Nissan Altima vs Volkswagen Passat
Side-by-side comparison from manufacturer specifications, NHTSA safety data, and live dealer listings.
Vehicles
Vehicles
2022 Volkswagen Passat
Overview
| Spec | Nissan AltimaSV | Volkswagen PassatSE |
|---|---|---|
| Selected trim | SV | SE |
| Body style | Sedan | Sedan |
| Drivetrain | front wheel drive | front wheel drive |
| Fuel type | regular unleaded | regular unleaded |
| Transmission | continuously variable-speed automatic | 6-speed shiftable automatic |
| Engine type | gas | gas |
| Model year | 2026 | 2022 |
Pricing & market
| Spec | Nissan AltimaSV | Volkswagen PassatSE |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $27,580 | $27,575 (best) |
| Lowest listing price | $10,995 | $8,520 (best) |
| Median listing price | $19,791 | $15,493 (best) |
| Highest listing price | $30,470 | $18,500 (best) |
| For sale now | 59 (best) | 6 |
Fuel economy & range
| Spec | Nissan AltimaSV | Volkswagen PassatSE |
|---|---|---|
| Combined MPG | 32 MPG (best) | 28 MPG |
| City MPG | 27 MPG (best) | 24 MPG |
| Highway MPG | 39 MPG (best) | 36 MPG |
| Fuel tank | 16 gal | 18.5 gal (best) |
Performance
| Spec | Nissan AltimaSV | Volkswagen PassatSE |
|---|---|---|
| Horsepower | 188 hp (best) | 174 hp |
| Torque | 180 lb-ft | 206 lb-ft (best) |
| Engine size | 2.5 L (best) | 2 L |
| Cylinders | I4 | I4 |
Size & capability
| Spec | Nissan AltimaSV | Volkswagen PassatSE |
|---|---|---|
| Seating | 5 seats | 5 seats |
| Doors | 4 | 4 |
| Cargo volume | — | 15.9 cu ft (best) |
| Payload | — | 948 lbs (best) |
| Curb weight | 3,281 lbs (best) | 3,314 lbs |
| Ground clearance | 5 in (best) | — |
| Wheelbase | 111 in (best) | 110.4 in |
| Length | 193 in | 193.6 in (best) |
| Width | 73 in (best) | 72.6 in |
| Height | 57 in | 58.7 in (best) |
Safety & recalls
| Spec | Nissan AltimaSV | Volkswagen PassatSE |
|---|---|---|
| NHTSA overall | 5 / 5 ★ (best) | 4 / 5 ★ |
| Frontal crash (driver) | 5 / 5 ★ (best) | 3 / 5 ★ |
| Frontal crash (passenger) | 4 / 5 ★ (best) | 3 / 5 ★ |
| Side crash (driver) | 4 / 5 ★ | 5 / 5 ★ (best) |
| Side crash (passenger) | 5 / 5 ★ | 5 / 5 ★ |
| Side pole | 5 / 5 ★ | 5 / 5 ★ |
| Rollover | 5 / 5 ★ (best) | 4 / 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 | Volkswagen Passat |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | SV $27,580 MSRP(Currently comparing) | SE $27,575 MSRP(Currently comparing) |
| 2 | SV $29,080 MSRP | R-Line $29,575 MSRP |
| 3 | SR $28,980 MSRP | Limited Edition $30,575 MSRP |
| 4 | SR AWD $30,480 MSRP | — |
Live inventory
Nissan Altima59 for sale
See all
Used2024 Nissan Altima
2.5 SV
Garnet Pearl Metallic•Charcoal63,765 mi$18,797Peachtree Mitsubishi
Atlanta, GA
Certified2021 Nissan Altima
2.5 S
Glacier White•charcoal123,823 mi$10,995Wholesale Direct Wilmington
Wilmington, NC
Used2017 Nissan Altima
2.5 S
Cayenne Red•charcoal78,978 mi$13,599Jim Coleman Nissan Bethesda
Bethesda, MD
Used2025 Nissan Altima
2.5 SV
Garnet Pearl Metallic•Charcoal51,248 mi$18,754Honda of Lake City
Lake City, FL
Used2024 Nissan Altima
2.5 SL
Pearl White Tricoat•charcoal53,524 mi$22,536Classic Nissan Newport News
Newport News, VA
Used2023 Nissan Altima
2.5 SV
Pearl White Tricoat•Charcoal62,043 mi$18,588Walla Walla Toyota
Walla Walla, WA
Volkswagen Passat6 for sale
See all
Used2020 Volkswagen Passat
2.0T R-Line
Deep Black Pearl•Titan Black80,468 mi$15,990Classic Volkswagen Gastonia
Gastonia, NC
Used2017 Volkswagen Passat
V6 SEL Premium
DEEP BLACK PEARL•Titan Black99,428 mi$14,998Mazda Greenville
Greenville, SC
Used2013 Volkswagen Passat
TDI SEL Premium
Candy White•Titan Black151,519 mi$8,520McCarthy Hyundai Blue Springs
Blue Springs, MO
Used2015 Volkswagen Passat
2.0L TDI SE w/Sunroof & Nav
119,018 mi$9,999INFINITI Greenville
Greenville, SC
Used2021 Volkswagen Passat
2.0T R-Line
Pure White•Titan Black69,648 mi$18,500Barry's Chevrolet
West Union, OH
Used2017 Volkswagen Passat
1.8T SEL Premium Turbocharged Power, Leather Seats, Sunroof!
Deep Black Pearl•Cornsilk Beige102,839 mi$15,988Auto Warehouse
Fort Collins, CO
Nissan Altima vs Volkswagen Passat FAQ
- Which is better: 2026 Nissan Altima or 2022 Volkswagen Passat?
- It depends on priorities. OpenDealer compares 2026 Nissan Altima vs 2022 Volkswagen Passat 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 2022 Volkswagen Passat?
- Based on starting MSRP, the 2022 Volkswagen Passat starts lower at $27,575. Live Nissan Altima listings start at $10,995. Live Volkswagen Passat listings start at $8,520.
- Which has better startingMsrp: 2026 Nissan Altima or 2022 Volkswagen Passat?
- The 2022 Volkswagen Passat leads on startingMsrp in this comparison (27,575).
- Which has better combinedMpg: 2026 Nissan Altima or 2022 Volkswagen Passat?
- The 2026 Nissan Altima leads on combinedMpg in this comparison (32).
- Which has better horsepower: 2026 Nissan Altima or 2022 Volkswagen Passat?
- The 2026 Nissan Altima leads on horsepower in this comparison (188).
- How do the NHTSA safety ratings compare for 2026 Nissan Altima vs 2022 Volkswagen Passat?
- NHTSA overall crash-test ratings in this comparison: Nissan Altima (5/5 NHTSA overall); Volkswagen Passat (4/5 NHTSA overall).