Nissan Altima
Full model guide60/100
Resale score
Head-To-Head Resale Comparison
Nissan Altima vs Volkswagen Passat: resale value, depreciation and costs
We put both model histories in one place, including 1,339 listing observations, while keeping their 2026 and 2021 market snapshots clearly separated.
Volkswagen Passat
Full model guide57/100
Resale score
The Short Answer
Two market snapshots, one buying decision
The Nissan Altima data was observed in 2026, while the Volkswagen Passat data was observed in 2021. The figures remain useful as model histories, but changing used-car conditions mean the five-year percentages are not a direct current-market ranking. Compare same-year prices and ownership factors before choosing.
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.
| Metric | Nissan Altima | Volkswagen Passat |
|---|---|---|
| 5-year value retainedShown from each model's own observation cycle | 59.9% | 57.0% |
| 5-year depreciationEstimated share of original value lost | 40.1% | 43.0% |
| Average used asking priceMedian asking prices averaged across covered model years | $16,730 | $17,230 |
| Average original MSRPOriginal sticker prices averaged across covered years | $27,475 | $23,842 |
| Latest combined fuel economy2026 Nissan Altima vs 2020 Volkswagen Passat | 30 MPG | 27 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 2020 | 5 / 5 stars | 5 / 5 stars |
| Listing observationsEvidence behind the model-level curves | 1,192 | 147 |
Year By Year
Compare overlapping model years
These 6shared model years make age-matched shopping easier. Depreciation compares each year's normalized asking price with its original MSRP.
Market-cycle note: the two columns were observed in different years. Use them as historical model profiles, not as simultaneous price quotes.
| Model year | Nissan Altima depreciation | Nissan Altima median price | Volkswagen Passat depreciation | Volkswagen Passat median price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 43.9% | $14,645 | 4.5% | $24,995 |
| 2019 | 47.8% | $14,161 | 17.3% | $19,590 |
| 2018 | 52.7% | $14,993 | 24.1% | $19,544 |
| 2017 | 54.3% | $13,599 | 32.6% | $14,995 |
| 2016 | 62.5% | $10,209 | 42.2% | $12,316 |
| 2015 | 65.3% | $8,579 | 50.0% | $11,942 |
Buyer Fit
Which one should you buy?
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 found a specific example with the stronger year, trim, mileage, condition or service history; those details can outweigh a model-level average.
- Its $16,730 average median asking price fits your budget after you check the same-year rows below.
- You want the broader context in its 12-model-year guide before narrowing the search to a trim and mileage band.
Choose the Volkswagen Passat if...
- You found a specific example with the stronger year, trim, mileage, condition or service history; those details can outweigh a model-level average.
- Its $17,230 average median asking price fits your budget after you check the same-year rows below.
- You want the broader context in its 6-model-year guide before narrowing the search to a trim and mileage band.
Beyond The Score
How these models fit the used market
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 Passat
The Volkswagen Passat is a roomy midsize sedan offered with turbocharged four-cylinder power, with a smaller number of V6 and 2015 diesel examples represented in the listing window.
Market context: Six cohorts span the 2016 refresh and the end of U.S. diesel availability; engine, trim, driver-assistance equipment, mileage, and documented maintenance can materially separate same-year asking prices.
Go Deeper
Open the full model-year research
Compare trims, mileage, recalls, fuel costs and current listing examples before deciding on one specific car.
Keep Comparing
More comparisons for your shortlist
See how the Nissan Altima and Volkswagen Passat stack up against other close alternatives using the same resale-value framework.
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See the comparisonFrequently Asked Questions
Which holds its value better, the Nissan Altima or Volkswagen Passat?
The available five-year figures come from different used-car market cycles: 2026 for the Nissan Altima and 2021 for the Volkswagen Passat. Because supply, incentives and used-car prices changed between those periods, CarResaleValue does not declare a direct winner from those percentages. Use the shared model-year table, repair data, fuel economy and current local listings to compare the vehicles on terms that match your purchase.
Is the Nissan Altima or Volkswagen Passat 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 $500 below the Volkswagen Passat 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 Passat?
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 Passat?
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 1,339 listing observations across 18 model-year records, then adds EPA fuel economy, NHTSA safety data and RepairPal ownership indicators where available.
Comparison methodology
This page combines 1,339 listing observations across 18 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.