Quick answerBoth are rock-solid midsize sedans, but the Camry edges ahead on reliability reputation and resale value. The Altima fights back with standard AWD availability and a lower starting price — pick based on your priorities.
Starting MSRP
~$27,000
~$24,000
AWD Available
No (FWD/FWD hybrid only)
Yes, standard on most trims
Hybrid Option
Yes, Camry Hybrid included in lineup
No hybrid offered
Engine (base)
2.5L 4-cyl, 203 hp
2.5L 4-cyl, 188 hp
Combined MPG (base)
~32 mpg
~29 mpg
Cargo Space
15.1 cu ft
15.4 cu ft
5-Year Resale Value
~52% retained
~38% retained
NHTSA Overall Safety
5 stars
5 stars
Standard Driver Aids
Toyota Safety Sense 2.5+ (full suite)
Nissan Safety Shield 360 (full suite)
Warranty (Bumper-to-Bumper)
3 yr / 36,000 mi
3 yr / 36,000 mi
Infotainment Screen (base)
8-inch touchscreen
8-inch touchscreen
J.D. Power Dependability Rank
Among segment leaders
Below segment average
Worth knowing
- The Camry has been America's best-selling car for over 20 consecutive years.
- The Altima is the only mainstream midsize sedan to offer AWD across most of its trim lineup.
- Camry Hybrid can hit ~46 mpg combined, making it a genuine fuel-economy weapon.
- Altima's CVT transmission has had documented reliability issues in older model years — worth noting used-car buyers.
- Toyota's ToyotaCare covers 2 years of free scheduled maintenance; Nissan offers no equivalent.
The Camry's name comes from the Japanese word 'kanmuri,' meaning crown — so every Camry driver is technically royalty, even in the Walmart parking lot.
If you wantYou want maximum long-term reliability and resale value
The Camry's legendary dependability and strong residual value make it the smarter financial bet over time.
→ Pick Toyota Camry If you wantYou live somewhere snowy or want AWD on a budget
The Altima offers AWD at a lower price point than almost any competitor — a rare and practical advantage.
→ Pick Nissan Altima If you wantYou want the best fuel economy without going full EV
The Camry Hybrid's ~46 mpg combined is hard to beat in this segment without plugging in.
→ Pick Toyota Camry If you wantYou're buying used and watching your budget closely
Ironically, Camry's higher resale value means used ones are pricier, but you're also less likely to inherit someone else's headaches.
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