Toyota RAV4 vs. Nissan Altima
iSeeCars' unbiased and data-driven comparison of the Toyota RAV4 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 Toyota RAV4 and the Nissan Altima.
In comparing the Toyota RAV4's and the Nissan Altima's specifications and ratings, the Toyota RAV4 has the advantage in the areas of reliability, resale value, interior volume, overall quality score and base engine power. The Nissan Altima has the advantage in the areas of new vehicle base pricing, typical lower range of pricing for one- to five-year-old used cars, and fuel efficiency. Based on this comparison of the Toyota RAV4's and the Nissan Altima's specifications and ratings, the Toyota RAV4 is a better car than the Nissan Altima.
Pricing: A used 2024 Toyota RAV4 ranges from $30,333 to $41,519 while a used 2024 Nissan Altima is priced between $22,474 to $34,118. For a new model, the Toyota RAV4's price is between $30,673 and $41,221, with the Nissan Altima priced between $26,000 and $36,280.
Resale/Retained Value: Looking at the 5-year depreciation rate for both models, the Toyota RAV4 loses 28.7 percent of its value and the Nissan Altima loses 46 percent of its value. This means the Toyota RAV4 retains 17.4 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 Toyota RAV4 is 8.8 out of 10 while the Nissan Altima's quality rating is 8.6 out of 10. This results in the Toyota RAV4 being ranked 1 out of 67 Best Crossover SUVs and the Nissan Altima being ranked 6 out of 13 Best Midsize Cars.
Reliability Rating: iSeeCars’ Reliability Rating for the Toyota RAV4 is 8.5 out of 10. For the Nissan Altima the reliability rating is 8.3 out of 10. This gives the Toyota RAV4 a slight advantage in reliability compared to the Nissan Altima.
Engine Power and Fuel Efficiency Comparison: For engine performance, the Toyota RAV4’s base engine makes 203 horsepower, and the Nissan Altima base engine makes 188 horsepower. The RAV4 is rated to deliver an average of 30 miles per gallon, with a highway range of 508 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 Toyota RAV4. Both models use regular unleaded.
Passenger Space Comparison: The Toyota RAV4, a crossover/compact SUV, has the advantage of offering more interior volume, reflected in more rear head room, rear leg room, and cargo space. The Nissan Altima, a midsize car, has the advantage in the areas of front head room, front shoulder room, front leg room and rear shoulder room.
Safety Ratings: When comparing crash test ratings from NHTSA, both the Toyota RAV4 and the Nissan Altima have the same average safety rating of 5 out of 5 Stars. When comparing IIHS evaluations, the Toyota RAV4 has the advantage with a Top Safety Pick award.
New Car Pricing
Asking Price:
30673 - 41221
Starting MSRP:
28475
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Compact SUVs)
27871
Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Compact SUVs)
23860 - 30300
New Car Pricing
Asking Price:
26000 - 36280
Starting MSRP:
26000
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Midsize Cars)
26143
Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Midsize Cars)
24700 - 27895
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
35001
Price Range:
30333 - 41519
Category Avg Price:
(Compact SUVs)
33244
Category Avg Price Range:
(Compact SUVs)
29649 - 36546
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
2214
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
25407
# Good or Great Deals:
635
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
27616
Price Range:
22474 - 34118
Category Avg Price:
(Midsize Cars)
29305
Category Avg Price Range:
(Midsize Cars)
25951 - 31688
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
1827
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
25869
# Good or Great Deals:
292
5-year Depreciation
Depreciation $:
8275
Depreciation %:
0.29061823
Resale Value $:
