Compare the2025 Hyundai SonataVS 2025 Nissan Altima

Safety
Warranty
Reliability
Engine
Fuel Economy and Range
Transmission
Brakes and Stopping
Tires and Wheels
Suspension and Handling
Passenger Space
Cargo Capacity
Servicing Ease
Ergonomics
Recommendations

Safety

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With its standard Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist, the Hyundai Sonata is better at preventing collisions with pedestrians than the Nissan Altima, according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety:

	Sonata	Altima
Overall Evaluation	GOOD	MARGINAL
	Crossing Child - DAY
12 MPH	AVOIDED	AVOIDED
25 MPH	AVOIDED	-11 MPH
	Crossing Adult - NIGHT
12 MPH Brights	AVOIDED	-5 MPH
12 MPH Low beams	AVOIDED	-1 MPH
25 MPH Brights	AVOIDED	-7 MPH
25 MPH Low beams	AVOIDED	-5 MPH
	Parallel Adult - NIGHT
25 MPH Brights	AVOIDED	-11 MPH
25 MPH Low beams	AVOIDED	-5 MPH
37 MPH Brights	AVOIDED	-9 MPH
Warning Issued-Brights	1.8 sec	1.3 sec
37 MPH Low beams	AVOIDED	No Slowing
Warning Issued-Low beams	1.4 sec	No Warning

In a Vehicle-to-Vehicle Frontal Crash Prevention 2.0 test conducted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), the Hyundai Sonata achieved an “Acceptable” rating for its forward collision warning and automatic braking systems, outperforming the Nissan Altima which scored “Poor” - the lowest rating - in these critical safety features.

Both the Sonata and Altima have rear cross-traffic warning, but the Sonata has Rear Cross-Traffic Collision-Avoidance Assist (automatically applies the brakes) to better prevent a collision when backing near traffic. The Altima’s Rear Cross Traffic Alert doesn’t automatically brake.

Both the Sonata and the Altima have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front and rear side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front and rear seatbelt pretensioners, front wheel drive, height adjustable front shoulder belts, plastic fuel tanks, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning, driver alert monitors and available all wheel drive.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does 35 MPH front crash tests on new vehicles. In this test, results indicate that the Hyundai Sonata is safer than the Nissan Altima:

	Sonata	Altima
	Passenger
STARS	5 Stars	4 Stars
Chest Compression	.5 inches	.5 inches
Neck Injury Risk	33%	54%
Neck Stress	98 lbs.	280 lbs.
Leg Forces (l/r)	29/21 lbs.	260/280 lbs.

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety does 40 MPH moderate front offset crash tests on new cars. In this updated test, results indicate that the Sonata is much safer than the Altima:

	Sonata	Altima
Overall Evaluation	GOOD	MARGINAL
Structure	GOOD	GOOD
	Driver Injury Measures
Head/Neck Rating	GOOD	GOOD
Chest Rating	GOOD	GOOD
Thigh/hip Rating	GOOD	GOOD
Leg/foot Rating	GOOD	GOOD
Restraints	GOOD	GOOD
	Rear Passenger Injury Measures
Head/Neck Rating	GOOD	ACCEPTABLE
Thigh Rating	GOOD	GOOD
Restraints	ACCEPTABLE	POOR

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does side impact tests on new vehicles. In this test, which crashes the vehicle into a flat barrier at 38.5 MPH and into a post at 20 MPH, results indicate that the Hyundai Sonata is safer than the Nissan Altima:

	Sonata	Altima
	Front Seat
STARS	5 Stars	4 Stars
HIC	125	187
Chest Movement	.9 inches	1.4 inches
Hip Force	360 lbs.	511 lbs.
	Rear Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Hip Force	223 lbs.	544 lbs.
	Into Pole
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Max Damage Depth	15 inches	16 inches
Spine Acceleration	38 G’s	42 G’s

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

Side impacts caused 23% of all road fatalities in 2018, down from 29% in 2003, when the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety introduced its side barrier test. In order to continue improving vehicle safety, the IIHS has started using a more severe side impact test: 37 MPH (up from 31 MPH), with a 4180-pound barrier (up from 3300 pounds). The results of this newly developed test demonstrates that the Hyundai Sonata is much safer than the Altima:

