Which is better: 2026 Nissan Altima or 2026 Subaru WRX?

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

Which costs less: 2026 Nissan Altima or 2026 Subaru WRX?

Based on starting MSRP, the 2026 Nissan Altima starts lower at $27,580. Live Nissan Altima listings start at $10,995. Live Subaru WRX listings start at $13,897.

Which has better startingMsrp: 2026 Nissan Altima or 2026 Subaru WRX?

The 2026 Nissan Altima leads on startingMsrp in this comparison (27,580).

Which has better combinedMpg: 2026 Nissan Altima or 2026 Subaru WRX?

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

Which has better horsepower: 2026 Nissan Altima or 2026 Subaru WRX?

The 2026 Subaru WRX leads on horsepower in this comparison (271).

How do the NHTSA safety ratings compare for 2026 Nissan Altima vs 2026 Subaru WRX?

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

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Nissan Altima vs Subaru WRX

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

Vehicles

2026 Nissan Altima

Trim

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2026 Subaru WRX

Trim

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Overview

Spec	Nissan AltimaSV	Subaru WRXWRX (Base)
Selected trim	SV	WRX (Base)
Body style	Sedan	Sedan
Drivetrain	front wheel drive	all wheel drive
Fuel type	regular unleaded	premium unleaded (recommended)
Transmission	continuously variable-speed automatic	6-speed manual
Engine type	gas	gas
Model year	2026	2026

Pricing & market

Spec	Nissan AltimaSV	Subaru WRXWRX (Base)
MSRP	$27,580 (best)	$32,495
Lowest listing price	$10,995 (best)	$13,897
Median listing price	$19,791 (best)	$27,403
Highest listing price	$30,470 (best)	$40,979
For sale now	59 (best)	28

Fuel economy & range

Spec	Nissan AltimaSV	Subaru WRXWRX (Base)
Combined MPG	32 MPG (best)	22 MPG
City MPG	27 MPG (best)	19 MPG
Highway MPG	39 MPG (best)	26 MPG
Fuel tank	16 gal	16.6 gal (best)

Performance

Spec	Nissan AltimaSV	Subaru WRXWRX (Base)
Horsepower	188 hp	271 hp (best)
Torque	180 lb-ft	258 lb-ft (best)
Engine size	2.5 L (best)	2.4 L
Cylinders	I4	flat 4

Size & capability

Spec	Nissan AltimaSV	Subaru WRXWRX (Base)
Seating	5 seats	5 seats
Doors	4	4
Cargo volume	—	12.5 cu ft (best)
Curb weight	3,281 lbs (best)	—
Ground clearance	5 in	5.4 in (best)
Wheelbase	111 in (best)	105.2 in
Length	193 in (best)	183.8 in
Width	73 in (best)	71.9 in
Height	57 in	57.8 in (best)

Safety & recalls

Spec	Nissan AltimaSV	Subaru WRXWRX (Base)
NHTSA overall	5 / 5 ★	5 / 5 ★
Frontal crash (driver)	5 / 5 ★	5 / 5 ★
Frontal crash (passenger)	4 / 5 ★	5 / 5 ★ (best)
Side crash (driver)	4 / 5 ★	5 / 5 ★ (best)
Side crash (passenger)	5 / 5 ★	5 / 5 ★
Side pole	5 / 5 ★	5 / 5 ★
Rollover	5 / 5 ★	5 / 5 ★
Open recalls (YMM scope)	None reported	None reported

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	Nissan Altima	Subaru WRX
1	SV $27,580 MSRP(Currently comparing)	WRX (Base) $32,495 MSRP(Currently comparing)
2	SV $29,080 MSRP	Premium $33,995 MSRP
3	SR $28,980 MSRP	Limited $38,995 MSRP
4	SR AWD $30,480 MSRP	Limited $39,995 MSRP
5	—	GT $44,995 MSRP
6	—	tS $44,995 MSRP
7	—	Series.Yellow $45,995 MSRP

Live inventory

Nissan Altima59 for sale

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Subaru WRX28 for sale

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