Nissan and Toyota have been selling vehicles in the U.S. for decades, and both automakers have gained a reputation for making practical, family-friendly, and commuter-friendly vehicles built to last. There will likely be a debate with whomever you ask about which of the two builds the best car, and we're here to help settle it.

Here is a dive into each automaker's strengths, weaknesses, similarities, and differences, and you'll see, they both bring quite a bit to the table.

### A Birdseye Comparison

In the greater context, both car brands are similar. Each offers a variety of new cars, trucks, crossovers, and SUVs that are family-friendly, affordable, safe, and about as stylish as anyone would expect from non-premium brands.

![2023-nissan-altima-ext](https://www.autolist.com/6tuem73u73an/5tqA8lTHoT2oiPv33luYjo/82ea948b35d314e181fc726bbd107c7e/2023-nissan-altima-ext.jpg)

Like most other competing automakers, such as Honda, Kia, Hyundai, and Subaru, Toyota and Nissan generally make approachable vehicles built more for comfort and safety than for driving thrills. Beyond that, they offer pickup trucks, full-size SUVs, and performance car options that some competitors lack.

![2023-toyota-4runner-ext](https://www.autolist.com/6tuem73u73an/6ZXARXAT9PG1J59fSw2HMI/632dcd445e91d26c9c7a20b8b141fc68/2023-toyota-4runner-ext.jpg)

### Nissan vs. Toyota: Key Similarities

As we zoom in to take a closer look at what each car brand brings to the table, we'll break each of them down and highlight their similarities. 

#### Safety

Both automakers offer a comprehensive suite of safety features in all of their vehicles, with even more offered as you climb trim levels and get into pricier versions. Toyota vehicles feature the Toyota Safety Sense suite of safety features, and Nissan offers its Nissan Safety Shield suite with most cars.

Even the least expensive Toyota car, the [Corolla](https://www.autolist.com/toyota-corolla), has standard safety features such as blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and adaptive cruise control. Nissan's top Toyota Corolla competitor, the [Sentra](https://www.autolist.com/nissan-sentra), comes standard with blind-spot monitoring, lane-keep assist, and rear cross-traffic alert, but adaptive cruise control is optional rather than standard.

Nissan's smallest and least expensive vehicle, the Versa, lacks critical safety features, such as blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert, but they are optional. The Versa also has lane-departure warning, automatic high beams, and automatic emergency braking.

Both automakers have several vehicles within their lineup that have earned Top Safety Pick+ awards from the IIHS. They include the [Toyota Prius](https://www.autolist.com/toyota-prius), the [Toyota Camry](https://www.autolist.com/toyota-camry), the [Toyota Crown](https://www.autolist.com/toyota-crown), the [Nissan Pathfinder](https://www.autolist.com/nissan-pathfinder), the [Toyota Highlander](https://www.autolist.com/toyota-highlander), the [Toyota Sienna](https://www.autolist.com/toyota-sienna), and the [Toyota Tacoma](https://www.autolist.com/toyota-tacoma). Several others have also earned Top Safety Pick awards.

#### Powertrains

Nissan and Toyota use various drivetrains throughout their respective lineups. Cars such as the Toyota Corolla, the [Nissan Versa](https://www.autolist.com/nissan-versa), the Nissan Sentra, and the [Nissan Altima](https://www.autolist.com/nissan-altima) all use four-cylinder engines and continuously variable transmissions. The Toyota Camry and Nissan Altima come standard with front-wheel drive and optional all-wheel drive.

Both brands' crossovers and SUVs follow closely behind. The [Toyota RAV4](https://www.autolist.com/toyota-rav4) and the [Nissan Rogue](https://www.autolist.com/nissan-rogue) have standard four-cylinder engines and CVTs. The larger truck-based Toyota Sequoia and the Nissan Armada feature four-wheel drive rather than all-wheel drive, even though the Sequoia's twin-turbo V6 hybrid powertrain differs from the Armada's V8.

The Toyota Tacoma has a four-cylinder or a V6 engine, whereas the Nissan Frontier leaps straight to the V6. The Tacoma still offers a manual transmission option, but you still get gears if you opt for the automatic. Six come in the Tacoma, and nine come in the Frontier.

