Compare two new cars by price, estimated monthly payment, fuel economy, and other specifications. Data comes from the CarPayCheck.com catalog and uses your selected financing terms.
| A5 | Altima | |
|---|---|---|
| Manufacturer | Audi | Nissan |
| Starting price | $50,200 | $27,580 |
| Monthly payment | $584 | $321 |
| Fuel type | Gasoline | Gasoline |
| Fuel economy | 26.0 mpg | 29.0 mpg |
| CO₂ emissions | 344 g/mi | 298 g/mi–315 g/mi |
| Annual maintenance cost | — | — |
Yes, Audi issued recall 22V041 for 2021-2022 A5 models due to a software bug that can prevent the rearview camera image from appearing when reversing. The screen may stay black or frozen, increasing the risk of backing into objects or pedestrians. The recall remedy is a free dealer software update; out-of-pocket repairs for the infotainment module would cost $500-$1,200.
Yes, the MIB 3 infotainment system in 2020-2024 A5 models has documented instability causing screen freezes, random restarts, and Bluetooth/Apple CarPlay dropouts. This can make navigation and climate controls unresponsive, and if software updates fail, the entire head unit may need replacement. Post-warranty replacement costs $1,800-$2,500 installed.
Yes, the plastic water pump/thermostat housing on the 2.0L EA888 engine in 2019-2024 A5s is prone to leaking coolant, causing low-coolant warnings and visible drips. Left unchecked, it can lead to overheating and engine damage. Replacement costs $800-$1,500 at an independent shop, or over $2,000 at a dealer.
Yes, the panoramic roof drain tubes on 2019-2024 A5s can clog or pinch, leading to water intrusion on headliners, pillars, or footwells after heavy rain. This can damage seat electronics or cause musty odors, and prolonged exposure may corrode wiring and modules. Cleaning or re-routing the drains costs $200-$450, but water damage repairs can exceed $1,500.
Yes, the 7-speed S tronic dual-clutch transmission in 2019-2024 A5s can have mechatronic unit failures, causing hard shifts, hesitation, and even loss of drive. A flashing PRNDS warning light indicates a serious issue, and delaying repair can destroy clutch packs. Mechatronic replacement at a specialist costs $3,000-$4,500, while a full transmission replacement is $6,000-$8,000.
The 2019-2021 Altima equipped with the Jatco CVT-8 transmission frequently suffers from judder, slipping, hesitation, and intermittent loss of propulsion. Owners report shuddering on acceleration from a stop, surging during light throttle, and in severe cases the car fails to move after parking. Independent-shop CVT replacement typically costs between $3,000 and $5,500, while dealer prices often exceed $5,500; fluid reflashes do not cure the mechanical issue.
Nissan recalled certain 2019-2020 Altimas (both 2.5L and 2.0 VC-Turbo) under NHTSA recall 20V-353 because the low-pressure fuel pump can fail, causing sputtering, sudden engine stall, and difficulty restarting. The repair is free at participating dealers under the recall. If the same part fails outside the recall campaign, typical non-warranty replacement costs approximately $200 to $500 for parts and labor.
Audi A5 and Nissan Altima suit different driving needs. The main differences below cover price, monthly payment, fuel economy, and running costs.
A5 starts at $50,200; Altima starts at $27,580. The difference is $22,620, making Altima about 45% cheaper before financing.
Estimated monthly payment: A5 — $584; Altima — $321. The difference is $263 per month, with Altima lower.
Both models use Gasoline. Fuel economy is A5 — 26.0 mpg; Altima — 29.0 mpg. Altima uses less energy in everyday driving.
The final choice is about more than numbers: annual distance, city or highway use, and the space your household needs all matter. Use the CarPayCheck.com calculator to apply your financing terms and evaluate both cars in your situation.
Want to compare other models? Return to the full catalog or calculate financing using your own terms.
