2025 Honda Civic vs 2025 Nissan Altima

$24,250 · Sedan

$27,000 · Sedan

Comparison Overview

The 2025 Honda Civic excites with its frugal efficiency, boasting a fantastic 36 combined MPG, while the 2025 Nissan Altima immediately catches the eye with a more muscular 188 hp output, significantly more than the Civic's 150 hp. The Altima promises more spirited acceleration thanks to its 180 lb-ft of torque versus the Civic's 133 lb-ft. However, the Civic champions economy, offering an impressive 41 MPG on the highway, besting the Altima's 39 MPG highway rating. Dimensionally, the Altima provides a larger footprint at 192.9 inches long and offers slightly more utility with 15.4 cu ft of cargo space compared to the Civic's 14.8 cu ft. When weighing the initial cost, the Civic starts sharply at $24,250, undercutting the Altima's $27,000 MSRP, creating a clear dynamic between thriftiness and accessible power.

Size Comparison

Performance

Fuel Efficiency

Full Specifications

Our Verdicts

🚗 Best for Commuters

2025 Honda Civic

The 2025 Honda Civic is the superior choice for daily commuting due to its segment-leading 36 combined MPG efficiency.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Best for Families

2025 Nissan Altima

The 2025 Nissan Altima secures the family win by offering a slightly larger overall length and marginally superior cargo capacity at 15.4 cubic feet.

🏎️ Best for Enthusiasts

2025 Nissan Altima

Enthusiasts will gravitate toward the Altima's significantly higher output of 188 horsepower and 180 lb-ft of torque.

💰 Best Value

2025 Honda Civic

The 2025 Honda Civic provides better overall value starting at a lower MSRP of $24,250 while delivering superior fuel economy.

Choose the Honda Civic if...

Fuel economy is the absolute priority, leveraging its 32/41 MPG split.
You prefer a lower initial purchase price, starting at $24,250.
You need a highly maneuverable vehicle with a smaller overall physical footprint (184.8 inches long).

Choose the Nissan Altima if...

You crave stronger acceleration provided by 188 horsepower.
You need marginally more passenger/cargo space (15.4 cu ft capacity).
You prefer a sedan with greater low-end pull, indicated by 180 lb-ft of torque.

Key Dimensions

Dimension	Honda Civic	Nissan Altima
Length	184.8"	192.9"
Width	70.9"	72.9"
Height	55.7"	56.7"
Wheelbase	107.7"	111.2"

Features Comparison

Safety

Feature	Honda	Nissan
Lane Departure Warning	✓	✓
Lane Keeping Assist System	✓	—
Driver Attention Alert	✓	✓
Pre-Collision Safety System	✓	✓
Post-Collision Safety System	✓	—
Dual Front Side-Mounted Airbags	✓	✓
Dual Rear Side-Mounted Airbags	✓	✓
Front Head Airbags	✓	✓
Rear Head Airbags	✓	✓
Passenger Airbag Occupant Sensing Deactivation	✓	✓
Electronic Stability Control	✓	✓
Traction Control System	✓	✓
LATCH System	✓	✓
Rear Door Child Safety Locks	✓	✓
Anti-lock Brakes (ABS)	4-Wheel	4-Wheel
Front Ventilated Disc Brakes	✓	✓
Rear Solid Disc Brakes	✓	✓
Brake Assist	✓	✓
Tire Pressure Monitoring System	✓	✓
Automatic Headlights	✓	✓
Headlight Delay-Off	✓	✓
LED Headlights	✓	—
Daytime Running Lights	✓	—
Front Headrests	2	2
Front Height Adjustable Headrests	✓	✓
Rear Headrests	3	3
Rear Fixed Headrests	✓	—
Rear Center 3-Point Seatbelt	✓	✓
Anti-Theft Alarm System (Remote)	✓	✓
Engine Immobilizer	✓	✓
Blind Spot Monitor	—	✓
Rear Cross Traffic Alert	—	✓
Brake Preparation System	—	✓

Engine

Feature	Honda	Nissan
Base Engine Displacement	2.0 L	2.5 L
Number of Cylinders	inline 4	inline 4
Base Engine Type	gas	gas
Horsepower	150 hp @ 6400 rpm	188 hp @ 6000 rpm
Torque	133 lb-ft @ 4000 rpm	180 lb-ft @ 3600 rpm
Number of Valves	16	16
Camshaft Type	Double overhead cam (DOHC)	Double overhead cam (DOHC)
Variable Valve Timing	Variable	Variable
Fuel Injection Type	✓	✓

Drive Train

Feature	Honda	Nissan
Transmission Type	continuously variable-speed automatic	continuously variable-speed automatic
Drivetrain Type	front wheel drive	front wheel drive

Fuel

Feature	Honda	Nissan
Fuel Type	regular unleaded	regular unleaded
EPA Fuel Economy (City/Highway)	32/41 MPG	27/39 MPG
EPA Fuel Economy (Combined)	36 MPG	32 MPG
EPA Driving Range (City/Highway)	396.8/508.4 mi.	437.4/631.8 mi.
Fuel Tank Capacity	12.4 gal.	16.2 gal.

