2025 Nissan Altima vs 2026 Mazda 3

$27,000 · Sedan

$24,550 · Sedan

Comparison Overview

Choosing between the 2025 Nissan Altima and the 2026 Mazda 3 often boils down to prioritizing size versus polish. Many buyers struggle to decide if they need the marginally larger footprint of the Altima or the tighter dynamics of the Mazda 3. The Altima offers superior fuel economy, boasting a 32 combined MPG compared to the Mazda 3's 30 combined MPG, which translates to fewer stops at the pump for commuters. However, the Altima is significantly longer at 192.9 inches versus the Mazda’s 183.5 inches, giving it a noticeable edge in interior space. Performance-wise, they are neck-and-neck: the Altima generates 188 hp, while the Mazda pushes out 186 hp, though the Mazda wins on torque with 186 lb-ft versus the Nissan’s 180 lb-ft. For pure practicality, the Altima’s 15.4 cu ft of cargo space is considerably better than the Mazda’s 13.2 cu ft, making the Nissan the more utility-focused choice, despite the Mazda's lower $24,550 MSRP.

Size Comparison

Performance

Fuel Efficiency

Full Specifications

Our Verdicts

🚗 Best for Commuters

2025 Nissan Altima

The Nissan Altima wins for commuters due to its slightly better fuel efficiency, achieving 39 MPG highway versus the Mazda 3's 36 MPG highway.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Best for Families

2025 Nissan Altima

The Altima is better for families as it offers 15.4 cu ft of cargo space, providing 2.2 cubic feet more room than the Mazda 3's 13.2 cu ft.

🏎️ Best for Enthusiasts

2026 Mazda 3

The Mazda 3 appeals more to enthusiasts because it provides higher torque (186 lb-ft vs. 180 lb-ft) and utilizes a more traditional 6-speed automatic transmission.

💰 Best Value

2026 Mazda 3

The Mazda 3 presents a better initial value, starting at an MSRP of $24,550, which is $2,450 less than the Nissan Altima’s $27,000 starting price.

Choose the Nissan Altima if...

You prioritize maximum highway fuel economy, benefiting from the Altima's 39 MPG highway rating.
You need slightly more passenger or luggage room, as the Altima provides 15.4 cu ft of cargo space.
You prefer a traditional CVT paired with FWD for a very smooth, if less engaging, daily drive.

Choose the Mazda 3 if...

Your budget is tighter, as the Mazda 3 starts $2,450 cheaper at $24,550 MSRP.
You prefer a sedan with a more responsive feel, suggested by its 186 lb-ft of torque and 6-speed automatic transmission.
You are comfortable with a smaller overall footprint, as the Mazda 3 is 9.4 inches shorter than the Altima.

Key Dimensions

Dimension	Nissan Altima	Mazda 3
Length	192.9"	183.5"
Width	72.9"	70.7"
Height	56.7"	56.9"
Wheelbase	111.2"	107.3"

Features Comparison

Safety

Feature	Nissan	Mazda
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	—	✓
Integrated Turn Signal Mirrors	—	✓
Rear Height Adjustable Headrests	—	✓

Engine

Feature	Nissan	Mazda
Base Engine Displacement	2.5 L	2.5 L
Number of Cylinders	inline 4	inline 4
Base Engine Type	gas	gas
Horsepower	188 hp @ 6000 rpm	186 hp @ 6000 rpm
Torque	180 lb-ft @ 3600 rpm	186 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	Mazda
Transmission Type	continuously variable-speed automatic	6-speed shiftable automatic
Drivetrain Type	front wheel drive	front wheel drive

Fuel

Feature	Nissan	Mazda
Fuel Type	regular unleaded	regular unleaded
EPA Fuel Economy (City/Highway)	27/39 MPG	27/36 MPG
EPA Fuel Economy (Combined)	32 MPG	30 MPG
EPA Driving Range (City/Highway)	437.4/631.8 mi.	356.4/475.2 mi.
Fuel Tank Capacity	16.2 gal.	13.2 gal.

Comfort & Convenience

Feature	Nissan	Mazda
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	—	✓
Turn Signal Indicators in Mirrors	—	✓

In Car Entertainment

Feature	Nissan	Mazda
Infotainment Display	8.0 in	8.8 in
AM/FM Stereo	✓	✓
Speaker System	6	8
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	—

Power Feature

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

Frontseats

Feature	Nissan	Mazda
Front Head Room	39.1 in.	38.0 in.
Front Leg Room	43.8 in.	42.3 in.
Front Shoulder Room	58.2 in.	55.7 in.
Front Hip Room	54.7 in.	54.6 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	Mazda
Rear Head Room	36.9 in.	37.3 in.
Rear Leg Room	35.2 in.	34.4 in.
Rear Shoulder Room	57.1 in.	53.5 in.
Rear Hip Room	54.5 in.	50.9 in.
Split-Folding Rear Seatback	✓	✓
Folding Center Armrest	✓	—
Reclining Rear Seats	—	✓

Tires and Wheels

Feature	Nissan	Mazda
Wheel Material	Steel	Alloy
Wheel Cover Type	Full	—
Wheel Size	16 x 7.0 in	16 x 6.5 in
Tire Type	All Season	All Season
Tire Size	215/60R16	205/60R16
Spare Tire Type	Temporary	Temporary
Spare Tire Location	Inside Mounted	Inside Mounted

Suspension

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

Warranty

Feature	Nissan	Mazda
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.	—

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about comparing the 2025 Nissan Altima and 2026 Mazda 3.

Which sedan is easier to park in tight city spots?

The 2026 Mazda 3 is likely easier to manage in tight parking situations because it is physically smaller. The Mazda 3 measures 183.5 inches in length, whereas the 2025 Nissan Altima is noticeably longer at 192.9 inches.

Is the power difference between the Altima and the Mazda 3 noticeable?

While their horsepower is almost identical (188 hp for Altima vs. 186 hp for Mazda 3), the Mazda 3 has a slight edge in low-end responsiveness due to having 186 lb-ft of torque compared to the Altima's 180 lb-ft.

How much more fuel efficient is the Nissan Altima?

The Altima provides a slight advantage in long-distance driving, achieving 39 MPG on the highway compared to the Mazda 3's 36 MPG highway. This results in a 32 combined MPG for the Nissan versus 30 combined MPG for the Mazda.

Does the transmission type affect performance significantly?

Yes, the transmission choice is a key differentiator; the Altima uses a continuously variable-speed automatic (CVT), while the Mazda 3 features a 6-speed shiftable automatic, which enthusiasts often prefer for a more traditional driving feel.

If I carry a lot of luggage, which sedan is the clear choice?

If cargo volume is your main concern, the Nissan Altima is the better option. It offers 15.4 cubic feet of trunk space, which is substantially more than the 13.2 cubic feet available in the Mazda 3.

Are these cars heavy drinkers in terms of fuel type?

Fortunately, both the 2025 Nissan Altima and the 2026 Mazda 3 are economical regarding fuel needs, as both models specify the use of regular unleaded gasoline.