Nissan Altima vs Toyota Camry: Setting the Pace Among Mid-Size Sedans

There are many similarities between the Nissan Altima and Toyota Camry when it comes to performance, size, and fuel efficiency. You have to look closely to find the differences between these two mid-size sedans, but differences are there to see. As one might expect with such well-designed cars, the pros and cons tend to balance out, though the Nissan Altima appears to be an overall better choice.

Upgrades in Store

The Nissan Altima vs Toyota Camry debate draws attention to two of the best-made cars on the market, featuring efficient engines and the latest safety tech. Now in its sixth generation, the most recent version of Nissan Altima has a number of prominent upgrades in store, the most noticeable being in the infotainment department.

Several of Nissan Altima’s eight trims (i.e., the SL, SR-VC Turbo, and SV trims) are equipped with a new 12.3-inch touchscreen, giving drivers easy access to a host of infotainment features, including Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, a Wi-Fi hotspot, and wireless smartphone charging pad. Other options available with the new Altima include a nine-speaker Bose audio system, noise cancellation technology, and more.

The Toyota Camry offers Toyota Connected Services, including 4G Wi-Fi connectivity, remote connect (i.e., remote start and lock/unlock), safety offerings including 24/7 roadside assistance, and destination assistance.

Engine Performance

The Toyota Camry sports a 3.5-liter V-6 engine that generates 267 lbs-ft of torque with the Direct-Shift 8AT system. It’s an impressive package, though Nissan Altima’s Xtronic Continuously Variable Transmission technology delivers a broader range of gear ratios and superior traction thanks to Nissan’s Intelligent All-Wheel Drive. The Altima’s VC-Turbo engine generates 273 lbs-ft of torque.

Safety Helps

The Altima Nissan comes with Nissan’s Safety Shield 360 lineup, a robust list of services featuring lane departure alert, blind-spot monitoring, pedestrian detection/emergency braking, collision warning, and driver alertness sensing. Nissan ProPilot Assist operates through a forward-facing camera, radar, sensors, and an electronic control module, which keeps you centered in your lane and maintains a safe distance from the car in front.

The Nissan Altima is slightly ahead of the Camry in driver-assistance tech, especially when it comes to navigation helps. Toyota Camry, however, does include crash-prevention and parking assistance via Intelligent Clearance Sonar, which makes it easy to park safely in even the tightest spaces.

A Sportier Look

The new Nissan Altima boasts a sportier look and feel. Its exterior design has a sleeker profile that’s comparable to some sports cars, and the racier grille design makes a strong first impression (the Altima SR, in particular, sports an impressive black chrome grille). LED headlights include integrated turn signals that further accentuate the vehicle’s aerodynamic design and tight design unity. There’s also a new array of colors to choose from (eight in all), ranging from brilliant silver metallic to deep blue pearl and glacier white.

The Toyota Camry offers a selection of seven exterior color styles, and a look that accentuates the vehicle’s low-riding suspension. Seventeen-inch alloy wheels are another nice touch for a car with a profile that always appears ready to race.
Though comparable in many respects, the Nissan Altima vs Toyota Camry debate comes down to a few differentiators. The new Nissan Altima boasts an impressive infotainment menu of features and a significantly larger touchscreen, a lengthy menu of safety tech features, and a turbocharged variable powertrain that responds to driving habits. As such, the Altima is a slightly better choice.