Compare 2009 Nissan Altima vs 2003 Volkswagen Passat

2009 Nissan Altima
2003 Volkswagen Passat
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Select style
4-Door Sedan I4 CVT 2.5
Style MPG City MPG Hwy Invoice MSRP
4-Door Sedan I4 CVT 2.5 23 31 $19,078 $19,900
4-Door Sedan I4 Manual 2.5 S 23 32 $19,728 $21,040
4-Door Sedan I4 CVT 2.5 S 23 31 $20,195 $21,540
4-Door Sedan I4 CVT 2.5 SL 23 31 $20,195 $21,540
2-Door Coupe I4 Manual 2.5 S 23 32 $20,392 $21,750
2-Door Coupe I4 CVT 2.5 S 23 31 $20,860 $22,250
4-Door Sedan V6 Manual 3.5 SE 18 27 $23,337 $25,180
4-Door Sedan V6 CVT 3.5 SE 19 26 $23,800 $25,680
2-Door Coupe V6 Manual 3.5 SE 18 27 $24,456 $26,390
4-Door Sedan I4 eCVT Hybrid 35 33 $24,976 $26,650
2-Door Coupe V6 CVT 3.5 SE 19 26 $24,919 $26,890
4-Door Sedan V6 CVT 3.5 SL 19 26 $27,221 $29,380
Select style
4-Door Sedan Manual GL
Style MPG City MPG Hwy Invoice MSRP
4-Door Sedan Manual GL 22 31 $19,790 $21,750
4-Door Wagon Manual GL 22 31 $20,513 $22,550
4-Door Sedan Automatic GL 21 30 $20,863 $22,825
4-Door Sedan Manual GLS 22 31 $20,816 $22,885
4-Door Wagon Automatic GL 21 30 $21,586 $23,625
4-Door Wagon Manual GLS 22 31 $21,538 $23,685
4-Door Sedan Automatic GLS 21 30 $21,889 $23,960
4-Door Wagon Automatic GLS 21 30 $22,611 $24,760
4-Door Sedan V6 Manual GLS 20 28 $23,074 $25,385
4-Door Wagon V6 Manual GLS 20 28 $23,797 $26,185
4-Door Sedan V6 Automatic GLS 19 27 $24,147 $26,460
4-Door Wagon V6 Automatic GLS 19 27 $24,870 $27,260
4-Door Sedan V6 Manual GLX 20 28 $26,114 $28,750
4-Door Wagon V6 Manual GLX 20 28 $26,837 $29,550
4-Door Sedan V6 Automatic GLX 19 27 $27,187 $29,825
4-Door Wagon V6 Automatic GLX 19 27 $27,910 $30,625
4-Door Sedan V6 4MOTION Automatic GLX 19 26 $29,016 $31,575
4-Door Wagon V6 4MOTION Automatic GLX 19 26 $29,739 $32,375
4-Door Sedan 4MOTION Automatic W8 18 25 $34,729 $37,900
4-Door Wagon 4MOTION Automatic W8 18 25 $35,452 $38,700
4-Door Sedan 4MOTION 6-spd Manual W8 17 24 $35,984 $39,400
4-Door Wagon 4MOTION 6-spd Manual W8 17 24 $36,706 $40,200
Pricing
Invoice Price
$19,078
$19,790
Manufacturer Suggested Retail Price
$19,900
$21,750
Monthly Payment Estimate
$332 / month
$363 / month
The Car Connection's Take
TCC Rating
8.4
TCC’s Bottom Line
The 2009 Nissan Altima has a sportier look and feel than most other mid-size sedans, but it's just as practical.
