Nissan Altima MPG by year — every rating on record

The Nissan Altima has a combined EPA fuel economy rating for 29 model years, from 1998 to 2026. Across those years its best rated version returned 32 mpg (2019) and its thirstiest returned 19 mpg (2002). The EPA record holds 77 configurations for this nameplate, most recently a Midsize Cars.

Year-by-year EPA ratings

Where it has stood in its class

Ranked against every other nameplate the EPA filed under the same class that year. The Nissan Altima placed highest in 2002 at #7 of 52, and lowest in 2019 at #47 of 127. It spent 26 of its 29 ranked years in the top half of its class.

Every configuration on record

All 77 configurations EPA lists for this nameplate, newest first.

How the rating has moved between model years

Comparing the best-rated configuration of each year. 5 of 9 year-over-year steps improved the top rating.

What Altima fuel costs over a year

At the EPA's 11,500 miles a year, the 2026 Nissan Altima burns 383 to 411 gallons depending on configuration. Below is what that costs at three pump prices, and how much more the thirstiest configuration costs than the most efficient one.

EPA’s own estimate for the 2026 model year is $2,100 to $2,250 a year in fuel, or $750 less than the average new vehicle over five years.

How it compares with other Midsize Cars

Across the 483 nameplates EPA classifies as Midsize Cars, the median best combined rating is 25 mpg. At 30 mpg the Nissan Altima is 5 mpg better the median, which is worth about $268 a year at $3.50 a gallon.

• All Midsize Cars rankings — every nameplate in the class, best to worst.

Other Nissan nameplates

Every Nissan model compared → — all nameplates ranked by best combined rating, with what each one costs a year.