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Nissan Altima vs Toyota Crown

2026 Nissan Altima vs 2026 Toyota Crown — two midsize cars compared on efficiency, size, safety and reliability.

Nissan Altima

2026 Nissan Altima

Midsize CarsAWD/4WD
VS2 – 4Toyota Crown wins 4 of 6 categories
Toyota Crown

2026 Toyota Crown

Midsize CarsAWD/4WDHybrid/EV

Swap in a different car →

The short version

The Toyota Crown is more fuel-efficient: 41 vs 30 MPG combined in its best version.

That works out to about $600 a year less in fuel for the Toyota Crown (EPA estimate, 15,000 miles).

The Toyota Crown is the bigger car, about 3 inches longer.

Across all model years since 2005, the Toyota Crown has had fewer recall campaigns (4 vs 33).

The two cars

The 2026 Nissan Altima is a midsize car offered with a 2.5L 4-cyl engine and front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive. It measures about 193 inches long and 73 inches wide on a 111-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 3,435 lb.

The 2026 Toyota Crown is a midsize car offered with 2 engines (2.5L 4-cyl and 2.4L 4-cyl turbo), including a hybrid version and all-wheel drive. It measures about 196 inches long and 72 inches wide on a 112-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 4,343 lb (4dr Sedan Platinum).

Buying used? The 2023 Altima and the 2024 Crown have the fewest problems in our data; avoid the 2015 Altima.

Basics

Midsize Cars
Class
Midsize Cars
Regular Gasoline
Fuel
Hybrid
2.5L 4-cyl
Engines
2.5L 4-cyl, 2.4L 4-cyl turbo
Front-Wheel Drive, All-Wheel Drive
Drivetrain
All-Wheel Drive

Efficiency

30 MPG
Best combined MPG
41 MPG
26 city
City / highway MPG (best)
42 city
$2,250
Fuel cost per year (EPA)
$1,650

Performance & space

188 hp
Horsepower (most powerful)
264 hp
5
Seats (most)
5
192.9 in
Length
196.1 in
72.8 in
Width
72.4 in
57.1 in
Height
60.6 in
3,435 lb
Curb weight (lightest)
3,979 lb

Safety & reliability

11
Driver-assist features standard
11
0
Recalls (2026)
1
33
Recalls, all years since 2005
4
1
Owner complaints (latest year)
2

Interest

15,902
Wikipedia views, 30 days
39,234

Buying used

2023
Best used year
2024
2015
Year to avoid
–

Green = clearly better. Prices are not included. How we calculate this →

Which one should you choose?

Choose the Nissan Altima if…

  • You want something easier to park (3 in shorter)

Choose the Toyota Crown if…

  • You want lower fuel bills (41 vs 30 MPG)
  • You want more power (up to 264 vs 188 hp)
  • You want more room (3 in longer)
  • You want a hybrid or electric option
  • You put reliability history first (4 vs 33 recalls since 2005)

Pros & cons of each

2026 Nissan Altima

  • AWD / 4WD available

2026 Toyota Crown

  • Excellent fuel economyUp to 41 MPG combined — 31% better than the average 2026 midsize car (31.2 MPG).
  • Strong performanceUp to 264 hp, versus about 188 hp for similar 2026 models.
  • Hybrid version availableOffered as a hybrid as well as gas.
  • Lots of standard safety tech5 of 5 key driver aids standard on the versions we checked.

Full 2026 Nissan Altima specs →Full 2026 Toyota Crown specs →Compare fuel costs for your driving →Compare size & garage fit →