2021 head-to-head · Midsize Car
2021 Chevrolet Malibu vs Nissan Sentra
MPG, range and what each one really costs you to fuel, from official EPA ratings and recalculated with your own gas and electricity prices.
On fuel costs these two are nearly tied. Driving 15,000 miles a year with $3.10/gal regular gas, the most efficient 2021 Chevrolet Malibu (32 MPG) costs about $1,453 a year to fuel and the 2021 Nissan Sentra (33 MPG) about $1,409.
Your numbers
Change these to match your driving and local prices. Every figure and chart on this page updates.
Fuel cost over 10 years
- Chevrolet Malibu
- Nissan Sentra
Side by side
| Chevrolet Malibu | Nissan Sentra | |
|---|---|---|
| $1,453 | Your annual fuel cost | $1,409 |
| 32 MPG | Combined efficiency | 33 MPG |
| 29 MPG | City | 29 MPG |
| 36 MPG | Highway | 39 MPG |
| 100 cu ft | Passenger volume | 96 cu ft |
| 13 cu ft | Cargo volume | 14 cu ft |
| 273 g/mi | Tailpipe CO₂ (g/mi) | 268 g/mi |
| 7/10 | EPA fuel economy score | 7/10 |
| 7/10 | EPA greenhouse gas score | 7/10 |
| Gas | Powertrain | Gas |
| Regular gasoline | Fuel | Regular gasoline |
| 1.5L 4-cyl turbo | Engine / motor | 2.0L 4-cyl |
| CVT | Transmission | CVT |
| FWD | Drivetrain | FWD |
✓ marks the better value. EPA scores run 1–10 (10 is best). Volumes come from the EPA interior volume index and aren't published for every body style.
Chevrolet Malibu vs Nissan Sentra across model years
- Chevrolet Malibu
- Nissan Sentra
Annual fuel cost of the most efficient configuration of each model year, at your prices. Click a point to open that year.
How they differ
Per EPA interior volume figures, the Chevrolet Malibu has more passenger space (100 vs. 96 cu ft); the Nissan Sentra has more cargo space (14 vs. 13 cu ft).
Among 54 2021 midsize cars, the Chevrolet Malibu ranks 18th and the Nissan Sentra 15th for lowest fuel cost.
Frequently asked questions
Which is more fuel-efficient, the 2021 Chevrolet Malibu or the 2021 Nissan Sentra?
Measured by cost to drive, the Nissan Sentra. The Chevrolet Malibu is rated 32 MPG combined and the Nissan Sentra 33 MPG (EPA, most efficient configuration of each).
How much does it cost to fuel the 2021 Chevrolet Malibu vs. the Nissan Sentra per year?
At 15,000 miles a year with $3.10/gal regular gas, about $1,453 for the Chevrolet Malibu and $1,409 for the Nissan Sentra.
Which has more cargo space?
The Nissan Sentra, with 14 cu ft of luggage volume versus 13 cu ft (EPA interior volume index).
Chevrolet Malibu vs Nissan Sentra in other years
More 2021 comparisons
Chevrolet Malibu vs…
Or compare the 2021 Chevrolet Malibu with anything else: