The short answer
If you want the lowest purchase price and don’t mind faster value loss, go with the Nissan Sunny. If you want a car that holds its value better over time, the Mitsubishi Attrage is the smarter pick. Both are honest, fuel-sipping budget sedans — but the money story after you buy is very different.
The short version
- A 2022 Attrage lists for around AED 36,000 — about AED 4,000 less than a same-year Sunny.
- The Sunny loses value faster: a seven-year-old model keeps only about 38% of its value.
- The Attrage costs less new (around AED 50,000 vs AED 71,500), so it has less to lose.
- Both run on four-cylinder petrol engines — fuel costs are nearly identical.
- For a three-to-four-year-old sedan car, the Attrage gives you more of your money back at resale.
Price: what each one actually costs used
According to CarSwitch listings data (July 2026), the Attrage consistently comes in under the Sunny at every model year. A 2021 Attrage lists for around AED 33,000. A 2021 Sunny? Closer to AED 38,000. That’s roughly AED 5,000 more for a car in the same class.
The gap narrows with older models. A 2019 Sunny drops to around AED 19,000 — but a 2019 Attrage sits at about AED 28,000. That flip tells you something important about how each car loses value.
| Model year | Mitsubishi Attrage | Nissan Sunny | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | AED 35,990 | AED 39,990 | AED 4,000 |
| 2021 | AED 32,990 | AED 37,993 | AED 5,003 |
| 2020 | AED 28,990 | AED 32,990 | AED 4,000 |
| 2019 | AED 27,993 | AED 18,749 | -AED 9,244 |
Notice 2019. The Sunny drops off a cliff there. That’s the older pre-facelift generation, and seven-year-old Sunnys take a steep hit. The Attrage holds firmer at that age.
How fast does each Mitsubishi Attrage and Nissan Sunny lose value?
This is where the Attrage pulls ahead. A new Attrage costs around AED 50,000. A four-year-old one lists for about AED 36,000 — meaning it’s kept roughly 72% of its new price. Not bad for a budget car.
The Sunny starts higher at about AED 71,500 new. A four-year-old one lists for around AED 40,000 — that’s only about 56% of its original sticker. In raw dirhams, the Sunny sheds over AED 31,000 in four years. The Attrage sheds about AED 14,000.
“Buyers shopping budget sedans often focus only on the price tag today. But the Attrage’s lower starting price means it has less to lose — and it does lose less.”
Ramiz Islam, Head of Marketing at CarSwitch
By year seven, a Sunny retains only about 38% of its one-year-old value. That’s a steep slide, especially between years five and seven.
A 2022 Nissan Sunny lists for AED 39,990 — about 44% less than its AED 71,500 new price (AED 31,510 saved).
A 2022 Mitsubishi Attrage lists for AED 35,990 — about 28% less than its AED 50,295 new price (AED 14,305 saved).
A seven-year-old Sunny keeps only 38% of what a one-year-old example is worth.
Fuel economy and running costs
Both cars use small 1.5-litre four-cylinder petrol engines. In real Dubai driving — air con on, stop-and-go traffic — you’re looking at roughly 14–16 km/l from either one. No meaningful difference at the pump.
Maintenance is where the Attrage edges ahead slightly. Mitsubishi parts tend to be a touch less expensive in the UAE, and service intervals are standard. Nissan’s service network is larger, though, so you’ll have more workshop options. Neither car will surprise you with big repair bills — these are straightforward machines.
Cabin space and daily comfort
The Sunny is the bigger car. It has more rear legroom and a larger boot — noticeable if you regularly carry passengers or luggage. The Attrage feels tighter in the back seat, though the front is fine for most drivers.
The Sunny also comes with a more refined interior in its mid and upper trims. Better infotainment, better sound insulation. The Attrage keeps things basic across the range. If you spend a lot of time in the car, the Sunny’s cabin is the more pleasant place to be.
Which one should you buy?
It depends on your priorities.
Pick the Mitsubishi Attrage if: you plan to sell in three to four years and want to get more of your money back. Its lower new price and slower value loss mean your total cost of ownership is lower. Browse budget-friendly options to see what’s available now.
Pick the Nissan Sunny if: you want more cabin space, a slightly more refined interior, and you plan to keep the car for a long time rather than resell. A 2019 Nissan Sunny at around AED 19,000 is one of the most affordable sedans on the market — just know the resale won’t be strong later. You can also find a Nissan Sunny in Abu Dhabi if that’s closer to you.
Ready to compare them side by side?
Every car on CarSwitch comes inspection-verified with transparent pricing — no hidden surprises. Browse our sedan listings to see Attrage and Sunny options with full inspection reports, real photos, and fair value pricing. Real people are here to help if you have questions.
Yes. It’s one of the most affordable sedans to buy and run in the UAE. It sips fuel, parts are inexpensive, and it holds its value better than most budget sedans. A four-year-old Attrage still lists for around AED 36,000 — about 72% of its new price.
They’re close, but Mitsubishi parts tend to cost a little less in the UAE. Both use small four-cylinder engines with no expensive surprises. The Nissan has a larger service network, so you have more workshop choices.
Compared to the Attrage, yes. A four-year-old Sunny lists for around AED 40,000 — about 56% of its new price. By year seven, it keeps only about 38% of its value. The Sunny starts at a higher new price, so it has more to lose.
If you plan to resell in a few years, the Attrage gives you more money back. If you want a roomier cabin and plan to keep the car long-term, the Sunny is the better daily driver. Both are solid, affordable choices.