20200
Residual Value %:
0.70938177
Typical Category Depreciation %:
(Compact SUVs)
0.42031495
Category Depreciation Range:
(Compact SUVs)
0.29061823 - 0.47283242
5-year Depreciation
Depreciation $:
11882
Depreciation %:
0.45701216
Resale Value $:
14118
Residual Value %:
0.54298784
Typical Category Depreciation %:
(Midsize Cars)
0.37226573
Category Depreciation Range:
(Midsize Cars)
0.32098078 - 0.45701216
Toyota RAV4 Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
8.754311 / 10
Reliability:
8.538733 / 10
Retained Value:
8.724201 / 10
Safety:
9.0 / 10
Nissan Altima Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
8.645324 / 10
Reliability:
8.300512 / 10
Retained Value:
7.635461 / 10
Safety:
10.0 / 10
iSeeCars Reliability Insights for Toyota RAV4
Avg Life Expectancy (years):
12.9
Typical Category Life Expectancy:
(Compact SUVs)
10.9
Category Life Expectancy Range:
(Compact SUVs)
9.9 - 13.4
Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:
0.407
iSeeCars Reliability Insights for Nissan Altima
Avg Life Expectancy (years):
10.0
Typical Category Life Expectancy:
(Midsize Cars)
10.1
Category Life Expectancy Range:
(Midsize Cars)
9.5 - 13.0
Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:
0.137
Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls
Expected Lifetime Recalls:
2.632974242633769
Typical Category Recalls:
(Compact SUVs)
2.6
Category Range for Recalls:
(Compact SUVs)
1.8 - 18.3
Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls
Expected Lifetime Recalls:
3.0107394869287427
Typical Category Recalls:
(Midsize Cars)
3.3
Category Range for Recalls:
(Midsize Cars)
1.7 - 15.5
Toyota RAV4 Rankings
Ranking
1 out of / 67Ranking
1 out of / 67Ranking
1 out of / 67Ranking
1 out of / 20Ranking
1 out of / 20Ranking
1 out of / 19Ranking
1 out of / 19Ranking
1 out of / 19Ranking
1 out of / 13Ranking
1 out of / 13Ranking
2 out of / 56Ranking
2 out of / 18Ranking
2 out of / 9Ranking
2 out of / 7Ranking
3 out of / 19Ranking
4 out of / 19Ranking
5 out of / 19Ranking
6 out of / 67Ranking
7 out of / 19Ranking
7 out of / 19Ranking
9 out of / 67Ranking
9 out of / 18Ranking
11 out of / 67Ranking
12 out of / 19Ranking
15 out of / 67Ranking
16 out of / 19Ranking
19 out of / 19Ranking
19 out of / 19Ranking
21 out of / 56Ranking
30 out of / 67Ranking
37 out of / 67Ranking
43 out of / 67Ranking
45 out of / 67Ranking
66 out of / 67Ranking
66 out of / 67Nissan Altima Rankings
Ranking
3 out of / 13Ranking
3 out of / 13Ranking
3 out of / 7Ranking
4 out of / 7Ranking
5 out of / 13Ranking
5 out of / 13Ranking
5 out of / 7Ranking
5 out of / 7Ranking
6 out of / 13Ranking
6 out of / 13Ranking
7 out of / 13Ranking
8 out of / 13Ranking
9 out of / 13Ranking
11 out of / 13Available Body Styles
SUV
Available Body Styles
Sedan
Available Drivetrain Options
Gasoline
Available Drivetrain Options
Gasoline
Toyota RAV4 Trim Levels
Adventure, LE, Limited, TRD Off-Road, XLE, XLE Premium
Nissan Altima Trim Levels
2.0 SR, 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:
2 years
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:
4 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:
TOP SAFETY PICK
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:
203 hp @ 6600 rpm
Torque:
184 foot-lbs @ 5000 rpm
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.060 hp per pound
Towing capacity:
Not yet available
Base Drivetrain Specs
Horsepower:
188 hp @ 6000 rpm
Torque:
180 foot-lbs @ 3600 rpm
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.058 hp per pound
Towing capacity:
Not yet available
Engine Specifications
Engine Size:
2.5 liters
Engine Configuration:
Inline
Number of Cylinders:
4
Transmission:
Automatic
Standard/Optional Drivetrain Type:
FWD / AWD
EPA Fuel Economy
(City/Highway/Combined MPG):
27 / 35 / 30
Range (city/hwy):
392 / 508 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):
27 / 39 / 32
Range (city/hwy):
