2020 Nissan Altima MPG and Fuel Cost

The 2020 Nissan Altima is rated 29 to 32 mpg combined across 5 EPA-tested gas versions; the best is the 2.5L 4-cyl · FWD · CVT.

EPA fuel economy

2020 Nissan Altima · 5 EPA-tested versions

Best EPA rating

32MPG combined

28 city 39 highway

$1,950 a year to fuel

Fuel economy score7/10

2.5L 4-cyl · FWD · CVT

Best version saves $1,250 in fuel over 5 years vs the average new vehicle (EPA)

Fuel cost: 15,000 miles a year at EPA's $4.00 a gallon (regular gas).

Data: US EPA, fueleconomy.govUpdated Nov 12, 2026

At EPA's price assumptions, fuel costs $1,950 to $2,150 a year. Ratings for the best versions are unchanged from 2019.

Fewer complaints than a typical Altima year

The 2020 drew 56 owner complaints in its first three years, against 70 for a typical Altima year (63 for a typical year since 2016).

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 2020 Altima's recalls and problems

Every 2020 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 · CVT Best EPA listing: Altima	32 mpg	28 / 39	$1,950
2.5L 4-cyl · FWD · CVT · SR Platinum EPA listing: Altima SR/Platinum	31 mpg	27 / 37	$2,000
2.5L 4-cyl · AWD · CVT EPA listing: Altima AWD	30 mpg	26 / 35	$2,100
2.0L turbo 4-cyl · FWD · CVT EPA listing: Altima SR/Platinum	29 mpg	25 / 34	$2,150
2.5L 4-cyl · AWD · CVT · SR Platinum EPA listing: Altima AWD SR/Platinum	29 mpg	26 / 34	$2,150

Fuel cost at your prices

EPA's annual cost uses 15,000 miles a year, 55% city driving and its current prices: $4.00 a gallon for regular gas. Change the numbers to match your driving.

Version	Per year	Per month	5 years
2.5L 4-cyl · FWD · CVT	$1,875	$156	$9,375
2.5L 4-cyl · FWD · CVT · SR Platinum	$1,935	$161	$9,677
2.5L 4-cyl · AWD · CVT	$2,000	$167	$10,000
2.0L turbo 4-cyl · FWD · CVT	$2,069	$172	$10,345
2.5L 4-cyl · AWD · CVT · SR Platinum	$2,069	$172	$10,345

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

2020: gas 32 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 2020 Altima compares

2020 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.

2020 model	Best combined	Best gas	Fuel / year
Toyota Camry Best: hybrid	52 mpg	34 mpg	$1,200
Hyundai Sonata Best: hybrid	52 mpg	32 mpg	$1,200
Honda Accord Best: hybrid	48 mpg	33 mpg	$1,300
Kia Optima Best: hybrid	42 mpg	31 mpg	$1,500
Nissan Altima This page Best: gas	32 mpg	32 mpg	$1,950
Chevrolet Malibu Best: gas	32 mpg	32 mpg	$1,950

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

2020 Altima recalls and complaints

NHTSA lists 6 safety recalls and 183 owner complaints for the 2020 Altima.

Owners most often describe door lock problems (18 complaints, 10%), then the check engine light (13). NHTSA's overall crash rating: 5 stars.

See the 2020 Altima recalls and problems

Questions

Does AWD lower the 2020 Nissan Altima's gas mileage?

Yes. On versions that differ only in drive, AWD lowers the combined rating by 2 mpg: the 2.5L 4-cyl gets 32 mpg combined with front-wheel drive and 30 with AWD.

Does the 2020 Nissan Altima need premium gas?

No. EPA lists every 2020 Nissan Altima version on regular gasoline.

How does the 2020 Altima's MPG compare with the 2019?

For 2020, the best gas version is rated 32 mpg, the same as the year before.

Sources and method

US EPA and Department of Energy fuel economy data (fueleconomy.gov), file dated Nov 4, 2026.
EPA fuel price assumptions: regular $4.00, midgrade $4.61, premium $5.01, diesel $6.13 a gallon; electricity $0.15 per kWh.
Recall and complaint counts: NHTSA recall file dated Nov 12, 2026 and complaint file dated Nov 11, 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.