Toyota Camry vs Nissan Altima

Camry vs Altima: Engine Specs & Fuel Efficiency

When looking at the engine selections for the 2020 Toyota Camry and Nissan Altima, you’ll find the Camry to be more diverse, offering everything from hybrid motors to V6 engines.

We’ll start by looking at the Altima though, whose base 2.5L 4-cylinder motor is able to generate 188 horsepower and 182 lb-ft of torque. If you move up to the optional 2.0L turbo 4-cylinder, the Altima pumps out 273 horsepower and 267 lb-ft of torque.

For the Camry, you’re getting more power each step of the way. The standard engine is a 2.5L 4-cylinder churning 203 horsepower and 184 lb-ft of torque. If you want a little more excitement on your daily commute, Toyota offers a V6 making 301 horsepower and 267 lb-ft of torque.

Finally, the hybrid powerplant for Toyota will return 176 horsepower, 163 lb-ft of torque, and as you’ll see in the next section, tremendous fuel economy!

MPG Ratings for the Toyota Camry & Nissan Altima

Fuel economy continues to shape the decisions of car-shoppers across the world. If you’re like many others in prioritizing efficiency, the hybrid engine of the Toyota Camry is a no-brainer compared to the Altima lineup.

For the Altima, the highest return on fuel economy you’ll see is an EPA-estimated 28 city/39 highway MPG. Compare that to the Toyota Camry, whose hybrid motor returns an EPA-estimated 44 city MPG/ 47 highway MPG.¹ The choice is clear!

Carving Out Second-Row Space

Maybe it’s your weekly carpool buddies, or perhaps you’re just trying to fit your children into the second row before school––either way, second-row space is key. If you’re hoping to maximize comfort as best as possible, the Toyota Camry has a real edge over the Nissan Altima.

With the Camry, you can expect 38 inches of second-row headroom, along with 38 inches of second-row legroom. Those same figures for the Altima measure 36.9 inches of rear headroom and 35.2 inches of rear legroom.