2024 Nissan Altima vs 2024 Polestar 2
The Polestar 2 wins clearly, 94.1 to 63.1, on fuel & range, performance. The Nissan Altima is ahead on safety.
2024 Nissan Altima
The 2024 Nissan Altima is sold in the U.S. as a gas midsize sedan with 4 EPA-rated configurations. The most efficient version, the Altima, is EPA-rated at 31 mp…
2024 Polestar 2
The 2024 Polestar 2 is sold in the U.S. as an electric midsize sedan with 5 EPA-rated configurations. Its longest-range version, the 2 Single Motor (19 Inch Whe…
2024 Polestar 2
Clear winThe Polestar 2 wins clearly, 94.1 to 63.1, on fuel & range, performance. The Nissan Altima is ahead on safety.
| Category · weight | 2024 Polestar 2overall 94.1 | 2024 Nissan Altimaoverall 63.1 | ||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pricenot compared | Specs not available | Specs not available | ||||||||||||
| Fuel & rangew 3 | 100 | 30.7 | ||||||||||||
EPA annual fuel cost and combined mpg / MPGe; EV range when both are electric. | ||||||||||||||
| Safetyw 4 | 86.7 | 87.4 | ||||||||||||
NHTSA 5-Star rating, WhichTrim Safety Signal (open recalls by severity), owner complaints, standard driver-assist features (from the press kit, or from what the manufacturer filed with NHTSA where there is none). Open park-outside / do-not-drive advisories cost 25 points. | ||||||||||||||
| Space & cargonot compared | Specs not available | Specs not available | ||||||||||||
| Performancew 2 | 100 | 62.9 | ||||||||||||
Horsepower, torque and horsepower per ton. | ||||||||||||||
| Tech & comfortnot compared | Specs not available | Specs not available | ||||||||||||
| Warrantynot compared | Specs not available | Specs not available | ||||||||||||
| Overall | 94.1 | 63.1 | ||||||||||||
Safety-only comparison · 3 of 7 categories compared · specs not available for Polestar 2
Polestar 2: safety only (EPA and NHTSA record; specs not available) · Nissan Altima: base trim S FWD. Pick a trim in the tool to compare any other trim.
Where the gap is
the biggest differences, from the scorecard's own numbersWhere the 2024 Polestar 2 wins
- It is rated 115 combined against 31 (EPA mpg or MPGe).
- It costs $1,350 a year less to fuel on the EPA's estimate ($650 against $2,000).
- It has drawn fewer owner complaints (25 against 44 filed with NHTSA).
Where the 2024 Nissan Altima answers
- It has the cleaner recall record (Safety Signal 85 against 69).
What they share
- 5 NHTSA stars.
Ranked by how far apart the two score on each measure, so a price gap and a horsepower gap are compared on the same scale. Every figure is on this page.
Specifications side by side
13 specs · manufacturer press kits| Spec | Polestar 2 | Nissan AltimaS FWD |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | ||
| Base MSRP (excludes destination) | — | $26,370 |
| Engine Basics | ||
| Aspiration | — | naturally aspirated |
| Cylinder count | — | 4 |
| Engine type (full description) | — | 2.5L DOHC inline 4-cylinder direct-injection |
| Fuel injection system | — | gdi mpi |
| Engine Output | ||
| Horsepower | — | 188 hp |
| Torque | — | 180 lb-ft |
| Fuel Economy | ||
| MPG (city) | — | 27 mpg |
| MPG (combined) | — | 32 mpg |
| MPG (highway) | — | 39 mpg |
| Transmission | ||
| Transmission type | — | cvt |
| Cargo | ||
| Cargo volume behind 2nd row | — | 15.4 cu-ft |
| Fuel System | ||
| Minimum recommended octane | — | 87 |
Green marks the better value where the direction is unambiguous (more room, more power, lower price). Blank rows are specs the press kit does not publish.
