2015 head-to-head · Midsize Car
2015 Nissan Altima vs Volkswagen Passat Diesel
MPG, range and what each one really costs you to fuel, from official EPA ratings and recalculated with your own gas and electricity prices.
The 2015 Nissan Altima is the cheaper one to run. Driving 15,000 miles a year with $3.10/gal regular gas and $3.70/gal diesel fuel, it costs about $1,500 a year to fuel (31 MPG), versus $1,632 for the 2015 Volkswagen Passat Diesel (34 MPG). That's roughly $132 a year, or about $662 over five years.
Your numbers
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Fuel cost over 10 years
- Nissan Altima
- Volkswagen Passat Diesel
Side by side
| Nissan Altima | Volkswagen Passat Diesel | |
|---|---|---|
| $1,500 | Your annual fuel cost | $1,632 |
| 31 MPG | Combined efficiency | 34 MPG |
| 27 MPG | City | 30 MPG |
| 37 MPG | Highway | 42 MPG |
| 102 cu ft | Passenger volume | 102 cu ft |
| 15 cu ft | Cargo volume | 16 cu ft |
| 290 g/mi | Tailpipe CO₂ (g/mi) | 299 g/mi |
| 8/10 | EPA fuel economy score | 8/10 |
| 8/10 | EPA greenhouse gas score | 7/10 |
| Gas | Powertrain | Diesel |
| Regular gasoline | Fuel | Diesel |
| 2.5L 4-cyl | Engine / motor | 2.0L 4-cyl turbo |
| CVT | Transmission | 6-speed manual |
| FWD | Drivetrain | FWD |
✓ marks the better value. EPA scores run 1–10 (10 is best). Volumes come from the EPA interior volume index and aren't published for every body style.
Nissan Altima vs Volkswagen Passat Diesel across model years
- Nissan Altima
- Volkswagen Passat Diesel
Annual fuel cost of the most efficient configuration of each model year, at your prices. Click a point to open that year.
How they differ
Per EPA interior volume figures, the Volkswagen Passat Diesel has more cargo space (16 vs. 15 cu ft).
Among 69 2015 midsize cars, the Nissan Altima ranks 20th and the Volkswagen Passat Diesel 26th for lowest fuel cost.
The powertrains differ: the Nissan Altima is a conventional gas model, while the Volkswagen Passat Diesel is a diesel.
Frequently asked questions
Which is more fuel-efficient, the 2015 Nissan Altima or the 2015 Volkswagen Passat Diesel?
Measured by cost to drive, the Nissan Altima. The Nissan Altima is rated 31 MPG combined and the Volkswagen Passat Diesel 34 MPG (EPA, most efficient configuration of each).
How much does it cost to fuel the 2015 Nissan Altima vs. the Volkswagen Passat Diesel per year?
At 15,000 miles a year with $3.10/gal regular gas and $3.70/gal diesel fuel, about $1,500 for the Nissan Altima and $1,632 for the Volkswagen Passat Diesel.
Which has more cargo space?
The Volkswagen Passat Diesel, with 16 cu ft of luggage volume versus 15 cu ft (EPA interior volume index).
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