The 1926 Nissan Altima and Toyota Camry are no longer the same type of sedan. One operates off of gas. The other is hybrid on all trims. When choosing between Nissan Altima vs Toyota Camry, consider the value you are looking for. The Altima is a less expensive vehicle. It starts around $27,580. The base Camry costs almost $29,000. In the city, however, the Camry has a rating of 52 mpg.

The Altima gets 27. That's a huge gap that grows rapidly. The Camry also provides additionally leg room for an additional driver and passenger. The Altima gets an edge on initial quality. They're both decent-sized vehicles. These, however, are bought by different customers. This guide will analyze the factors price, fuel economy, size, and reliability. No fluff. Just facts. Let us dig in.

Price: Altima Wins on Entry Cost

The Altima is the cheaper car. The 2026 Altima SV starts at $27,580. The SR trim starts at $28,980. All-wheel drive adds $1,400 to either . The Camry LE starts at $29,000. The SE begins at $31,300. The top XSE hits $35,200 .

That is a gap of roughly $1,400 to $2,000 at the base level. The Altima undercuts the Camry, the Honda Accord, and most rivals. If budget is your main concern, the Altima wins.

But the Camry's higher price comes with a hybrid system as standard. You pay more upfront. You save more at the pump. Over five years, that gap can shrink or disappear depending on fuel prices.

Read More: Toyota Corolla vs Honda Civic: Which Compact Sedan Wins in 2026?

Gas Mileage: Camry Wins by a Landslide

This is not close. The Camry is a hybrid on every trim. The Altima is not.

• Camry: The LE with front-wheel drive gets 52 mpg city and 49 mpg highway . The XSE with all-wheel drive drops to 43 mpg across the board. That is still excellent.
• Altima: The front-wheel-drive version gets 27 mpg city and 39 mpg highway . All-wheel drive drops it slightly. The combined figure sits around 30 mpg .

The Camry uses roughly 40% less fuel. If you drive 15,000 miles a year, that is a massive difference in your monthly fuel bill. The Altima cannot compete here. Nissan dropped the turbo engine. There is no hybrid option. You get one engine: a 2.5-liter four-cylinder with 188 horsepower . It is fine. It is not efficient.

Size: Almost Identical Outside, Different Inside

The two cars are basically the same size on the outside. The Altima is 192.9 inches long. The Camry is 193.5 inches. Width and height are within an inch .

Inside, the differences show up.

• Rear legroom: The Camry has 38 inches. The Altima has 35.2 inches. That is nearly 3 inches more in the Camry . Adults in the back will notice.
• Front legroom: The Altima has 43.8 inches. The Camry has 42.1 inches. The Altima gives the driver more room .
• Cargo: The Altima holds 15.4 cubic feet. The Camry holds 15.1. Almost identical .

If you carry rear passengers often, the Camry is the better choice. If you mostly drive alone or with one passenger, the Altima's front seat space is a small win.

Reliability: Altima Scores Higher, But Read the Fine Print

Here is where things get interesting. Yahoo Autos reported reliability scores for 2026. The Altima scored 80 out of 100. The Camry scored 74 .

Why? The Altima uses a simple, well-developed platform. No complicated electronics. No hybrid system to worry about. The engine is not powerful, but it is durable. The Camry's all-hybrid lineup is new. While owners report few issues, the complexity is higher .

J.D. Power's 2025 Initial Quality Study ranked the Altima first among midsize cars. The Camry was not in the top three .

But here is the catch. Toyota has a long-term reputation for longevity. The Camry's hybrid system has been refined over decades. The Altima's higher score reflects initial quality, not 10-year durability. If you plan to keep the car forever, the Camry's track record still matters.

Driving and Features

• The Altima is soft and quiet. It prioritizes comfort over sportiness. The CVT is smooth. The ride is relaxed. The interior is functional, with real knobs for climate control. The SR trim gets a 12.3-inch touchscreen and wireless Apple CarPlay .
• The Camry is sharper. The new generation looks sportier. The hybrid powertrain delivers instant torque. The cabin is more modern. The SE and XSE trims have sport-tuned suspensions .
• Neither car is a sports sedan. The Camry feels more refined. The Altima feels simpler.

You May Also Read: Tesla Model Y vs Volkswagen ID.4: Which Electric SUV Is Better in 2026?

Nissan Altima vs Toyota Corolla: A Quick Note

If you are also looking at the Corolla, know this: the Altima is a size up. It has more horsepower (188 vs 169), more torque, and a bigger back seat. The Altima also runs on regular gas. The Corolla needs premium for best efficiency . The Corolla is cheaper and more efficient. The Altima is bigger and more powerful. Different classes. Different needs.

The Bottom Line

Buy the Nissan Altima if:

• You want the lowest price
• You prefer a simple gas engine with no hybrid complexity
• You mostly drive alone or with one passenger
• You value front-seat space and a soft ride

Buy the Toyota Camry if:

• Fuel economy matters to you
• You carry rear passengers often
• You want a more modern design and hybrid refinement
• You plan to keep the car for many years

The Altima is the value pick. The Camry is the efficient pick. Neither is wrong. Test drive both. Check your monthly fuel budget. The answer will become clear.

FAQs

1. Which costs less?

Altima. Starts at $27,580. Camry starts at $29,000. You save about $1,400 with the Nissan. If money is tight, that matters.

2. Which uses less fuel?

Camry. Not even close. It is hybrid on every trim. The LE does 53 mpg city. The Altima does 27. Drive 15,000 miles a year and the difference hits your wallet hard. The Altima has no hybrid option at all.

3. Which has more room in the back?

Camry. 38 inches of rear legroom. Altima has 35.2. That is nearly 3 inches. Adults in the back seat will feel it. The Altima gives the driver more front legroom, but the back seat is tighter.

4. Same size outside?

Pretty much. Altima is 192.9 inches long. Camry is 193.5. Width and height are within an inch. You will not notice the difference when parking.

5. Which is more reliable?

Altima scores higher in initial quality. J.D. Power ranked it first among midsize cars in 2025. The Camry was not in the top three. But the Camry has decades of long-term durability behind it. Short game goes to Nissan. Long game goes to Toyota.

6. What is under the hood?

Altima has one engine. A 2.5-litre four-cylinder. 188 horsepower. CVT gearbox. No hybrid. Camry is hybrid only. A 2.5-litre four-cylinder plus electric motors. Up to 232 horsepower. The Camry feels quicker and smoother.

7. Which has better tech?

Camry. A 12.3-inch touchscreen on higher trims. A 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto standard. The Altima has a 12.3-inch screen on the SR trim only. Base models get something smaller. The Camry cabin feels more modern.