	Sonata	Altima
Overall Evaluation	GOOD	POOR
Structure	GOOD	POOR
	Driver Injury Measures
Head/Neck	GOOD	MARGINAL
Head Injury Criterion	180	562
Head Peak Forces	no contact	109 G’s
Neck Tension	268 lbs.	625 lbs.
Neck Compression	-89 lbs.	22 lbs.
Torso	ACCEPTABLE	POOR
Shoulder Deflection	1.38 in	2.09 in
Torso Max Deflection	1.42 in	2.2 in
Pelvis	GOOD	POOR
Pelvis Force	669 lbs.	1339 lbs.
Head Protection	GOOD	MARGINAL
	Passenger Injury Measures
Head/Neck	GOOD	GOOD
Head Injury Criterion	95	122
Neck Tension	89 lbs.	201 lbs.
Neck Compression	-156 lbs.	22 lbs.
Torso	GOOD	GOOD
Shoulder Deflection	.98 in	1.06 in
Torso Deflection Rate	7 MPH	7 MPH
Pelvis	GOOD	GOOD
Pelvis Force	469 lbs.	892 lbs.
Head Protection	GOOD	GOOD

The Hyundai Sonata (Built after November 2024) has achieved the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s (IIHS) highest rating of “Top Safety Pick Plus” for the 2025 model year. This distinction is based on its exceptional performance in IIHS’ rigorous battery of safety tests. Specifically, it earned a “Good” rating in the latest, more stringent moderate overlap front crash test, a “Good” result in the updated side impact test, and a “Good” score in the revised pedestrian crash prevention test. The Altima is not even a standard “Top Safety Pick” for 2025.

Warranty

The Sonata comes with a full 5-year/60,000-mile basic warranty, which covers the entire car and includes 24-hour roadside assistance. The Altima’s 3-year/36,000-mile basic warranty expires 2 years or 24,000 miles sooner.

Hyundai’s powertrain warranty covers the Sonata 5 years and 40,000 miles longer than Nissan covers the Altima. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 10 years or 100,000 miles. Coverage on the Altima ends after only 5 years or 60,000 miles.

The Sonata’s corrosion warranty is 2 years longer than the Altima’s (7 vs. 5 years).

Hyundai pays for scheduled maintenance on the Sonata for 1 year and 12000 miles longer than Nissan pays for maintenance for the Altima (3/36,000 vs. 2/24,000).

Reliability

To reliably power the ignition and other systems and to recharge the battery, the Sonata has a standard 150-amp alternator. The Altima’s 120-amp alternator isn’t as powerful.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2024 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Hyundai vehicles are better in initial quality than Nissan vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Hyundai third in initial quality, above the industry average. With 4 more problems per 100 vehicles, Nissan is ranked 6th.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2024 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Hyundai vehicles are more reliable than Nissan With 1 fewer problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, J.D. Power ranks Hyundai higher than Nissan.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ March 2025 Auto Issue reports that Hyundai vehicles are more reliable than Nissan vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Hyundai 2 places higher in reliability than Nissan.

Engine

The Sonata’s standard 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder produces 9 more horsepower (191 vs. 182) and 3 lbs.-ft. more torque (181 vs. 178) than the Altima AWD’s standard 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder. The Sonata’s 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder produces 3 more horsepower (191 vs. 188) and 1 lbs.-ft. more torque (181 vs. 180) than the Altima’s standard 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder. The Sonata N Line’s standard 2.5 turbo 4-cylinder produces 102 more horsepower (290 vs. 188) and 131 lbs.-ft. more torque (311 vs. 180) than the Altima’s standard 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder.

As tested in Consumer Reports the Hyundai Sonata 4 cyl. is faster than the Nissan Altima (188 HP engine):

	Sonata	Altima
Zero to 30 MPH	2.9 sec	3.1 sec
Zero to 60 MPH	7.5 sec	7.6 sec
Quarter Mile	15.8 sec	15.9 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	93 MPH	92 MPH

Fuel Economy and Range

On the EPA test cycle the Sonata SE 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder FWD gets better fuel mileage than the Altima SL/SR 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder FWD (28 city/38 hwy vs. 27 city/37 hwy).

