Toyota Corolla vs. Nissan Sentra Review

Utility
The 2010 Nissan Sentra is more spacious than the Toyota Corolla with more head, shoulder and hip room joining a larger trunk space. The Corolla wins only on legroom.

Performance
Powering the 2010 Toyota Corolla is your choice of a 132-horsepower, 1.8-liter inline-four or a 158-horsepower, 2.4-liter four-cylinder. The Sentra offers a trio of sturdy engines from the 140-horsepower, 2.0-liter inline four to the 177-horsepower, 2.5-liter inline-four and the 200-horsepower, 2.5-liter inline four that is calibrated for premium fuel. The Corolla's four- and five speed automatics and five-speed manual compete with two continuously variable transmissions and a six-speed manual in the Sentra.

Fuel Economy
Corolla leads the fuel economy competition with 22-26 mpg city and 30-35 mpg highway results. The Sentra follows with 21-26 mpg city and 28-34 mpg highway ratings.

Technology
Base models are similarly equipped with some power features, and both have models which are Bluetooth enabled. Fully loaded models for the Corolla and Sentra offer satellite radio and stereo upgrades (the Sentra's including a 4.3-inch color display screen), as well as navigation systems. The Sentra also has available a rear view monitor, which displays through the nav screen.

Safety
Both sedans have antilock brakes and a full set of airbags, but the base model Sentra makes ABS an option where the entry-level Corolla does not. The Corolla heightens safety by including brake assist, while no Sentra model offers this technology. The Corolla got Four-Star ratings in three of four government crash tests, while the Sentra dominates with Five-Star ratings in three of four NHTSA impact tests

Other
Two solid economy car packages are found in the 2010 Toyota Corolla and Nissan Sentra. Each plays to its own strengths, while the Sentra may have the advantage by winning in overall interior space, horsepower and crash test ratings.