The compact sedan market has long been a battleground for automotive titans, with the Nissan Sentra and Toyota Corolla continually vying for supremacy. As these iconic models evolve and innovate, their 2023 iterations offer a wealth of features and enhancements that have further elevated their status in the industry.
In this article, we’ll take an in-depth look at both the 2023 Nissan Sentra and Toyota Corolla, examining their strengths and weaknesses in a variety of categories to help you make an informed decision when choosing your next compact sedan.
Exterior Design:
Both the Nissan Sentra and Toyota Corolla have undergone significant design changes over the years, with their 2023 models showcasing sleek, modern looks. The Sentra features a prominent V-motion grille, sharp LED headlights, and a more aggressive, sporty stance.
In contrast, the Corolla boasts a large, trapezoidal grille, slim LED headlights, and a somewhat more conservative, yet still attractive design. While both sedans have appealing aesthetics, the Sentra’s bolder appearance may appeal more to those who prefer a sportier look.
Interior Design:
Stepping inside the 2023 Nissan Sentra, you’ll notice a refined cabin with a clean, ergonomic layout. The materials used throughout are of high quality, with soft-touch surfaces and an upscale feel. The infotainment system is user-friendly, featuring a standard 8-inch touchscreen display that’s compatible with both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
The 2023 Toyota Corolla’s interior also offers a premium feel with soft-touch materials and a straightforward design. The standard infotainment system is equipped with a 7-inch touchscreen display, but an 8-inch screen is available on higher trim levels. Both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility come standard.
Seating:
When it comes to seating, both the Sentra and Corolla offer comfortable accommodations for up to five passengers. The Sentra’s Zero Gravity front seats provide excellent support for long drives, while the rear seats offer ample legroom and headroom.
The Corolla’s seats are also comfortable, but some drivers may find the front seats a bit too firm for their liking. Rear seat space is comparable to the Sentra, making both sedans suitable for families.
Storage:
The 2023 Nissan Sentra offers 14.3 cubic feet of trunk space, which is competitive within the compact sedan segment. The rear seats can also be folded down to accommodate larger items.
The Toyota Corolla lags slightly behind in trunk space, with 13.1 cubic feet available. However, like the Sentra, its rear seats can also be folded down for added versatility.
Performance:
Both the Sentra and Corolla offer a comfortable, composed ride, but their performance characteristics differ. The 2023 Nissan Sentra comes with a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine producing 149 horsepower and 146 lb-ft of torque, paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT). This powertrain provides sufficient power for daily driving, but it won’t impress those seeking a more spirited driving experience.
The 2023 Toyota Corolla offers two engine choices: a 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine producing 139 horsepower and a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine generating 169 horsepower. The base engine is adequate for daily driving, but the more powerful 2.0-liter option delivers a more engaging drive. The Corolla also offers a manual transmission option for driving enthusiasts.
Fuel Efficiency:
The Nissan Sentra and Toyota Corolla both excel in terms of fuel efficiency. The 2023 Sentra boasts an EPA-estimated 29 mpg city/39 mpg highway, while the Corolla’s base 1.8-liter engine achieves an EPA-estimated 30 mpg city/38 mpg highway.
The more powerful 2.0-liter engine in the Corolla returns 31 mpg city/40 mpg highway. Both vehicles provide excellent fuel economy, making them attractive options for cost-conscious buyers.
Safety:
When it comes to safety, both the Nissan Sentra and Toyota Corolla have earned high marks from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). Both vehicles come equipped with a comprehensive suite of advanced driver-assistance features.
The Sentra features Nissan’s Safety Shield 360, which includes automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, lane departure warning, blind-spot warning, rear cross-traffic alert, high-beam assist, and rear automatic braking. The 2023 Toyota Corolla comes with Toyota Safety Sense 2.0, including pre-collision system with pedestrian detection, lane departure alert with steering assist, automatic high beams, road sign assist, adaptive cruise control, and lane tracing assist.
Trim Levels:
The 2023 Nissan Sentra is available in three main trim levels: S, SV, and SR. The base S trim comes well-equipped with a 7-inch driver information display, a rearview camera, and the Safety Shield 360 suite. Upgrading to the SV trim adds the larger 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system, dual-zone automatic climate control, and 16-inch alloy wheels. The range-topping SR trim features sporty exterior accents, LED headlights and fog lights, and 18-inch alloy wheels.
The 2023 Toyota Corolla is offered in six trim levels: L, LE, SE, XLE, XSE, and the SE Apex Edition. The base L trim includes LED headlights, a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system, and Toyota Safety Sense 2.0. The LE trim adds an 8-inch touchscreen, 16-inch wheels, and remote keyless entry. The sporty SE trim brings a 2.0-liter engine, a sport-tuned suspension, and 18-inch wheels.
