2026 head-to-head · Midsize Car
2026 Mazda 3 vs Nissan Altima
MPG, range and what each one really costs you to fuel, from official EPA ratings and recalculated with your own gas and electricity prices.
On fuel costs these two are nearly tied. Driving 15,000 miles a year with $3.10/gal regular gas, the most efficient 2026 Mazda 3 (30 MPG) costs about $1,550 a year to fuel and the 2026 Nissan Altima (30 MPG) about $1,550.
Your numbers
Change these to match your driving and local prices. Every figure and chart on this page updates.
Fuel cost over 10 years
- Mazda 3
- Nissan Altima
Side by side
| Mazda 3 | Nissan Altima | |
|---|---|---|
| $1,550 | Your annual fuel cost | $1,550 |
| 30 MPG | Combined efficiency | 30 MPG |
| 27 MPG | City | 26 MPG |
| 36 MPG | Highway | 36 MPG |
| 93 cu ft | Passenger volume | 101 cu ft |
| 13 cu ft | Cargo volume | 15 cu ft |
| 294 g/mi | Tailpipe CO₂ (g/mi) | 297 g/mi |
| 6/10 | EPA fuel economy score | 6/10 |
| 6/10 | EPA greenhouse gas score | 6/10 |
| Gas | Powertrain | Gas |
| Regular gasoline | Fuel | Regular gasoline |
| 2.5L 4-cyl | Engine / motor | 2.5L 4-cyl |
| 6-speed automatic | Transmission | CVT |
| 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.
Mazda 3 vs Nissan Altima across model years
- Mazda 3
- Nissan Altima
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 Nissan Altima has more passenger space (101 vs. 93 cu ft); the Nissan Altima has more cargo space (15 vs. 13 cu ft).
Among 31 2026 midsize cars, the Mazda 3 ranks 15th and the Nissan Altima 14th for lowest fuel cost.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to fuel the 2026 Mazda 3 vs. the Nissan Altima per year?
At 15,000 miles a year with $3.10/gal regular gas, about $1,550 for the Mazda 3 and $1,550 for the Nissan Altima.
Which has more cargo space?
The Nissan Altima, with 15 cu ft of luggage volume versus 13 cu ft (EPA interior volume index).
Mazda 3 vs Nissan Altima in other years
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