Nissan Altima vs Hyundai Sonata Hybrid

The 2024 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid underwent significant styling updates, enhancing its modern appeal. The front fascia featured a streamlined design with a single slim lightbar, known as the “seamless horizon lamp,” giving the sedan a contemporary flair. The badge was repositioned above the grille, and the headlights were placed independently below it, drawing a clear family resemblance to the Hyundai Ioniq 6 while avoiding its more polarizing elements. The rear end, already equipped with a lightbar, now resembled the all-new Hyundai Santa Fe, forming a wide “H” shape with the taillights. A sporty black spoiler-esque trunk lid was also introduced. From the side, the 2024 Sonata closely resembled the 2023 model, with any profile changes being subtle. The Limited-trim test car featured 17-inch wheels and a fashionable enamel gray color called “Transmission Blue,” which could be selected without additional cost. The interior saw changes with a redesigned dash, a T-shaped steering wheel, and three available color schemes, with the test car sporting a basic black interior.

The 2025 Nissan Altima presented an appealing design with enough flair to generate visual interest without alienating its customer base. The lineup included S, SV, SV Special Edition, SR, and SL trim levels, with the SV Special Edition being new for the year, offering black wheels and a rear spoiler along with comfort and technology upgrades. The test car, in sporty SR trim, featured 19-inch wheels, sport suspension, brake-induced torque vectoring, and sport-bolstered front seats. However, the SR trim was only available with the standard engine, as the more powerful VC-Turbo engine was discontinued. The test model's MSRP was $34,580, partly due to extra-cost paint and wheels, and dealer-installed accessories. The Tactical Green paint color was polarizing, appearing like pea soup in bright sunlight and darker on cloudy days. The optional bronze wheels were well-received, garnering attention in Los Angeles. The interior lacked the SR Premium Package, missing features like dual-zone automatic climate control and a 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system, with visible foam insulation detracting from the overall finish.

The 2024 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid introduced an all-wheel drive (AWD) system for the gas version, but the hybrid remained front-wheel-drive (FWD) only. The hybrid's 2.0-liter inline four-cylinder engine and electric motor produced a total system output of 192 horsepower, routed through a six-speed automatic transmission. Despite most hybrids using a CVT for fuel economy, the Sonata Hybrid achieved an EPA rating of 47 mpg combined. The automatic transmission provided additional control, with steering wheel-mounted paddles managing regenerative braking levels in Eco mode and allowing gear shifts in Sport mode. The brakes were touchy, but the steering feel and handling were appropriate. The configurable driver-information display allowed simultaneous viewing of the tachometer and hybrid system's power flow, with the novelty of accelerating at 0 RPM remaining intriguing.

The 2025 Nissan Altima was equipped with a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine, generating 188 horsepower and 180 pound-feet of torque with FWD, and slightly reduced output with AWD. A CVT was standard, providing a smooth driving experience. The Altima's performance was unremarkable, offering decent acceleration and a quieter ride than expected. The brakes felt good, and the steering was easy to maneuver. In SR trim, the sport suspension and 19-inch wheels provided a firm yet comfortable ride, with balanced handling on twisty roads. However, the steering lacked precision, requiring mid-curve corrections, and the brakes could overheat with extended use. The Altima did not offer a hybrid powertrain, with the AWD version achieving 28 mpg combined, while the FWD version could reach 31-32 mpg. As a daily driver, the Altima was adequate, but for sportier performance and better fuel economy, alternatives like the Honda Accord Sport Hybrid or Toyota Camry SE/XSE were recommended.

The 2024 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid offered competitive interior space, with the driver's seat adjustable for exceptional visibility. The Limited trim's panoramic moonroof provided 37.8 inches of front-seat headroom, slightly above competitors like the Honda Accord Hybrid and Toyota Camry Hybrid, and just below the Nissan Altima. Rear-seat headroom was also competitive, with 37.4 inches with the moonroof. The Sonata prioritized front-row legroom with 46.1 inches, while rear passengers had 34.8 inches. The Limited-trim test car featured heated and ventilated seats and a slimmer steering wheel rim for comfort. A trunk close button added convenience, though its necessity in a sedan was debatable.

The 2025 Nissan Altima boasted a comfortable interior, with front seats using Nissan's Zero Gravity design to reduce pressure and fatigue on long drives. The front passenger seat lacked a height adjuster but offered excellent leg support. The dashboard design made the seat feel higher, enhancing comfort. The back seat was supportive and roomy, though rear air conditioning vents were missing in the SR trim. Interior storage was commendable, with a 15.4 cubic-foot trunk offering practicality. The 60/40-split rear seat allowed cargo volume expansion to 58.1 cubic feet, highlighting the sedan's utility.

The 2024 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid featured a selectable USB-C port, allowing users to switch between data-transmitting and charging-only modes, complementing the wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto available on all trims. The curved display combined the infotainment touchscreen and driver-information display into a single panel, with logical and intuitive haptic buttons for climate control and media functions. The Limited trim included navigation, natural language voice-recognition, and a 12-speaker Bose premium audio system, while a six-speaker system was standard. HD Radio, Sirius XM, and two rear-seat USB charging ports were also included, along with a wireless charging pad.

The 2025 Nissan Altima offered two infotainment systems. The standard setup included an 8-inch touchscreen, wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, SiriusXM satellite radio, and a six-speaker stereo, with a Wi-Fi hotspot available for a fee. The SV Special Edition and SL trims featured a 12.3-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, wireless charging, NissanConnect services, navigation, and a voice assistant. The Premium Package for the SR trim improved the infotainment system, but the basic tech was unsatisfying, with excessive glare on the display. The standard sound system was adequate, with a Bass Enhancer that muddied the audio, while the nine-speaker Bose system was exclusive to the SL trim.

The 2024 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid included blind-spot collision warning with rear cross-traffic collision-avoidance assist as standard, with the Limited trim offering a turn-signal-activated blind-spot-view monitor and surround-view monitor. All trims featured forward collision-avoidance assist, safe exit warning and assist, lane-following and lane-keep assist, adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go functionality, automatic emergency braking, and rear occupant alert. The Limited trim also included Hyundai’s Highway Driving Assist and Remote Smart Parking Assist. Hyundai's infotainment system made safety features easy to find and understand.

The 2025 Nissan Altima's SL trim offered ProPilot Assist 1.0, combining adaptive cruise control with lane-centering assist, a surround-view camera system, and active blind-spot monitoring. Nissan Safety Shield 360 was standard, including forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, automatic rear braking, pedestrian detection, lane departure warning, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. The automatic rear braking system was overly sensitive, complicating parking. The Altima received a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA, but the IIHS rated its crash protection poorly in updated evaluations.