Compare 2017 Nissan Altima vs 2017 Volkswagen Passat

2017 Nissan Altima
2017 Volkswagen Passat
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Select style
2.5 S Sedan
Style MPG City MPG Hwy Invoice MSRP
Altima 2.5 S Sedan 27 39 $21,348 $22,900
Altima 2.5 SL Sedan 27 39 $26,621 $28,570
Altima 2.5 SR Sedan 26 37 $22,808 $24,470
Altima 2.5 SV Sedan 27 39 $23,729 $25,460
Altima 2.5 Sedan 27 39 $21,446 $22,500
Altima 2017.5 2.5 S Sedan 27 39 $21,348 $22,900
Altima 2017.5 2.5 SL Sedan 27 39 $26,900 $28,870
Altima 2017.5 2.5 SR Sedan 26 37 $22,808 $24,470
Altima 2017.5 2.5 SV Sedan 27 39 $24,008 $25,760
Altima 2017.5 2.5 Sedan 27 39 N/A N/A
Altima 2017.5 3.5 SL Sedan 22 32 $30,732 $32,990
Altima 2017.5 3.5 SR Sedan 22 32 N/A N/A
Altima 3.5 SL Sedan 22 32 $30,453 $32,690
Altima 3.5 SR Sedan 22 32 $26,082 $27,990
Select style
1.8T S Automatic
Style MPG City MPG Hwy Invoice MSRP
Passat 1.8T S Automatic 23 34 $21,520 $22,440
Passat 1.8T SE Automatic 23 34 $24,450 $25,495
Passat 1.8T SE w/Technology Automatic 23 34 $26,847 $27,995
Passat 1.8T SEL Premium Automatic 23 34 $29,724 $30,995
Passat R-Line w/Comfort Pkg Automatic 23 34 $22,993 $23,975
Passat V6 SE w/Technology DSG 20 28 $28,093 $29,295
Passat V6 SEL Premium DSG 20 28 $32,601 $33,995

Nissan Altima vs. Volkswagen Passat: Compare Cars

Martin Padgett Martin Padgett Editorial Director

Oh, the how times have changed. Family-sedan shoppers' best choices used to be either the Toyota Camry or Honda Accord. Now, shopping lists should contain the Hyundai Sonata, Kia Optima, Ford Fusion, Chevrolet Malibu, Subaru Legacy, and Mazda 6, for a full slate of contenders, all with slightly different personalities.

A pair of mid-size sedans, the Nissan Altima and Volkswagen Passat, have placed big bets on excellent fuel economy as a selling point, along with completely revamped style and features.

