2018 Volkswagen Passat vs. 2018 Nissan Altima
When comparing the 2018 Volkswagen Passat's and the 2018 Nissan Altima's specifications and ratings, the 2018 Volkswagen Passat has the advantage in the areas of resale value and interior volume. The 2018 Nissan Altima has the advantage in the areas of typical lower range of pricing for used cars, and fuel efficiency, reliability, overall quality score and base engine power. Based on this comparison of the 2018 Volkswagen Passat's and the 2018 Nissan Altima's specifications and ratings, the 2018 Nissan Altima is a better car than the 2018 Volkswagen Passat.
2018 Volkswagen Passat vs. 2018 Nissan Altima Pricing
A used 2018 Volkswagen Passat ranges from $13,728 to $23,492 while a used 2018 Nissan Altima is priced between $11,499 to $20,998.
2018 Volkswagen Passat vs. 2018 Nissan Altima Resale/Retained Value
Looking at the 5-year depreciation rate for both models, the 2018 Volkswagen Passat loses 48 percent of its value and the 2018 Nissan Altima loses 48.9 percent of its value. This means the 2018 Volkswagen Passat retains 0.9 percentage points more of its value and has the advantage of higher resale value versus the 2018 Nissan Altima.
2018 Volkswagen Passat vs. 2018 Nissan Altima Quality Rating
The iSeeCars Overall Quality rating for the Volkswagen Passat is 8.0 out of 10 while the Nissan Altima's quality rating is 8.3 out of 10. This results in the Volkswagen Passat being ranked 9 out of 13 Best Midsize Cars and the Nissan Altima being ranked 7 out of 13.
2018 Volkswagen Passat vs. 2018 Nissan Altima Reliability Rating
iSeeCars’ Reliability Rating for the Volkswagen Passat is 7.7 out of 10. For the Nissan Altima the reliability rating is 8.2 out of 10. This gives the Nissan Altima a slight advantage in reliability compared to the Volkswagen Passat.
Engine Power and Fuel Efficiency Comparison
For engine performance, the 2018 Volkswagen Passat’s base engine makes 174 horsepower, and the 2018 Nissan Altima base engine makes 179 horsepower. The Passat is rated to deliver an average of 29 miles per gallon, with a highway range of 666 miles. The Altima is rated to deliver an average of 31 miles per gallon, with a highway range of 684 miles. This gives the 2018 Nissan Altima the fuel efficiency and maximum range advantage over the 2018 Volkswagen Passat. Both models use regular unleaded.
Passenger Space Comparison
While both models are midsize cars, the 2018 Volkswagen Passat has the advantage of offering more interior volume, reflected in more front shoulder room, rear head room, rear shoulder room, rear leg room, and cargo space. The 2018 Nissan Altima has the advantage in the areas of front head room and front leg room.
Safety Ratings Comparison
When comparing crash test ratings from NHTSA, the 2018 Nissan Altima has higher safety ratings than the 2018 Volkswagen Passat, with an average rating of 5 out of 5 Stars compared to 4.77 out of 5 Stars.
Pricing
New Asking Price:
-
Used Asking Price:
13728 - 23492
5-Year Depreciation (lower is better):
0.479679
Pricing
New Asking Price:
-
Used Asking Price:
11499 - 20998
5-Year Depreciation (lower is better):
0.488815
Volkswagen Passat Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
8.048 / 10
Reliability:
7.704001 / 10
Retained Value:
6.9 / 10
Safety:
9.5 / 10
Nissan Altima Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
8.304271 / 10
Reliability:
8.212815 / 10
Retained Value:
6.7 / 10
Safety:
10.0 / 10
Volkswagen Passat Rankings
Ranking
1 out of / 2Ranking
8 out of / 13Ranking
9 out of / 13Ranking
9 out of / 13Ranking
11 out of / 13Ranking
12 out of / 13Ranking
12 out of / 13Ranking
13 out of / 13Nissan Altima Rankings
Ranking
2 out of / 13Ranking
4 out of / 9Ranking
5 out of / 13Ranking
5 out of / 6Ranking
5 out of / 5Ranking
6 out of / 13Ranking
7 out of / 13Ranking
7 out of / 13Ranking
7 out of / 13Ranking
9 out of / 13Ranking
13 out of / 13Available Body Styles
Sedan
Available Body Styles
Sedan
Available Drivetrain Options
Gasoline
Available Drivetrain Options
Gasoline
2018 Volkswagen Passat Trim Levels
2.0T R-Line, 2.0T S, 2.0T SE, 2.0T SEL Premium, V6 GT, V6 SEL Premium
2018 Nissan Altima Trim Levels
