Toyota Corolla vs. Nissan Sunny – Which Is Better for Budget Rentals in Dubai?

Searching for an affordable yet comfortable and reliable rental car for your Emirates adventure? Toyota Corolla and Nissan Sunny are the most popular picks among budget-conscious renters in Dubai. They offer optimal value for their rental prices in terms of fuel efficiency, comfort, reliability, and convenience. But which one is right for you? This Toyota Corolla vs. Nissan Sunny blog breaks down their costs, performance, comfort, and safety to help you choose the best budget rental car for your Dubai journey. Let’s dive in and find your perfect ride!

Overview of Toyota Corolla and Nissan Sunny

Let’s first take a look at the overviews of the two best budget rental cars in Dubai. 

Toyota Corolla

Toyota Corolla is one of the most popular vehicles in the world, known for its consistent delivery of enduring reliability and comfortable performance. It’s a go-to compact sedan for those seeking optimal value for minimal investment. This beautifully translates in Dubai’s rental industry as well, offering a blend of modern features and dependable performance for extremely low rental prices. Its spacious interior and reasonable boot space make it practical for small families or individuals with luggage.

Nissan Sunny

Nissan Sunny, also a Japanese brand, is a highly favored choice that has captured the hearts of many in the Emirates. Its exceptional interior space and impressive fuel economy appeal to those who prioritize cost-effective driving in the UAE. Not only private car owners, but also renters often pick the Nissan Sunny to cater to their budget traveling in Dubai. While not as contemporary as the Toyota Corolla, the Sunny delivers reliability, spaciousness, comfort, and solid performance—the aspects that truly matter.

Why Compare?: Both Toyota Corolla and Nissan Sunny are the top choices for budget-conscious renters in Dubai, offering similar reliability, fuel economy, performance, and comfort features at a low cost. Let’s see which edges are the other in the following comparisons.

Rental Costs and Availability in Dubai

While both vehicles are cheap economy models, they are widely available in Dubai’s car rental market. Even in the winter (Nov-Feb)—peak tourist season in Dubai—the available potential is high. Let’s check out their pricing structures in Dubai’s general market.

Toyota Corolla Rental Costs

• Average Rental Price Range: AED 80-118/day, AED 560-826/week, AED 1,500-2,000/month.

• Rent With: Hertz, Rentalcaruae, UAEdriving, Quick Lease Car Rental, Renty, and houstonrentacar.

Nissan Sunny Rental Costs

• Average Rental Price Range: AED 35-100/day, AED 245-700/week, AED 750-1,500/month.

• Rent With: Speedy Drive, eZhire, Renter Point, OneClickDrive, Quick Lease Car Rental, Bettercar Rental, and Shift Car Rental.

Comparison: Nissan Sunny is comparatively more budget-friendly—winning this round.

Important Note: Rental prices are dynamic, changing with season and additional services like car insurance and overage mileage limits. Prices also differ from one rental agency to another. Contact them directly for actual prices and availability.

Performance and Fuel Efficiency

Both Toyota Corolla and Nissan Sunny offer a well-balanced performance, prioritizing front-engine placement for better weight distribution, improved handling, and practical interior space. They are equally efficient for navigating urban roads. Take a look at their individual performance and fuel economy below.

Toyota Corolla

• Engine: 1.6L or 1.8L hybrid, ~121 hp, CVT transmission.

• Fuel efficiency: ~54 MPG (hybrid), ~30 MPG (non-hybrid).

Nissan Sunny

• Engine: 1.6L, ~118 hp, CVT transmission.

• Fuel efficiency: ~41 MPG in city conditions.

Comparison: Toyota Corolla’s hybrid engine options save more on fuel, making it ideal for long-term renters. Toyota takes this round.

Comfort and Features

While both models are economy vehicles, they don’t offer high-end luxury features, like a BMW 7 Series. However, they are comfortable and offer premium-quality upholstery and appreciable technological features. Here’s how they compare.

Toyota Corolla

• Interior & Comfort Features: SofTex faux leather seating, Heated front sport seats, Premium soft-touch accents, Dual-zone automatic climate control, Auto-dimming rear view mirror, Universal garage door opener, etc.

• Technological Features: Toyota Audio Multimedia touchscreen display, Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, 7-inch digital gauge cluster, Push-button start, 4G WiFi hotspot capability, etc.

Nissan Sunny

• Interior & Comfort Features: Cloth upholstery, Adjustable driver seat, Intuitive climate control system, Vanity mirror, Centre console armrest, Rear AC vents, etc.

• Technological Features: 7-inch Advanced Drive-Assist™ display, D-shaped steering wheel, Apple CarPlay & Android Auto, Customizable full-color display, USB charger, etc.

Comparison: Toyota Corolla offers more premium interior materials and advanced tech than Nissan Sunny. Corolla wins this round as well.

Safety and Reliability

Despite being economy models, both Toyota Corolla and Nissan Sunny offer comprehensive safety features for reliable travel in the Emirates. Their features are tuned to counter Emirates’ heat and adverse weather conditions. Check out their respective safety and reliability features & figures below.

Toyota Corolla

• Safety Features: Pre-Collision System (PCS) with Pedestrian Detection, Lane Departure Alert with Steering Assist, Lane Tracing Assist, Full-Speed Range Dynamic Radar Cruise Control, Blind Spot Monitor, Reverse Automatic Braking, Bird’s Eye View Camera, eight airbags, Star Safety System, and more.

• Reliability: 5-year/100,000 km warranty; low maintenance costs.

Nissan Sunny

• Safety Features: Automatic Emergency Braking, Lane Departure Warning, Rearview Camera, Rear Cross-Traffic Alert, Airbags, Anti-lock Braking System (ABS), Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD), Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC), Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS), etc.

• Reliability: 3-year/60,000 km warranty; durable with minimal issues.

Comparison: While considering the safety features and technological enhancements, Toyota Corolla significantly outweighs Nissan Sunny. It’s a win for Corolla yet again.

Which Is Better for Budget Rentals in Dubai?

The previous sections clearly showed Toyota Corolla edging over Nissan Sunny on several aspects. The facts and figures clearly point towards Corolla as an undisputed winner. But it’s about selecting the best budget car for rental in Dubai—a true entanglement between cost and features. So, here’s how you can choose either model based on different scenarios.

• Best for Short-Term Rentals: Nissan Sunny for its exceptionally cheap rental prices. Ideal for short trips and rentals, like a day or two.

• Best for Long-Term Rentals: Toyota Corolla for its remarkable fuel economy, comfort, and enhanced safety features. It is ideal for long trips, say cruise to Abu Dhabi and longer rentals, like a week or a month.

• Best for Families: Toyota Corolla for its comfort features, more cargo space, and spaciousness. We recommend more family-friendly car rentals for family trips in Dubai.

• Best for Budget-Conscious Drivers: Nissan Sunny is definitely the best pick if you only consider pricing factors. It offers the best value for such a cheap rate.

Verdict: If you’re on an extreme budget, pick Nissan Sunny. Else, Toyota Corolla is the best pick for budget rentals in Dubai, for a few quids more.

Conclusion

Finding the perfect budget-friendly car rental in Dubai is seamless if you know what and where to look for. Always rent from reputable agencies (local or international) after properly searching and comparing pricing structures of several companies. Sometimes, picking a more reliable and comfortable car for a little extra money can go a long way in terms of safety, reliability, comfort, convenience, and overall travel experience. Pick the car that resonates with you the most, as monetary situations are personal matters, defining what choices you make. Regardless of which vehicle you pick, drive safely and make your journey memorable in the Emirates. Happy budget renting!