 
Pricing
Invoice Price
$21,348
$21,520
Manufacturer Suggested Retail Price
$22,900
$22,440
Monthly Payment Estimate
$382 / month
$374 / month
The Car Connection's Take
TCC Rating
7.2
6.7
TCC’s Bottom Line
The 2017 Nissan Altima remains a fine mainstream choice, but rivals with newer designs offer far more technology. The 2017 Volkswagen Passat is a conservative pick in the mid-size pack with generous interior space.
TCC Likes
TCC Dislikes
Fuel Economy
City
27 mpg 23 mpg
Highway
39 mpg 34 mpg
Vehicle
EPA Classification
Midsize Cars Midsize Cars
Interior Dimensions
Passenger Volume (ft³)
101.9 102
Second Shoulder Room (in)
56.4 57
Front Leg Room (in)
45 42.4
Front Hip Room (in)
54 -
Passenger Capacity
5 5
Second Leg Room (in)
36.1 39.1
Front Head Room (in)
40 38.3
Second Hip Room (in)
52.1 -
Front Shoulder Room (in)
56.4 56.9
Second Head Room (in)
37.1 37.8
Exterior Dimensions
Height, Overall (in)
57.8 58.5
Track Width, Rear (in)
62.4 61
Wheelbase (in)
109.3 110.4
Width, Max w/o mirrors (in)
72 72.2
Track Width, Front (in)
62.4 62.1
Min Ground Clearance (in)
5.4 5.4
Length, Overall (in)
191.9 191.9
Cargo Area Dimensions
Trunk Volume (ft³)
15.4 15.9
Brakes
Disc - Rear (Yes or )
Yes Yes
Rear Brake Rotor Diam x Thickness (in)
11.5 10.7
Brake Type
4-Wheel Disc 4-Wheel Disc
Rear Drum Diam x Width (in)
NA NA
Disc - Front (Yes or )
Yes Yes
Front Brake Rotor Diam x Thickness (in)
11.7 12.3
Drum - Rear (Yes or )
NA NA
Brake ABS System
4-Wheel 4-Wheel
Fuel Tank
Fuel Tank Capacity, Approx (gal)
18 18.5
Steering
Steering Type
Rack-Pinion Rack-Pinion
Turning Diameter - Curb to Curb (ft)
36.1 36.4
Tires
Spare Tire Order Code
NA NA
Rear Tire Size
P215/60TR16 P215/60TR16
Rear Tire Order Code
NA NA
Front Tire Size
P215/60TR16 P215/60TR16
Spare Tire Size
Compact Compact
Front Tire Order Code
NA NA
Weight Information
Base Curb Weight (lbs)
3212 3263
Wheels
Rear Wheel Size (in)
16 X 7 16 X 6.5
Front Wheel Material
Steel Aluminum
Spare Wheel Material
Steel Steel
Front Wheel Size (in)
16 X 7 16 X 6.5
Spare Wheel Size (in)
Compact Compact
Rear Wheel Material
Steel Aluminum
Electrical
Cold Cranking Amps @ 0° F (Primary)
550 330
Maximum Alternator Capacity (amps)
110 140
Engine
SAE Net Torque @ RPM
177 @ 4000 184 @ 1500
Engine Order Code
NA NA
Displacement
2.5 L/152 1.8 L/110
SAE Net Horsepower @ RPM
179 @ 6000 170 @ 4800
Engine Type
Regular Unleaded I-4 Intercooled Turbo Regular Unleaded I-4
Fuel System
Sequential MPI Gasoline Direct Injection
Mileage
Fuel Economy Est-Combined (MPG)
31 27
EPA Fuel Economy Est - Hwy (MPG)
39 34
EPA Fuel Economy Est - City (MPG)
27 23
Transmission
First Gear Ratio (:1)
2.63 - 0.38 4.04
Final Drive Axle Ratio (:1)
4.83 3.87
Trans Type
1 6
Drivetrain
Front Wheel Drive Front Wheel Drive
Trans Description Cont. Again
NA NA
Reverse Ratio (:1)
0.74 3.19
Trans Order Code
NA NA
Trans Description Cont.
CVT w/OD Automatic w/OD
Fourth Gear Ratio (:1)
- 1.16
Sixth Gear Ratio (:1)
- 0.67
Third Gear Ratio (:1)
- 1.56
Fifth Gear Ratio (:1)
- 0.85
Second Gear Ratio (:1)
- 2.37
Summary
Vehicle Name
Nissan Altima Volkswagen Passat
Body Style
Sedan Sedan
Suspension
Suspension Type - Rear
Multi-Link Multi-Link
Suspension Type - Rear (Cont.)
Multi-Link Multi-Link
Suspension Type - Front
Strut Strut
Suspension Type - Front (Cont.)
Strut Strut
Emissions
Tons/yr of CO2 Emissions @ 15K mi/year
5.6 6.5
Trailering
Dead Weight Hitch - Max Trailer Wt. (lbs)
- 1000
Wt Distributing Hitch - Max Trailer Wt. (lbs)
- 1000
Dead Weight Hitch - Max Tongue Wt. (lbs)
- 100
Wt Distributing Hitch - Max Tongue Wt. (lbs)
- 100
Crash Test Ratings
Overall Rating
Overall Frontal Barrier Crash Rating
Frontal Barrier Crash Rating Driver
Frontal Barrier Crash Rating Passenger
Overall Side Crash Rating
Side Barrier Rating
Side Barrier Rating Driver
Side Barrier Rating Passenger Rear Seat
Side Pole Rating Driver Front Seat
Combined Side Rating Front Seat
Combined Side Rating Rear Seat
Rollover Rating
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