#### Overall Feel

Feel is an objective category but can still be used in our comparison. Both automakers tune their vehicles more for comfort than for driving dynamics. Some are surprisingly spritely, such as the Toyota Camry with the V6 engine or the 310-horsepower [Nissan Frontier](https://www.autolist.com/nissan-frontier). Still, none of the most mainstream vehicles in either automaker's lineups aren't built to excite anybody.

#### Customer Base

Each automaker's customer base is related to the overall feel and philosophy it brings. Most typical Toyota and Nissan buyers seek practical, safe, and fuel-efficient commuter cars. Many have small families that fit perfectly within the scope of what the Toyota RAV4, the Nissan Rogue, the Toyota Highlander, or the Nissan Pathfinder offer.

Others need the size of the [Toyota Sienna](https://www.autolist.com/toyota-sienna), the [Nissan Armada](https://www.autolist.com/nissan-armada), or the [Toyota Sequoia](https://www.autolist.com/toyota-sequoia). The Toyota Tacoma and the Nissan Frontier perfectly fit the needs of light-duty work companies and individuals who need the capabilities of compact pickup trucks.

### Nissan vs. Toyota – Key Differences

Even though there are several similarities, Toyota and Nissan have several key differences that make them unique, even when compared to other Japanese automakers outside of our direct comparison.

#### Pricing

Toyota and Nissan vehicles are certainly competitively priced within each segment in which they compete, but Toyota vehicles tend to cost more upfront than Nissan vehicles. Honda models tend to cost the most within each automotive segment, and Toyota models usually fall somewhere between them and Nissan.

The Nissan Versa, for example, is one of the most affordable new cars on sale today, with a starting MSRP of just over $17,000 at the time of writing. Even though Toyota no longer sells a direct subcompact Versa competitor, we can step up to the Kicks and the Corolla Cross. The Nissan Kicks has a starting MSRP of just under $22,000, whereas the Toyota Corolla Cross has a starting MSRP of just over $24,000.

The three-row Toyota Highlander has a starting MSRP of around $39,600 compared to the Nissan Pathfinder's MSRP of about $37,000. Likewise, the Nissan Armada's $56,500 starting MSRP and the [Nissan Murano's](https://www.autolist.com/nissan-murano) near-$40,500 MSRP undercut the Toyota Sequoia's near-$62,500 price tag and the Toyota 4Runner's $40,500 MSRP. 

Where the price difference is flipped between the Toyota Tacoma and Toyota Tundra pickup trucks, the Tacoma's starting price undercuts the Nissan Frontier's by about $500, and the least expensive, most basic Toyota Tundra model is more than $6,000 less than the cheapest [Nissan Titan](https://www.autolist.com/nissan-titan). However, the Tacoma's lower price comes courtesy of a four-cylinder engine that the Frontier lacks and that the base Tundra model features a V6 engine rather than a V8, like the Titan. (All prices were checked at the time of writing)

#### Standard Features

With the pricing conversation comes the standard features each manufacturer offers with its vehicles. Most base Toyota models come slightly better equipped than most Nissan models. That is especially true with lower-end Toyota models with comparably larger touchscreens, wireless Apple CarPlay, wireless Android Auto, and a Wi-Fi hotspot.

Toyota models also tend to offer a higher ceiling of features compared to the majority of Nissan models. A good example is the [Toyota RAV4](https://www.autolist.com/toyota-rav4) compared to the Nissan Rogue. The RAV4 comes standard with adaptive cruise control, an eight-inch touchscreen, and the above standard features. The Rogue has an identically sized touchscreen but lacks wireless smartphone connectivity, a Wi-Fi hotspot, and adaptive cruise control.

Additionally, the Rogue's larger touchscreen option only rises to nine inches compared to the RAV4's 10.5-inch infotainment interface. The RAV4 also features an available 11-speaker audio system to the Rogue's 10-speaker system. Beyond that, the two models offer comparable features, including an available 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster.

Not every model across the Toyota lineup comes better equipped than comparable Nissan models, but most do. One could also argue that Toyota vehicles' overall feel and build quality are superior. Neither brand is known for having the high-end, stylish interiors found in Honda and Mazda models, but neither feels cheap.

#### Resale Value

When it comes to resale value, Toyota is the hands-down winner. Nissan should not feel that bad, though. Toyota has several models in the top 10 highest resale value list for the 2023 model year. According to Kelley Blue Book, the Toyota Tundra retains 73.3% of its resale value after five years. The Toyota Tacoma maintains 66% of its value, and the Toyota 4Runner keeps 64.4%.

