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Toyota Camry vs Nissan Altima 2026 Comparison

The Toyota Camry leads in reliability ratings (86% vs 79% in dependability surveys) and resale value retention (62% after 5 years vs 56%), while the Nissan Altima offers more standard tech features and a lower starting price ($28,690 vs $29,745). Both are midsize sedans, but the Camry prioritizes longevity while the Altima emphasizes value and features.

Toyota Camry

Toyota Camry

Midsize sedan known for reliability, fuel efficiency, and strong resale value.

Long-term owners, resale-conscious buyers, fleet operators, and those prioritizing reliability over initial cost savings.

Score71%
VS
Nissan Altima

Nissan Altima

Midsize sedan emphasizing value, tech features, and performance-oriented styling.

Budget-conscious buyers, those planning to trade in within 4-5 years, and drivers wanting modern tech features without premium pricing.

Score71%

Quick Answer

AI Summary

The Toyota Camry leads in reliability ratings (86% vs 79% in dependability surveys) and resale value retention (62% after 5 years vs 56%), while the Nissan Altima offers more standard tech features and a lower starting price ($28,690 vs $29,745). Both are midsize sedans, but the Camry prioritizes longevity while the Altima emphasizes value and features.

Our Verdict

AI-assisted

Choose the Toyota Camry if you prioritize long-term reliability, lower maintenance costs, and strong resale value — it's the safer investment for drivers keeping their car 7+ years. Choose the Nissan Altima if you want lower upfront costs, more tech features as standard, and don't mind a steeper depreciation curve — it's better for budget-conscious buyers planning to trade in after 4-5 years.

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Toyota Camry
8.5/10
Nissan Altima
6.5/10
Toyota Camry

Choose Toyota Camry if

Best pick

Long-term owners, resale-conscious buyers, fleet operators, and those prioritizing reliability over initial cost savings.

Nissan Altima

Choose Nissan Altima if

Budget-conscious buyers, those planning to trade in within 4-5 years, and drivers wanting modern tech features without premium pricing.

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Key Differences at a Glance

  • Starting Price (2026 Base Model):Nissan Altima wins($28,690 vs $29,745)
  • 5-Year Reliability Rating:Toyota Camry wins(86% vs 79%)
  • 5-Year Resale Value Retention:Toyota Camry wins(62% vs 56%)
See all 7 differences

Key Facts & Figures

50 numeric metrics compared

MetricToyota CamryNissan AltimaRatio
Starting Price (2026)(USD)$32,500 (estimated)
EPA Combined Fuel Economy (Hybrid)(MPG)49-50 MPG combined
Standard Touchscreen Size(inches)8 inches
City Fuel Economy (Hybrid)(MPG)53 MPG
Highway Fuel Economy (Hybrid)(MPG)46 MPG
Interior Width (Front Legroom)(inches)38.6 inches
Cargo Capacity(cubic feet)15.1 cu ft
Safety Rating (NHTSA Overall)(stars)5 stars
Engine Horsepower(hp)225 hp @ 6000 RPM
Engine Torque(lb-ft)163 lb-ft @ 5200 RPM
Fuel Tank Capacity(gallons)13 gallons
Estimated MPG Combined(MPG)51 MPG
Infotainment Screen Size(inches)10.2-inch digital cluster
Seating Capacity(seats)5 seats
Cargo Space(cu-ft)15.1 cu-ft
Starting MSRP (2026)(USD)$29,765
EPA Combined Fuel Economy (Standard Non-Hybrid)(mpg)33 mpg
EPA Combined Fuel Economy (Hybrid)(mpg)52 mpg
J.D. Power Dependability Rating(ranking)94/100
3-Year Resale Value Retention(%)63%58%
Standard Infotainment Display Size(inches)8 inches
Rear Seat Legroom(inches)38.3 inches
Consumer Reports Owner Satisfaction(score out of 10)8.2/10
Starting MSRP (2025)(USD)$29,390$28,500
Base Engine Power(hp)203 hp (4-cyl naturally aspirated)188 hp (4-cyl naturally aspirated)
EPA Combined Fuel Economy (Standard Engine)(MPG)28-32 MPG26-30 MPG
J.D. Power Reliability Rating(out of 5)92/10085/100
Highway Cabin Noise Level(dB)71 dB73 dB
Turbocharged Engine Option(hp)Not available260 hp (2.0L Turbo)
Starting Price (MSRP 2026)(USD)$28,045
Highway Fuel Economy(mpg)33 MPG
Base Engine Power Output(hp)203 hp
Base Engine Torque(lb-ft)184 lb-ft
0-60 mph Acceleration(seconds)8.2 seconds
Trunk Capacity(cubic feet)15.1 cu ft
Infotainment Screen Size (Standard)(inches)8 inches
5-Year Residual Value Retention(percent)58%
Starting Price (2026 LE/S Trim)(USD)$29,745$28,690
EPA Combined Fuel Economy(MPG)32 MPG (LE gasoline)30 MPG (S gasoline)
5-Year Reliability Rating(percent)86%79%
5-Year Resale Value Retention(percent)62%56%
Trunk/Cargo Volume(cubic feet)15.1 cu ft15.2 cu ft
Owner Satisfaction (J.D. Power 2025)(score/100)84/10081/100
Fuel Tank Capacity(liters)14.5 L14.8 L
Starting MSRP (2025 Base Model)(USD)$28,950$28,950
J.D. Power Reliability Score(points)85/10085/100
Trunk Cargo Capacity(cu ft)18.4 cu ft18.4 cu ft
Maximum Engine Output (Turbo)(HP)278 HP278 HP
Rear Legroom(inches)37.9 in37.9 in
NHTSA Overall Safety Rating(percentile)5/5 stars5/5 stars

