Nissan Altima vs Toyota Camry

Affordable Midsize Sedans Face-Off

Despite the popularity of crossovers and SUVs, the venerable midsize sedan still has its niche with drivers. Sedans like the Nissan Altima and Toyota Camry have much to offer, including better gas mileage, easier driving dynamics, and huge trunks. Let's take a look at these two popular options in the segment.

Style On a Budget

The Nissan Altima starts at a base price of $25,730, which narrowly undercuts the Toyota Camry's starting price of $26,420. The base models of both sedans are modestly equipped inside, but if you're looking for an affordable price for a quality commuter car, the Altima's price is pretty attractive.

NASA Technology Inside

Speaking of commuter cars, your daily drive with the Altima offers the ultimate comfort with NASA technology in the front seats. There's nothing that compares in the market. The Nissan Altima's front seats offer space and support to fend off fatigue on long commutes or road trips. The rear seats don't feature the NASA cushions, but they're still pretty comfortable. Both cars have no problem seating two adults in the back, but the Camry has a lower roofline that might affect taller people.

Interior Quality and Room

Even though the Altima's 15.4 cubic feet of trunk space is roughly average for the midsize sedan class, it's more than the Camry, which falls a bit short with 15.1 cubic feet of space. The rear seats in the Altima can also be folded down to stow longer items in the trunk. However, the Camry does get the edge in overall interior quality with an attractive layout and a solid build. Both cars have a pretty even mix of hard plastics and soft-touch materials.

Fewer Stops At the Gas Station

As midsize sedans, the Nissan Altima and Toyota Camry excel at returning good fuel economy, which translates to fewer stops at the gas station. The base Camry with FWD gets 38 MPG on the highway and 27 MPG in the city. With its base engine, the Altima delivers similar numbers with 27 MPG in the city and 39 MPG on the highway.

Smooth Ride and Agile Handling

The Nissan Altima keeps the ride smooth with the availability of smaller wheels on the lower trims paired with a solid suspension. Compared to the Camry, the Altima's handling is somewhat vague, but the brakes feel solid and effective. The Camry also enjoys a composed ride, but its handling is somewhat better than the Altima with a firmer steering feel.

How To Choose Between the Nissan Altima and Toyota Camry

It can't be denied that the Toyota Camry is a big name in the segment, but the Nissan Altima has a lot to offer for a more affordable price. It features the most comfortable front seats in the segment and top-notch fuel economy. In terms of exterior styling, the Altima stands out with a more interesting look than the Camry.

At Jeff Schmitt Nissan, we want to help you find the best model for your needs. Take a closer look at the new Nissan Altima for sale when you visit our showroom today.