Nissan Altima Fuel Efficiency and Tank Capacity Across Generations

Nissan Altima Fuel Efficiency and Tank Capacity Across Generations

The Nissan Altima has been a popular midsize sedan choice for over 30 years, offering a compelling blend of style, performance, and fuel efficiency. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore how the Altima’s fuel economy and fuel tank capacity have evolved across its six generations, from its debut in 1992 to the latest 2024 models.

Overview of Nissan Altima Generations

Before diving into the specifics of fuel efficiency, let’s briefly review the six generations of the Nissan Altima:

• First Generation (1992-1997)
• Second Generation (1998-2001)
• Third Generation (2002-2006)
• Fourth Generation (2007-2012)
• Fifth Generation (2013-2018)
• Sixth Generation (2019-present)

Each generation brought improvements in design, technology, and efficiency. Now let’s examine how fuel economy has changed over the years.

Fuel Efficiency Comparison Table

The table below summarizes the fuel efficiency ratings for key Altima models across generations. Note that these figures are based on EPA estimates and may vary in real-world driving conditions.

First Generation (1992-1997)

The first-generation Nissan Altima was introduced as a compact car, replacing the Stanza in Nissan’s lineup. It came equipped with a 2.4L inline-4 engine.

Fuel Efficiency

The 1993 Altima with a 2.4L engine and 5-speed manual transmission achieved:

• City: 21 MPG
• Highway: 29 MPG
• Combined: 24 MPG

Fuel Tank Capacity

The first-generation Altima had a fuel tank capacity of approximately 15.9 gallons (60.2 liters).

Second Generation (1998-2001)

The second-generation Altima grew slightly in size but retained the 2.4L engine from its predecessor.

Fuel Efficiency

Fuel economy remained relatively unchanged for the 2000 Altima with a 2.4L engine and automatic transmission:

• City: 21 MPG
• Highway: 29 MPG
• Combined: 24 MPG

Fuel Tank Capacity

The fuel tank capacity for the second-generation Altima was approximately 15.9 gallons (60.2 liters), unchanged from the first generation.

Third Generation (2002-2006)

The third-generation Altima saw significant changes, moving to the midsize segment and introducing a V6 engine option alongside the base 4-cylinder.

Fuel Efficiency

For the 2005 Altima with a 2.5L 4-cylinder engine and automatic transmission:

• City: 23 MPG
• Highway: 29 MPG
• Combined: 25 MPG

The V6 model had lower fuel economy ratings:

• City: 20 MPG
• Highway: 30 MPG
• Combined: 24 MPG

Fuel Tank Capacity

The third-generation Altima featured a larger fuel tank with a capacity of 20 gallons (75.7 liters), providing an extended driving range.

Fourth Generation (2007-2012)

The fourth-generation Altima continued to offer both 4-cylinder and V6 engines, with improved fuel efficiency across the board.

Fuel Efficiency

For the 2010 Altima with a 2.5L 4-cylinder engine and CVT transmission:

• City: 23 MPG
• Highway: 32 MPG
• Combined: 26 MPG

The V6 model showed improvement as well:

• City: 20 MPG
• Highway: 27 MPG
• Combined: 23 MPG

Fuel Tank Capacity

The fourth-generation Altima maintained the 20-gallon (75.7-liter) fuel tank capacity from the previous generation.

Fifth Generation (2013-2018)

The fifth-generation Altima saw significant improvements in fuel efficiency, thanks to advanced engine technology and aerodynamic design.

Fuel Efficiency

For the 2015 Altima with a 2.5L 4-cylinder engine and CVT transmission:

• City: 27 MPG
• Highway: 38 MPG
• Combined: 31 MPG

The V6 model also showed impressive gains:

• City: 22 MPG
• Highway: 32 MPG
• Combined: 26 MPG

Fuel Tank Capacity

The fifth-generation Altima slightly reduced its fuel tank capacity to 18 gallons (68.1 liters), which still provided an excellent driving range due to improved fuel efficiency.

