–$3,210 22–27 MPG $2,420–$2,970
2005 25–31 MPG $2,110–$3,210 22–27 MPG $2,420–$2,970
2004 28–31 MPG $2,110–$2,330 22–27 MPG $2,420–$2,970
2003 28–31 MPG $2,110–$2,330 22–28 MPG $2,330–$2,970
2002 27–31 MPG $2,110–$2,420 22–27 MPG $2,420–$2,970
2001 27–31 MPG $2,110–$2,420 23–26 MPG $2,510–$2,840
2000 26–30 MPG $2,180–$2,510 23–26 MPG $2,510–$2,840

Earlier model years are costed with today's fuel prices, so the table shows how each model's efficiency changed, not what fuel cost at the time. Ranges cover every configuration of that model year.

Frequently asked questions

Which is cheaper to fuel, the Toyota Corolla or the Nissan Sentra?

The Toyota Corolla is cheaper: about $1,310 a year against $1,960 for the Nissan Sentra, a difference of $650 a year. That compares the lowest-cost configuration of each in model year 2026 at 15,000 miles a year with the same fuel prices.

How much would the Toyota Corolla save over five years?

About $3,250 ($650 a year for five years), assuming 15,000 miles a year and the same fuel prices. Your total depends on how much you drive and on local prices; see fuel cost by state.

Which has the better fuel economy rating, the Toyota Corolla or the Nissan Sentra?

The Toyota Corolla is rated 50 MPG combined against 33 MPG for the Nissan Sentra. City: 53 MPG vs 30 MPG. Highway: 46 MPG vs 38 MPG. These are the EPA ratings of each model's lowest-cost configuration.

How is the annual fuel cost calculated?

Distance of 15,000 miles a year at the EPA combined rating (55% city, 45% highway). Gasoline is priced at $4.36/gal (EIA U.S. average for regular, Sep 2026) and electricity at 18.3¢/kWh (EIA U.S. residential average, Jul 2026); premium and diesel configurations use their own EIA prices. Each result is rounded to $10, and differences are calculated from the rounded figures.

Are the Toyota Corolla and the Nissan Sentra in the same class?

The EPA classes the Toyota Corolla as Small cars and the Nissan Sentra as Midsize cars, so they are listed as rivals.

Explore these cars

More comparisons

EPA ratings: fueleconomy.gov file of Sep 29, 2026 · Prices: EIA regular gasoline, U.S. avg, Sep 2026 ($4.36/gal); residential electricity, U.S. avg, Jul 2026 (18.3¢/kWh) · 15,000 mi/yr, 55% city, same prices for both vehicles