In heavy traffic or at stoplights the Sonata SE’s engine automatically turns off when the vehicle is stopped, saving fuel and reducing pollution. The engine is automatically restarted when the driver gets ready to move again. If the conditions warrant or the driver wishes, the system can be manually disabled at any time for the duration of a trip. The Altima doesn’t offer an automatic engine start/stop system.

Transmission

The Sonata N Line’s launch control uses engine electronics to hold engine RPM’s precisely in order to provide the most stable and rapid acceleration possible, using all of the available traction. The Altima doesn’t offer launch control.

Brakes and Stopping

For better stopping power the Sonata’s brake rotors are larger than those on the Altima:

	Sonata SEL	Sonata N Line	Altima
Front Rotors	12 inches	13.6 inches	11.65 inches
Rear Rotors	11.2 inches	12.8 inches	11.02 inches
Opt Rear Rotors			11.5 inches

The Sonata stops shorter than the Altima:

	Sonata	Altima
60 to 0 MPH	118 feet	124 feet	Motor Trend
60 to 0 MPH (Wet)	138 feet	140 feet	Consumer Reports

Tires and Wheels

For better traction, the Sonata N Line’s tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Altima (245/40R19 vs. 235/40R19).

Suspension and Handling

For better maneuverability, the Sonata’s turning circle is .1 feet tighter than the Altima S’ (35.9 feet vs. 36 feet). The Sonata’s turning circle is 1.5 feet tighter than the Altima SR/SV/SL’s (35.9 feet vs. 37.4 feet).

Passenger Space

Because it has more passenger and cargo room, the EPA rates the Sonata a Large car, while the Altima is rated a Mid-size.

The Sonata has 3.8 cubic feet more passenger volume than the Altima (104.4 vs. 100.6).

The Sonata has .9 inches more front headroom, 2.3 inches more front legroom and .9 inches more rear headroom than the Altima.

Cargo Capacity

To allow full utilization of available cargo room, the Sonata’s trunk lid uses concealed beam hinges that don’t intrude into the trunk. Its intrusive beam hinge reduces the Altima’s useful trunk space.

To make loading groceries and cargo easier when your hands are full, the Sonata’s trunk can be opened just by waiting momentarily behind the back bumper, leaving your hands completely free. The Altima doesn’t offer a hands-free gesture to open its trunk, forcing you to put cargo down if your hands are full.

Servicing Ease

The Sonata uses gas struts to support the hood for easier service access. The Altima uses a prop rod to support its heavy hood. It takes two hands to open the hood and set the prop rod, the prop rod gets in the way during maintenance and service, and the prop rod could be knocked out, causing the heavy hood to fall on the person maintaining or servicing the car.

Ergonomics

The Sonata’s power parking brake sets with one touch and releases with one touch or automatically. The Altima’s parking brake has to be released manually.

The power windows standard on both the Sonata and the Altima have locks to prevent small children from operating them. When the lock on the Sonata is engaged the driver can still operate all of the windows, for instance to close one opened by a child. The Altima prevents the driver from operating the other windows just as it does the other passengers.

The Sonata SEL/N Line’s front power windows open fully with one touch of the switches, and the driver’s window also automatically closes, making it more convenient at drive-up windows and toll booths, or when talking with someone outside the car. The Altima’s passenger windows don’t open or close automatically.

On a hot day the Sonata’s driver can lower all the windows from a distance using the keyless remote. The driver of the Altima can only operate the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

The Sonata’s standard Proximity Key allows you to unlock the doors from either front door handle, open the trunk, and start the engine, all without removing the key from the pocket or purse. Push Button Start standard on the Altima only offers hands-free access for the ignition, none to unlock the car. Push Button Start is not available on the Altima SR/SV/SL.

The Sonata’s power window, power lock, power mirror and cruise control switches are lit from behind, making them plainly visible and easier to operate at night. The Altima’s power window (except driver window) switches are unlit, making them difficult to find at night and operate safely.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) conducts detailed tests on headlights for their range both straight ahead and in curves and to be certain they don’t exceed acceptable amounts of glare to oncoming drivers. The Sonata’s headlights were rated “Good” by the IIHS, while the Altima’s headlights are rated “Acceptable.”

Recommendations

J.D. Power and Associates rated the Sonata second among midsize cars in owner reported satisfaction. This includes how well the vehicle performs and satisfies its owner’s expectations. The Altima isn’t in the top three.

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