Altima vs Crown
Brand preference aside, the Altima and the Crown are close competitors, both pitched at midsize sedan buyers. Look at the scorecard and the Crown stands out, ahead in 2 of 4 areas. The fuel economy & range numbers explain a lot of that.
At a glance
- Engine & Performance Crown wins
- Fuel Economy & Range Crown wins
- Space & Practicality Tie
- Off-road & Towing Tie
- Fuel Economy & Range1.7
- Fuel Economy & Range6.4
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
-
The Crown has better fuel economy
The Crown’s 41 mpg leaves the Altima’s 32 mpg well behind, so if this spec matters to you, the choice is easy. The Crown uses less fuel on the standard combined cycle, which matters most if you drive a lot.
-
The Crown has 48 hp more power
Not a close call. The Crown lists 236 hp and the Altima lists 188 hp. That’s a substantial gap. The Crown’s extra output gives it more in reserve when you need to get up to speed.
-
The Crown has better city fuel economy
Among all the differences on this page, 42 mpg against 27 mpg is one of the most meaningful, and it favors the Crown. City fuel economy matters most if your driving is mostly short trips, traffic and stop-and-go commutes.
-
The Crown has
The Crown and the Altima differ on height (60.6 in vs 56.8 in), and this is one to judge by personal preference. A taller car gives an upright driving position and easier entry; a lower one can feel more planted and fit low garages.
-
The Crown has better highway fuel economy
Only a little separates them: 41 mpg on the Crown, 39 mpg on the Altima. Speed, wind and load affect highway use a lot, but the official rating is a fair comparison point.
Design & Size
- Altima 192.9 in × 72.9 in × 56.8 in
- Crown 196.1 in × 72.4 in × 60.6 in
The Crown is the larger car of the two, while the Altima is the more compact choice.
Dimensions
| Spec | Altima | Crown |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 192.9 in | 196.1 in |
| Width (no mirrors) | 72.9 in | 72.4 in |
| Height | 56.8 in | 60.6 in |
| Wheelbase | 111.2 in | 112.2 in |
| Curb weight (from) | 3,283 lb | N/A (not specified) |
Engine & Performance
Crown leads
On engine & performance, the gap between these two is wide, and it favors the Crown. The Crown wins here with 48 hp more power. More power helps with merging, overtaking and climbing hills, especially with passengers and luggage on board. Anyone shopping mainly on engine & performance should start with the Crown.
Total system output
Altima: 188 hp Crown: 236 hp Power is only part of the story; weight, gearing and torque delivery shape how quick a car feels.
Fuel Economy & Range
Crown leads
If fuel economy & range is high on your list, the Crown makes the stronger case by a wide margin. Choose the Crown and you get better fuel economy. Official figures rarely match real-world driving exactly, but the ranking between two cars tends to hold. The takeaway: on fuel economy & range, the Crown is the stronger car.
Fuel economy (combined)
Altima: 32 mpg Crown: 41 mpg Better combined fuel economy lowers your running costs every week, and the savings add up over years of ownership.
Fuel economy (city)
Altima: 27 mpg Crown: 42 mpg In town, driving style has a big effect, but the Crown starts from a better baseline.
Space & Practicality
Too close to call
The space & practicality section is even. Any gaps here are within the range you’d never notice. Neither car gives you a reason to choose it on space & practicality.
Off-road & Towing
Too close to call
Both the Altima and the Crown cover off-road & towing equally well on paper. This section won’t settle the choice, so weigh the other areas more heavily.
Safety & Tech
We don’t score this area directly, because the safety & tech specs are labels rather than measurements. The table shows what each lists.
Full Specifications
Engine & Performance
| Spec | Altima | Crown |
|---|---|---|
| Powertrain | Gas | Hybrid |
| Engine | 2.5L I4 | 2.5L I4 hybrid |
| Total system output | 188 hp | 236 hp (winner) Most powerful in class |
| Torque | 180 lb-ft | N/A (not specified) |
| Transmission | CVT (Xtronic) | eCVT |
| Drivetrain | FWD (AWD available) | AWD |
Fuel Economy & Range
| Spec | Altima | Crown |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel economy (combined)EPA estimate where available | 32 mpg | 41 mpg (winner) |
| Fuel economy (city) | 27 mpg | 42 mpg (winner) |
| Fuel economy (highway) | 39 mpg | 41 mpg (winner) |
| Fuel tank | 16.2 gal | 14.5 gal |
Space & Practicality
| Spec | Altima | Crown |
|---|---|---|
| Seats | 5 seats | 5 seats |
| Cargo (behind rear seats) | 15.4 cu ft | 15.2 cu ft |
| Rear legroom | 35.20 in | N/A (not specified) |
Off-road & Towing
| Spec | Altima | Crown |
|---|---|---|
| AWD / 4WD available | Yes | Yes |
Safety & Tech
| Spec | Altima | Crown |
|---|---|---|
| Largest touchscreen | N/A (not specified) | 12.3 in |
| 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 | Crown |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 192.9 in | 196.1 in |
| Width (no mirrors) | 72.9 in | 72.4 in |
| Height | 56.8 in | 60.6 in |
| Wheelbase | 111.2 in | 112.2 in |
| Curb weight (from) | 3,283 lb | N/A (not specified) |
Price
| Spec | Altima | Crown |
|---|---|---|
| Starting MSRP | N/A (not specified) | $41,440 |
“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 Altima if…
- you want the more compact car
- you trust Nissan and want to keep things familiar
Choose the Crown if…
- you drive a lot and want lower running costs (41 mpg vs 32 mpg combined)
- you want more power (236 hp vs 188 hp)
- you want better city fuel economy (42 mpg vs 27 mpg)
- you cover long highway distances (41 mpg vs 39 mpg on the highway)
Also Compared
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better for most people, the Altima or the Crown?
On the specs compared here, the Crown makes more sense for most buyers; the Altima doesn’t win a single measurable area.
Is the Altima bigger than the Crown?
Going by the official dimensions, the Crown is the larger one: 196.1 × 72.4 × 60.6 in against the Altima’s 192.9 × 72.9 × 56.8 in.
Executive Summary
The Altima from Nissan and the Crown from Toyota go after the same buyer. Here’s how I see them. The Crown wins me over with better fuel economy. And if that weren’t enough, the Crown has 48 hp more power.
Your priorities do the choosing here: the things a spec sheet can’t capture points to the Altima, engine & performance to the Crown.
My pick: the Crown.
Personal opinion based on the data above. Your priorities may differ.