TCC Likes
TCC Dislikes
Fuel Economy
City
23 mpg 22 mpg
Highway
31 mpg 31 mpg
Vehicle
EPA Classification
Midsize Mid-Size
Interior Dimensions
Second Leg Room (in)
35.8 35.3
Front Head Room (in)
40.6 39.7
Second Hip Room (in)
52.5 56.7
Front Shoulder Room (in)
55.7 55.8
Passenger Capacity
5 5
Second Head Room (in)
36.8 37.8
Second Shoulder Room (in)
55.5 54.6
Front Leg Room (in)
44.1 41.5
Front Hip Room (in)
56.8 57.7
Passenger Volume (ft³)
100.7 95
Exterior Dimensions
Liftover Height (in)
27.6 - TBD -
Width, Max w/o mirrors (in)
70.7 68.7
Track Width, Front (in)
60.9 59.6
Min Ground Clearance (in)
5.6 5.8
Length, Overall (in)
189.8 185.2
Height, Overall (in)
57.9 57.6
Track Width, Rear (in)
60.8 59.6
Wheelbase (in)
109.3 106.4
Cargo Area Dimensions
Trunk Volume (ft³)
15.3 15
Brakes
Disc - Front (Yes or )
Yes Yes
Front Brake Rotor Diam x Thickness (in)
11.7 x 1.02 11.3 x 0.98
Drum - Rear (Yes or )
NA NA
Brake ABS System
4-Wheel 4-Wheel
Disc - Rear (Yes or )
Yes Yes
Rear Brake Rotor Diam x Thickness (in)
11.5 x 0.35 9.6 x 0.39
Brake Type
Power Pwr
Rear Drum Diam x Width (in)
NA NA
Fuel Tank
Fuel Tank Capacity, Approx (gal)
20.0 16.4
Steering
Lock to Lock Turns (Steering)
2.83 2.8
Turning Diameter - Wall to Wall (ft)
NA - TBD -
Steering Ratio (:1), Overall
16.2 14.3
Turning Diameter - Curb to Curb (ft)
36.1 37.4
Steering Type
Pwr Rack & Pinion Pwr Rack & Pinion
Tires
Rear Tire Size
P215/60R16 P195/65HR15
Rear Tire Order Code
NA NA
Front Tire Size
P215/60R16 P195/65HR15
Spare Tire Size
T135/90D16 P195/65HR15
Front Tire Order Code
NA NA
Spare Tire Order Code
NA NA
Trailering
Dead Weight Hitch - Max Tongue Wt. (lbs)
100 N/A
Wt Distributing Hitch - Max Tongue Wt. (lbs)
100 N/A
Dead Weight Hitch - Max Trailer Wt. (lbs)
1000 N/A
Wt Distributing Hitch - Max Trailer Wt. (lbs)
1000 N/A
Weight Information
Base Curb Weight (lbs)
3179 3212
Wheels
Front Wheel Material
Steel Steel
Spare Wheel Material
Steel Steel
Front Wheel Size (in)
16 x 7.0 15 x 6
Spare Wheel Size (in)
Compact 15 x 6
Rear Wheel Material
Steel Steel
Rear Wheel Size (in)
16 x 7.0 15 x 6
Cooling System
Total Cooling System Capacity (qts)
8.0 7.1
Electrical
Cold Cranking Amps @ 0° F (Primary)
550 - TBD -
Maximum Alternator Capacity (amps)
110 90
Engine
Displacement
2.5L/- TBD - 1.8L/109
SAE Net Horsepower @ RPM
175 @ 5600 170 @ 5900
Engine Type
Gas I4 Gas I4
Fuel System
SMPI SMPI
SAE Net Torque @ RPM
180 @ 3900 166 @ 1950
Engine Order Code
QR25DE NA
Mileage
EPA Fuel Economy Est - City (MPG)
23 22
Fuel Economy Est-Combined (MPG)
26 -
EPA Fuel Economy Est - Hwy (MPG)
31 31
Transmission
Clutch Size (in)
- TBD - - TBD -
Third Gear Ratio (:1)
NA 1.43
Trans Type
1 5
Drivetrain
Front Wheel Drive Front Wheel Drive
Fifth Gear Ratio (:1)
NA 0.84
Trans Description Cont. Again
NA NA
Reverse Ratio (:1)
1.78 3.44
Second Gear Ratio (:1)
NA 2.18
Trans Order Code
NA NA
Final Drive Axle Ratio (:1)
5.80 3.70
Fourth Gear Ratio (:1)
NA 1.03
Trans Description Cont.
Continuously Variable Manual w/OD
Sixth Gear Ratio (:1)
NA NA
First Gear Ratio (:1)
2.37 - 0.44 3.78
Seventh Gear Ratio (:1)
- NA
Summary
Vehicle Name
Nissan Altima Volkswagen Passat
Body Style
4 Door Sedan 4 Door Sdn
Suspension
Stabilizer Bar Diameter - Rear (in)
0.68 - TBD -
Suspension Type - Front (Cont.)
w/Coil Springs NA
Shock Absorber Diameter - Front (mm)
- TBD - - TBD -
Stabilizer Bar Diameter - Front (in)
0.86 - TBD -
Suspension Type - Rear
Multi-Link Independent
Suspension Type - Rear (Cont.)
w/Coil Springs Torsion Beam
Shock Absorber Diameter - Rear (mm)
- TBD - - TBD -
Suspension Type - Front
Independent Strut Four-link
Emissions
EPA Greenhouse Gas Score
7 -

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