Altima vs Camry
For midsize sedan shoppers, the Altima from Nissan and the Camry from Toyota are two of the obvious candidates. On balance, the Camry is the stronger package: it leads in 2 out of 4 areas, most clearly in fuel economy & range.
At a glance
- Engine & Performance Camry wins
- Fuel Economy & Range Camry wins
- Space & Practicality Tie
- Off-road & Towing Tie
- Fuel Economy & Range1.7
- Fuel Economy & Range10.0
Spec scores (0 to 10) are calculated from manufacturer specs against other models in the same class. See how the formula works. They are not reviews or user ratings.
Key Differences
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The Camry has better fuel economy
Among all the differences on this page, 51 mpg against 32 mpg is one of the most meaningful, and it favors the Camry. Better combined fuel economy lowers your running costs every week, and the savings add up over years of ownership.
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The Camry has 37 hp more power
The Altima gives up a lot on total system output: 188 hp, compared with 225 hp on the Camry. The Camry’s extra output gives it more in reserve when you need to get up to speed.
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The Camry has better city fuel economy
Few buyers will miss this one. The Camry brings 53 mpg to the table; the Altima brings 27 mpg. In town, driving style has a big effect, but the Camry starts from a better baseline.
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The Camry has better highway fuel economy
When it comes to fuel economy (highway), the Camry wins comfortably with 50 mpg against 39 mpg. Speed, wind and load affect highway use a lot, but the official rating is a fair comparison point.
Design & Size
Dimensions
| Spec | Altima | Camry |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 192.9 in | N/A (not specified) |
| Width (no mirrors) | 72.9 in | N/A (not specified) |
| Height | 56.8 in | N/A (not specified) |
| Wheelbase | 111.2 in | N/A (not specified) |
| Curb weight (from) | 3,283 lb | N/A (not specified) |
Engine & Performance
Camry leads
The Altima is outclassed on engine & performance; the Camry leads by a clear margin. The Camry comes with 37 hp more power. Power is only part of the story; weight, gearing and torque delivery shape how quick a car feels. So if engine & performance tops your list, lean toward the Camry.
Total system output
Altima: 188 hp Camry: 225 hp More power helps with merging, overtaking and climbing hills, especially with passengers and luggage on board.
Fuel Economy & Range
Camry leads
This is one of the Camry’s strongest areas. On fuel economy & range, the Altima falls well short. Point to the Camry for better fuel economy. The Camry uses less fuel on the standard combined cycle, which matters most if you drive a lot. On fuel economy & range alone, the Camry gets the nod.
Fuel economy (combined)
Altima: 32 mpg Camry: 51 mpg Official figures rarely match real-world driving exactly, but the ranking between two cars tends to hold.
Fuel economy (city)
Altima: 27 mpg Camry: 53 mpg City fuel economy matters most if your driving is mostly short trips, traffic and stop-and-go commutes.
Space & Practicality
Too close to call
Swap one for the other and you’d lose nothing on space & practicality. Net result on space & practicality: level.
Off-road & Towing
Too close to call
Both the Altima and the Camry cover off-road & towing equally well on paper. In short, off-road & towing is a draw; the decision lies elsewhere.
Safety & Tech
On safety & tech, the useful details are the names in the table: what each one uses, not a figure we can rank.
Full Specifications
Engine & Performance
| Spec | Altima | Camry |
|---|---|---|
| Powertrain | Gas | Hybrid |
| Engine | 2.5L I4 | 2.5L I4 hybrid |
| Total system output | 188 hp | 225 hp (winner) |
| Torque | 180 lb-ft | N/A (not specified) |
| Transmission | CVT (Xtronic) | eCVT |
| Drivetrain | FWD (AWD available) | FWD (AWD available) |
Fuel Economy & Range
| Spec | Altima | Camry |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel economy (combined)EPA estimate where available | 32 mpg | 51 mpg (winner) Most efficient in class |
| Fuel economy (city) | 27 mpg | 53 mpg (winner) Best city economy |
| Fuel economy (highway) | 39 mpg | 50 mpg (winner) Best highway economy |
| Fuel tank | 16.2 gal | N/A (not specified) |
Space & Practicality
| Spec | Altima | Camry |
|---|---|---|
| Seats | 5 seats | 5 seats |
| Cargo (behind rear seats) | 15.4 cu ft | 15.1 cu ft |
| Rear legroom | 35.20 in | N/A (not specified) |
Off-road & Towing
| Spec | Altima | Camry |
|---|---|---|
| AWD / 4WD available | Yes | Yes |
Safety & Tech
| Spec | Altima | Camry |
|---|---|---|
| Driver-assist suite | Nissan Safety Shield 360 | N/A (not specified) |
| Basic warranty | 3 yr / 36,000 mi | 3 yr / 36,000 mi |
Dimensions
| Spec | Altima | Camry |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 192.9 in | N/A (not specified) |
| Width (no mirrors) | 72.9 in | N/A (not specified) |
| Height | 56.8 in | N/A (not specified) |
| Wheelbase | 111.2 in | N/A (not specified) |
| Curb weight (from) | 3,283 lb | N/A (not specified) |
Price
| Spec | Altima | Camry |
|---|---|---|
| Starting MSRP | N/A (not specified) | $28,400 |
“N/A” means the manufacturer does not specify the value or we could not confirm it. Figures marked “manufacturer rating” are the maker’s own claims, not our measurements.
Which One Should You Buy?
Choose the Camry if…
- you want better combined fuel economy (51 mpg vs 32 mpg)
- you merge, overtake or climb hills with a full load (225 hp vs 188 hp)
- you want better city fuel economy (53 mpg vs 27 mpg)
- you cover long highway distances (50 mpg vs 39 mpg on the highway)
Also Compared
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I buy the Altima or the Camry?
On the specs compared here, the Camry makes more sense for most buyers; the Altima doesn’t win a single measurable area.
Executive Summary
Two companies, two answers to the same question. That’s how I see the Altima from Nissan and the Camry from Toyota. My main argument for the Camry? It comes with better fuel economy. A second point goes to the Camry for 37 hp more power.
If your days lean on the things a spec sheet can’t capture, I’d pick the Altima; if they lean on engine & performance, the Camry.
My pick: the Camry.
Personal opinion based on the data above. Your priorities may differ.