Compare the2026 Nissan AltimaVS 2025 Audi A5

Both the Altima and the A5 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front and rear side-impact airbags, driver and front passenger knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning, driver alert monitors and available around view monitors.

Nissan’s powertrain warranty covers the Altima 1 year and 10,000 miles longer than Audi covers the A5. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 5 years or 60,000 miles. Coverage on the A5 ends after only 4 years or 50,000 miles.

There are over 3 times as many Nissan dealers as there are Audi dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Altima’s warranty.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the Altima first among midsize cars in their 2025 Initial Quality Study. The A5 isn’t in the top three in its category.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2025 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Nissan vehicles are better in initial quality than Audi vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Nissan second in initial quality, above the industry average. With 100 more problems per 100 vehicles, Audi is ranked 30th, below the industry average.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2025 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Nissan vehicles are more reliable than Audi With 58 fewer problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, J.D. Power ranks Nissan higher than Audi.

On the EPA test cycle the Altima gets better mileage than the A5:

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Nissan Altima uses regular unleaded gasoline. The A5 requires premium, which can cost on average about 84.9 cents more per gallon.

The Altima AWD’s standard fuel tank has 1.5 gallons more fuel capacity than the A5 (16 vs. 14.5 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups. The Altima FWD’s standard fuel tank has 1.7 gallons more fuel capacity than the A5 (16.2 vs. 14.5 gallons).

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the Nissan Altima higher (6 out of 10) than the Audi A5 (4). This means the Altima produces up to 12.1 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the A5 every 15,000 miles.

The EPA certifies the Nissan Altima as a “Super Ultra Low Emissions Vehicle” (SULEV). The Audi A5 is only certified to “Ultra Low Emissions Vehicle” (ULEV) standards.

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 A5 doesn’t offer a CVT.

The Altima stops shorter than the A5:

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 A5 doesn’t offer vehicle monitored tire inflation.

The Altima has a standard space-saver spare tire so you can replace a flat tire and drive to have the flat repaired or replaced. A spare tire isn’t available on the A5; it requires you to depend on its run-flat tires, which limits mileage and speed before they are repaired. If a run-flat is damaged beyond repair by a road hazard your vehicle will have to be towed.

The Altima SR handles at .90 G’s, while the A5 pulls only .84 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

For better maneuverability, the Altima’s turning circle is 2.3 feet tighter than the A5’s (37.4 feet vs. 39.7 feet).

The Nissan Altima may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 650 to 800 pounds less than the Audi A5.

The design of the Nissan Altima amounts to more than styling. The Altima has an aerodynamic coefficient of drag of .26 Cd. That is significantly lower than the A5 (.3) and many sports cars. A more efficient exterior helps keep the interior quieter and helps the Altima get better fuel mileage.

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 A5 doesn’t offer active grille shutters.

The Altima has 2.5 inches more front legroom, .9 inches more front shoulder room and 2 inches more rear shoulder room than the A5.

The Altima is available in both front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive configurations. The A5 doesn’t offer a two-wheel drive configuration.

Consumer Reports® recommends the Nissan Altima, based on reliability, safety and performance.

The Nissan Altima outsold the Audi A5/S5/RS 5 by almost six to one during 2025.