2025 Nissan Altima vs 2026 Hyundai Venue
Comparison Overview
The 2025 Nissan Altima explodes onto the scene with an exciting 188 hp, promising a more spirited drive than the nimble, city-focused 2026 Hyundai Venue, which counters with a robust 18.7 cu ft of cargo space, besting the Altima's 15.4 cu ft. The Altima leverages its superior power delivery from its 2.5L engine to pull ahead in highway cruising, achieving 39 MPG on the highway, although both sedans are very close in combined efficiency at 32 MPG (Altima) versus 31 MPG (Venue). Intriguingly, the Venue achieves superior city mileage at 29 MPG compared to the Altima's 27 MPG, leveraging its smaller footprint. The $6,450 MSRP gulf is significant, positioning the Altima as the premium driver’s choice while the Venue shines as the economical urban warrior. Enthusiasts will immediately favor the 67 hp advantage held by the Altima, while budget-conscious buyers zero in on the Venue's sub-$21,000 starting price.
Size Comparison
Performance
Fuel Efficiency
Full Specifications
Our Verdicts
2025 Nissan Altima
The Altima offers better highway fuel economy at 39 MPG, making longer commutes more cost-effective.
2026 Hyundai Venue
The Venue provides more usable utility space with 18.7 cu ft of cargo capacity compared to the Altima's 15.4 cu ft.
2025 Nissan Altima
The Altima delivers substantially more acceleration potential with 188 hp and 180 lb-ft of torque versus the Venue's 121 hp.
2026 Hyundai Venue
The Venue starts $6,450 less expensive while delivering very competitive fuel economy and better cargo space.
Choose the Nissan Altima if...
- You prioritize outright performance and need 188 hp for freeway merging and spirited driving.
- Your driving heavily involves highway stretches, where the Altima’s 39 MPG highway rating excels.
- You prefer the traditional, longer sedan form factor at 192.9 inches in length.
Choose the Hyundai Venue if...
- Your budget is tight, as the Venue significantly undercuts the Altima with an MSRP of $20,550.
- You frequently carry bulky items, benefiting from the Venue's superior 18.7 cu ft of cargo capacity.
- You navigate tight city streets and need the higher 29 MPG city fuel economy rating.
Key Dimensions
| Dimension | Nissan Altima | Hyundai Venue |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 192.9" | 159.1" |
| Width | 72.9" | 69.7" |
| Height | 56.7" | 61.6" |
| Wheelbase | 111.2" | 99.2" |
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 | — | ✓ |
| Rear Drum Brakes | — | ✓ |
| Rear Height Adjustable Headrests | — | ✓ |
Engine
| Feature | Nissan | Hyundai |
|---|---|---|
| Base Engine Displacement | 2.5 L | 1.6 L |
| Number of Cylinders | inline 4 | inline 4 |
| Base Engine Type | gas | gas |
| Horsepower | 188 hp @ 6000 rpm | 121 hp @ 6300 rpm |
| Torque | 180 lb-ft @ 3600 rpm | 113 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 | 29/33 MPG |
| EPA Fuel Economy (Combined) | 32 MPG | 31 MPG |
| EPA Driving Range (City/Highway) | 437.4/631.8 mi. | 345.1/392.7 mi. |
| Fuel Tank Capacity | 16.2 gal. | 11.9 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 | ✓ | ✓ |
| Single Zone Climate Control | — | ✓ |
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) | — | ✓ |
Power Feature
| Feature | Nissan | Hyundai |
|---|---|---|
| One-Touch Power Windows | 1 | — |
| Remote Keyless Entry | ✓ | ✓ |
| Heated Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
Frontseats
| Feature | Nissan | Hyundai |
|---|---|---|
| Front Head Room | 39.1 in. | 39.4 in. |
| Front Leg Room | 43.8 in. | 41.3 in. |
| Front Shoulder Room | 58.2 in. | 53.9 in. |
| Front Hip Room | 54.7 in. | 52.1 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 |
Rearseats
| Feature | Nissan | Hyundai |
|---|---|---|
| Rear Head Room | 36.9 in. | 38.6 in. |
| Rear Leg Room | 35.2 in. | 34.3 in. |
| Rear Shoulder Room | 57.1 in. | 53.7 in. |
| Rear Hip Room | 54.5 in. | 43.5 in. |
| Split-Folding Rear Seatback | ✓ | ✓ |
| Folding Center Armrest | ✓ | — |
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 | 185/65R15 |
| 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 Venue.
How does the power difference between the Altima and the Venue affect real-world driving?
The 2025 Nissan Altima has 67 more horsepower (188 hp vs. 121 hp) and significantly more torque (180 lb-ft vs. 113 lb-ft). This means the Altima will feel much more responsive when accelerating onto highways or passing, while the Venue is tuned more conservatively for efficient urban transit.
Is the 2026 Hyundai Venue surprisingly practical despite its smaller size?
Yes, the Venue surprises with 18.7 cu ft of cargo capacity, which is greater than the Altima's 15.4 cu ft, capitalizing on its hatchback design for vertical storage. However, the Altima is the longer vehicle overall at 192.9 inches versus the Venue's 159.1 inches.
Which vehicle offers better efficiency for a daily commuter?
The two vehicles are nearly tied in combined MPG (32 for Altima, 31 for Venue), but the Altima pulls ahead on the highway (39 MPG), while the Venue is slightly better in the city (29 MPG vs. Altima's 27 MPG).
What accounts for the significant $6,450 price gap between the two models?
The price difference largely reflects the Altima's status as a larger mid-size sedan with a more powerful engine setup generating 188 hp. The Venue is priced aggressively at $20,550 as a subcompact crossover/hatchback prioritizing affordability.
Since both use CVTs, will the driving experience be identical?
While both utilize a continuously variable-speed automatic transmission, the engine tuning behind them is vastly different. The Altima’s 180 lb-ft of torque paired with its CVT will offer a much stronger feeling of pull compared to the Venue’s output.
Are there any concerns about fuel type or operating costs?
Fortunately, both the 2025 Altima and the 2026 Venue can run happily on regular unleaded fuel, keeping operational costs low regardless of your choice.
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