Nissan Altima: cost to run
Gas · Car · Front-Wheel Drive · EPA model year 2026
The Nissan Altima (2026) is rated at 30 MPG by the EPA and costs about $2,100 a year in fuel (EPA estimate, 15,000 mi/yr). That is roughly 11¢ per mile at June 2026 EIA prices, or $113 to drive 1,000 miles. Tailpipe CO2 is 297 g/mi. OwnRate's transparent 5-year cost-to-own estimate is about $36,500. It ranks #42 of 70 models for lowest running cost.
Source: EPA / DOE FuelEconomy.gov vehicle data. Data as of June 2026.
Nissan Altima key figures
| Metric | Nissan Altima |
|---|---|
| Powertrain | Gas |
| Model year (latest EPA data) | 2026 |
| Body / class | Car (Midsize Cars) |
| Combined fuel economy (EPA) | 30 MPG |
| EPA estimated annual fuel cost | $2,100 / year |
| Estimated 5-year fuel cost (EPA basis) | $10,500 |
| Cost to drive 1,000 miles (at EIA prices) | $113 |
| Cost per mile (at EIA prices) | 11¢ |
| Tailpipe CO2 | 297 g/mi |
| Cheapest-to-run rank (1 = lowest of 70) | #42 |
Source: EPA / DOE FuelEconomy.gov vehicle data (2023–2027 model years); EIA prices (June 2026). Data as of June 2026.
Sources: EPA/DOE FuelEconomy.gov · EIA gasoline · EIA electricity. EPA fuel cost assumes 15,000 mi/yr. Verify before relying on it.
What it costs to run the Nissan Altima
The EPA's estimated annual fuel cost for the Nissan Altima is $2,100, which is what appears on the window sticker. Using June 2026 EIA national-average prices ($3.40/gal for gasoline and $0.18/kWh for electricity) and 15,000 miles a year, OwnRate estimates about $1,700 a year, or roughly 11¢ per mile. Your real cost depends on local gas prices and how you drive.
Estimated 5-year cost to own the Nissan Altima
Running cost is only part of ownership. Below is OwnRate's transparent 5-year estimate. The fuel/energy line uses the EPA's published annual fuel cost ($2,100 × 5). The maintenance, insurance and depreciation lines are documented assumptions by body type and powertrain — not model-specific quotes — so treat the total as a ballpark, not a price. See the methodology for the exact assumptions.
| Cost line (5 years) | Estimate |
|---|---|
| Fuel / energy (EPA 5-yr) | $10,500 |
| Maintenance & repairs (est.) | $4,500 |
| Insurance (est.) | $7,500 |
| Depreciation (est.) | $14,000 |
| Estimated 5-year cost to own | $36,500 |
Source: EPA fuel cost + OwnRate documented ownership assumptions. Data as of June 2026.
Estimate only. Depreciation, insurance and maintenance vary widely by trim, location, driver and market. Use the cost-to-own calculator to adjust the inputs.
Similar vehicles by running cost
The Nissan Altima compared with peers in the same category, nearest on EPA annual fuel cost:
| Vehicle | Type | Efficiency | EPA fuel / yr | ¢/mile |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nissan Altima (this vehicle) | Gas | 30 MPG | $2,100 | 11¢ |
| Mazda3 | Gas | 29 MPG | $2,150 | 12¢ |
| Chevrolet Malibu | Gas | 31 MPG | $2,000 | 11¢ |
| Hyundai Elantra | Gas | 31 MPG | $2,000 | 11¢ |
| Toyota Camry (gas) | Gas | 28 MPG | $2,200 | 12¢ |
| Honda Accord | Gas | 32 MPG | $1,950 | 11¢ |
Frequently asked questions
How much does the Nissan Altima cost to run per year?
The EPA estimates the Nissan Altima (2026) costs about $2,100 per year in fuel, based on 15,000 miles a year at the EPA's reference prices. At June 2026 EIA prices, OwnRate's own estimate is roughly $1,700 per year, or about 11¢ per mile. It ranks #42 of 70 models tracked for lowest running cost. Estimate — verify on FuelEconomy.gov.
What is the Nissan Altima's MPG?
The Nissan Altima (2026) gets an EPA combined 30 MPG. Among non-electric models tracked here it ranks #23 of 51 by combined MPG.
How much does it cost to drive the Nissan Altima 1,000 miles?
At June 2026 EIA average prices ($3.40/gal gasoline, $0.18/kWh electricity), driving the Nissan Altima 1,000 miles costs about $113 in fuel — roughly 11¢ per mile. Use the fuel-cost calculator to plug in your own price and mileage.
What is the 5-year cost to own a Nissan Altima?
OwnRate estimates the Nissan Altima at about $36,500 over 5 years: $10,500 fuel/energy (EPA basis), plus illustrative $4,500 maintenance, $7,500 insurance and $14,000 depreciation. Only the fuel figure is EPA data; the rest are documented assumptions, not model-specific quotes — see the methodology.
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Sources & accuracy
Fuel economy, EPA annual fuel cost, electric range and CO2: EPA/DOE FuelEconomy.gov (US public domain, 2023–2027 model years). Fuel prices: EIA (June 2026). The 5-year cost-to-own combines the EPA fuel cost with OwnRate's documented ownership assumptions (see methodology) and is an estimate only — not financial advice. Verify with the primary sources and a dealer before buying.
Last updated: 2026-06-20