It is not just these models either. Toyota has the best resale value compared to other non-premium car brands. Lexus, Toyota's luxury brand, also dominates its competition on the resale value front. It handily beats Infiniti, Nissan's luxury alternative to the Lexus brand.

#### Popularity

General popularity is another category in which Toyota has Nissan beat. The Nissan Rogue is among the top 10 most popular vehicles sold in the United States so far in 2023. Nissan, however, has no other models in the top 25. Toyota has five of the top 25 most popular vehicles sold in America as of October 2023.

Toyota's most popular model is the RAV4. It is currently the fourth most popular vehicle sold in the U.S., right on the tail of the Ford F-Series, Chevrolet Silverado, and RAM pickup truck. The Toyota Camry joins its crossover sibling in seventh place, two spots ahead of the Rogue in popularity. The Tacoma, Corolla, and Highlander all fall between tenth and twentieth on the most popular-selling vehicles list for 2023.

#### Reliability

Many would likely claim one of several Japanese automakers to be the most reliable in the industry. Honda, Subaru, and Nissan would undoubtedly come up, but Toyota would likely receive the most mentions, because of its reputation for reliability. 

Consumer Reports rated Toyota as the car brand with the highest average reliability ratings overall for 2023, while Lexus ranked second. J.D. Power rates both brands reasonably similarly. Toyota ranks lower in their rankings than they do with Consumer Reports, falling to sixth place overall. Lexus is maintaining the top spot in J.D. Power's most reliable car brands rankings for 2023.

According to Consumer Reports, Nissan fell to 15th in its overall car brand average reliability rankings. That is about the middle of the road. Nissan fairs slightly better in J.D. Power's rankings, just two slots lower than Toyota on their most reliable car brands list, just below Hyundai and Mini.

#### Hybrids and Electric Vehicles

Toyota has an extensive lineup of hybrid vehicles, supported by the popular [Toyota Prius](https://www.autolist.com/toyota-prius) and the [Prius Prime](https://www.autolist.com/toyota-prius+prime). The lineup includes other hybrid models such as the [Toyota Venza](https://www.autolist.com/toyota-venza), the [Corolla Hybrid](https://www.autolist.com/toyota-corolla+hybrid), the [Camry Hybrid](https://www.autolist.com/toyota-camry+hybrid), the [RAV4 Hybrid](https://www.autolist.com/toyota-rav4+hybrid), the Crown, [Highlander Hybrid](https://www.autolist.com/toyota-highlander+hybrid), and the [Corolla Cross Hybrid](https://www.autolist.com/toyota-corolla+cross). Even the Toyota Sequoia and the Tundra trucks come with hybrid powertrain options.

Despite this robust lineup of fuel-efficient options, Toyota has been reluctant and slow to adopt a lineup of fully electric vehicles. The [Toyota bZ4x](https://www.autolist.com/toyota-bz4x), co-developed with the Subaru Solterra, has been its first and only electric vehicle attempt in several years.

On the other hand, Nissan has embraced electric cars, skipping the hybrid possibilities altogether. The [Nissan Leaf](https://www.autolist.com/nissan-leaf) was introduced back in 2011 as an affordable EV option, and even though it continues making the Leaf for the 2025 model year, it recently released the [Ariya](https://www.autolist.com/nissan-ariya), an all-electric SUV. With the popularity of crossovers and SUVs, Nissan plans to shift its focus to that model as it phases out the Leaf.

### Lineup Comparison

The final comparison we need to make involves the lineups of both automakers. Even though they have some common models that compete against each other, there are several more models that are different enough to take a deeper dive into what each has to offer.

#### Cars

Nissan and Toyota offer a wide range of cars from which buyers can choose. Nissan has the subcompact Versa, the compact Sentra, the midsize Altima, and the full-size Maxima. To compete, Toyota offers the compact Corolla, the midsize Camry, and the all-new, near-full-size Crown. The Nissan Versa occupies a space within the Toyota lineup that was once occupied by the subcompact Yaris, allowing Nissan to have at least one extra option than Toyota within its lineup.

When it comes to cars, Toyota has the upper hand in the reliability stakes. The Corolla and Camry have been consistently rated with higher-than-average reliability by both Consumer Reports and J.D. Power for longer than comparable Nissan models.

