The Nissan Altra does 31.1 mpg combined (28.4 city, 35.3 highway), which works out to about $1,235 a year in fuel at $3.20 a gallon and 12,000 miles. Engine choice matters more than you'd think: Electric does 85 mpg while 3.5L 6-cyl does 20.5 — a difference of $1,421 a year. Against other 4-cyl cars it sits above the average of 25.4 mpg.
Every Nissan Altra 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electric | 81 / 91 | 2000–2000 | $452 | |
| 2.4L 4-cyl | 20.3 / 27 | 1998–2001 | $1,670 | |
| 2.5L 4-cyl | 20 / 27 | 2002–2002 | $1,670 | |
| 3.5L 6-cyl | 18.5 / 24 | 2002–2004 | $1,873 |
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 | $0.103 |
| Fuel per year | $1,235 |
| Fuel over five years | $6,175 |
| Against other 4-cyl cars | −$277 a year |
| EPA's own estimate | $2,743 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 | 28.4 mpg | $1,352 a year if you only drive in town |
| Highway | 35.3 mpg | $1,088 a year if you mostly commute |
| Gap | +6.9 mpg (24%) | Typical for its type |
How the Altra 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2004 | 18 / 24 | 1 | $1,920 | |
| 2002 | 19.5 / 25.5 | 2 | $1,745 | |
| 2001 | 20 / 28 | 1 | $1,670 | |
| 2000 | 81 / 91 | 1 | $452 | |
| 1999 | 21 / 28 | 1 | $1,600 | |
| 1998 | 20 / 25 | 1 | $1,745 |
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 Altra get?
31.1 mpg combined on average — 28.4 in the city and 35.3 on the highway, per EPA ratings across 1998–2004.
How much does a Nissan Altra cost in fuel per year?
About $1,235 at 12,000 miles and $3.20 a gallon — roughly $6,175 over five years, or 0.103 dollars a mile.
Which Altra engine is the most economical?
The Electric at 85 mpg, against 20.5 for the 3.5L 6-cyl — a difference of about $1,421 a year.
Is the Altra 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.