It’s a battle between the Nissan Altima vs. Toyota Camry for the most dependable, affordable, and practical midsize sedan.
Let’s get into the nitty gritty so that you can narrow down the perfect model and trim level for your everyday adventures.
A Cabin Designed Around You
Both the Nissan Altima and Toyota Camry have intuitively designed cabins, however considering modern styling and overall connectivity and practicality, the Nissan Altima wins out in this category.
The Camry’s cabin features standard yet unremarkable materials while Nissan employs a much more attractive design that catches your eye. Nissan’s cabin offers noticeable touches like faux carbon weave, orange stitching, and unique textural elements.
Under the Camry’s new redesign, however, the automaker says it’s improving cabin appeal with a new driver-oriented cockpit. This new design will include an asymmetrical center stack that will be built to face the driver specifically. However, this style choice does throw off the cohesiveness of the rest of the cabin. Because the Camry is offered in so many variations, you can still enjoy premium features like upgraded tech and leather seats.
Battle of the Engines: Nissan Altima vs. Toyota Camry
Both the Nissan Altima and Toyota Camry are powered by the same 2.5 L 4-cylinder engine. In the Altima, the engine delivers 188 horsepower and 180 lb-ft of torque. Meanwhile, the same engine in the Camry delivers slightly more power output at 203 horsepower and 184 lb-ft of torque. The Altima is paired with a continuously variable transmission while the Camry features an automatic eight-speed transmission.
You will be able to upgrade the engine on both models as well. The Camry XLE and XSE trim feature a 3.5 L V6 that delivers 301 horsepower and 267 lb-ft of torque. Meanwhile, the Altima offers a 248 horsepower turbocharged unit available on the SR trim.
While power output is comparable, the Toyota Camry does win out considering it has more powerful engine options and overall better fuel efficiency with an EPA of 34 MPG as compared to the Altima’s combined EPA of 30 MPG. If you’re looking for a dependable commuter vehicle, the Camry would typically be the better bet.
Top Safety Features So You Can Drive with Confidence
It’s neck-in-neck when it comes to safety between the Nissan Altima vs. Toyota Camry. Both models have earned a five-star rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Toyota Safety Sense 2.5+ offers standard features including forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, and intersection assistance.
Nissan also offers its own safety bundle via Safety Shield 360. Coming standard on all Altima trims are features like automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, lane departure warning, rear cross-traffic alert, and blind spot monitoring.
Price Point
When it boils down to the price point, you’ll find that both models are attractively priced. The Camry is available in eight variations with the base model starting at $26,420 and the top level Camry XSE V6 starting at $36,845.
The Altima on the other hand is offered in only four trim options. The base model Altima S starts at $25,730 and the top of the top-of-the-line SL starts at $32,430.
Bottom Line
Overall, both models are relatively priced and offer comparable features including comprehensive safety and performance features. At the end of the day, it really boils down to personal preference and intended use.
For a comfortable, quality-designed vehicle, the Nissan Altima might be your best bet. If you’re looking for ultimate convenience and a dependable commuter vehicle, the Camry might be a better choice.
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