Mazda Mazda6 vs. Nissan Altima
iSeeCars' unbiased and data-driven comparison of the Mazda Mazda6 and Nissan Altima contrasts the two cars across a broad spectrum of vehicle specifications to determine which car is better. In addition to comparing pricing and specs, iSeeCars uses all the ratings, rankings, and insights from its comprehensive analyses of each vehicle model, including calculations of reliability, safety, depreciation, value retention, and the vehicle's projected lifetime recalls (based on analyzing over 25 billion data points). This in-depth evaluation is used to identify which vehicle represents a better overall choice for shoppers who are considering both the Mazda Mazda6 and the Nissan Altima.
When we compare the Mazda Mazda6's and the Nissan Altima's specifications and ratings, the Mazda Mazda6 has the advantage in the areas of resale value, overall quality score and base engine power. The Nissan Altima has the advantage in the areas of typical lower range of pricing for one- to five-year-old used cars, and fuel efficiency, reliability and interior volume. Based on this comparison of the Mazda Mazda6's and the Nissan Altima's specifications and ratings, the Nissan Altima is a better car than the Mazda Mazda6.
Pricing: A used 2021 Mazda Mazda6 ranges from $18,276 to $28,457 while a used 2021 Nissan Altima is priced between $16,273 to $25,499.
Resale/Retained Value: Looking at the 5-year depreciation rate for both models, the Mazda Mazda6 loses 37.9 percent of its value and the Nissan Altima loses 46 percent of its value. This means the Mazda Mazda6 retains 8.1 percentage points more of its value and has the advantage of higher resale value versus the Nissan Altima.
Quality Rating: The iSeeCars Overall Quality rating for the Mazda Mazda6 is 8.8 out of 10 while the Nissan Altima's quality rating is 8.6 out of 10. This results in the Mazda Mazda6 being ranked 3 out of 13 Best Midsize Cars and the Nissan Altima being ranked 5 out of 13.
Reliability Rating: iSeeCars’ Reliability Rating for the Mazda Mazda6 is 8.3 out of 10. For the Nissan Altima the reliability rating is 8.3 out of 10. This gives the Nissan Altima a slight advantage in reliability compared to the Mazda Mazda6.
Engine Power and Fuel Efficiency Comparison: For engine performance, the Mazda Mazda6’s base engine makes 187 horsepower, and the Nissan Altima base engine makes 182 horsepower. The Mazda6 is rated to deliver an average of 29 miles per gallon, with a highway range of 574 miles. The Altima is rated to deliver an average of 32 miles per gallon, with a highway range of 632 miles. This gives the Nissan Altima the fuel efficiency and maximum range advantage over the Mazda Mazda6. Both models use regular unleaded.
Passenger Space Comparison: While both models are midsize cars, the Nissan Altima has the advantage of offering more interior volume, reflected in more front head room, front shoulder room, front leg room, rear shoulder room, and cargo space. The Mazda Mazda6 has the advantage in the areas of rear head room and rear leg room.
Safety Ratings: When comparing crash test ratings from NHTSA, both the Mazda Mazda6 and the Nissan Altima have the same average safety rating of 5 out of 5 Stars.
