2025 Nissan Altima Review
This could be the final year of Altima production
byCameron RogersManager, News
Cameron Rogers has worked in the automotive industry since 2013. He has tested and reviewed hundreds of vehicles over the course of his career. Today, he leads the news team in developing cutting-edge news articles, opinion pieces and sneak peeks at upcoming vehicles. Favorite cars that he's driven during his tenure at zzdcar include the 991-era Porsche 911 Turbo S, Rolls-Royce Ghost and several generations of Honda Odyssey (really).
1/22/2024
The Nissan Altima is one of the midsize sedan class's oldest nameplates, battling the Toyota Camry and Honda Accord for segment supremacy since 1993. Why the walk down memory lane? Reports place the Altima on the chopping block after the 2025 model year, so this might be your last chance to buy one. We like the Altima's straightforward and easy-to-navigate interior, and both estimated and observed fuel economy are a highlight. But a number of rivals offer the same strengths alongside a more comfortable ride, superior performance or a more sizable cabin.
zzdcar spotlight: Available VC-Turbo engine
There's no hybrid on deck, but the Altima does offer an engine upgrade for those (read: us) who are underwhelmed by the 188-horsepower base motor. It's call the VC-Turbo, and this 248-hp wonder is borrowed from Nissan's luxury arm, Infiniti. It's the only engine on the market that can vary its compression ratio, which, in theory, should deliver shockingly good fuel economy or superlative acceleration, depending on how you drive. In the real world, however, we've found that the VC-Turbo-equipped Altima doesn't outperform other midsize sedans with upgraded engines in either category. The Altima is the least expensive way to own this automotive curio, the likes of which we may never see again.
Competitors to consider
The aforementioned Accord and Camry are the heavy hitters in this segment, with the latter switching to hybrid-only power for its 2025 redesign. We also think the Kia K5 and Hyundai Sonata siblings are worth checking out; both are stylish and offer high-performance engines that pump out nearly 300 horsepower, and the Sonata is available as a hybrid.
zzdcar says
We're sad to see the midsize sedan segment lose one of its mainstays, but there are still plenty of options for buyers looking for a spacious four-door.