2.5 S, 2.5 SL, 2.5 SR, 2.5 SV, 3.5 SL
Warranty Information
Warranty, Bumper-to-Bumper:
6 years / 72000 miles
Warranty, Powertrain:
6 years / 72000 miles
Warranty, Roadside Assistance:
3 years / 36000 miles
Warranty Information
Warranty, Bumper-to-Bumper:
3 years / 36000 miles
Warranty, Powertrain:
5 years / 60000 miles
Warranty, Roadside Assistance:
3 years / 36000 miles
Safety Ratings
NHTSA Safety Rating (last 5 year average):
4.77 out of 5 Stars
IIHS Safety Rating:
Not yet available
Safety Ratings
NHTSA Safety Rating (last 5 year average):
5 out of 5 Stars
IIHS Safety Rating:
Not yet available
Base Drivetrain Specifications
Horsepower:
174 hp @ 5000 rpm
Torque:
184 foot-lbs @ 1500 rpm
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.053 hp per pound
Base Drivetrain Specifications
Horsepower:
179 hp @ 6000 rpm
Torque:
177 foot-lbs @ 4000 rpm
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.056 hp per pound
Engine Specifications
Engine Size:
2 liters
Engine Configuration:
Inline
Number of Cylinders:
4
Transmission:
Automatic
Standard/Optional Drivetrain Type:
FWD
EPA Fuel Economy
(City/Highway/Combined MPG):
25 / 36 / 29
Range (city/hwy):
463 / 666 miles
Recommended Fuel Type:
Regular Unleaded
Engine Specifications
Engine Size:
2.5 liters
Engine Configuration:
Inline
Number of Cylinders:
4
Transmission:
Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT Automatic)
Standard/Optional Drivetrain Type:
FWD
EPA Fuel Economy
(City/Highway/Combined MPG):
27 / 38 / 31
Range (city/hwy):
486 / 684 miles
Recommended Fuel Type:
Regular Unleaded
Standard/Optional Features
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Adaptive Cruise Control:
Available
Android Auto:
Available
Apple Car Play:
Available
Heated Seats
Available
Heated Steering Wheel:
Available
Keyless Ignition:
Available
Leather Upholstery:
Available
Navigation System:
Available
Sunroof/Moonroof:
Available
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
N/A
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
N/A
Standard/Optional Features
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Adaptive Cruise Control:
Available
Android Auto:
Available
Apple Car Play:
Available
Heated Seats
Available
Heated Steering Wheel:
Available
Keyless Ignition:
Standard
Leather Upholstery:
Available
Navigation System:
Available
Sunroof/Moonroof:
Available
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
N/A
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
N/A
Safety Equipment
Blind Spot Monitoring:
Available
Forward Collision Warning:
Available
Lane Departure Warning:
Available
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:
Available
360-Degree Camera:
N/A
Driver Attention Monitoring:
N/A
Lane Keeping Assist:
N/A
Pedestrian Detection:
N/A
Rear Seat Reminder:
N/A
Safety Equipment
Blind Spot Monitoring:
Available
Forward Collision Warning:
Standard
Lane Departure Warning:
N/A
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:
Available
360-Degree Camera:
N/A
Driver Attention Monitoring:
N/A
Lane Keeping Assist:
N/A
Pedestrian Detection:
N/A
Rear Seat Reminder:
N/A
Interior Dimensions
Front Head Room:
38.3 inches
Front Leg Room:
42.4 inches
Front Shoulder Room:
56.9 inches
Rear Head Room:
37.8 inches
Rear Leg Room:
39.1 inches
Rear Shoulder Room:
57 inches
Cargo Space:
15.9 cubic feet
Overall Interior Volume:
102.0 cubic feet
Interior Dimensions
Front Head Room:
40 inches
Front Leg Room:
45 inches
Front Shoulder Room:
56.4 inches
Rear Head Room:
37.1 inches
Rear Leg Room:
36.1 inches
Rear Shoulder Room:
56.4 inches
Cargo Space:
15.4 cubic feet
Overall Interior Volume:
101.9 cubic feet
Exterior Dimensions
Curb Weight:
3274 lbs
Width:
72.2 inches
Height:
58.5 inches
Length:
191.9 inches
Wheelbase:
110.4 inches
Ground Clearance:
5.4 inches
Exterior Dimensions
Curb Weight:
3212 lbs
Width:
72 inches
Height:
57.8 inches
Length:
191.9 inches
Wheelbase:
109.3 inches
Ground Clearance:
Not yet available
Standard Wheel/Tire Information
Wheel Size:
16.0 x 6.5 inches
Wheel Type:
aluminum alloy
Tire Size:
215/60R16
Standard Wheel/Tire Information
Wheel Size:
16.0 x 7.0 inches
Wheel Type:
steel
Tire Size:
215/60R16