2019 Nissan Altima vs Toyota Camry

When shopping for a new family sedan, many drivers will be strongly considering the 2019 Nissan Altima and the 2019 Toyota Camry. Like the completely redesigned Altima, the new Camry has a lot of great attributes. They both can handle the daily duties of a family hauler. Furthermore, all of the latest safety technology is available. However, is one of these cars better than the other? Let’s find out.

Powertrain

Toyota offers the new Camry with two different powertrains. The base four-cylinder engine is surprisingly powerful. It’s rated to crank out a reassuring 203 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque. An eight-speed automatic gearbox is found throughout the lineup. Expect the four-cylinder Camry to hit 60 mph in around 7.8 seconds.

Folks who crave a harder punch will desire Toyota’s available V6 engine. It keeps the driving experience fun by producing 301 horsepower and 267 lb-ft of torque. When you step on the pedal, the V6-powered Camry reaches 60 mph in 5.8 to 5.9 seconds. Very few sedans in the segment can accelerate as quickly from a stop.

When driving the 2019 Nissan Altima, expect to experience a similar degree of performance. Its base four-cylinder engine generates 188 horsepower and 180 lb-ft of torque. Instead of using a traditional automatic transmission, Nissan equips every Altima with a continuous variable transmission. You can also upgrade to an all-new VC-Turbo four-cylinder, which produces 248 horsepower and 280 lb-ft of torque. Along with the extra power comes a quicker 0-60 mph time of 6.1 seconds.

In terms of overall driving excitement, the Toyota Camry has a slight edge. Its eight-speed automatic transmission feels more engaging. Nissan’s continuous variable transmission doesn’t have any gears, which may not appeal to some drivers. Although paddle shifters are available for the Altima, they don't really add to the sedan's driving excitement.

While these two midsize sedans are a close match in performance, the 2019 Toyota Camry has a reputation for being more reliable. Nissan’s all-new VC-Turbo engine has yet to prove its long-term durability. Regardless of which sedan is chosen, buyers will enjoy a virtually identical warranty package. A 3-year/36,000-mile basic warranty and a 5-year/60,000-mile powertrain warranty provide a bit of long-term security.

For the first time ever, the Altima is now available with all-wheel drive. This feature makes the Altima the superior performer on slippery pavement. Drivers living in snow-prone regions of the USA will certainly appreciate the enhanced traction. Toyota only offers the Camry with front-wheel drive.

The 2019 Toyota Camry delivers very good fuel economy. Four-cylinder models should average around 29 mpg in town and 41 mpg on the open road. Meanwhile, getting the V6 engine lowers fuel efficiency to 22 mpg in traffic and 33 mpg on the freeway.

Although the 2019 Nissan Altima is not quite as economical as the Camry, it’s still a fuel-efficient sedan. Trims equipped with the base engine will return an EPA-rated 28 mpg in urban areas and 39 mpg on the highway. Drivers who opt for the Altima’s more powerful VC-Turbo engine can anticipate getting 25 mpg in the city and 34 mpg on the highway. This is outstanding fuel economy for such a powerful ride.

Drivability

In terms of handling, both of these sedans have improved drastically. Even on twisty back roads, they maintain excellent poise while keeping body roll to a minimum. For drivers who desire even sharper handling, Toyota offers the SE and XSE trims. Aside from a sports-tuned suspension, these Camry trims also benefit from a performance-calibrated steering system. The Nissan Altima SR, which also has a sports-tuned suspension, is just as fun around corners.

Drivers especially enjoy the Altima’s impressive ride comfort. While the Camry’s ride isn’t rough, it is not quite as smooth. Expect models fitted with a sports-tuned suspension to feel stiffer.

Tall people will love driving the Altima. Its cabin provides a great deal of legroom in the front. However, there’s only a tad less legroom in the Camry’s driver’s seat. From a standpoint of overall passenger comfort, the Toyota Camry takes the lead. It provides nearly 3.0 more inches of legroom in the backseat. Adult-sized passengers will definitely enjoy the extra space to lounge.

Comfort is a strong suit for both the Camry and the Altima. However, Nissan’s NASA-inspired Zero Gravity front seats are a step above the Camry’s front seats. They do a great job of keeping the occupant’s body supported on long rides. Neither sedan is as quiet as a genuine luxury car. However, the 2019 Nissan Altima allows slightly less engine noise to enter the cabin.

When test driving the new Altima, drivers can expect it to have a sportier feel. Every new Altima comes standard with a flat-bottom steering wheel. This is a feature typically only found on a pure sports sedan. Aside from giving the Altima’s cockpit a racy touch, it also creates more knee room.

Like the Altima, the Camry is easy to get in and out of. Wide doors help parents to gather their kids without any difficulty. Securing child seats is also a piece of cake.

The Nissan Altima is an ideal grocery getter. Its trunk provides 15.4 cubic feet of cargo space. There’s not as much storage space in the Camry’s trunk. Some Camry trims only have a 14.1 cubic-foot trunk.

