The 2027 Nissan Altima now costs more and gives you less. Meanwhile the Camry Hybrid sits just a few hundred dollars away, with double the fuel economy. That’s not a close call anymore. If you’re cross-shopping these two midsize sedans, the math has shifted hard in Toyota’s favor.
Nissan just announced the 2027 Altima lineup, and the news isn’t great. The base SV trim now starts at $27,790 before destination, or $29,065 out the door. That’s $210 more than the outgoing 2026 model. Worse, Nissan quietly killed all-wheel drive on that base trim. Want AWD? You now have to step up to the pricier SR grade starting around $30,690.
What exactly did the 2027 Altima lose?
The 2027 Altima lost its base-trim all-wheel-drive option, its SV Special Edition, and its SR Midnight Edition package. That leaves just two trims total. You get a smaller lineup for more money, with no new features to show for it.
The powertrain carries over unchanged. It’s a 2.5-liter four-cylinder making 188 horsepower in front-wheel-drive models and 182 horsepower in AWD versions, paired with Nissan’s familiar Xtronic CVT. Fuel economy lands at an EPA-estimated 30 mpg combined for FWD and 28 mpg combined for AWD. That’s respectable for a gas-only sedan built on a platform nearing its tenth birthday. But it’s not winning any efficiency arguments against the competition.
Is the Camry Hybrid actually cheaper to own than the Altima?
Yes. Once you factor in fuel costs, the Camry Hybrid is cheaper to own than the Altima, despite its higher sticker price. The Camry’s standard hybrid system returns up to 51 mpg combined versus the Altima’s 30 mpg. That gap adds up fast at the pump.
Toyota’s 2027 Camry starts at $29,700 before destination, or about $30,995 out the door for the base LE FWD trim. That’s only around $1,900 more than the cheapest Altima. For that extra money, you get a 2.5-liter hybrid four-cylinder making 225 horsepower combined. That’s significantly more power than anything in the Altima’s lineup. Every single Camry trim comes standard as a hybrid now. There’s no gas-only version to even consider.
Side-by-side: 2027 Altima vs 2027 Camry Hybrid
| Spec | 2027 Altima SV FWD | 2027 Camry LE FWD |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price (w/ destination) | $29,065 | $30,995 |
| Horsepower | 188 hp | 225 hp combined |
| Combined fuel economy | 30 mpg | 51 mpg |
| Powertrain | Gas-only, CVT | Standard hybrid, eCVT |
| AWD availability | SR trim only, $30,690+ | Available on most trims |
Run the numbers on 12,000 miles a year at today’s gas prices. The Camry’s mileage advantage alone can save you several hundred dollars annually compared to the Altima. Over a five-year loan, that gap easily covers the price difference between the two cars. And then some.
Why is Nissan raising prices while cutting features?
Nissan is squeezing more money out of a shrinking, aging sedan. Reports suggest the automaker is already planning to wind it down. Earlier this year, rumors even pointed to the Altima being discontinued after 2026. Nissan walked that back and confirmed a 2027 model. But the writing is on the wall.
Altima sales are down significantly this year. Nissan’s own product planning executives have said the automaker originally wanted to replace the Altima with an EV sedan. They pulled back due to soft EV demand. That leaves the current Altima limping along as a stopgap, not a car Nissan is actively investing in. A shrinking trim lineup and a price hike with zero new equipment is exactly what you’d expect from a model on its way out.
Meanwhile, Toyota keeps refining the Camry’s hybrid system and expanding AWD availability across trims. That tells you where each company’s attention is actually going. If you want more on how Toyota’s hybrids stack up against rivals, check out our Camry Hybrid vs. Accord Hybrid comparison at today’s gas prices.
So which one should you actually buy?
Buy the Camry Hybrid. The price gap between it and the Altima has shrunk to less than $2,000. The Camry pays that back in fuel savings within the first year or two of ownership for most drivers.
The Altima isn’t a bad car. The base SV is still reasonably well equipped for the money. But paying more for a smaller lineup, a thirstier engine, and a model Nissan itself seems lukewarm about is a tough sell. The Camry sits right there with a 21-mpg combined advantage. If you’re set on a Nissan specifically, it’s worth also checking out our breakdown of the 2027 Rogue Hybrid, which gets Nissan’s newer hybrid tech the Altima still lacks.
One caveat on the Camry: an earlier model year dealt with a recall affecting over 500,000 Camrys. Check the VIN on any used or leftover 2025-2026 inventory before you sign. For full official specs on the current lineup, Toyota’s own 2027 Camry page breaks down every trim and fuel economy figure.
FAQ
Is the 2027 Nissan Altima being discontinued?
Not yet. Nissan confirmed the Altima will continue for the 2027 model year after rumors suggested it might be dropped. But the shrinking trim lineup and stagnant investment suggest its days are numbered.
Does the Camry Hybrid cost more to maintain than the Altima?
Not meaningfully. Toyota’s hybrid system is well proven after years in the Camry, Corolla, and RAV4. Routine maintenance costs are similar to a standard gas sedan. Fuel savings offset any difference.
Can you still get all-wheel drive on the base Altima?
No. For 2027, Nissan moved all-wheel drive exclusively to the SR trim. Base SV buyers who want AWD now have to pay at least $1,625 more to get it.
What’s the real-world fuel economy difference between these two cars?
The Camry’s 51 mpg combined rating is roughly 70% better than the Altima’s 30 mpg. That translates to real savings of several hundred dollars a year for the average driver putting on 12,000 miles annually.