The 2025 Nissan Altima vs the Competition

The Camry has long been the sales leader in the mid-size sedan category. However, 2025 marks a significant change for the Camry, as the entire model line now features a hybrid drivetrain. That is good for fuel mileage but does raise the price of entry. The powertrain uses a naturally aspirated 2.5-liter engine paired with the Toyota Synergy Hybrid System and a continuously variable transmission. While the Camry is front-wheel drive in standard form, it is the only model in the category that offers AWD on all trim levels.  

• The entry price of the lowest-priced Camry is $28,700, which is $1.700, over the Altima’s entry price of $27,000. 

• While the Altima cannot match the Camry’s hybrid fuel economy, its fuel mileage of 27 city, 39 highway, and 32 combined (FWD) does put it in good standing in the mid-size sedan segment.  

• The Altima just edges out the Camry in passenger volume (100.6 cubic feet vs. 99.9) and in trunk capacity (15.4 cubic feet vs. 15.1). 

• When seating three in the rear, the Altima offers almost an inch and a half more shoulder room than the Camry (57.1 inches vs. 55.7 inches). 

• A seldom highlighted but useful feature is the nearly 90-degree door openings on the Altima that facilitate easier passenger ingress and egress for the Altima. 

• Both models start with an 8-inch center touchscreen with an available 12.3-inch screen in the model line.  

• The convenience of remote engine start is standard on all Altima models but requires an upgrade on the Camry. 

The Accord, Camry, and Altima can all be credited with snatching the family sedan category from domestic brands and establishing the mid-size category as the go-to family sedan size. Since its 1976 debut, all Accords have been front-wheel drive, which continues presently. The lowest two trim levels use a 1.5-liter turbocharged inline-4 paired with a CVT. A hybrid system featuring a 2.0-liter engine and two motors powers the top five trim levels. The Accord was once Honda’s best-seller, with sales regularly in the 300 – 400K per year. In recent years, sales have dropped to about half that. 

• Three of four Altima models offer AWD. The Accord does not offer it at all. 

• The Altima (S) entry MSRP is $27,000, lower than the least expensive Accord, at $28,295. 

• Fuel mileage is very close for the base drivetrain of both models. Both have a combined figure of 32. The Accord has better city mileage (27 vs. 29), while the Altima shines on the highway (39 vs. 37). 

• With greater highway mpg and a larger fuel tank (16.2 vs. 14.8 gallons), the Altima has a longer estimated range than the Accord (518 vs. 474 miles). 

• Front and rear shoulder room is greater in the Altima compared to the Accord (58.2/57.1 vs. 57.9/56.5 inches)  

• The base Altima features the flexibility of a 60/40 split folding rear seatbacks. The base Accord only has a single-piece folding rear seatback. 

• Blind spot alert, rear cross-traffic alert, and rear parking sensors are standard across the Altima model line but require an upgrade from the base Accord. 

Following the compact Excel hatchback, Hyundai introduced the Sonata for the 1989 model year as the brand’s second vehicle in the U.S. The Sonata was a bland, generic-looking vehicle until the boldly styled 2010 sixth-generation model quickly doubled its sales and established it as a notable contender in the mid-size category. Two generations later, the bold styling continues.

Like the Altima, the Sonata has a 2.5-liter inline-4 as its base engine, but it also offers a 290-hp turbocharged variant for the N Line. The Sonata SEL and Limited trim levels are additionally available with a hybrid drivetrain that includes a 2.0-liter inline-4 paired with a 39 kW motor. Similar to the Altima, the Sonata is also available with AWD in its SEL and Limited trim levels.

• The Altima offers AWD in three trim levels, unlike the Sonata, which only offers it in the top trim level.
• The base powertrains are very close in horsepower (188 vs. 191) and torque (180 vs. 181 lb-ft).
• When comparing base drivetrains, the Altima achieves significantly better city, highway, and combined fuel mileage than the Sonata, with ratings of 27/39/32 compared to 25/36/29.
• The Altima provides rear passengers with slightly more legroom (35.2 vs. 34.8 inches).
• Rear passengers enjoy approximately an additional inch of shoulder room, which is appreciated when sitting three across (57.1 vs 56.1 inches).
• The Altima features knee airbags for both front passengers, whereas the Sonata only has one for the driver.
• The convenience of remote engine start is standard on all Altima models, but it requires an upgrade for the Sonata.
• The convenience of rear parking sensors is standard on all Altima models, but they require an upgrade on the Sonata.

Subaru is discontinuing the Legacy Sedan in the U.S., making 2025 its last model year. This model first debuted in the U.S. in 1989 as both a sedan and a wagon, the latter becoming the foundation for the Outback crossover. The Legacy has consistently offered all-wheel drive (AWD), which became standard starting in 1996. Most Legacy models come equipped with a naturally aspirated 2.5-liter flat-four engine that produces 182 horsepower, paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT). The Touring XT features a 260-horsepower 2.4-liter turbocharged flat-four engine, which is also paired with the CVT.

• While both models have standard 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engines, the Altima has a little more horsepower (188 vs/ 182) and a little more torque (188 lb-ft @ 3600 vs. 176@4400).
• All Legacy models are AWD, while the Altima offers you a choice. If you don’t need AWD, the FWD advantage is better fuel mileage, particularly on the highway. The FWD Altima city/highway/combined fuel mileage of 27/39/32 compared to the Legacy at 27/35/30. With AWD, the Altima’s mileage is very similar to the Legacy’s at 25/34/28.
• Almost three more inches of wheelbase (111.2 vs 108.3helps give the Altima a more stable highway ride.
• The Altima features knee airbags for both the driver and the front passenger, while the Legacy provides coverage only for the driver.
• The standard audio system in the Altima features six speakers, whereas the Legacy has only four.
• The convenience of remote engine start is standard on all Altima models, but it is unavailable on the base Legacy.
• The standard center screen in the base Altima measures 8.0 inches, which is larger than the 7.0-inch screen in the base Legacy.
• A blind spot alert system and rear cross-traffic alert are standard features across all Altima models but are not available on the base Legacy.
• The driver attention alert system that is standard on the Altima is not available on the Legacy.