Most people won’t have any complaints about the Toyota Camry’s interior controls. Everything is relatively simple to use. However, some drivers will prefer the Nissan Altima’s infotainment screen. It sits high on the dash, which helps keep the driver’s eyes focused on what's important. On the other side of the coin, only the Camry offers a head-up display. Drivers will appreciate being able to clearly see their speed and navigation directions on the lower windshield.

Safety

Whether they choose the 2019 Toyota Camry or the 2019 Nissan Altima, drivers will have extra peace of mind. Both cars snagged an NHTSA five-star overall safety rating. However, the Camry received a higher Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS. This organization found the Camry’s headlights to deliver a better performance.

In the event of an accident, passengers will have an impressive amount of impact protection in either sedan. A total of 10 airbags come standard.

Both sedans benefit from standard forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking. This is among the most popular accident-avoidance technologies on the market. However, only the Toyota Camry comes standard with an advanced safety package. Aside from automatic emergency braking, Toyota Safety Sense adds lane departure warning with steering assist, auto high beams, and adaptive cruise control. These active safety features are not available on the base Altima.

Blind-spot detection with rear cross-traffic alert is offered on both cars. Rear automated braking is also available on the upper trims. Buyers who live in a big city will greatly appreciate the availability of a 360-degree parking camera. Remember, a traditional backup camera is standard on the Camry and the Altima.

While the 2019 Toyota Camry deserves praise for its standard safety package, no other car in the class offers the 2019 Nissan Altima’s ProPILOT Assist system. This state-of-the-art system can deliver a hands-free driving experience under certain conditions. Not only does ProPILOT Assist keep the Altima centered in its lane by controlling steering, but it also combines smart cruise control. Folks who spend a lot of time on the highway can look forward to a less stressful drive.

Car shoppers also won’t find a driver attention monitor on the Toyota Camry. With the use of this feature, drivers are far less likely to doze off at the wheel. Rear Door Alert is another safety feature exclusive to the 2019 Nissan Altima. Upon exiting the vehicle, it reminds drivers to check the rear seat before leaving. By simply honking the horn, this system helps prevent kids and family pets from being left behind.

Value

Both of these sedans offer affordability. While the 2019 Nissan Altima has a starting price of $24,000, the 2019 Toyota Camry has a listed MSRP of $24,095. The overwhelming majority of car buyers won’t consider $95 to be a significant difference in cost.

Despite being so closely matched in pricing, some people may find the base Camry to be a better bang for the buck. Buyers can’t ignore the Camry’s extra number of standard accident-avoidance features. Toyota also includes some premium features in the Camry’s list of standard equipment, including LED headlights and a Wi-Fi hot spot. While LED headlights are featured on the Altima’s upper trims, a Wi-Fi hotspot is not available. With that said, most drivers will be perfectly happy with what the base Altima brings to the table.

Atop the Camry’s lineup sits its XSE trim, which has a starting price of $29,725. This is a super deal for a range-topping model. Some of the niceties include a head-up display, wireless smartphone charging, and leather upholstery. Buyers must pay extra for upgrades like a powerful JBL premium sound system and a 360-degree parking camera.

The most luxurious version of the Altima is the Platinum trim. It comes standard with a premium Bose sound system and top-down parking camera. However, prices for the Altima Platinum start at much steeper $32,030. Opting for the stronger VC-Turbo engine increases the sedan’s cost to $35,030.

Before buying a new car, many drivers will be interested in the average cost of ownership. Traditionally, the Toyota Camry has been cheaper to own than most sedans in the class. This is a direct result of the Camry's low cost of maintenance. Because of the sophisticated design of the Altima's all-new VC-Turbo engine, its cost of long-term maintenance is unknown.

Which is Better?

At the end of the day, one should choose the sedan that best fits their personal needs. These cars are a close match in several important categories, including fuel efficiency and performance. Drivers who have adult-size family members will be happier with the 2019 Toyota Camry. Its roomier backseat will make daily commutes and long drives more enjoyable.

Driving enthusiasts who crave a more exciting performance machine will be looking at the Altima SR and the Camry XSE. Aside from offering a more powerful engine, these trims deliver sharper handling. The typical driver will find both of these models to be a great deal of fun.

Drivers who must deal with harsh weather will need the Altima's new AWD system. By sending power to all four wheels, it noticeably improves grip on snow-packed roads. Toyota Camry buyers are stuck with an FWD system. Nevertheless, the Camry will have no issues handling the weather conditions in most states.

Like the 2019 Toyota Camry, the redesigned 2019 Nissan Altima has the ability to turn heads with its powerful styling. Both cars offer a performance-focused model that has the appearance of a legitimate sports sedan. While Toyota has the Camry XSE, Nissan offers the Altima SR.

While both cars can be leased, the 2019 Toyota Camry may be the better car for buyers seeking long-term ownership. A reputation for bulletproof reliability give the Camry and edge over the Altima. Buyers can also benefit from the Camry's stronger resale value.