Compare repair costs, reliability, and owner reviews
Nissan Sentra
$491
Average Annual
Repair Cost
Nissan Altima
$483
Average Annual
Repair Cost
Overall Reliability Rating
4
Excellent
The Nissan Sentra Reliability Rating is 4.0 out of 5.0, which ranks it 14th out of 36 for compact cars. The average annual repair cost is $491 which means it has lower than average ownership costs. The severity of repairs is average and the frequency of those issues is low, so major repairs are uncommon for the Sentra.
4
Above Average
The Nissan Altima Reliability Rating is 4.0 out of 5.0, which ranks it 11th out of 24 for midsize cars. The average annual repair cost is $483 which means it has lower than average ownership costs. The severity of repairs is average and the frequency of those issues is low, so major repairs are uncommon for the Altima.
“Brought my 91 Nissan Sentra new and traveled with it throughout the United States and during my years in the military it was shipped to a couple of overseas bases. With a little over 130K, this is...”
“Brought my 91 Nissan Sentra new and traveled with it throughout the United States and during my...”
The Nissan Altima ranks highest in safety and ranks lowest in fuel economy.
86% of reviewers would recommend this car.
“Bought my 93 Altima 8/2001 had 89,000 miles at the time. Now 10 years later 303,000 miles and running strong. Dig this 5 speed with original clutch. Great car”
“Bought my 93 Altima 8/2001 had 89,000 miles at the time. Now 10 years later 303,000 miles and...”
The Nissan Sentra and the Nissan Altima are both four-door sedans from the same carmaker, but they are in different size classes. The Sentra is a compact sedan and the Altima is a midsize sedan. Both come with front-wheel drive.
The Nissan Sentra has a standard engine with 124 horsepower, and an optional engine with 188 horsepower. The larger Nissan Altima has 182 horsepower standard, with a 270-horsepower engine optional.
When choosing between the Nissan Sentra and the Nissan Altima, think about how much space you need, as well as how much you want to spend. The smaller Sentra costs less, while the only slightly more spacious Altima costs several thousand dollars more. The Sentra has 95.9 cubic feet of passenger space and 15.1 cubic feet in the trunk, while the Altima offers 100.5 cubic feet inside and 15.4 cubic feet of trunk space. This is a small difference, and shows that the Sentra has superior space utilization for its size.
When comparing the Nissan Sentra and the Nissan Altima, take a very close look at both. In terms of space, the Sentra gives you the best value for your car-buying dollar.