2021 head-to-head · Midsize Car
2021 Mazda 6 vs Nissan Altima
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 2021 Nissan Altima is the cheaper one to run. Driving 15,000 miles a year with $3.10/gal regular gas, it costs about $1,453 a year to fuel (32 MPG), versus $1,603 for the 2021 Mazda 6 (29 MPG). That's roughly $150 a year, or about $752 over five years.
Your numbers
Change these to match your driving and local prices. Every figure and chart on this page updates.
Fuel cost over 10 years
- Mazda 6
- Nissan Altima
Side by side
| Mazda 6 | Nissan Altima | |
|---|---|---|
| $1,603 | Your annual fuel cost | $1,453 |
| 29 MPG | Combined efficiency | 32 MPG |
| 26 MPG | City | 28 MPG |
| 35 MPG | Highway | 39 MPG |
| 100 cu ft | Passenger volume | 101 cu ft |
| 15 cu ft | Cargo volume | 15 cu ft |
| 302 g/mi | Tailpipe CO₂ (g/mi) | 281 g/mi |
| 6/10 | EPA fuel economy score | 7/10 |
| 6/10 | EPA greenhouse gas score | 7/10 |
| Gas | Powertrain | Gas |
| Regular gasoline | Fuel | Regular gasoline |
| 2.5L 4-cyl | Engine / motor | 2.5L 4-cyl |
| 6-speed automatic | Transmission | CVT |
| 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.
Mazda 6 vs Nissan Altima across model years
- Mazda 6
- Nissan Altima
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
Among 54 2021 midsize cars, the Mazda 6 ranks 23rd and the Nissan Altima 19th for lowest fuel cost.
Frequently asked questions
Which is more fuel-efficient, the 2021 Mazda 6 or the 2021 Nissan Altima?
Measured by cost to drive, the Nissan Altima. The Mazda 6 is rated 29 MPG combined and the Nissan Altima 32 MPG (EPA, most efficient configuration of each).
How much does it cost to fuel the 2021 Mazda 6 vs. the Nissan Altima per year?
At 15,000 miles a year with $3.10/gal regular gas, about $1,603 for the Mazda 6 and $1,453 for the Nissan Altima.
Mazda 6 vs Nissan Altima in other years
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