The Nissan Altima does 26.6 mpg combined (23.6 city, 31.3 highway), which works out to about $1,444 a year in fuel at $3.20 a gallon and 12,000 miles. Engine choice matters more than you'd think: 2.5L 4-cyl Hybrid does 33.8 mpg while 3.5L 6-cyl does 23.2 — a difference of $519 a year. Against other 4-cyl cars it sits above the average of 25.4 mpg.
Every Nissan Altima engine, compared
Picking the right version of the same car often saves more fuel than picking a different car altogether. Yearly cost assumes 12,000 miles at $3.20 a gallon.
| Engine | Combined | City / Highway | Years | Fuel per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.5L 4-cyl Hybrid | 34.6 / 33 | 2007–2011 | $1,136 | |
| 2.5L 4-cyl | 24.8 / 34.5 | 2002–2026 | $1,352 | |
| 2.4L 4-cyl | 20.9 / 27.9 | 1993–2001 | $1,613 | |
| 3.5L 6-cyl | 20.1 / 27.8 | 2002–2018 | $1,655 |
What that actually costs
Miles per gallon is an abstraction; the fuel bill is not. Here it is in money, at 12,000 miles a year and $3.20 a gallon.
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Cost per mile | $0.120 |
| Fuel per year | $1,444 |
| Fuel over five years | $7,220 |
| Against other 4-cyl cars | −$68 a year |
| EPA's own estimate | $2,435 a year |
City or highway — who is this car for
The gap between city and highway figures tells you whom the car suits. A wide gap punishes stop-and-start traffic; a narrow one means the car doesn't care where you drive it.
| Measure | Value | Reading |
|---|---|---|
| City | 23.6 mpg | $1,627 a year if you only drive in town |
| Highway | 31.3 mpg | $1,227 a year if you mostly commute |
| Gap | +7.7 mpg (33%) | Wide — this car dislikes traffic |
How the Altima changed over the years
Combined figure by model year. Jumps usually mark a new generation or a new engine; dips often mean a heavier body or added all-wheel drive.
| Model year | Combined | City / Highway | Engines offered | Fuel per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 26 / 36 | 1 | $1,280 | |
| 2025 | 27 / 38 | 1 | $1,239 | |
| 2024 | 27 / 38 | 1 | $1,239 | |
| 2023 | 27 / 38 | 1 | $1,239 | |
| 2022 | 28 / 39 | 1 | $1,200 | |
| 2021 | 28 / 39 | 1 | $1,200 | |
| 2020 | 28 / 39 | 1 | $1,200 | |
| 2019 | 28 / 39 | 1 | $1,200 | |
| 2018 | 24.5 / 35 | 2 | $1,347 | |
| 2017 | 24.5 / 35.5 | 2 | $1,347 | |
| 2016 | 24.5 / 35 | 2 | $1,347 | |
| 2015 | 24.5 / 34 | 2 | $1,347 | |
| 2014 | 24.5 / 34 | 2 | $1,371 | |
| 2013 | 24.5 / 34 | 2 | $1,371 | |
| 2012 | 21.5 / 29.5 | 2 | $1,567 | |
| 2011 | 25.3 / 30.7 | 3 | $1,407 | |
| 2010 | 26 / 30.7 | 3 | $1,371 | |
| 2009 | 25.7 / 30 | 3 | $1,407 | |
| 2008 | 25.7 / 30 | 3 | $1,407 | |
| 2007 | 26 / 30 | 3 | $1,407 | |
| 2006 | 19.5 / 28 | 2 | $1,707 | |
| 2005 | 19.5 / 28.5 | 2 | $1,707 | |
| 2004 | 19 / 25.5 | 2 | $1,745 | |
| 2003 | 19.5 / 25.5 | 2 | $1,745 | |
| 2002 | 19.5 / 25.5 | 2 | $1,745 | |
| 2001 | 20 / 28 | 1 | $1,670 | |
| 2000 | 21 / 28 | 1 | $1,600 | |
| 1999 | 21 / 28 | 1 | $1,600 | |
| 1998 | 21 / 28 | 1 | $1,600 | |
| 1997 | 21 / 28 | 1 | $1,600 |
MPG is a number. Dollars per year is the answer.
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How we count
Fuel-economy figures come from EPA fueleconomy.gov — the same laboratory numbers printed on the window sticker. We don't adjust them; real-world consumption depends on how and where you drive.
What we add is money. Yearly cost assumes 12,000 miles at $3.20 a gallon — change either and the ranking stays, only the size of the bill moves. Cost per mile is the same figure divided out, useful when comparing a commute against a weekend car.
Frequently asked questions
What mpg does the Nissan Altima get?
26.6 mpg combined on average — 23.6 in the city and 31.3 on the highway, per EPA ratings across 1993–2026.
How much does a Nissan Altima cost in fuel per year?
About $1,444 at 12,000 miles and $3.20 a gallon — roughly $7,220 over five years, or 0.120 dollars a mile.
Which Altima engine is the most economical?
The 2.5L 4-cyl Hybrid at 33.8 mpg, against 23.2 for the 3.5L 6-cyl — a difference of about $519 a year.
Is the Altima good on fuel compared with similar cars?
Against other 4-cyl cars it sits above the average of 25.4 mpg, computed across 6877 ratings.
Are these real-world figures?
No — they are EPA laboratory ratings, the same ones on the window sticker. Real consumption depends on driving style, terrain, load and weather, and is typically a little worse.