2025 Nissan Altima vs 2026 Honda Civic

$27,000 · Sedan

$24,595 · Sedan

Comparison Overview

The 2025 Nissan Altima bursts onto the scene with a more muscular heart, offering 188 hp, which dwarfs the 2026 Honda Civic’s 150 hp for exciting bursts of acceleration. However, the Civic retorts with efficiency, achieving a stellar 36 MPG combined compared to the Altima's 32 MPG combined, and boasts superior highway mileage at 41 MPG. Design-wise, the Altima leans into size with a length of 192.9 inches, providing a slightly more substantial presence than the nimble Civic at 184.8 inches. While the Altima commands a higher MSRP of $27,000 versus the Civic's $24,595, its 180 lb-ft of torque gives it an on-paper edge for pulling power. Ultimately, buyers must weigh the Altima's power advantage against the Civic's undeniable fuel savings and lower entry price.

Size Comparison

Performance

Fuel Efficiency

Full Specifications

Our Verdicts

🚗 Best for Commuters

2026 Honda Civic

The 2026 Honda Civic wins for daily commuting due to its class-leading combined 36 MPG efficiency rating.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Best for Families

2025 Nissan Altima

The 2025 Nissan Altima offers a slightly larger body structure and marginally more cargo space at 15.4 cubic feet, suiting family hauling better.

🏎️ Best for Enthusiasts

2025 Nissan Altima

The Altima delivers significantly more excitement with 188 hp and 180 lb-ft of torque compared to the Civic's 150 hp.

💰 Best Value

2026 Honda Civic

The 2026 Honda Civic provides better overall value starting at a lower MSRP of $24,595, despite the Altima having higher output.

Choose the Nissan Altima if...

You prioritize raw acceleration and responsiveness, benefiting from the Altima's 188 hp output.
You appreciate a larger vehicle footprint, as the Altima measures 192.9 inches in length.
You want maximum immediate pull, highlighted by the Altima's 180 lb-ft torque figure.

Choose the Honda Civic if...

Saving on fuel is critical, as the Civic achieves a superior 32/41 MPG City/Highway rating.
Budget consciousness is key, given the Civic’s attractive $24,595 starting MSRP.
You prefer a slightly smaller, more agile exterior dimension set at 184.8 inches long.

Key Dimensions

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

Features Comparison

Safety

Feature	Nissan	Honda
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	—	✓
Post-Collision Safety System	—	✓
LED Headlights	—	✓
Daytime Running Lights	—	✓
Rear Fixed Headrests	—	✓

Engine

Feature	Nissan	Honda
Base Engine Displacement	2.5 L	2.0 L
Number of Cylinders	inline 4	inline 4
Base Engine Type	gas	gas
Horsepower	188 hp @ 6000 rpm	150 hp @ 6400 rpm
Torque	180 lb-ft @ 3600 rpm	133 lb-ft @ 4000 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	Honda
Transmission Type	continuously variable-speed automatic	continuously variable-speed automatic
Drivetrain Type	front wheel drive	front wheel drive

Fuel

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

Comfort & Convenience

Feature	Nissan	Honda
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	—	✓
Single Zone Climate Control	—	✓

In Car Entertainment

Feature	Nissan	Honda
Infotainment Display	8.0 in	7.0 in
AM/FM Stereo	✓	✓
Speaker System	6	4
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	—
Stereo Power	—	160W
Speed Sensitive Volume Control	—	✓

Power Feature

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

Frontseats

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

Rearseats

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

Tires and Wheels

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

Suspension

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

Warranty

Feature	Nissan	Honda
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	2 yr./ 24000 mi.	1 yr./ 12000 mi.

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about comparing the 2025 Nissan Altima and 2026 Honda Civic.

How much more power does the 2025 Nissan Altima have over the 2026 Honda Civic?

The 2025 Nissan Altima packs a significant punch with 188 horsepower, while the 2026 Honda Civic is rated at 150 horsepower, giving the Altima a 38 hp advantage for more spirited driving.

Which sedan offers better fuel economy for long commutes?

The 2026 Honda Civic is the clear efficiency leader, achieving a combined 36 MPG, whereas the 2025 Nissan Altima returns 32 MPG combined. The Civic's 41 MPG highway rating is also better.

Is the price difference between the two models significant?

Yes, there is a notable gap; the 2025 Nissan Altima has an MSRP of $27,000, which is $2,405 more expensive than the 2026 Honda Civic starting at $24,595.

How does the cargo space compare in these two sedans?

The 2025 Nissan Altima offers slightly more utility with 15.4 cubic feet of cargo capacity compared to the 2026 Honda Civic’s 14.8 cubic feet. This extra 0.6 cu ft might matter for larger items.

Are either of these vehicles available with All-Wheel Drive?

Based on the provided specifications, both the 2025 Nissan Altima and the 2026 Honda Civic are standardly equipped with front-wheel drive (FWD) systems.

Which car is physically larger in overall dimensions?

The 2025 Nissan Altima is the larger vehicle across the board; it is 192.9 inches long and 72.9 inches wide, making it substantially bigger than the Civic's 184.8-inch length and 70.9-inch width.