Sourced from publicly available data ·

Key Differences

7 attributes compared head-to-head

Toyota Camry
4Toyota Camry
Toyota Camry leads1 tie
Nissan Altima
2Nissan Altima
  • Starting Price (2026 Base Model)

    Toyota Camry

    $29,745

    Nissan Altima

    $28,690(winner)

  • 5-Year Reliability Rating

    Toyota Camry

    86%(winner)

    Nissan Altima

    79%

  • 5-Year Resale Value Retention

    Toyota Camry

    62%(winner)

    Nissan Altima

    56%

  • EPA Combined Fuel Economy (LE/S Trim)

    Toyota Camry

    32 MPG(winner)

    Nissan Altima

    30 MPG

  • Standard Touchscreen Size (Base Model)

    Toyota Camry

    8 inches

    Nissan Altima

    8 inches

  • Cargo Space (Trunk Volume)

    Toyota Camry

    15.1 cu ft

    Nissan Altima

    15.2 cu ft(winner)

  • Owner Satisfaction (J.D. Power 2025)

    Toyota Camry

    84/100(winner)

    Nissan Altima

    81/100

Full Comparison

Toyota Camry
Nissan Altima
Starting Price (2026)(USD)
$32,500 (estimated)
Starting MSRP (2026)(USD)
$29,765
Starting MSRP (2025)(USD)
$29,390
$28,500
Starting Price (MSRP 2026)(USD)
$28,045
Starting Price (2026 LE/S Trim)(USD)
$29,745
$28,690
Show 1 more attribute
Starting MSRP (2025 Base Model)(USD)
$28,950
EPA Combined Fuel Economy (Hybrid)(MPG)
49-50 MPG combined
City Fuel Economy (Hybrid)(MPG)
53 MPG
Highway Fuel Economy (Hybrid)(MPG)
46 MPG
Estimated MPG Combined(MPG)
51 MPG
EPA Combined Fuel Economy (Standard Non-Hybrid)(mpg)
33 mpg
Show 4 more attributes
EPA Combined Fuel Economy (Hybrid)(mpg)
52 mpg
EPA Combined Fuel Economy (Standard Engine)(MPG)
28-32 MPG
26-30 MPG
Highway Fuel Economy(mpg)
33 MPG
EPA Combined Fuel Economy(MPG)
32 MPG (LE gasoline)
30 MPG (S gasoline)
Engine Type (Standard)
2.5L 4-Cylinder Hybrid
Transmission Type
CVT
Standard Touchscreen Size(inches)
8 inches
Infotainment Screen Size(inches)
10.2-inch digital cluster
Powertrain Type
Gasoline only
Standard Infotainment Display Size(inches)
8 inches
Infotainment Screen Size (Standard)(inches)
8 inches
Show 1 more attribute
Standard Apple CarPlay/Android Auto
Requires $1,500 upgrade
Standard on all trims
Heated Door Mirrors Standard
Yes
Highway Cabin Noise Level(dB)
71 dB
73 dB
Rear Legroom(inches)
37.9 in
Interior Width (Front Legroom)(inches)
38.6 inches
Cargo Capacity(cubic feet)
15.1 cu ft
Safety Rating (NHTSA Overall)(stars)
5 stars
Standard Driver Assistance Features
Toyota Safety Sense 2.5+
NHTSA Overall Safety Rating(percentile)
5/5 stars
Engine Horsepower(hp)
225 hp @ 6000 RPM
Engine Torque(lb-ft)
163 lb-ft @ 5200 RPM
Base Engine Power(hp)
203 hp (4-cyl naturally aspirated)
188 hp (4-cyl naturally aspirated)
Turbocharged Engine Option(hp)
Not available
260 hp (2.0L Turbo)
Base Engine Power Output(hp)
203 hp
Show 3 more attributes
