Nissan Altima vs Volkswagen Jetta: resale value, depreciation and costs
We compared 2,286 listing observations from the 2026 market cycle to see which model retains more value, costs less used, and brings the stronger ownership numbers.
By CarResaleValue Editorial · Updated August 2026 · Sources: observed used-car listings, EPA, NHTSA and RepairPal
Volkswagen Jetta holds more value after five years
In the 2026 market cycle, the Nissan Altima is estimated to retain 59.9% of its original value after five years, while the Volkswagen Jetta retains 70.3%. That is a 10.4-point edge for the Volkswagen Jetta; year, trim, mileage, condition and local demand still determine the price of a specific vehicle.
Comparison Scorecard
The numbers that change the decision
Green cells mark a measurable advantage, not an overall verdict. Price and coverage are shown without declaring a winner because the right tradeoff depends on your budget and the exact vehicle.
Nissan Altima vs Volkswagen Jetta resale value and ownership metrics
Metric
Nissan Altima
Volkswagen Jetta
5-year value retainedSmoothed estimate in the 2026 market cycle
59.9%
70.3%
5-year depreciationEstimated share of original value lost
40.1%
29.7%
Average used asking priceMedian asking prices averaged across covered model years
$16,730
$17,388
Average original MSRPOriginal sticker prices averaged across covered years
$27,475
$25,549
Latest combined fuel economy2026 Nissan Altima vs 2026 Volkswagen Jetta
30 MPG
34 MPG
Average annual repair costRepairPal model-level estimate
Not available
Not available
RepairPal reliability ratingOut of 5.0
Not available
Not available
Latest NHTSA overall rating2026 vs 2026
5 / 5 stars
5 / 5 stars
Listing observationsEvidence behind the model-level curves
1,192
1,094
Year By Year
Compare overlapping model years
These 12shared model years make age-matched shopping easier. Depreciation compares each year's normalized asking price with its original MSRP.
Shared model-year depreciation and median asking prices for the Nissan Altima and Volkswagen Jetta
Start with the tradeoff you care about, then verify the exact year, trim, mileage and service history. A model-level advantage can disappear when two individual used cars are not equivalent.
Choose the Nissan Altima if...
You are targeting one of the 1 shared model years where it posted lower measured depreciation than the Volkswagen Jetta.
Its average median used asking price is $658 lower across the covered model years.
You found a specific example with the stronger year, trim, mileage, condition or service history; those details can outweigh a model-level average.
Resale value is only one part of the choice. Segment role, supply and the mix of years on sale help explain why two similarly priced vehicles can depreciate differently.
Nissan Altima
Nissan Altima coverage spans 2015-2026.
Volkswagen Jetta
Volkswagen Jetta coverage spans 2015-2026.
Go Deeper
Open the full model-year research
Compare trims, mileage, recalls, fuel costs and current listing examples before deciding on one specific car.
Which holds its value better, the Nissan Altima or Volkswagen Jetta?
Volkswagen Jetta has the stronger five-year result in this comparison. The Nissan Altima is estimated to retain 59.9% of its original value after five years versus 70.3% for the Volkswagen Jetta, using the same 2026 observation cycle. The difference is 10.4 percentage points. This is a model-level curve, not an appraisal for one VIN; trim, mileage, condition, options and location can change an actual resale price.
Is the Nissan Altima or Volkswagen Jetta cheaper to buy used?
Across the model years in this dataset, the Nissan Altima has the lower average median asking price at $16,730, about $658 below the Volkswagen Jetta average. That broad average is a starting point, not a like-for-like quote, because each model can have a different year range, trim mix and mileage distribution. The year-by-year table is the better place to compare vehicles of the same age before checking listings near you.
Which is less expensive to maintain, the Nissan Altima or Volkswagen Jetta?
The available model data does not provide a complete annual repair-cost estimate for both vehicles, so this page does not name a maintenance-cost winner. Use the RepairPal ratings where shown, review recalls and complaints in each model-year guide, ask for service records, and budget for an independent pre-purchase inspection. Age, mileage, powertrain and previous maintenance usually matter more than a single broad reliability score.
How does CarResaleValue compare the Nissan Altima and Volkswagen Jetta?
CarResaleValue normalizes observed used-car asking prices to a standard 12,000 miles per year, applies a 5% asking-to-sale adjustment, and compares the result with original MSRP references. A smoothed retention curve produces the five-year estimate when the data contains an observed five-year cohort. This page combines 2,286 listing observations across 24 model-year records, then adds EPA fuel economy, NHTSA safety data and RepairPal ownership indicators where available.
Comparison methodology
This page combines 2,286 listing observations across 24 model-year records. Asking prices are mileage-normalized to 12,000 miles per year, adjusted by a 5% asking-to-sale estimate, and compared with original MSRP references. Five-year figures use a smoothed curve only when an observed five-year cohort exists. EPA, NHTSA and RepairPal fields are shown independently and may cover different model years. Read the full CarResaleValue methodology. You can also browse the sedan resale value ranking.