Sixth Generation (2019-present)

The current sixth-generation Altima continues to push the boundaries of fuel efficiency, introducing new engine options and available all-wheel drive.

Fuel Efficiency

For the 2024 Altima with a 2.5L 4-cylinder engine, front-wheel drive, and CVT transmission:

• City: 27 MPG
• Highway: 39 MPG
• Combined: 32 MPG

The all-wheel-drive variant achieves:

• City: 26 MPG
• Highway: 36 MPG
• Combined: 30 MPG

The new VC-Turbo engine option offers:

• City: 25 MPG
• Highway: 34 MPG
• Combined: 29 MPG

Fuel Tank Capacity

The sixth-generation Altima has a fuel tank capacity of 16.2 gallons (61.3 liters) for front-wheel-drive models and 16.0 gallons (60.6 liters) for all-wheel-drive variants.

Factors Affecting Fuel Efficiency

Several factors can impact the real-world fuel efficiency of the Nissan Altima:

• Driving Habits: Aggressive acceleration and braking can significantly reduce fuel economy.
• Traffic Conditions: Stop-and-go traffic typically results in lower MPG compared to highway cruising.
• Maintenance: Regular maintenance, including proper tire inflation and engine tune-ups, can help maintain optimal fuel efficiency.
• Climate: Extreme temperatures can affect fuel economy, as can the use of climate control systems.
• Payload: Carrying heavy loads or towing can decrease fuel efficiency.
• Fuel Quality: Using the recommended grade of gasoline can help maintain advertised fuel economy figures.

Tips for Maximizing Fuel Efficiency in Your Nissan Altima

To get the most out of your Altima’s fuel economy, consider the following tips:

1. Smooth Driving: Avoid rapid acceleration and hard braking. Maintain a steady speed when possible.
2. Use Cruise Control: On highways, using cruise control can help maintain a consistent speed and improve fuel economy.
3. Regular Maintenance: Keep up with scheduled maintenance to ensure your Altima is running at peak efficiency.
4. Tire Pressure: Check and maintain proper tire pressure regularly. Underinflated tires can decrease fuel efficiency.
5. Reduce Idling: Turn off the engine if you expect to be stationary for more than a minute.
6. Plan Trips: Combine errands into single trips to reduce overall driving time and cold starts.
7. Remove Excess Weight: Clear out unnecessary items from your car to reduce weight and improve fuel economy.
8. Use Recommended Fuel: Always use the fuel grade recommended in your owner’s manual.

Comparing Altima Fuel Efficiency to Competitors

The Nissan Altima has consistently been competitive in its segment regarding fuel efficiency. Here’s how the 2024 Altima compares to some of its main rivals:

As we can see, the Altima holds its own against key competitors, offering comparable or slightly better fuel efficiency in some cases.

Future of Fuel Efficiency in the Nissan Altima

As automotive technology continues to advance, we can expect future iterations of the Nissan Altima to push the boundaries of fuel efficiency even further. Some potential developments may include:

• Hybrid and Plug-in Hybrid Options: While Nissan discontinued the Altima Hybrid after the 2011 model year, future generations may see the return of electrified powertrains to compete with hybrid offerings from competitors.
• Advanced Engine Technologies: Further refinement of technologies like the variable compression turbo engine could yield additional efficiency gains.
• Lightweight Materials: Increased use of lightweight materials in construction could improve fuel economy without sacrificing safety or performance.
• Aerodynamic Improvements: Continued refinement of the Altima’s aerodynamics could help reduce drag and improve highway fuel economy.
• Mild Hybrid Systems: The integration of 48-volt mild hybrid systems could provide efficiency boosts in future models.

Conclusion

The Nissan Altima has come a long way in terms of fuel efficiency since its introduction in 1992. From the early models achieving around 24 MPG combined to the latest generation boasting up to 32 MPG combined, Nissan has consistently worked to improve the Altima’s fuel economy.

While fuel tank capacities have fluctuated over the years, the overall trend towards improved efficiency means that even with slightly smaller tanks, modern Altimas can travel further on a single fill-up than their predecessors.