Poll: Nissan Altima or Toyota Camry?

Craig Cole
by Craig Cole

Two of the most popular family sedans on the market today are the Nissan Altima and Toyota Camry. But which one is a better choice?

Well, that’s up to YOU to decide, dear reader. These two Japanese four-doors are the subject of our latest poll. Pick a favorite and let’s see which model is more popular!

Starting with the Nissan, mainstream models are powered by a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine. With port fuel injection, four-valves per cylinder and variable cam timing it delivers a respectable 179 horsepower along with 177 lb-ft of torque.

For drivers that want more giddy-up (and fuel consumption) a 3.5-liter V6 is also offered. It’s good for 270 ponies and 251 lb-ft of twist.

Focusing on the four-cylinder, it’s matched to a continuously variable automatic transmission. Nissan has long been a pioneer in the CVT field and their offerings have gotten pretty tolerable in recent years, providing stellar fuel economy without too much undesirable droning. So-equipped, the Altima stickers at 27 miles per gallon city, 39 highway and 31 MPG combined.

As for the Camry, it’s been America’s best-selling sedan for a full decade and a half, with Toyota delivering more than 388,000 examples last year alone. Clearly, they’re doing something right to attract that many buyers.

Like the Altima, two engines are offered: a 2.5-liter mainline four and a 3.5-liter V6. The overwhelmingly more popular base unit delivers 178 ponies and 170 lb-ft of torque; the six-shooter is rated at 268 horsepower and 248 lb-ft.

Unlike its Nissan rival, a traditional stepped-ratio transmission is standard in the Camry, one that offers six forward speeds. It helps this family hauler achieve impressive efficiency scores, if ones that fall short of the Altima’s. According to the EPA, this Toyota should average 27 MPG, a figure that’s derived from its city rating of 24 miles per gallon and its highway score of 33. If efficiency matters, you can always opt for a Camry hybrid.

And with that, we’re all set. Which of these popular family sedans do YOU prefer? Well, compare the Altima and Camry here, and don’t forget to vote in our latest poll!

Check out our other polls!

Craig Cole
Craig Cole

Born and raised in metro Detroit, Craig was steeped in mechanics from childhood. He feels as much at home with a wrench or welding gun in his hand as he does behind the wheel or in front of a camera. Putting his Bachelor's Degree in Journalism to good use, he's always pumping out videos, reviews, and features for AutoGuide.com. When the workday is over, he can be found out driving his fully restored 1936 Ford V8 sedan. Craig has covered the automotive industry full time for more than 10 years and is a member of the Automotive Press Association (APA) and Midwest Automotive Media Association (MAMA).

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  • Marty Marty on Mar 16, 2017

    I have an Altima. It is a sweet car. Fuel mileage is quite impressive too.

  • LimitBreaker LimitBreaker on Mar 17, 2017

    In a strictly logical way, the Camry is far superior in durability/reliability and have an amazing resale value. The handling is just as rubbish as the Altima so I won't give any points either way for a "drivers" car. The styling looks more aggressive with tge altima but more mature with the Camry.

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