Nissan Maxima and Altima models are more consistent with average reliability rankings than the Camry and Corolla, with a few higher-than-average years for both models in the past 10 years. The Sentra could do better with 2021, 2022, and 2023 models, earning much lower scores from Consumer Reports. J.D. Power highly rates the Sentra, Altima, and Maxima, especially in the past three years.

#### Pickup Trucks

A direct head-to-head matchup comes with the pickup trucks that each automaker offers. The Toyota Tacoma competes directly with the Nissan Frontier, and the full-size Toyota Tundra goes up against the full-size Nissan Titan. Both Toyota models are much more popular than their rivals, and they both offer more compelling trim level varieties, configurations, and powertrains than their Nissan counterparts.

The Tundra's reliability has dipped recently, most likely due to its redesign for the 2022 model year. On the other hand, the Titan has been consistently rated well by J.D. Power, much like Nissan's sedans. Both the Tacoma and Frontier remain solid and reliable contenders in the compact truck segment.

#### SUVs and Crossovers

Both manufacturers offer a full slate of crossovers and SUVs. Nissan has a broader range of crossovers to SUVs than Toyota does. The Nissan Kicks, the Rogue Sport, the Rogue, the Murano, and the Pathfinder outnumber the only body-on-frame SUV that Nissan makes: the full-size Armada.

Toyota also has a comprehensive lineup of SUVs and crossovers, including the Corolla Cross, the RAV4, the Highlander, and the Grand Highlander. The 4Runner and the Sequoia are traditional body-on-frame SUVs, the latter directly competing against the Armada.

The Highlander and the 4Runner are stellar if you're concerned with reliability. On the Nissan side, both the Rogue and the Murano will get the job done since both models have earned average to above-average reliability scores from Consumer Reports over the past several model years.

#### Minivans

Nissan no longer offers a minivan, so it can't compete here. The [Toyota Sienna](https://www.autolist.com/toyota-sienna) does not have class-leading styling, space, or features, but it is more than adequate to get the job done with its standard hybrid powertrain, high fuel economy ratings, and optional all-wheel drive.

#### Fuel-Efficient Choices

The Nissan Versa, the Sentra, the Rogue, and the Pathfinder all get exceptional fuel economy in their respective segments, but the Leaf and the Ariya are the winners here. Nissan has to rely on its electric vehicle lineup in the fuel efficiency comparison without any hybrid options in their current lineup. The Leaf will soon be discontinued, but it's still here for the time being. 

Toyota only has one fully electric vehicle in its lineup. Still, it relies on hybrid cars such as the Corolla Hybrid, the RAV4 Hybrid, the RAV4 Prime, the Highlander Hybrid, the Venza, and the Corolla Cross Hybrid to make you feel good about your fuel economy. According to CR, the Prius has established itself as the benchmark hybrid vehicle and has proven to be one of the most reliable vehicles of the past decade.

#### Sports and Performance Cars

Toyota and Nissan take different approaches to their sporty offerings. Toyota's models, the [GR86](https://www.autolist.com/toyota-gr86) and the [GR Supra](https://www.autolist.com/toyota-gr+supra), were both co-designed with other companies. The latter results from a collaboration with BMW, whereas the GR86 is a Subaru BRZ clone. Still, both are excellent to drive and offer quite different experiences.

Nissan offers the Z and the [GT-R](https://www.autolist.com/nissan-gt+r). Some prospective buyers say time has not been kind to either model. The GT-R is long overdue a redesign, even though it's still one of the most capable vehicles you can buy. The Z replaced the [370Z](https://www.autolist.com/nissan-370z) sports car, and despite its excellent design, many have said that it also feels outdated, because it's a heavy refresh of the previous model. Still, the Z is a genuine, 400-horsepower sports coupe that impresses.

### Final Thoughts

It's ultimately up to you to decide which car brand is right for you. Nissan vehicles provide with more upfront affordability, a more robust EV direction, a full lineup of cars, and excellent practicality.

Toyota vehicles tend to be more reliable, and there are more options within their lineup if one model doesn't quite fit your needs. Additionally, Toyota's extensive hybrid lineup will help save you money at the pump and the dealership over the typically higher price tags that come with electric vehicles.

Pur verdict on the respective pros and cons of two of Japan's biggest car manufacturers: Nissan and Toyota. 

Nissan vs Toyota -- Which is Better?

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