Nissan vs. Toyota

iSeeCars' unbiased and data-driven comparison of cars from Nissan and Toyota contrasts the two brands across a broad spectrum of vehicle specifications to determine which one is better. In addition to comparing pricing and specs, iSeeCars uses all the ratings, rankings, and insights from its comprehensive analyses of vehicle models, including calculations of reliability, safety, depreciation, value retention, and projected lifetime recalls based on recall history. This in-depth evaluation is used to identify which brand represents a better overall choice for shoppers who are considering both Nissan and Toyota cars.

When comparing the Nissan brand to the Toyota brand, Nissan has the advantage in the areas of new car pricing, used car pricing and horsepower. Toyota has the advantage in the areas of depreciation, fuel efficiency, towing capacity, overall quality, reliability, safety, retained value, vehicle rankings and variety of models offered.

Nissan versus Toyota: Pricing and Value: Analyzing Nissan versus Toyota pricing we see a lower new vehicle starting price for Nissan in 16 out of 19 vehicle comparisons. Nissan also has a lower used vehicle starting price in 13 out of 15 comparisons. Toyota models depreciate at a lower (better) rate in 19 out of 19 comparisons.

Nissan versus Toyota: Horsepower, Fuel Efficiency and Towing Capacity: Nissan vehicles offer higher maximum horsepower numbers in their base trim in 10 out of 19 model comparisons, with Toyota offering more horsepower in 9 comparisons. Toyota offers higher MPG for its vehicles in their base trim in 3 out of 4 comparisons. Both Nissan and Toyota vehicles have the same MPG in 1 comparisons. Toyota offers a longer driving range in 1 out of 1 model comparisons. Toyota offers a greater towing capacity in 6 out of 12 comparisons. Nissan offers greater towing capacity in 3 out of 12 comparisons, and in 3 comparisons Nissan and Toyota have the same towing capacity.

Nissan versus Toyota: Quality, Reliability, Safety, and Value Retention Ratings: A comparison of Nissan versus Toyota overall quality ratings shows Toyota with higher quality ratings in 12 out of 13 model comparisons. In terms of reliability ratings, Toyota has the advantage in 13 out of 13 comparisons. Toyota has better safety ratings in 9 out of 16 comparisons while Nissan has better safety ratings in 5 out of 16 comparisons. Nissan and Toyota tie for safety in 2 comparisons. Toyota shows higher ratings for retained value in 19 out of 19 comparisons.

Best Car Rankings: Toyota has better car rankings in 15 categories: Toyota RAV4 in Best 5-seater SUVs, Toyota Sequoia in Best 7-Seater SUVs, Toyota Land Cruiser in Best 8-seater SUVs, Toyota Corolla in Best Compact Cars, Toyota RAV4 in Best Crossover SUVs, Toyota Tundra in Best Full-Size Trucks, Toyota Avalon in Best Large Cars, Toyota Land Cruiser in Best Large SUVs, Toyota Camry in Best Midsize Cars, Toyota Highlander in Best Midsize SUVs, Toyota Tacoma in Best Midsize Trucks, Toyota Corolla in Best Small Cars, Toyota RAV4 in Best Small SUVs, Toyota Yaris in Best Subcompact Cars, and Toyota Land Cruiser in Best SUVs with 3 Rows.

Most Reliable Car Rankings: Toyota has better car rankings in 10 categories: Toyota RAV4 in Most Reliable Crossover SUVs, Toyota Tundra in Most Reliable Full-Size Trucks, Toyota Avalon in Most Reliable Large Cars, Toyota Land Cruiser in Most Reliable Large SUVs, Toyota Camry in Most Reliable Midsize Cars, Toyota 4Runner in Most Reliable Midsize SUVs, Toyota Tacoma in Most Reliable Midsize Trucks, Toyota Corolla in Most Reliable Small Cars, Toyota RAV4 in Most Reliable Small SUVs, and Toyota Land Cruiser in Most Reliable SUVs with 3 Rows.

Safest Car Rankings: Nissan has better car rankings in 4 categories: Nissan Pathfinder in Safest Crossover SUVs, Nissan Ariya in Safest Electric SUVs, Nissan Pathfinder in Safest Midsize SUVs, and Nissan Pathfinder in Safest SUVs with 3 Rows. Toyota has better car rankings in 5 categories: Toyota Tundra in Safest Full-Size Trucks, Toyota Avalon in Safest Large Cars, Toyota Camry in Safest Midsize Cars, Toyota Tacoma in Safest Midsize Trucks, and Toyota Corolla Hatchback in Safest Small Cars.

Best Cars for the Money Rankings: Toyota has better car rankings in 8 categories: Toyota RAV4 in Best Crossover SUVs for the Money, Toyota Tundra in Best Full-Size Trucks for the Money, Toyota Camry in Best Midsize Cars for the Money, Toyota 4Runner in Best Midsize SUVs for the Money, Toyota Tacoma in Best Midsize Trucks for the Money, Toyota Corolla in Best Small Cars for the Money, Toyota RAV4 in Best Small SUVs for the Money, and Toyota Highlander in Best SUVs with 3 Rows for the Money.

Available Body Styles: Nissan offers 7 SUVs, 1 wagon, 3 sedans, 2 coupes, and 1 hatchback. In comparison, Toyota offers 17 SUVs, 7 sedans, 2 coupes, 5 hatchbacks, and 1 minivan.

Drivetrain Options: Nissan offers 14 gasoline vehicles and 2 electric vehicles. Toyota offers 13 gasoline vehicles, 17 hybrids, 4 plug-in hybrids, 1 electric vehicle, and 1 hydrogen vehicle.

Nissan offers 7 all-wheel-drive models, 10 front-wheel-drive models, and 1 rear-wheel-drive model. Toyota offers 20 all-wheel-drive models, 15 front-wheel-drive models, and 3 rear-wheel-drive models.