The XLE and XSE trims add premium features such as a power moonroof, heated front seats, and a JBL premium audio system. The SE Apex Edition offers a sportier suspension and exclusive exterior styling accents.
Pricing:
The 2023 Nissan Sentra starts at a base price of $19,610 for the S trim, with the SV trim priced at $20,470 and the top-of-the-line SR trim at $22,010. On the other hand, the 2023 Toyota Corolla has a base price of $20,075 for the L trim, with the LE trim priced at $20,865, the SE trim at $22,675, the XLE trim at $24,475, the XSE trim at $25,925, and the SE Apex Edition at $26,455.
Both vehicles offer competitive pricing within the compact sedan segment, making them attractive options for budget-conscious buyers.
Key Differences
Infotainment System:
The Nissan Sentra comes standard with an 8-inch touchscreen display, whereas the Toyota Corolla has a standard 7-inch display, with the option to upgrade to an 8-inch screen on higher trims.
Seating & Trunk Space::
Nissan Sentra’s Zero Gravity front seats are known for their excellent support, while some drivers might find the Toyota Corolla’s front seats a bit too firm.The Sentra also offers slightly more trunk space with 14.3 cubic feet compared to the Corolla’s 13.1 cubic feet.
Engine Options and Performance:
The Nissan Sentra comes with a single engine option: a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine producing 149 horsepower. The Toyota Corolla, on the other hand, offers two engine choices: a 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine with 139 horsepower and a more powerful 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with 169 horsepower.
Transmission Options:
The Nissan Sentra comes exclusively with a continuously variable transmission (CVT), while the Toyota Corolla offers the option of a manual transmission in addition to the CVT.
Trim Levels:
The Nissan Sentra is available in three main trim levels: S, SV, and SR, while the Toyota Corolla offers a far more diverse selection with six trims: L, LE, SE, XLE, XSE, and the SE Apex Edition.
Final Thoughts
When it comes to the 2023 Nissan Sentra and Toyota Corolla, both vehicles offer a compelling combination of value, efficiency, and safety, making the decision between them a challenging one. With the Sentra’s sporty exterior and exceptional Zero Gravity seats pitted against the Corolla’s more powerful engine options and diverse trim level lineup, it’s clear that each car appeals to different preferences and priorities.
To truly determine which compact sedan is the perfect fit for you, we recommend test-driving both vehicles and experiencing their unique offerings firsthand. In the end, you can’t go wrong with either choice, as both the Sentra and Corolla continue to uphold their reputations as reliable, efficient, and versatile compact sedans.
Features Breakdown:
2023 Nissan Sentra Features:
- Exterior Design:
- Bold, sporty design
- Prominent V-motion grille
- Sharp LED headlights
- Interior Design:
- Refined cabin with ergonomic layout
- High-quality materials and soft-touch surfaces
- Standard 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
- Seating:
- Comfortable Zero Gravity front seats
- Ample rear seat legroom and headroom
- Accommodates up to five passengers
- Storage:
- 14.3 cubic feet of trunk space
- Foldable rear seats for added versatility
- Performance:
- 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine producing 149 horsepower and 146 lb-ft of torque
- Continuously variable transmission (CVT)
- Fuel Efficiency:
- EPA-estimated 29 mpg city/39 mpg highway
- Safety:
- Nissan Safety Shield 360
- High ratings from NHTSA and IIHS
- Trim Levels:
- S, SV, and SR
- Pricing:
- Base price of $19,610 for the S trim
2023 Toyota Corolla Features:
- Exterior Design:
- Attractive, conservative design
- Large trapezoidal grille
- Slim LED headlights
- Interior Design:
- Premium feel with soft-touch materials
- Straightforward design
- Standard 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto (8-inch available on higher trims)
- Seating:
- Comfortable seating for up to five passengers
- Sufficient rear seat legroom and headroom
- Storage:
- 13.1 cubic feet of trunk space
- Foldable rear seats for increased versatility
- Performance:
- Two engine options: 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine with 139 horsepower, and 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with 169 horsepower
- Manual transmission option available
- Fuel Efficiency:
- EPA-estimated 30 mpg city/38 mpg highway for the base 1.8-liter engine
- EPA-estimated 31 mpg city/40 mpg highway for the 2.0-liter engine
- Safety:
- Toyota Safety Sense 2.0
- High ratings from NHTSA and IIHS
- Trim Levels:
- L, LE, SE, XLE, XSE, and SE Apex Edition
- Pricing:
- Base price of $20,075 for the L trim
