2025 Nissan Altima vs 2025 Toyota Prius

$27,000 · Sedan

$28,350 · Hatchback

Comparison Overview

Choosing between the 2025 Nissan Altima and the 2025 Toyota Prius often boils down to prioritizing immediate savings versus long-term efficiency. If you look at the sticker price, the Altima starts lower at $27,000 compared to the Prius's $28,350, which is a nice initial buffer. However, the Altima achieves a respectable 32 MPG combined, while the Prius absolutely dominates the pump with a stellar 57 MPG combined—that's a massive 25 MPG difference! While the Altima offers slightly more length at 192.9 inches, making it appear larger externally, the Prius compensates with significantly more usable space, boasting 23.8 cubic feet of cargo room versus the Altima’s 15.4 cu ft. For daily drivers covering serious mileage, that fuel economy gap strongly tilts the scales toward the hybrid.

Size Comparison

Performance

Fuel Efficiency

Full Specifications

Our Verdicts

🚗 Best for Commuters

2025 Toyota Prius

The Prius wins for commuters due to its incredible 57 MPG combined fuel economy, drastically cutting weekly fuel costs.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Best for Families

2025 Toyota Prius

Families will appreciate the Prius’s much larger 23.8 cu ft of cargo capacity compared to the Altima's 15.4 cu ft.

🏎️ Best for Enthusiasts

2025 Toyota Prius

The Prius offers a slight edge in performance with 194 horsepower versus the Altima's 188 hp.

💰 Best Value

2025 Toyota Prius

Despite a higher initial MSRP, the Prius's 25 MPG efficiency advantage over the Altima provides superior long-term operational value.

Choose the Nissan Altima if...

You prioritize the lowest possible starting MSRP at $27,000.
You prefer the traditional sedan profile over a hatchback design.
You don't mind stopping for gas more frequently in exchange for the Altima’s 39 MPG highway rating.

Choose the Toyota Prius if...

Minimizing fuel stops and maximizing MPG (57 combined) is your top priority.
You frequently haul cargo, leveraging the Prius’s expansive 23.8 cu ft trunk space.
You want marginally better horsepower output (194 hp) from the powertrain.

Key Dimensions

Dimension	Nissan Altima	Toyota Prius
Length	192.9"	181.1"
Width	72.9"	70.2"
Height	56.7"	55.9"
Wheelbase	111.2"	108.3"

Features Comparison

Safety

Feature	Nissan	Toyota
Blind Spot Monitor	✓	✓
Lane Departure Warning	✓	✓
Rear Cross Traffic Alert	✓	✓
Driver Attention Alert	✓	—
Pre-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 Preparation System	✓	—
Brake Assist	✓	✓
Tire Pressure Monitoring System	✓	✓
Automatic Headlights	✓	—
Headlight Delay-Off	✓	✓
Front Headrests	2	2
Front Height Adjustable Headrests	✓	✓
Rear Headrests	3	3
Rear Center 3-Point Seatbelt	✓	✓
Anti-Theft Alarm System (Remote)	✓	✓
Engine Immobilizer	✓	✓
Lane Keeping Assist System	—	✓
Front Cross Traffic Alert	—	✓
Post-Collision Safety System	—	✓
LED Headlights	—	✓
Daytime Running Lights	—	✓
Rear Height Adjustable Headrests	—	✓

Engine

Feature	Nissan	Toyota
Base Engine Displacement	2.5 L	2.0 L
Number of Cylinders	inline 4	inline 4
Base Engine Type	gas	hybrid
Horsepower	188 hp @ 6000 rpm	194 hp @ 6000 rpm
Torque	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	Nissan	Toyota
Transmission Type	continuously variable-speed automatic	continuously variable-speed automatic
Drivetrain Type	front wheel drive	front wheel drive

Fuel

Feature	Nissan	Toyota
Fuel Type	regular unleaded	regular unleaded
EPA Fuel Economy (City/Highway)	27/39 MPG	57/56 MPG
EPA Fuel Economy (Combined)	32 MPG	57 MPG
EPA Driving Range (City/Highway)	437.4/631.8 mi.	644.1/632.8 mi.
Fuel Tank Capacity	16.2 gal.	11.3 gal.

