2025 Hyundai Sonata vs. 2025 Nissan Altima: Ultimate Sedan Showdown

The 2025 Hyundai Sonata and 2025 Nissan Altima stand out as major players in today’s midsize sedan market. If you’re in the Pensacola, Florida, area and looking for a new sedan, let our team at Allen Turner Hyundai help you out. With the Sonata and Altima both receiving updates this year, our automobile comparison has all the information you need to decide which of these popular four-door models is right for you.

2025 Hyundai Sonata For Sale

Engine Performance and Specifications

To start off, we’ll compare auto specs. The 2025 Sonata’s 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine produces 191 horsepower and 181 lb-ft of torque, putting it ahead of the Altima’s 188 horsepower and 180 lb-ft of torque.

If you’re looking for serious power, go for the Sonata’s N Line trim. It comes with an impressive 2.5-liter turbo engine, which gives you 290 horsepower and 311 lb-ft of torque. No Altima can match this, especially as Nissan has removed its VC-Turbo engine for the 2025 lineup.

Both models offer all-wheel drive, but they use different transmissions. The Sonata’s eight-speed automatic transmission feels crisp and direct while the Altima’s continuously variable transmission is smooth but less connected during aggressive driving.

Handling and Comfort

No auto comparison would be complete without discussing your driving experience. The Sonata delivers more direct steering feedback, giving you a better feel for the road. You’ll notice this difference on test-drives — the Hyundai simply feels more connected to your inputs than the perfectly competent, but somewhat detached, Altima.

Safety measurements reveal another key advantage of the Sonata. During emergency stops from 60 to 0 mph, the Sonata halts in 127 feet versus the Altima’s 131 feet. Those four feet could make all the difference in avoiding a collision.

Interior Comfort and Features

Both sedans offer comfortable interiors, but the Hyundai provides more space. It offers 104.4 cubic feet of passenger space while the Altima has 100.6 cubic feet. The Sonata’s extra room includes more front headroom, front legroom, and rear headroom than the Altima. Your passengers will appreciate the Sonata’s roomier interior, particularly on longer drives.

Both cars offer similar amenities across trim levels, from cloth seats to leather upholstery, with heated/ventilated seats and dual-zone climate control available. The Sonata’s cabin materials and build quality feel slightly more upscale. This quality edge, plus its larger dimensions, makes the Hyundai a more appealing choice if comfort is a top priority for you.

Technology and Infotainment

Both sedans boast technology-rich cabins, though the Hyundai’s models are better equipped across the lineup. All Sonata models feature a 12.3-inch touch-screen display while in the Nissan Altima lower trims get a smaller 8-inch display with a 12.3-inch screen only available on higher trim levels. In both models, the touch screen impresses with crisp graphics and quick responses, but the Sonata ultimately offers more if you’re interested in the budget-friendly lower trim levels.

Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto come standard in both models, and the Sonata adds wireless phone charging for maximum convenience. If you’re a music lover, audio quality could sway you toward the Altima, which offers an optional Bose Premium Audio System. Don’t count the Sonata out though, as its own premium audio setups deliver impressive audio clarity.

Safety Features and Ratings

Safety technology comes standard in both sedans, helping you to prevent accidents. Each car includes automatic emergency braking, lane departure warnings, and adaptive cruise control.

The Sonata earned a “Top Safety Pick” rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) for 2024. While 2025 ratings remain pending, the unchanged design should perform similarly. This award indicates superior crash protection and accident prevention capability. In IIHS pedestrian detection tests, the Sonata’s forward collision-avoidance assist outperformed the Altima’s system.

Though both cars prioritize safety, the Sonata’s superior ratings and test results provide greater reassurance.

Exterior Design and Styling

These sedans have distinct styles. The eye-catching Sonata sports a bold front end with striking LED running lights that give it an almost concept-car vibe. Its flowing roofline and sculpted sides create a sportier, coupe-inspired look that’s sure to stand out.

The Altima plays it safer with clean, dignified styling. Its V-shaped grille and sharp body lines suggest understated class but won’t grab your attention. Both sedans offer paint options and various wheel designs, so you can customize to match your personal taste.

If you’re looking to truly impress, choose the Sonata N Line, which stands out with its aggressive styling and larger tires.

Cargo and Storage Solutions

Both sedans give you exactly 15 cubic feet of trunk space, which is plenty for airport runs, grocery hauls, or weekend gear. Though they offer equal space, the Sonata’s lid uses hidden beam hinges that don’t invade the cargo area. This smart touch means you won’t need to worry about hinges crushing your luggage or shopping bags. The Altima’s conventional hinges cut into usable space, giving the Sonata a practical edge for real-world use.

Both cars feature 60/40-split folding rear seats and plenty of convenient storage features such as cup holders, door pockets, and various bins.

Pricing and Value Proposition

The 2025 Sonata starts at $26,900 while the Altima begins at $27,000, meaning a small saving if you go for the slightly lower-priced Sonata.

Top-trim Sonatas reach $37,700 versus the Altima’s $34,830 ceiling. This premium gets you a stronger engine and extra luxuries in high-end Sonatas.

With the Sonata’s slightly better fuel efficiency, you can save a small amount on gas when it comes to urban driving. The base Sonata model is rated at 28 mpg for city driving while the Altima is rated at 27 mpg. Highway figures are also close, with the Sonata getting 38 mpg while the Altima gets 39 mpg.

Warranty and Reliability

Hyundai’s warranty beats all the competition. The Sonata includes a five-year/60,000-mile basic warranty while Altima’s three-year/36,000-mile coverage expires two years sooner. As a Sonata owner, you’ll stay protected long after Altima warranties end.

The powertrain warranty gap is even bigger. Hyundai backs the Sonata’s engine and transmission for 10 years/100,000 miles. Nissan stops at five years/60,000 miles for the Altima. If you have long-term ownership in mind, the Sonata could save you thousands of dollars in repairs later on.

J.D. Power’s 2024 Initial Quality Study ranked Hyundai third industry-wide, beating Nissan’s sixth place. In this study, Nissan showed five more problems per 100 cars than Hyundai. Both brands make good vehicles, but Sonata owners typically face fewer early issues.

Test-Drive the 2025 Hyundai Sonata Today

While our car features comparison should make your decision easier, the right sedan for you ultimately depends on your lifestyle and priorities.

If you’re interested in the impressive 2025 Sonata, visit us at Allen Turner Hyundai in Pensacola, Florida, where we can set you up with a test-drive. Contact us online or at 850-479-9667.

Used Cars For Sale

Hyundai Sonata Sedan in Sunlit Urban Environment by Hyundai Motor Group is licensed with Pexels License