Nissan Altima vs Nissan Sentra

The 2025 Nissan Altima presented an appealing design that struck a balance between flair and practicality, avoiding any outlandish details that might alienate potential buyers. The lineup included several trims, with the SV Special Edition standing out due to its combination of black wheels, a rear spoiler, and enhanced comfort and technology features. Our test car, equipped with the sporty SR trim, featured 19-inch wheels, a sport suspension, and sport-bolstered front seats, though it lacked the more powerful VC-Turbo engine. The Tactical Green paint and optional bronze wheels garnered attention in Los Angeles, a city where such bold choices stood out amidst a sea of grayscale vehicles. However, the interior of the Altima SR was less impressive, lacking the SR Premium Package's upgrades and featuring low-grade plastic and visible foam insulation that detracted from the overall finish.

In contrast, the 2026 Nissan Sentra, now in its ninth generation, showcased a more dramatic exterior with a massive grille and slim LED headlights that gave it an aggressive look, especially in the Energetic Ember paint. The Sentra was available in four trims, with the SR and SL offering the best value. The SR trim, in particular, featured performance-oriented 18-inch wheels and optional black machined finish alloy wheels that added to its sporty appearance. Inside, the Sentra impressed with its high-quality materials and tech-forward dashboard, including dual 12.3-inch displays that dominated the interior. Despite its modern aesthetics, the Sentra's rear-seat legroom and headroom were somewhat limited, though the redesigned trunk offered practical improvements. Overall, the Sentra's interior appointments and tech features elevated it beyond its price point.

The 2025 Nissan Altima was equipped with a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine, delivering 188 horsepower and 180 pound-feet of torque with front-wheel drive. Opting for all-wheel drive reduced output slightly to 182 hp and 178 lb-ft of torque. The Altima's driving experience was described as unremarkable, with decent acceleration and a quiet cabin. The SR trim's sport suspension provided a firm ride, and while handling was balanced, the steering lacked precision. The Altima did not offer a hybrid option, but its fuel efficiency was commendable, matching the EPA rating of 28 mpg combined for the AWD model. However, the AWD system added to the upfront cost and reduced fuel economy compared to the FWD version.

The 2026 Nissan Sentra, powered by a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, produced 149 horsepower and 146 pound-feet of torque. While not a sporty car, the Sentra offered smooth operation and reasonable fuel economy, with estimates of 29 mpg city, 38 highway, and 33 combined for the S and SV trims. The CVT was refined for smoother acceleration, though it remained noisy under hard acceleration. The Sentra's steering was well-weighted and accurate, contributing to a quiet and comfortable ride. A drive mode selector offered minimal improvements in throttle response, and the Sentra's performance was not its main selling point. Instead, it excelled in tech, price, and interior features.

The 2025 Nissan Altima boasted a comfortable interior, with front seats featuring Nissan's Zero Gravity design for reduced fatigue on long drives. The front passenger seat, while lacking a height adjuster, provided excellent leg support. The back seat was roomy enough for adults, though rear air conditioning vents were missing in the SR trim. Interior storage was commendable, and the 15.4 cubic-foot trunk offered practicality, with the ability to expand cargo volume to 58.1 cubic feet by folding the rear seats.

The 2026 Nissan Sentra's SR and SL trims offered interiors that exceeded their price tags, with a beautiful dashboard and ambient lighting. The SL trim featured two-tone leatherette upholstery, while the SR trim included synthetic leather seats with contrast stitching. The climate controls were touch-sensitive icons, and the rear-seat legroom and headroom were somewhat limited. However, the redesigned trunk provided a wider opening and lower load height, enhancing practicality. The Sentra also featured Nissan's zero-gravity seats, known for their support and comfort.

The 2025 Nissan Altima offered two infotainment systems, with the standard setup featuring an 8-inch touchscreen, wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and a six-speaker stereo. The SV Special Edition and SL trims received a 12.3-inch touchscreen with wireless smartphone integration and additional features. The Premium Package for the SR trim included a better infotainment system, though the standard sound system was merely adequate.

The 2026 Nissan Sentra impressed with its modern tech, featuring a large touchscreen with customizable menus and a Nissan Intelligent Key for convenience. The SR trim included a myQ Universal Garage Door Opener, and three USB-C ports were standard. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, with wireless phone projection available on higher trims. The SL and SR trims offered an eight-speaker Bose stereo, and a wireless device charger was standard on the SR and SL.

The 2025 Nissan Altima's SL trim offered the best safety features, including ProPilot Assist 1.0, a surround-view camera system, and active blind-spot monitoring. Nissan Safety Shield 360 was standard, providing forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and more. The Altima received a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA but a Poor rating from the IIHS for side impact protection.

The 2026 Nissan Sentra had not been crash-tested by the NHTSA or IIHS at the time of writing. However, it came with Nissan Safety Shield 360, including automatic emergency braking, lane-departure mitigation, and blind-spot intervention. ProPilot Assist and a surround-view monitor were available on higher trims, enhancing safety and convenience.