Comfort & Convenience

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

In Car Entertainment

Feature	Nissan	Toyota
Infotainment Display	8.0 in	8.0 in
AM/FM Stereo	✓	✓
Speaker System	6	6
Android Auto (Wired)	✓	—
Apple CarPlay (Wired)	✓	—
USB Port	✓	✓
Auxiliary Audio Input	✓	—
USB Port with External Media Control	✓	✓
Satellite Radio	✓	✓
Satellite Radio Trial Period	3 months	3 months
Android Auto (Wireless)	—	✓
Apple CarPlay (Wireless)	—	✓

Power Feature

Feature	Nissan	Toyota
One-Touch Power Windows	1	4
Remote Keyless Entry	✓	—
Heated Mirrors	✓	✓
Keyless Entry	—	✓

Frontseats

Feature	Nissan	Toyota
Front Head Room	39.1 in.	38.0 in.
Front Leg Room	43.8 in.	43.2 in.
Front Shoulder Room	58.2 in.	55.3 in.
Front Hip Room	54.7 in.	54.7 in.
Seat Material: Cloth	✓	✓
Front Seat Type: Bucket	✓	✓
Driver Seat Manual Adjustments	6-way	6-way
Driver Seat Height Adjustment	✓	✓
Passenger Seat Manual Adjustments	4-way	6-way
Passenger Seat Height Adjustment	—	✓

Rearseats

Feature	Nissan	Toyota
Rear Head Room	36.9 in.	36.4 in.
Rear Leg Room	35.2 in.	34.8 in.
Rear Shoulder Room	57.1 in.	52.8 in.
Rear Hip Room	54.5 in.	51.7 in.
Split-Folding Rear Seatback	✓	✓
Folding Center Armrest	✓	—

Tires and Wheels

Feature	Nissan	Toyota
Wheel Material	Steel	Alloy
Wheel Cover Type	Full	✓
Wheel Size	16 x 7.0 in	—
Tire Type	All Season	All Season
Tire Size	215/60R16	195/60R17
Spare Tire Type	Temporary	—
Spare Tire Location	Inside Mounted	—
Wheel Diameter	—	17 in

Suspension

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

Warranty

Feature	Nissan	Toyota
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.	2 yr./ unlimited mi.
Complimentary Scheduled Maintenance	2 yr./ 24000 mi.	2 yr./ 25000 mi.
Hybrid Component Warranty	—	10 yr./ 150000 mi.

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about comparing the 2025 Nissan Altima and 2025 Toyota Prius.

Is the 2025 Altima cheaper to run than the 2025 Prius?

No, the Prius is significantly cheaper to run despite its slightly higher MSRP of $28,350 versus the Altima's $27,000. The Prius achieves 57 MPG combined, which completely overshadows the Altima's 32 MPG combined.

Which car has more physical space for luggage?

The 2025 Toyota Prius offers substantially more cargo utility with 23.8 cu ft available, easily beating the 2025 Nissan Altima’s 15.4 cu ft.

How much power difference is there between the two engines?

The performance difference is minor; the Prius produces 194 horsepower, giving it a 6 hp advantage over the Altima’s 188 hp output.

Are either of these cars All-Wheel Drive?

Based on the provided specifications, neither the 2025 Nissan Altima nor the 2025 Toyota Prius offers an All-Wheel Drive option, as both are listed with Front Wheel Drive.

What is the primary tradeoff when selecting the Altima over the Prius?

The primary tradeoff is fuel economy; you save about $1,350 on the initial purchase price with the Altima, but you immediately lose 25 MPG in combined efficiency compared to the hybrid Prius.