- Newest year: 2006
- Gas
- Midsize cars
2002-2006 Nissan Altima MPG & Fuel Cost
5 model years · 19–24 MPG combined
15,000 mi/yr · regular gasoline $4.36/gal (U.S. average, Sep 2026)
Cheaper to fuel than 9 of 10 midsize car configurations, MY2006. Ranked against all rated configurations, not sales-weighted.
2002-2006 Nissan Altima at a glance
The 2002-2006 Nissan Altima covers 5 model years in the EPA database (22 configurations in all), rated 19–24 MPG combined. The newest model year, 2006, costs about $2,720 a year to fuel for its most efficient version, the Altima 2.5L 4-cyl FWD (24 MPG), at regular gasoline $4.36/gal (U.S. average, Sep 2026). EPA changed the ratings in 2004, 2005 and 2006; 2003 repeat the values of the year before. The best combined rating in the generation, 24 MPG, was reached in 2005 and 2006.
EPA re-estimated ratings of 1985-2007 vehicles under its 2008 method; these figures are the re-estimated values.
2002-2006 Nissan Altima by model year
| Model year | Powertrains | Combined | $/yr | EPA ratings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006 | Gas | 21–24 MPG | $2,720–$3,110 | Ratings changed |
| 2005 | Gas | 21–24 MPG | $2,720–$3,110 | Ratings changed |
| 2004 | Gas | 20–23 MPG | $2,840–$3,270 | Ratings changed |
| 2003 | Gas | 19–23 MPG | $2,840–$3,440 | Same EPA ratings as 2002 |
| 2002 | Gas | 19–23 MPG | $2,840–$3,440 | First year |
What the 2006 Altima 2.5L 4-cyl FWD costs to drive
Per month
$227
$2,720 a year ÷ 12
Per 25 miles
$4.53
Per 100 miles
$18.13
Five years
$13,600
5 × the yearly cost, prices held at today's level
vs the midsize car median
$910less a year
Class median $3,630 a year, MY2006
Based on 15,000 miles a year and regular gasoline $4.36/gal (U.S. average, Sep 2026).
2006 Nissan Altima MPG
EPA re-estimated ratings of 1985-2007 vehicles under its 2008 method; these figures are the re-estimated values.
Versus 2005: The most efficient configuration stays at 24 MPG. Its annual cost stays at $2,720.
Gas configurations (5)
| Trim | Engine | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | $/yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Altima 2.5L 4-cyl FWD Manual 5-spd (Most efficient) | 2.5L 4-cyl | FWD | 21 | 29 | 24 | $2,720 |
| Altima 2.5L 4-cyl FWD Automatic 4-spd | 2.5L 4-cyl | FWD | 21 | 27 | 23 | $2,840 |
| Altima 3.5L 6-cyl FWD Manual 5-spd | 3.5L 6-cyl | FWD | 19 | 25 | 21 | $3,110 |
| Altima 3.5L 6-cyl FWD Manual 6-spd | 3.5L 6-cyl | FWD | 18 | 26 | 21 | $3,110 |
| Altima 3.5L 6-cyl FWD Automatic (S5) | 3.5L 6-cyl | FWD | 18 | 27 | 21 | $3,110 |
2005 Nissan Altima MPG
21–24 MPG · $2,720–$3,110/yr
EPA re-estimated ratings of 1985-2007 vehicles under its 2008 method; these figures are the re-estimated values.
Versus 2004: The most efficient configuration moves from 23 to 24 MPG, up 1. Its annual cost goes from $2,840 to $2,720, $120 less.
Gas configurations (5)
| Trim | Engine | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | $/yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Altima 2.5L 4-cyl FWD Manual 5-spd (Most efficient) | 2.5L 4-cyl | FWD | 21 | 29 | 24 | $2,720 |
| Altima 2.5L 4-cyl FWD Automatic 4-spd | 2.5L 4-cyl | FWD | 21 | 27 | 23 | $2,840 |
| Altima 3.5L 6-cyl FWD Manual 5-spd | 3.5L 6-cyl | FWD | 19 | 25 | 21 | $3,110 |
| Altima 3.5L 6-cyl FWD Manual 6-spd | 3.5L 6-cyl | FWD | 18 | 26 | 21 | $3,110 |
| Altima 3.5L 6-cyl FWD Automatic (S5) | 3.5L 6-cyl | FWD | 18 | 28 | 21 | $3,110 |
2004 Nissan Altima MPG
20–23 MPG · $2,840–$3,270/yr
EPA re-estimated ratings of 1985-2007 vehicles under its 2008 method; these figures are the re-estimated values.
Versus 2003: The most efficient configuration stays at 23 MPG. Its annual cost stays at $2,840.
