Volkswagen Passat vs Nissan Altima Dimensions & Size Comparison

Comparing 1999 catalog dimensions. Volkswagen Passat · Nissan Altima

Same scale for both vehicles. Generic silhouette — proportional to measured length, height, width, wheelbase, and clearance.

Side view
  • Length183.8 in – 184.1 in
  • Height57.4 in – 59.0 in
  • Wheelbase106.4 in – 106.5 in
  • Curb weight3,122 lb – 3,380 lb
Front / width
  • Width68.5 in – 86.5 in
  • Nissan Altima width69.1 in

Which is bigger?

  • Length: Nissan Altima is 0.4 in shorter (183.9 in vs 183.5 in)
  • Width: Nissan Altima is 8.4 in narrower (77.5 in vs 69.1 in)
  • Height: Volkswagen Passat is 2.3 in taller (58.2 in vs 55.9 in)
  • Wheelbase: Volkswagen Passat has a 3.4 in longer wheelbase (106.5 in vs 103.1 in)
  • Curb weight: Volkswagen Passat is 316 lb heavier (3,251 lb vs 2,936 lb)

Biggest size differences

  1. Width: Nissan Altima is 8.4 in narrower (77.5 in vs 69.1 in)
  2. Curb weight: Volkswagen Passat is 316 lb heavier (3,251 lb vs 2,936 lb)
  3. Height: Volkswagen Passat is 2.3 in taller (58.2 in vs 55.9 in)
  4. Wheelbase: Volkswagen Passat has a 3.4 in longer wheelbase (106.5 in vs 103.1 in)
  5. Length: Nissan Altima is 0.4 in shorter (183.9 in vs 183.5 in)

Practical verdicts

  • Easier to fit in a short garageNissan AltimaNissan Altima is shorter by 0.4 in Check garage fit for Volkswagen Passat · garage fit for Nissan Altima
  • Narrower for tight parkingNissan AltimaNissan Altima is narrower by 8.4 in
  • Smaller exterior footprintNissan AltimaBased on length × width (Nissan Altima)

Dimension comparison

SpecVolkswagen PassatNissan AltimaDifference
Length183.9 in183.5 in0.4 in
Width77.5 in69.1 in8.4 in
Height58.2 in55.9 in2.3 in
Wheelbase106.5 in103.1 in3.4 in
Curb weight3,251 lb2,936 lb316 lb

Values use trim midpoints when a model year lists a range (e.g. length 183.8 in – 184.1 in).

Compare by year

Overlapping model years with dimension data.

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