New Car Pricing
Asking Price:
-
Starting MSRP:
$24,475
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Midsize Cars)
$25,984
Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Midsize Cars)
$22,270 - $36,995
New Car Pricing
Asking Price:
-
Starting MSRP:
$24,550
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Midsize Cars)
$25,984
Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Midsize Cars)
$22,270 - $36,995
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
$22,750
Price Range:
$18,276 - $28,457
Category Avg Price:
(Midsize Cars)
$23,413
Category Avg Price Range:
(Midsize Cars)
$19,265 - $31,049
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
79
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
57,005
# Good or Great Deals:
16
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
$20,362
Price Range:
$16,273 - $25,499
Category Avg Price:
(Midsize Cars)
$23,413
Category Avg Price Range:
(Midsize Cars)
$19,265 - $31,049
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
1,068
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
60,518
# Good or Great Deals:
259
Mazda Mazda6 Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
8.8 / 10
Reliability:
8.3 / 10
Retained Value:
8.1 / 10
Safety:
10.0 / 10
Nissan Altima Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
8.6 / 10
Reliability:
8.3 / 10
Retained Value:
7.6 / 10
Safety:
10.0 / 10
iSeeCars Reliability Insights for Mazda Mazda6
Remaining Life Expectancy (years):
7.1
Typical Category Remaining Life Expectancy:
(Midsize Cars)
7.2
Category Remaining Life Expectancy Range:
(Midsize Cars)
6.5 - 10
Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:
10.6%
iSeeCars Reliability Insights for Nissan Altima
Remaining Life Expectancy (years):
7
Typical Category Remaining Life Expectancy:
(Midsize Cars)
7.2
Category Remaining Life Expectancy Range:
(Midsize Cars)
6.5 - 10
Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:
13.7%
Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls
Expected Lifetime Recalls:
1.5
Typical Category Recalls:
(Midsize Cars)
4.4
Category Range for Recalls:
(Midsize Cars)
1.5 - 13.8
Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls
Expected Lifetime Recalls:
2.5
Typical Category Recalls:
(Midsize Cars)
4.4
Category Range for Recalls:
(Midsize Cars)
1.5 - 13.8
Mazda Mazda6 Rankings
Ranking
1 out of / 5Ranking
2 out of / 13Ranking
3 out of / 13Ranking
4 out of / 13Ranking
4 out of / 13Ranking
5 out of / 13Ranking
9 out of / 13Ranking
9 out of / 13Ranking
10 out of / 13Nissan Altima Rankings
Ranking
2 out of / 13Ranking
3 out of / 13Ranking
3 out of / 13Ranking
3 out of / 6Ranking
4 out of / 13Ranking
4 out of / 6Ranking
5 out of / 13Ranking
5 out of / 13Ranking
5 out of / 9Ranking
7 out of / 13Ranking
11 out of / 13Ranking
11 out of / 13Ranking
13 out of / 13Available Body Styles
Sedan
Available Body Styles
Sedan
Available Drivetrain Options
Gasoline
Available Drivetrain Options
Gasoline
Mazda Mazda6 Trim Levels
Carbon Edition, Grand Touring, Grand Touring Reserve, Signature, Sport, Touring
Nissan Altima Trim Levels
2.0 SR, 2.5 Platinum, 2.5 S, 2.5 SL, 2.5 SR, 2.5 SV
Warranty Information
Warranty, Bumper-to-Bumper:
3 years / 36000 miles
Warranty, Powertrain:
5 years / 60000 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):
5 out of 5 Stars
2025 NHTSA Overall Rating:
4 out of 5 Stars
2025 NHTSA Front Crash Overall Rating:
5 out of 5 Stars
2025 NHTSA Side Crash Overall Rating:
5 out of 5 Stars
2025 NHTSA Rollover Rating:
4 out of 5 Stars
IIHS Safety Rating:
Not yet available
Safety Ratings
NHTSA Safety Rating (last 5 year average):
5 out of 5 Stars
2025 NHTSA Overall Rating:
5 out of 5 Stars
2025 NHTSA Front Crash Overall Rating:
4 out of 5 Stars
2025 NHTSA Side Crash Overall Rating:
5 out of 5 Stars
2025 NHTSA Rollover Rating:
5 out of 5 Stars
IIHS Safety Rating:
Not yet available
Base Drivetrain Specs
Horsepower:
187 hp @ 6000 rpm
Torque:
186 foot-lbs @ 4000 rpm
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.054 hp per pound
Base Drivetrain Specs
Horsepower:
182 hp @ 6000 rpm
Torque:
178 foot-lbs @ 3600 rpm
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.057 hp per pound
Engine Specifications
Engine Size:
2.5 liters
Engine Configuration:
Inline
Number of Cylinders:
4
Transmission:
Automatic