437 / 632 miles
Recommended Fuel Type:
Regular Unleaded
Standard/Optional Features
Adaptive Cruise Control:
Standard
Android Auto:
Standard
Apple CarPlay:
Standard
Bench Seats:
Standard
Bluetooth:
Standard
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Power outlet:
Standard
Roadside assistance:
Standard
Satellite radio:
Standard
Voice Recognition:
Standard
Wifi:
Standard
Alloy wheels:
Available
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
Available
Heated Seats
Available
Heated Steering Wheel:
Available
Keyless Ignition:
Available
Leather Upholstery:
Available
Navigation System:
Available
Parking Sensors:
Available
Power Lift Gate:
Available
Roof Rack:
Available
Sunroof/Moonroof:
Available
Trailer Hitch:
Available
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
Available
Air Suspension:
N/A
Automatic Parking:
N/A
Captain's seat:
N/A
Front Bench Seats:
N/A
Internet Radio:
N/A
Massage Seats:
N/A
Paddle Shifters:
N/A
Panoramic Sunroof/Moonroof
N/A
Quad Seats:
N/A
Standard/Optional Features
Adaptive Cruise Control:
Available
Android Auto:
Available
Apple CarPlay:
Available
Bench Seats:
Standard
Bluetooth:
Standard
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Power outlet:
Standard
Roadside assistance:
Available
Satellite radio:
Available
Voice Recognition:
Standard
Wifi:
Available
Alloy wheels:
Available
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
N/A
Heated Seats
Available
Heated Steering Wheel:
Available
Keyless Ignition:
Standard
Leather Upholstery:
Available
Navigation System:
Available
Parking Sensors:
Standard
Power Lift Gate:
N/A
Roof Rack:
N/A
Sunroof/Moonroof:
Available
Trailer Hitch:
N/A
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
Available
Air Suspension:
N/A
Automatic Parking:
N/A
Captain's seat:
N/A
Front Bench Seats:
N/A
Internet Radio:
N/A
Massage Seats:
N/A
Paddle Shifters:
Available
Panoramic Sunroof/Moonroof
N/A
Quad Seats:
N/A
Safety Features
Backup camera:
Standard
Forward Collision Warning:
Standard
Lane Departure Warning:
Standard
Lane Keeping Assist:
Standard
Pedestrian Detection:
Standard
Rear Seat Reminder:
Standard
Blind Spot Monitoring:
Available
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:
Available
360-Degree Camera:
N/A
Driver Attention Monitoring:
N/A
Safety Features
Backup camera:
Standard
Forward Collision Warning:
Standard
Lane Departure Warning:
Standard
Lane Keeping Assist:
Available
Pedestrian Detection:
Standard
Rear Seat Reminder:
Standard
Blind Spot Monitoring:
Standard
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:
Standard
360-Degree Camera:
Available
Driver Attention Monitoring:
Standard
Interior Dimensions
Front Head Room:
37.7 inches
Front Leg Room:
41 inches
Front Shoulder Room:
57.8 inches
Rear Head Room:
39.5 inches
Rear Leg Room:
37.8 inches
Rear Shoulder Room:
56.4 inches
Cargo Space:
37.6 cubic feet
Cargo Space, 2nd-row seat folded down:
69.8 cubic feet
Overall Interior Volume:
136.4 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
Cargo Space, 2nd-row seat folded down:
Not yet available
Overall Interior Volume:
100.6 cubic feet
Exterior Dimensions
Curb Weight:
3370 lbs
Width:
73 inches
Height:
67 inches
Length:
180.9 inches
Wheelbase:
105.9 inches
Ground Clearance:
8.4 inches
Exterior Dimensions
Curb Weight:
3253 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 7.0 inches
Wheel Type:
steel
Tire Size:
225/65R17
Standard Wheel/Tire Information
Wheel Size:
16.0 x 7.0 inches
Wheel Type:
steel
Tire Size:
P215/60R16
Exterior Colors
Black
Midnight Black Metallic
Gray
Magnetic Gray Metallic
Red
Ruby Flare Pearl
Silver
Silver Sky Metallic
White
Ice Cap
Blue
Not available
Exterior Colors
Black
Super Black
Gray
Gun Metallic
Red
Not available
Silver
Brilliant Silver Metallic
White
Glacier White
Blue
Deep Blue Pearl
Interior Colors
Beige
Nutmeg
Black
Black
Interior Colors
Beige
Not available
Black
Charcoal
