Ford Fusion vs Nissan Altima: Which Used Buy Wins?
As used buys (July 2026), the Ford Fusion typically lists for $12,995 against $14,289 for the Nissan Altima (same model years — 2018–2020 — national medians from live listings). The newest shared model year is 2020 — one of these nameplates is no longer sold new, so the comparison covers the older used market only. The Nissan Altima takes fuel economy (26 MPG combined vs 25 MPG); the Nissan Altima leads on NCAP safety (4.9★ vs 4.8★ average). Every figure below is live market data, not book values.
Head to head
Used price by model year
| Year | Ford Fusion typical | Nissan Altima typical | Difference | Ford Fusion MPG | Nissan Altima MPG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | $14,597 | $14,995 | Nissan Altima +$398 | 23–42 MPG | 29–32 MPG |
| 2019 | $12,995 | $14,289 | Nissan Altima +$1,294 | 20–42 MPG | 29–32 MPG |
| 2018 | $12,513 | $10,691 | Ford Fusion +$1,822 | 20–27 MPG | 26–31 MPG |
| 2017 | $10,662 | $9,925 | Ford Fusion +$737 | 20–27 MPG | 26–31 MPG |
| 2016 | $9,370 | $9,600 | Nissan Altima +$230 | 25–29 MPG | 26–31 MPG |
| 2015 | $8,950 | $8,370 | Ford Fusion +$580 | 25–29 MPG | 26–31 MPG |
| 2014 | $7,995 | $7,995 | even | 25–29 MPG | 25–31 MPG |
| 2013 | $7,487 | $6,999 | Ford Fusion +$488 | 25–29 MPG | 25–31 MPG |
| 2012 | $6,831 | $5,999 | Ford Fusion +$832 | 19–26 MPG | 21–26 MPG |
| 2011 | $5,999 | $5,995 | Ford Fusion +$4 | 19–26 MPG | 21–33 MPG |
| 2010 | $5,988 | $5,961 | Ford Fusion +$27 | 19–27 MPG | 21–34 MPG |
| 2009 | $5,454 | $5,499 | Nissan Altima +$45 | 20–23 MPG | 21–34 MPG |
| 2008 | $4,991 | $5,495 | Nissan Altima +$504 | 20 MPG | 22–34 MPG |
| 2007 | $4,948 | $4,995 | Nissan Altima +$47 | 19 MPG | 22–34 MPG |
| 2006 | $4,995 | $4,500 | Ford Fusion +$495 | — | 21–24 MPG |
Typical price = national median asking price of live listings for that model year (July 2026); MPG = EPA combined range across rated versions.
Frequently asked questions
Which is cheaper to buy used — Ford Fusion or Nissan Altima?
Comparing the same model years (2018–2020), the Ford Fusion is cheaper: it typically lists for $12,995 versus $14,289 for the Nissan Altima (national medians, July 2026).
Which gets better fuel economy — Ford Fusion or Nissan Altima?
The Nissan Altima: its typical rated version returns 26 MPG combined versus 25 MPG for the Ford Fusion (median across EPA-rated versions of the compared years).
Which is safer — Ford Fusion or Nissan Altima?
By NCAP overall crash-test rating the Nissan Altima averages 4.9 of 5 stars across rated years versus 4.8 for the Ford Fusion. Always check the specific model year's rating in the table above.
Which is more reliable — Ford Fusion or Nissan Altima?
NHTSA lists an average of 8.6 recalls per model year for the Ford Fusion and 3.7 for the Nissan Altima — an edge for the Nissan Altima. Recall and complaint counts scale with sales volume, so treat them as context and check any specific car's VIN history.
https://vehisales.com/research/compare/ford/fusion/vs/nissan/altima.
Dig deeper
Ford Fusion — live listings & specs Nissan Altima — live listings & specs Ford Fusion prices by year Nissan Altima prices by year Ford Fusion MPG by year Nissan Altima MPG by year
See also: All model comparisons · Best used cars by budget · Used car prices by model.