Standard/Optional Drivetrain Type:
FWD
EPA Fuel Economy
(City/Highway/Combined MPG):
26 / 35 / 29
Range (city/hwy):
426 / 574 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 / AWD
EPA Fuel Economy
(City/Highway/Combined MPG):
28 / 39 / 32
Range (city/hwy):
454 / 632 miles
Recommended Fuel Type:
Regular Unleaded
Standard/Optional Features
Adaptive Cruise Control:
Standard
Alloy wheels:
Standard
Android Auto:
Standard
Apple CarPlay:
Standard
Bench Seats:
Standard
Bluetooth:
Standard
Internet Radio:
Standard
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Keyless Ignition:
Standard
Power outlet:
Standard
Roadside assistance:
Standard
Voice Recognition:
Standard
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
Available
Heated Seats
Available
Heated Steering Wheel:
Available
Leather Upholstery:
Available
Navigation System:
Available
Paddle Shifters:
Available
Parking Sensors:
Available
Satellite radio:
Available
Sunroof/Moonroof:
Available
Air Suspension:
N/A
Automatic Parking:
N/A
Captain's seat:
N/A
Front Bench Seats:
N/A
Massage Seats:
N/A
Panoramic Sunroof/Moonroof
N/A
Power Lift Gate:
N/A
Quad Seats:
N/A
Roof Rack:
N/A
Trailer Hitch:
N/A
Wifi:
N/A
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
N/A
Standard/Optional Features
Adaptive Cruise Control:
Available
Alloy wheels:
Available
Android Auto:
Available
Apple CarPlay:
Available
Bench Seats:
Standard
Bluetooth:
Standard
Internet Radio:
N/A
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Keyless Ignition:
Standard
Power outlet:
Standard
Roadside assistance:
Available
Voice Recognition:
Standard
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
N/A
Heated Seats
Available
Heated Steering Wheel:
Available
Leather Upholstery:
Available
Navigation System:
Available
Paddle Shifters:
Available
Parking Sensors:
Available
Satellite radio:
Available
Sunroof/Moonroof:
Available
Air Suspension:
N/A
Automatic Parking:
N/A
Captain's seat:
N/A
Front Bench Seats:
N/A
Massage Seats:
N/A
Panoramic Sunroof/Moonroof
N/A
Power Lift Gate:
N/A
Quad Seats:
N/A
Roof Rack:
N/A
Trailer Hitch:
N/A
Wifi:
N/A
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
N/A
Safety Features
Backup camera:
Standard
Blind Spot Monitoring:
Standard
Forward Collision Warning:
Standard
Lane Departure Warning:
Standard
Lane Keeping Assist:
Standard
Pedestrian Detection:
Standard
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:
Standard
360-Degree Camera:
Available
Driver Attention Monitoring:
N/A
Rear Seat Reminder:
N/A
Safety Features
Backup camera:
Standard
Blind Spot Monitoring:
Available
Forward Collision Warning:
Standard
Lane Departure Warning:
Standard
Lane Keeping Assist:
Available
Pedestrian Detection:
Standard
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:
Available
360-Degree Camera:
Available
Driver Attention Monitoring:
Standard
Rear Seat Reminder:
Standard
Interior Dimensions
Front Head Room:
38.4 inches
Front Leg Room:
42.2 inches
Front Shoulder Room:
55.9 inches
Rear Head Room:
37.1 inches
Rear Leg Room:
38.7 inches
Rear Shoulder Room:
55.1 inches
Cargo Space:
14.7 cubic feet
Overall Interior Volume:
99.8 cubic feet
Interior Dimensions
Front Head Room:
39.2 inches
Front Leg Room:
43.8 inches
Front Shoulder Room:
58.2 inches
Rear Head Room:
36.9 inches
Rear Leg Room:
35.2 inches
Rear Shoulder Room:
57.1 inches
Cargo Space:
15.4 cubic feet
Overall Interior Volume:
100.8 cubic feet
Exterior Dimensions
Curb Weight:
3437 lbs
Width:
82.3 inches
Height:
57.1 inches
Length:
192.7 inches
Wheelbase:
111.4 inches
Ground Clearance:
6.5 inches
Exterior Dimensions
Curb Weight:
3207 lbs
Width:
72.9 inches
Height:
56.7 inches
Length:
192.9 inches
Wheelbase:
111.2 inches
Ground Clearance:
Not yet available
Standard Wheel/Tire Information
Wheel Size:
17.0 x 7.5 inches
Wheel Type:
aluminum alloy
Tire Size:
P225/55R17
Standard Wheel/Tire Information
Wheel Size:
16.0 x 7.0 inches
Wheel Type:
steel
Tire Size:
P215/60R16
Exterior Colors
Black
Jet Black Mica
Blue
Deep Crystal Blue Mica
Gray
Machine Gray Metallic
Red
Soul Red Crystal Metallic
White
Snowflake White Pearl Mica
Silver
Not available
Exterior Colors
Black
Super Black
Blue
Deep Blue Pearl
Gray
Gun Metallic
Red
Not available
White
Glacier White
Silver
Brilliant Silver Metallic
Interior Colors
Black
Black
Interior Colors
Black
Charcoal