2012 Nissan Altima MPG and Fuel Cost

The 2012 Nissan Altima is rated 21 to 26 mpg combined across 6 EPA-tested gas versions; the best is the 2.5L 4-cyl · FWD · 6-speed manual.

EPA fuel economy

2012 Nissan Altima · 6 EPA-tested versions

Best EPA rating

26MPG combined

23 city 31 highway

$2,600 a year to fuel

2.5L 4-cyl · FWD · 6-speed manual

Best version costs $1,000 more in fuel over 5 years vs the average new vehicle (EPA)

Fuel cost: 15,000 miles a year at EPA's $4.47 a gallon (regular gas).

Data: US EPA, fueleconomy.govUpdated Sep 30, 2026

At EPA's price assumptions, fuel costs $2,600 to $3,200 a year. The hybrid version offered in 2011 is not listed by EPA for 2012.

About a typical Altima year

The 2012 drew 70 owner complaints in its first three years, against 70 for a typical Altima year.

Years to avoid: 2013 to 2015; best years: 2021, 2022, and 2023. Based on owner complaints, not adjusted for sales.

Every Altima year ranked The 2012 Altima's recalls and problems

Every 2012 Altima version

EPA's ratings for each version it tested. Fuel cost is EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year at its current prices.

Version	Combined	City / Hwy	Fuel / year
2.5L 4-cyl · FWD · 6-speed manual Best EPA listing: Altima Coupe	26 mpg	23 / 31	$2,600
2.5L 4-cyl · FWD · CVT EPA listing: Altima	26 mpg	23 / 32	$2,600
2.5L 4-cyl · FWD · CVT · Coupe EPA listing: Altima Coupe	26 mpg	23 / 31	$2,600
3.5L 6-cyl · FWD · CVT · Coupe EPA listing: Altima Coupe	23 mpg	20 / 27	$2,900
3.5L 6-cyl · FWD · CVT EPA listing: Altima	22 mpg	20 / 27	$3,050
3.5L 6-cyl · FWD · 6-speed manual EPA listing: Altima Coupe	21 mpg	18 / 27	$3,200

Fuel cost at your prices

EPA's annual cost uses 15,000 miles a year, 55% city driving and its current prices: $4.47 a gallon for regular gas. Change the numbers to match your driving.

Version	Per year	Per month	5 years
2.5L 4-cyl · FWD · 6-speed manual	$2,579	$215	$12,894
2.5L 4-cyl · FWD · CVT	$2,579	$215	$12,894
2.5L 4-cyl · FWD · CVT · Coupe	$2,579	$215	$12,894
3.5L 6-cyl · FWD · CVT · Coupe	$2,915	$243	$14,576
3.5L 6-cyl · FWD · CVT	$3,048	$254	$15,239
3.5L 6-cyl · FWD · 6-speed manual	$3,193	$266	$15,964

At the default settings the results match EPA's annual cost before EPA rounds it to the nearest $50.

Nissan Altima MPG by model year

The best-rated version in each model year; the highlighted year is this page. Gas: 26 to 32 mpg (every year from 2010 to 2026); highest in 2019. Hybrid: 33 to 34 mpg (2010 to 2011); highest in 2010.

Best gas version
Best hybrid version

2012: gas 26 mpg · hybrid not offered

Show as a table

Nissan Altima best combined mpg by model year
Model year	Best gas version	Best hybrid version
2010	27	34
2011	26	33
2012	26	–
2013	31	–
2014	31	–
2015	31	–
2016	31	–
2017	31	–
2018	31	–
2019	32	–
2020	32	–
2021	32	–
2022	32	–
2023	31	–
2024	31	–
2025	31	–
2026	30	–

Every Altima year's ratings in one table

How the 2012 Altima compares

2012 midsize sedans covered on this site, ranked by their best combined rating. Fuel cost is for each model's cheapest version to run, at EPA's prices.

2012 model	Best combined	Best gas	Fuel / year
Toyota Camry Best: hybrid	40 mpg	28 mpg	$1,700
Hyundai Sonata Best: hybrid	36 mpg	27 mpg	$1,850
Kia Optima Best: hybrid	36 mpg	27 mpg	$1,850
Honda Accord Best: gas	27 mpg	27 mpg	$2,500
Nissan Altima This page Best: gas	26 mpg	26 mpg	$2,600
Chevrolet Malibu Best: gas	26 mpg	26 mpg	$2,600

Nissan Altima vs Toyota CamryMPG, fuel cost, recalls and crash tests side by side

2012 Altima recalls and complaints

NHTSA lists 4 safety recalls and 426 owner complaints for the 2012 Altima.

Owners most often describe loss of power (60 complaints, 14%), then transmission failure (41). NHTSA's overall crash rating: 4 stars for the version it has rated.

See the 2012 Altima recalls and problems

Questions

Does the 2012 Nissan Altima need premium gas?

No. EPA lists every 2012 Nissan Altima version on regular gasoline.

How does the 2012 Altima's MPG compare with the 2011?

For 2012, the best gas version is rated 26 mpg, the same as the year before.

Sources and method

US EPA and Department of Energy fuel economy data (fueleconomy.gov), file dated Sep 29, 2026.
EPA fuel price assumptions: regular $4.47, midgrade $5.07, premium $5.48, diesel $6.38 a gallon; electricity $0.15 per kWh.
Recall and complaint counts: NHTSA recall file dated Oct 2, 2026 and complaint file dated Oct 2, 2026.

Ratings are EPA estimates. Real-world mileage depends on how, where and in what weather you drive. How we build these pages. Spotted an error? Tell us.