Comfort & Convenience

Feature	Honda	Nissan
Push Button Start	✓	✓
Tilt and Telescopic Steering Wheel	✓	✓
Audio Controls on Steering Wheel	✓	✓
Cruise Control on Steering Wheel	✓	✓
Electric Power Steering	✓	✓
Rear View Camera	✓	✓
Adaptive Cruise Control	✓	—
Front Cupholders	✓	✓
Front Door Pockets	✓	✓
Rear Door Pockets	✓	✓
Single Zone Climate Control	✓	—
Dual Vanity Mirrors	✓	✓
Rear Parking Sensors	—	✓
Cruise Control	—	✓
Rear Cupholders	—	✓
Overhead Console with Storage	—	✓
Front Seatback Storage	—	✓
Air Conditioning	—	✓
Interior Air Filtration	—	✓

In Car Entertainment

Feature	Honda	Nissan
Infotainment Display	7.0 in	8.0 in
AM/FM Stereo	✓	✓
Stereo Power	160W	—
Speaker System	4	6
Android Auto (Wired)	✓	✓
Apple CarPlay (Wired)	✓	✓
USB Port	✓	✓
USB Port with External Media Control	✓	✓
Speed Sensitive Volume Control	✓	—
Auxiliary Audio Input	—	✓
Satellite Radio	—	✓
Satellite Radio Trial Period	—	3 months

Power Feature

Feature	Honda	Nissan
One-Touch Power Windows	2	1
Remote Keyless Entry	✓	✓
Heated Mirrors	✓	✓

Frontseats

Feature	Honda	Nissan
Front Head Room	39.3 in.	39.1 in.
Front Leg Room	42.3 in.	43.8 in.
Front Shoulder Room	57.0 in.	58.2 in.
Front Hip Room	54.3 in.	54.7 in.
Seat Material: Cloth	✓	✓
Front Seat Type: Bucket	✓	✓
Driver Seat Height Adjustment	✓	✓
Driver Seat Manual Adjustments	—	6-way
Passenger Seat Manual Adjustments	—	4-way

Rearseats

Feature	Honda	Nissan
Rear Head Room	37.1 in.	36.9 in.
Rear Leg Room	37.4 in.	35.2 in.
Rear Shoulder Room	56.0 in.	57.1 in.
Rear Hip Room	48.9 in.	54.5 in.
Folding Rear Seatback	✓	—
Split-Folding Rear Seatback	—	✓
Folding Center Armrest	—	✓

Tires and Wheels

Feature	Honda	Nissan
Wheel Material	Steel	Steel
Wheel Cover Type	Full	Full
Wheel Diameter	16 in	—
Tire Type	All Season	All Season
Tire Size	P215/55R	215/60R16
Spare Tire Type	Temporary	Temporary
Spare Tire Location	Inside Mounted	Inside Mounted
Wheel Size	—	16 x 7.0 in

Suspension

Feature	Honda	Nissan
Four-Wheel Independent Suspension	✓	✓
Front Stabilizer Bar	✓	✓
Rear Stabilizer Bar	✓	✓

Warranty

Feature	Honda	Nissan
Basic Warranty	3 yr./ 36000 mi.	3 yr./ 36000 mi.
Drivetrain Warranty	5 yr./ 60000 mi.	5 yr./ 60000 mi.
Corrosion/Rust Warranty	5 yr./ unlimited mi.	5 yr./ unlimited mi.
Roadside Assistance	3 yr./ 36000 mi.	3 yr./ 36000 mi.
Complimentary Scheduled Maintenance	1 yr./ 12000 mi.	2 yr./ 24000 mi.

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about comparing the 2025 Honda Civic and 2025 Nissan Altima.

How significant is the 4 MPG difference in real-world driving costs?

The 4 MPG advantage held by the Civic (36 combined vs. Altima's 32 combined) translates to noticeable savings over a year of regular driving, especially considering both use regular unleaded fuel. Over 15,000 miles, the Civic will consume approximately 86 gallons less fuel annually than the Altima.

Which car feels quicker when accelerating onto the highway?

The 2025 Nissan Altima will feel substantially quicker, as it possesses 38 more horsepower (188 hp vs. 150 hp) and a far stronger 180 lb-ft torque figure. This power surplus means the Altima handles merging maneuvers with greater ease and immediacy.

Are the transmissions between the two vehicles the same?

No, while both use a continuously variable-speed automatic transmission (CVT), their tuning differs significantly to match the engines. The Altima's CVT is likely programmed to handle higher torque loads, while the Civic's is calibrated heavily toward maximizing its 41 MPG highway rating.

Does the size difference (8 inches in length) between the cars matter inside?

The 2025 Nissan Altima is over 8 inches longer, resulting in 15.4 cu ft of cargo space, whereas the Civic offers 14.8 cu ft. This extra length primarily translates to marginally more interior room and slightly greater rear-seat comfort for back passengers.

How do the starting prices compare for these two sedans?

The 2025 Honda Civic starts at a budget-friendly $24,250 MSRP. The 2025 Nissan Altima commands a premium for its extra power, starting at $27,000, creating a $2,750 difference at the base level.

Do the drivetrains offer any mechanical advantages?

Both vehicles feature front-wheel drive (FWD) and utilize CVTs, suggesting a similar foundational approach to city and highway stability. However, neither offers the dynamic advantages of optional AWD systems.