Compare the2022 Nissan AltimaVS 2022 Toyota Camry

The Altima’s driver alert monitor detects an inattentive driver then sounds a warning and suggests a break. According to the NHTSA, drivers who fall asleep cause about 100,000 crashes and 1500 deaths a year. The Camry doesn’t offer a driver alert monitor.

Both the Altima and the Camry have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front and rear side-impact airbags, driver and front passenger knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front and rear seatbelt pretensioners, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, lane departure warning systems, rearview cameras, available daytime running lights, blind spot warning systems, around view monitors and rear cross-path warning.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does 35 MPH front crash tests on new vehicles. In this test, results indicate that the Nissan Altima is safer than the Toyota Camry:

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does side impact tests on new vehicles. In this test, which crashes the vehicle into a flat barrier at 38.5 MPH and into a post at 20 MPH, results indicate that the Nissan Altima is safer than the Toyota Camry:

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the Altima first among midsize cars in their 2021 Initial Quality Study. The Camry was rated third.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2021 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Nissan vehicles are better in initial quality than Toyota vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Nissan fifth in initial quality, above the industry average. With 11 more problems per 100 vehicles, Toyota is ranked 13th.

As tested in Car and Driver the Nissan Altima 4 cyl. is faster than the Toyota Camry 4 cyl.:

On the EPA test cycle the Altima gets better mileage than the Camry:

The Altima AWD’s standard fuel tank has 1.6 gallons more fuel capacity than the Camry AWD’s standard fuel tank (16 vs. 14.4 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the Nissan Altima higher (7 out of 10) than the Toyota Camry (5 to 7). This means the Altima produces up to 8 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the Camry every 15,000 miles.

The Altima has a standard continuously variable transmission (CVT). With no “steps” between gears, it can keep the engine at the most efficient speed for fuel economy, or keep it at its peak horsepower indefinitely for maximum acceleration. The Camry doesn’t offer a CVT.

The Altima stops much shorter than the Camry:

The Altima has a standard easy tire fill system. When inflating the tires, the vehicle’s integrated tire pressure sensors keep track of the pressure as the tires fill and tell the driver when the tires are inflated to the proper pressure. The Camry doesn’t offer vehicle monitored tire inflation.

The Altima has vehicle speed sensitive variable-assist power steering, for low-effort parking, better control at highway speeds and during hard cornering, and a better feel of the road. The Camry doesn’t offer variable-assist power steering.

The Altima SR handles at .90 G’s, while the Camry XLE pulls only .80 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The Altima Platinum executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 1.1 seconds quicker than the Camry SE (26.3 seconds @ .68 average G’s vs. 27.4 seconds @ .62 average G’s).

For better maneuverability, the Altima S’ turning circle is 1.3 feet tighter than the Camry L/LE’s (36.1 feet vs. 37.4 feet). The Altima SR/SV/SL/Platinum’s turning circle is 1.9 feet tighter than the Camry AWD’s (37.4 feet vs. 39.3 feet).

The front grille of the Altima uses electronically controlled shutters to close off airflow and reduce drag when less engine cooling is needed. This helps improve highway fuel economy. The Camry doesn’t offer active grille shutters.

The Altima SL/Platinum uses computer-generated active noise cancellation to help remove annoying noise and vibration from the passenger compartment, especially at low frequencies. The Camry doesn’t offer active noise cancellation.

The Altima has .8 inches more front headroom, 1.7 inches more front legroom, .5 inches more front shoulder room and 1.4 inches more rear shoulder room than the Camry.

The Altima has a larger trunk than the Camry (15.4 vs. 15.1 cubic feet).

The Altima’s standard rear seats fold to accommodate long and bulky cargo. The Camry TRD doesn’t offer folding rear seats.

When two different drivers share the Altima Platinum, the memory seats and mirrors make it convenient for both. Each setting activates different, customized memories for the driver’s seat position and outside mirror angle. The Camry doesn’t offer a memory system.

The Altima Platinum’s standard easy entry system glides the driver’s seat back when the door is unlocked or the ignition is switched off, making it easier for the driver to get in and out. The Camry doesn’t offer an easy entry system.

Consumer Reports rated the Altima’s headlight performance “Good,” a higher rating than the Camry’s headlights, which were rated “Fair.”

The Altima has a standard center folding armrest for the rear passengers. A center armrest helps make rear passengers more comfortable and it can provide a boundary between children. The Camry TRD doesn’t offer a rear seat center armrest.

Insurance will cost less for the Altima owner. The Car Book by Jack Gillis rates the Altima with a number “1” insurance rate while the Camry is rated higher at a number “5” rate.

According to The Car Book by Jack Gillis, the Altima is less expensive to operate than the Camry because typical repairs cost much less on the Altima than the Camry, including $198 less for a water pump, $2 less for front brake pads, $233 less for a starter, $125 less for fuel injection, $77 less for a fuel pump, $86 less for front struts, $870 less for a timing belt/chain and $417 less for a power steering pump.

Motor Trend performed a comparison test in its May 2018 issue and they ranked the Nissan Altima SR two places higher than the Toyota Camry XLE.

The Altima was chosen as one of Automobile Magazine’s “All Stars” in 2019. The Camry hasn’t been picked since 1997.