Equipment, feature by feature
21 features · differences first, then sharedSafety17 differ · 17 listed
| Feature | Polestar 2 | Nissan AltimaS FWD |
|---|---|---|
| Intelligent Forward Collision Warning | — | std |
| Front seat-mounted side impact supplemental air bags | — | std |
| Lane Departure Warning | — | std |
| Nissan Advanced Air Bag System with dual-stage supplemental front air bags with seat belt sensors and occupant classification sensor | — | std |
| Roof-mounted curtain side impact supplemental air bags for front and rear-seat outboard occupant head protection | — | std |
| Seat-mounted rear passenger side-impact supplemental air bags | — | std |
| Anti-lock Braking System | — | std |
| Automatic Emergency Braking with Pedestrian Detection | — | std |
| Blind Spot Warning | — | std |
| Driver and front passenger supplemental knee air bags | — | std |
| High Beam Assist | — | std |
| Intelligent Driver Alertness | — | std |
| Rear Automatic Braking | — | std |
| Rear Cross Traffic Alert | — | std |
| Traction Control System | — | std |
| Vehicle Dynamic Control | — | std |
| Nissan Vehicle Immobilizer System | — | std |
Convenience1 differ · 1 listed
| Feature | Polestar 2 | Nissan AltimaS FWD |
|---|---|---|
| Nissan Intelligent Key® with Push Button Ignition | — | std |
Exterior1 differ · 1 listed
| Feature | Polestar 2 | Nissan AltimaS FWD |
|---|---|---|
| Splash Guards | — | std |
Powertrain2 differ · 2 listed
| Feature | Polestar 2 | Nissan AltimaS FWD |
|---|---|---|
| Front-wheel drive | — | std |
| Xtronic CVT transmission | — | std |
Highlighted rows are where the two differ. Wording is the manufacturer's own.
Safety record
NHTSA recalls, complaints, NCAPPolestar 2
Top recalls
- critical Service Brakes, Hydraulic 25V409000 · 2 vehicles
- high Air Bags 24V939000 · 7 vehicles
- moderate Back Over Prevention 25V615000 · 27,816 vehicles
- moderate Back Over Prevention 25V280000 · 27,816 vehicles
- minor Back Over Prevention 24V477000 · 25,825 vehicles
Nissan Altima
Top recalls
- critical Steering 23V882000 · 5 vehicles
Ownership
EPA, manufacturer warranty| Polestar 2 | Nissan AltimaS FWD | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | — | $26,370 (base trim) |
| Price range across trims | — | $26,370 – $36,070 8 trims |
| Powertrains | BEV | GAS |
| EPA configuration compared | 2 Single Motor (19 Inch Wheels) | Altima |
| Combined mpg / MPGe | 115 | 31 |
| EPA annual fuel cost | $650 | $2,000 |
| EV range | 320 mi | — |
| Basic warranty | — | — |
| Powertrain warranty | — | — |
| Roadside assistance | — | — |
Common questions
Source: EPA, NHTSA and manufacturer press kitsWhich is better, the 2024 Polestar 2 or the 2024 Nissan Altima?
The Polestar 2 wins clearly, 94.1 to 63.1, on fuel & range, performance. The Nissan Altima is ahead on safety. On WhichTrim's default weights the 2024 Polestar 2 scores 94.1 and the 2024 Nissan Altima 63.1. The weights are yours to change — move what you care about and the verdict recalculates on the page.
Which has the better safety record, the 2024 Polestar 2 or the 2024 Nissan Altima?
2024 Polestar 2: 5 NHTSA stars, grade D, 5 recalls. 2024 Nissan Altima: 5 NHTSA stars, grade B, 1 recall. Crash ratings come from NHTSA's own tests; the grade is WhichTrim's read of the recall record, and the two can disagree.
What are the biggest differences between the 2024 Polestar 2 and the 2024 Nissan Altima?
Where the 2024 Polestar 2 wins: it is rated 115 combined against 31 (EPA mpg or MPGe), costs $1,350 a year less to fuel on the EPA's estimate ($650 against $2,000), and has drawn fewer owner complaints (25 against 44 filed with NHTSA). Where the 2024 Nissan Altima answers: it has the cleaner recall record (Safety Signal 85 against 69). What they share: 5 NHTSA stars.