2025 Nissan Altima vs 2026 Hyundai Elantra

$27,000 · Sedan

$22,625 · Sedan

Comparison Overview

Choosing between the 2025 Nissan Altima and the 2026 Hyundai Elantra often boils down to balancing initial savings against long-term refinement and power. If sticker price is your top concern, the Elantra saves you a substantial $4,375 right off the bat, starting at just $22,625 compared to the Altima's $27,000 MSRP. However, that extra investment in the Altima yields a noticeable performance boost; it offers 188 hp and 180 lb-ft of torque, significantly outpacing the Elantra's 147 hp. While the Elantra wins on efficiency with a Combined MPG of 35 versus the Altima's 32 MPG, the Altima’s larger 15.4 cu ft trunk offers slightly better capacity than the Elantra’s 14.2 cu ft. Ultimately, this decision pits the Elantra's excellent fuel economy and lower cost against the Altima's superior horsepower and greater overall dimensions.

Size Comparison

Performance

Fuel Efficiency

Full Specifications

Our Verdicts

🚗 Best for Commuters

2026 Hyundai Elantra

The 2026 Hyundai Elantra wins for commuters due to its superior fuel economy, achieving 35 combined MPG.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Best for Families

2025 Nissan Altima

The 2025 Nissan Altima is better for families due to its slightly larger overall dimensions and 15.4 cu ft of cargo space.

🏎️ Best for Enthusiasts

2025 Nissan Altima

The 2025 Nissan Altima provides significantly more power with 188 hp compared to the Elantra's 147 hp.

💰 Best Value

2026 Hyundai Elantra

The 2026 Hyundai Elantra presents better overall value by offering a $4,375 lower MSRP.

Choose the Nissan Altima if...

You prioritize higher performance, as the Altima delivers 188 hp and 180 lb-ft of torque.
You need maximum space in a compact sedan, benefiting from the Altima's 15.4 cu ft of cargo volume.
You prefer a slightly larger footprint for road stability, given the Altima's 192.9-inch length.

Choose the Hyundai Elantra if...

Keeping the purchase price low is critical, as the Elantra starts at $22,625, saving you $4,375.
Maximizing miles per gallon is your goal, with the Elantra achieving 40 highway MPG.
You are primarily driving in stop-and-go traffic where the Elantra's 31 city MPG shines.

Key Dimensions

Dimension	Nissan Altima	Hyundai Elantra
Length	192.9"	185.4"
Width	72.9"	71.9"
Height	56.7"	55.7"
Wheelbase	111.2"	107.1"

Features Comparison

Safety

Feature	Nissan	Hyundai
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	—	✓
LED Headlights	—	✓
Daytime Running Lights	—	✓
Rear Fixed Headrests	—	✓

Engine

Feature	Nissan	Hyundai
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	147 hp @ 6200 rpm
Torque	180 lb-ft @ 3600 rpm	132 lb-ft @ 4500 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	Hyundai
Transmission Type	continuously variable-speed automatic	continuously variable-speed automatic
Drivetrain Type	front wheel drive	front wheel drive

Fuel

Feature	Nissan	Hyundai
Fuel Type	regular unleaded	regular unleaded
EPA Fuel Economy (City/Highway)	27/39 MPG	31/40 MPG
EPA Fuel Economy (Combined)	32 MPG	35 MPG
EPA Driving Range (City/Highway)	437.4/631.8 mi.	384.4/496.0 mi.
Fuel Tank Capacity	16.2 gal.	12.4 gal.

Comfort & Convenience

Feature	Nissan	Hyundai
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	✓	✓

In Car Entertainment

Feature	Nissan	Hyundai
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	—
Android Auto (Wireless)	—	✓
Apple CarPlay (Wireless)	—	✓
Speed Sensitive Volume Control	—	✓

Power Feature

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

Frontseats

Feature	Nissan	Hyundai
Front Head Room	39.1 in.	40.6 in.
Front Leg Room	43.8 in.	42.3 in.
Front Shoulder Room	58.2 in.	56.5 in.
Front Hip Room	54.7 in.	53.4 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	4-way
Seat Material: Premium Cloth	—	✓
Passenger Seat Height Adjustment	—	✓

Rearseats

Feature	Nissan	Hyundai
Rear Head Room	36.9 in.	37.3 in.
Rear Leg Room	35.2 in.	38.0 in.
Rear Shoulder Room	57.1 in.	55.6 in.
Rear Hip Room	54.5 in.	50.5 in.
Split-Folding Rear Seatback	✓	—
Folding Center Armrest	✓	—
Folding Rear Seatback	—	✓

Tires and Wheels

Feature	Nissan	Hyundai
Wheel Material	Steel	Alloy
Wheel Cover Type	Full	—
Wheel Size	16 x 7.0 in	15 x 6.0 in
Tire Type	All Season	All Season
Tire Size	215/60R16	195/65R15
Spare Tire Type	Temporary	Temporary
Spare Tire Location	Inside Mounted	Inside Mounted

Suspension

Feature	Nissan	Hyundai
Four-Wheel Independent Suspension	✓	—
Front Stabilizer Bar	✓	—
Rear Stabilizer Bar	✓	—
Front Suspension Type	—	Independent
Stabilizer Bar	—	✓

Warranty

Feature	Nissan	Hyundai
Basic Warranty	3 yr./ 36000 mi.	5 yr./ 60000 mi.
Drivetrain Warranty	5 yr./ 60000 mi.	10 yr./ 100000 mi.
Corrosion/Rust Warranty	5 yr./ unlimited mi.	7 yr./ unlimited mi.
Roadside Assistance	3 yr./ 36000 mi.	5 yr./ unlimited mi.
Complimentary Scheduled Maintenance	2 yr./ 24000 mi.	—

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about comparing the 2025 Nissan Altima and 2026 Hyundai Elantra.

How much more efficient is the 2026 Hyundai Elantra compared to the 2025 Nissan Altima?

The Elantra has a clear edge in fuel efficiency, rated at 35 combined MPG. This beats the Altima's combined rating of 32 MPG, meaning you'll spend slightly less time and money at the gas pump.

Is the $4,375 price difference between the two sedans worth the extra power in the Altima?

That depends on your driving style; the Altima offers 41 more horsepower (188 hp vs 147 hp), which is significant for highway merging. If you seldom push your car hard, saving over $4,000 with the Elantra is likely the better financial choice.

Which sedan offers more practical space for groceries or weekend gear?

The 2025 Nissan Altima provides slightly more usable storage space with 15.4 cubic feet of cargo capacity. This is marginally better than the 14.2 cu ft offered by the 2026 Hyundai Elantra.

Do either of these cars require premium fuel?

No, both the 2025 Nissan Altima and the 2026 Hyundai Elantra use regular unleaded fuel, which keeps running costs predictable and lower.

How do the overall sizes compare, specifically for tight city parking?

The Elantra is slightly smaller and nimbler; it is nearly 7.5 inches shorter in length than the Altima (185.4 inches vs 192.9 inches), which might make finding tight parking spaces a bit easier.