The Camry holds its value. The Altima doesn't keep up.
If you're cross-shopping a used Camry and a used Altima in Dubai, buy the Camry when resale matters to you. A two-year-old Camry still holds about 98% of what a one-year-old example costs. Nissan sedans drop much faster — the Sunny, for context, loses roughly 18% a year by its seventh year. The Altima doesn't fall that hard, but it can't match Toyota's staying power. Here's the full picture.
The short version
- A Camry keeps about 81% of its value after three years; the Altima drops to around AED 68,000 by year five — roughly half its new price.
- A 2022 Altima lists around AED 80,000; a similarly aged Camry costs more but loses less per year.
- If you plan to sell within two to three years, the Camry pays you back better at trade-in time.
- If upfront savings matter more than resale, the Altima gives you more car for less cash today.
- Every car on CarSwitch is inspection-verified — so you'll know exactly what you're getting either way.
How fast does each Camry and Altima lose value?
According to CarSwitch listings data (July 2026), a two-year-old Camry still holds about 98% of the value of a one-year-old model. That's almost nothing lost. By year three, it's still worth about 82% — and even at six years old, it sits around 67%.
Nissan doesn't publish the same kind of numbers for the Altima, but we can read its pricing clearly. A 2021 Altima — five years old — lists around AED 67,500. A 2022 sits near AED 80,000. Both of those are roughly 38–48% below the new sticker price of about AED 130,000. That's a steep slide in four to five years.
"Toyota resale in the UAE is almost a given — Camry owners know it, and they price accordingly. Altima buyers get more for their money upfront, but they feel the gap when it's time to sell."
Kamel Abbou, Country Manager, UAE, at CarSwitch
To put Nissan's broader resale story in perspective: the Nissan Sunny loses about 18% a year by year seven. The Altima holds up better than the Sunny, but it still can't touch the Camry's numbers.
Camry vs Altima: the resale numbers side by side
| Model & Age | Value Retained | Yearly Loss |
|---|---|---|
| Toyota Camry — 2 years old | 98% | 3% |
| Toyota Camry — 3 years old | 82% | 10% |
| Toyota Camry — 4 years old | 81% | 7% |
| Toyota Camry — 6 years old | 67% | 8% |
| Nissan Altima 2022 (4 yrs old) | AED 79,995 vs AED 129,500 new | 38% below new |
| Nissan Altima 2021 (5 yrs old) | AED 67,495 vs AED 129,500 new | 48% below new |
The Camry's first two years are remarkably flat. You drive it, you use it, and the market barely notices. The Altima's first big price drop happens earlier and runs deeper.
What does each Camry and Altima actually cost used?
A 2022 Altima lists around AED 80,000 on CarSwitch. A 2020 model drops to about AED 66,000. Go back to 2018 and you're looking at roughly AED 31,000 — that's about 76% off the new price. There's a lot of car for the money at that point, but you're also sitting on over 100,000 km.
Used Camry prices run higher at every age. That's the trade-off: you pay more going in, but you lose less when you sell. If you plan to keep a sedan for two or three years and then move on, the Camry's resale advantage can easily cover the higher purchase price.
Camry at 2 years old: retains 98% of value (3% yearly loss)
Camry at 6 years old: still worth 67%
Altima 2022: listed at AED 79,995 — 38% below new price of AED 129,500
Nissan Sunny at 7 years: retains just 38% (18% yearly loss)
So which one should you buy?
It depends on what matters more to you right now.
Buy the Camry if you want the strongest resale value in the sedan class. It's the safer long-term bet. A three-year-old Camry — check our كامري 2017 listings for older examples — still commands strong money. Toyota's reputation in the UAE isn't going anywhere.
Buy the Altima if your budget is tighter and you want more features for less upfront. A 2020 or 2021 Altima in the mid-60s gives you a well-equipped, comfortable sedan. Just know that the resale gap will widen if you hold it another few years.
A few things to check before buying either
Accident history matters more than most people think. Across models on CarSwitch, cars with a minor accident on record sell for about 9% less than clean examples. That discount is baked in whether you're looking at a Camry or an Altima — so always check the report.
Trim level makes a difference too. A base-spec car typically lists around 7% below a fully loaded one. If the Altima you're eyeing is fully loaded and the Camry is base, the gap narrows more than you'd expect.
As for where to shop: prices across Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Sharjah are within a couple of percent of each other, so it doesn't make a real difference. Browse used cars in Dubai for the widest selection.
Find your next car on CarSwitch
Every car listed on CarSwitch goes through a detailed inspection — so you'll know exactly what you're getting before you commit. Browse inspection-verified Camry and Altima listings, compare transparent pricing, and let real people help you through the process. It's that simple.
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