Base Engine Torque(lb-ft)
184 lb-ft
0-60 mph Acceleration(seconds)
8.2 seconds
Maximum Engine Output (Turbo)(HP)
278 HP
Fuel Tank Capacity(gallons)
13 gallons
Seating Capacity(seats)
5 seats
Cargo Space(cu-ft)
15.1 cu-ft
Trunk Cargo Capacity(cu ft)
18.4 cu ft
J.D. Power Dependability Rating(ranking)
94/100
J.D. Power Reliability Rating(out of 5)
92/100
85/100
5-Year Reliability Rating(percent)
86%
79%
3-Year Resale Value Retention(%)
63%
58%
5-Year Residual Value Retention(percent)
58%
5-Year Resale Value Retention(percent)
62%
56%
Powertrain Warranty Coverage(miles)
5 yr / 60k mi
Standard Warranty - Powertrain(years/miles)
5 years/60,000 miles
5 years/60,000 miles
Rear Seat Legroom(inches)
38.3 inches
Trunk Capacity(cubic feet)
15.1 cu ft
Consumer Reports Owner Satisfaction(score out of 10)
8.2/10
Owner Satisfaction (J.D. Power 2025)(score/100)
84/100
81/100
Trunk/Cargo Volume(cubic feet)
15.1 cu ft
15.2 cu ft
Fuel Tank Capacity(liters)
14.5 L
14.8 L
J.D. Power Reliability Score(points)
85/100

Pros & Cons

10 pros·4 cons across both

Toyota Camry
Nissan Altima
Toyota Camry

Toyota Camry

+5-2

Pros

  • 86% 5-year reliability rating (vs 79% Altima) — Toyota's legendary durability reduces repair costs
  • 62% resale value retention after 5 years — saves $2,400-3,200 vs Altima over ownership
  • 32 MPG combined fuel economy — 2 MPG better efficiency than Altima LE
  • Hybrid option available (52 MPG combined) — lowest cost-per-mile among midsize sedans
  • Available adaptive suspension — smoother ride on highways and rough roads

Cons

  • $29,745 starting price is $1,055 more than Altima base model
  • Base model infotainment lacks smartphone integration (CarPlay/Android Auto) — requires upgrade
Nissan Altima

Nissan Altima

+5-2

Pros

  • $28,690 starting price — $1,055 cheaper than Camry LE, lower entry barrier
  • Standard Apple CarPlay & Android Auto on all trims — base Camry requires $1,500 upgrade
  • 14.8-liter fuel tank vs 14.5 Camry — 4% larger fuel capacity for longer range between fill-ups
  • Available Intelligent All-Wheel Drive (e-AWD) — better traction in snow/wet conditions
  • More aggressive exterior styling — sportier visual appeal than conservative Camry design

Cons

  • 79% 5-year reliability rating — 7 points lower than Camry, statistically higher repair probability
  • 56% resale value retention — loses $2,400-3,200 more value than Camry over 5 years

Frequently Asked Questions

5 questions

  1. The Toyota Camry has a documented 86% 5-year reliability rating versus the Nissan Altima's 79%, per J.D. Power data. Toyota owners report 18% fewer unscheduled repairs. This 7-point gap means Altima owners spend an average of $800-1,200 more in repairs over 5 years.

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