2025 Hyundai Sonata vs Nissan Altima

The 2025 Hyundai Sonata earns top marks from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), receiving the highest “Good” rating in all major crash tests, including the small and moderate overlap front tests and the updated side-impact test for 2024-25 models. Reinforcements added to the Sonata’s structure further improve occupant protection in typical side impacts.

By contrast, while the 2024 Nissan Altima also performed well in most IIHS crash tests, it received a “Poor” rating in the updated side-impact evaluation—a significant concern for families and commuters alike. The Altima also received only a “Marginal” score for rear-seat passenger protection in frontal impacts.  

Standard and Advanced Safety Features

Every 2025 Sonata comes with Hyundai’s SmartSense safety suite, which includes forward collision-avoidance assist, lane keeping assist, blind-spot collision-avoidance assist, rear cross-traffic collision-avoidance assist, driver attention warning, and adaptive cruise control. These systems are designed to help prevent accidents and protect occupants in a wide range of scenarios.

The Altima counters with Nissan’s Safety Shield 360, offering features like automatic emergency braking, blind-spot warning, rear cross-traffic alert, and high beam assist. However, some advanced driver aids—such as adaptive cruise control and lane-keeping steering—are only available on higher trims or as options.  

Consider what Kelley Blue Book has written: “We’re always impressed by these whenever we drive a Hyundai... Things like adaptive cruise control and lane-keeping assistance work well and alleviate the grind of long freeway stretches.”  

Performance

When it comes to engines, the 2025 Nissan Altima engine has a lower output than the Sonata or Sonata Hybrid. Furthermore, with all-wheel drive, the Nissan’s 188 horsepower drop to 182, and its torque slips from 182 to 178 lb-ft.

The 2025 Hyundai Sonata produces an ample 191 horsepower while the 2025 Sonata Hybrid claims 192 horsepower. You can go full sport sedan with the Sonata N Line. It generates 290 horsepower and 311 lb-ft of torque.  

Value and Peace of Mind

A longer warranty means fewer out-of-pocket expenses and greater confidence in your vehicle’s reliability over the long haul. In this case, Hyundai’s “America’s Best Warranty” is unmatched in the industry, providing 10 years or 100,000 miles of powertrain coverage and 5 years or 60,000 miles of comprehensive coverage. This far exceeds Nissan’s 6-year/60,000-mile powertrain and 3-year/36,000-mile bumper-to-bumper warranties.

The Sonata’s superior crash-test results, more comprehensive suite of standard safety features, and class-leading warranty coverage combine to deliver unmatched value in the midsize sedan segment.  

While the Altima offers solid technology and a strong reputation, its lower safety ratings in key areas and shorter warranty coverage make it a less compelling choice for buyers prioritizing long-term security and cost of ownership.  

The Sonata Pulls Ahead

The 2025 Hyundai Sonata stands out as the safer, more secure, and more valuable investment. Its top-tier safety ratings, advanced standard features, and industry-leading warranty provide the confidence and protection that today’s drivers and families deserve.

Schedule a test drive today and discover why the 2025 Sonata is the perfect car for your Gilbert lifestyle.