Gas configurations (4)
| Trim | Engine | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | $/yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Altima 2.5L 4-cyl FWD Automatic 4-spd (Most efficient) | 2.5L 4-cyl | FWD | 20 | 27 | 23 | $2,840 |
| Altima 2.5L 4-cyl FWD Manual 5-spd | 2.5L 4-cyl | FWD | 20 | 28 | 23 | $2,840 |
| Altima 3.5L 6-cyl FWD Manual 5-spd | 3.5L 6-cyl | FWD | 18 | 24 | 21 | $3,110 |
| Altima 3.5L 6-cyl FWD Automatic 4-spd | 3.5L 6-cyl | FWD | 17 | 24 | 20 | $3,270 |
2003 Nissan Altima MPG
Same EPA ratings as 2002
EPA re-estimated ratings of 1985-2007 vehicles under its 2008 method; these figures are the re-estimated values.
EPA lists the same ratings for the 2003 Nissan Altima as for the 2002 model, so the configurations and costs are the ones in the 2002 section above.See 2002
2002 Nissan Altima MPG
19–23 MPG · $2,840–$3,440/yr
EPA re-estimated ratings of 1985-2007 vehicles under its 2008 method; these figures are the re-estimated values.
Gas configurations (4)
| Trim | Engine | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | $/yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Altima 2.5L 4-cyl FWD Automatic 4-spd (Most efficient) | 2.5L 4-cyl | FWD | 20 | 27 | 23 | $2,840 |
| Altima 2.5L 4-cyl FWD Manual 5-spd | 2.5L 4-cyl | FWD | 20 | 27 | 23 | $2,840 |
| Altima 3.5L 6-cyl FWD Manual 5-spd | 3.5L 6-cyl | FWD | 19 | 24 | 21 | $3,110 |
| Altima 3.5L 6-cyl FWD Automatic 4-spd | 3.5L 6-cyl | FWD | 17 | 24 | 19 | $3,440 |
Fuel cost by state
Yearly cost of the Altima 2.5L 4-cyl FWD: $3,700 in California and $2,370 in Texas, a $1,330 difference.
- California $3,700
- Washington $3,430
- New York $2,720
- Florida $2,570
- Texas $2,370
Similar cars
Closest combined MPG among MY2006 midsize car models.
Generations
- 2000-2001 (L30)
- 2002-2006 (L31)
- 2007-2012 (L32)
- 2013-2018 (L33)
- 2019-2025 (L34)
- 2026
Frequently asked questions
What gas mileage does the 2002-2006 Nissan Altima get?
EPA rates the 2002-2006 Nissan Altima at 19–24 MPG combined across 22 configurations and 5 model years. The most efficient version, the 2006 Altima 2.5L 4-cyl FWD, is rated 24 MPG (21 city, 29 highway).
Which years had the best MPG in the 2002-2006 Nissan Altima?
The Altima 2.5L 4-cyl FWD reached the generation's best combined rating, 24 MPG, in 2005 and 2006. The lowest top rating, 23 MPG, was in 2002, 2003 and 2004.
Did EPA ratings change during the 2002-2006 Nissan Altima?
Yes. Ratings changed in 2004, 2005 and 2006. In 2003 the values repeat the year before.
How does the 2002-2006 Nissan Altima compare with the previous generation?
The previous generation (2000-2001 Nissan Altima) is rated 21–24 MPG combined and costs $2,720–$3,110 a year to fuel; the 2002-2006 model is rated 19–24 MPG and costs $2,720–$3,440 a year.
How much does it cost to fuel a 2006 Nissan Altima per year?
Driving 15,000 miles a year at regular gasoline $4.36/gal (U.S. average, Sep 2026), the Altima 2.5L 4-cyl FWD costs about $2,720 a year. Across all 5 configurations the cost runs $2,720–$3,110 a year. That is a $390 difference between the cheapest and the costliest configuration.
How much does it cost to drive a 2006 Nissan Altima 100 miles?
About $18.13 per 100 miles for the Altima 2.5L 4-cyl FWD at regular gasoline $4.36/gal (U.S. average, Sep 2026), and between $18.13 and $20.73 across all configurations. That is the annual cost over 15,000 miles divided by 150.
Is the 2006 Nissan Altima more efficient in the city or on the highway?
The Altima 2.5L 4-cyl FWD is rated 21 city and 29 highway MPG, so it is more efficient on the highway, by 8 MPG.
How does the 2006 Nissan Altima compare with other midsize car configurations?
The Altima 2.5L 4-cyl FWD costs about $2,720 a year to fuel, $910 less than the class median of $3,630, and less than 9 of 10 midsize car configurations. The comparison covers all 133 rated midsize car configurations for MY2006, not weighted by sales.
Is the 2006 Nissan Altima different from the 2005 model?
The most efficient configuration stays at 24 MPG. Its annual cost stays at $2,720. EPA lists 5 configurations for 2006 against 5 configurations for 2005. See the 2005 Nissan Altima for that year.