2021 head-to-head · Midsize Car
2021 Nissan Altima vs Volkswagen Passat
MPG, range and what each one really costs you to fuel, from official EPA ratings and recalculated with your own gas and electricity prices.
FWD · 2.0L 4-cyl turbo · 6-speed automatic · 28 MPG
The 2021 Nissan Altima is the cheaper one to run. Driving 15,000 miles a year with $3.10/gal regular gas, it costs about $1,453 a year to fuel (32 MPG), versus $1,661 for the 2021 Volkswagen Passat (28 MPG). That's roughly $208 a year, or about $1,038 over five years.
Your numbers
Change these to match your driving and local prices. Every figure and chart on this page updates.
Fuel cost over 10 years
- Nissan Altima
- Volkswagen Passat
Side by side
| Nissan Altima | Volkswagen Passat | |
|---|---|---|
| $1,453 | Your annual fuel cost | $1,661 |
| 32 MPG | Combined efficiency | 28 MPG |
| 28 MPG | City | 24 MPG |
| 39 MPG | Highway | 36 MPG |
| 101 cu ft | Passenger volume | 102 cu ft |
| 15 cu ft | Cargo volume | 16 cu ft |
| 281 g/mi | Tailpipe CO₂ (g/mi) | 314 g/mi |
| 7/10 | EPA fuel economy score | 6/10 |
| 7/10 | EPA greenhouse gas score | 6/10 |
| Gas | Powertrain | Gas |
| Regular gasoline | Fuel | Regular gasoline |
| 2.5L 4-cyl | Engine / motor | 2.0L 4-cyl turbo |
| CVT | Transmission | 6-speed automatic |
| FWD | Drivetrain | FWD |
✓ marks the better value. EPA scores run 1–10 (10 is best). Volumes come from the EPA interior volume index and aren't published for every body style.
Nissan Altima vs Volkswagen Passat across model years
- Nissan Altima
- Volkswagen Passat
Annual fuel cost of the most efficient configuration of each model year, at your prices. Click a point to open that year.
How they differ
Per EPA interior volume figures, the Volkswagen Passat has more cargo space (16 vs. 15 cu ft).
Among 54 2021 midsize cars, the Nissan Altima ranks 19th and the Volkswagen Passat 24th for lowest fuel cost.
Frequently asked questions
Which is more fuel-efficient, the 2021 Nissan Altima or the 2021 Volkswagen Passat?
Measured by cost to drive, the Nissan Altima. The Nissan Altima is rated 32 MPG combined and the Volkswagen Passat 28 MPG (EPA, most efficient configuration of each).
How much does it cost to fuel the 2021 Nissan Altima vs. the Volkswagen Passat per year?
At 15,000 miles a year with $3.10/gal regular gas, about $1,453 for the Nissan Altima and $1,661 for the Volkswagen Passat.
Which has more cargo space?
The Volkswagen Passat, with 16 cu ft of luggage volume versus 15 cu ft (EPA interior volume index).
Nissan Altima vs Volkswagen Passat in other years
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