Which is better: 2011 Mazda RX-8 or 2026 Nissan Altima?

It depends on priorities. OpenDealer compares 2011 Mazda RX-8 vs 2026 Nissan Altima on MSRP, fuel economy, horsepower, seating, towing, NHTSA safety ratings, and live market prices so you can weigh the tradeoffs.

Which costs less: 2011 Mazda RX-8 or 2026 Nissan Altima?

Based on starting MSRP, the 2011 Mazda RX-8 starts lower at $26,795. Live Nissan Altima listings start at $10,995.

Which has better startingMsrp: 2011 Mazda RX-8 or 2026 Nissan Altima?

The 2011 Mazda RX-8 leads on startingMsrp in this comparison (26,795).

Which has better combinedMpg: 2011 Mazda RX-8 or 2026 Nissan Altima?

The 2026 Nissan Altima leads on combinedMpg in this comparison (32).

Which has better horsepower: 2011 Mazda RX-8 or 2026 Nissan Altima?

The 2011 Mazda RX-8 leads on horsepower in this comparison (232).

Which has better seats: 2011 Mazda RX-8 or 2026 Nissan Altima?

The 2026 Nissan Altima leads on seats in this comparison (5).

How do the NHTSA safety ratings compare for 2011 Mazda RX-8 vs 2026 Nissan Altima?

NHTSA overall crash-test ratings in this comparison: Nissan Altima (5/5 NHTSA overall).

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Mazda RX-8 vs Nissan Altima

Side-by-side comparison from manufacturer specifications, NHTSA safety data, and live dealer listings.

Vehicles

2011 Mazda RX-8

Trim

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2026 Nissan Altima

Trim

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Overview

Spec	Mazda RX-8Sport	Nissan AltimaSV
Selected trim	Sport	SV
Body style	Coupe	Sedan
Drivetrain	rear wheel drive	front wheel drive
Fuel type	premium unleaded (required)	regular unleaded
Transmission	6-speed shiftable automatic	continuously variable-speed automatic
Engine type	gas	gas
Model year	2011	2026

Pricing & market

Spec	Mazda RX-8Sport	Nissan AltimaSV
MSRP	$26,795 (best)	$27,580
Lowest listing price	—	$10,995 (best)
Median listing price	—	$19,791 (best)
Highest listing price	—	$30,470 (best)
For sale now	0	59 (best)

Fuel economy & range

Spec	Mazda RX-8Sport	Nissan AltimaSV
Combined MPG	19 MPG	32 MPG (best)
City MPG	16 MPG	27 MPG (best)
Highway MPG	23 MPG	39 MPG (best)
Fuel tank	16.9 gal (best)	16 gal

Performance

Spec	Mazda RX-8Sport	Nissan AltimaSV
Horsepower	212 hp (best)	188 hp
Torque	159 lb-ft	180 lb-ft (best)
Engine size	1.3 L	2.5 L (best)
Cylinders	rotary 0	I4

Size & capability

Spec	Mazda RX-8Sport	Nissan AltimaSV
Seating	4 seats	5 seats (best)
Doors	4	4
Cargo volume	7.6 cu ft (best)	—
Curb weight	3,111 lbs (best)	3,281 lbs
Ground clearance	4.7 in	5 in (best)
Wheelbase	106.4 in	111 in (best)
Length	175.6 in	193 in (best)
Width	69.7 in	73 in (best)
Height	52.8 in	57 in (best)

Safety & recalls

Spec	Mazda RX-8Sport	Nissan AltimaSV
NHTSA overall	—	5 / 5 ★ (best)
Frontal crash (driver)	—	5 / 5 ★ (best)
Frontal crash (passenger)	—	4 / 5 ★ (best)
Side crash (driver)	—	4 / 5 ★ (best)
Side crash (passenger)	—	5 / 5 ★ (best)
Side pole	—	5 / 5 ★ (best)
Rollover	5 / 5 ★	5 / 5 ★
Open recalls (YMM scope)	3	None reported (best)

Highlighted values indicate the better figure for that spec when a clear winner exists. Specs reflect the selected trim for each vehicle. Drag a vehicle header to reorder columns. MSRP and specifications are manufacturer data; listing prices and inventory come from live dealer listings. Safety ratings are from NHTSA.

Trim overview

All available trims with MSRP. The trim selected above is highlighted; comparison specs use that selection.

Trim	Mazda RX-8	Nissan Altima
1	Sport $26,795 MSRP(Currently comparing)	SV $27,580 MSRP(Currently comparing)
2	Sport $26,795 MSRP	SV $29,080 MSRP
3	Grand Touring $32,260 MSRP	SR $28,980 MSRP
4	Grand Touring $32,960 MSRP	SR AWD $30,480 MSRP
5	R3 $32,290 MSRP	—

Live inventory

Nissan Altima59 for sale

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