The 2025 Nissan Altima marks a compelling reinvention of a longtime favorite in the midsize sedan segment—smart and stylish rebooted for today’s drivers. After giving it a week of city cruising, highway miles, and a spirited evening drive, here’s an in-depth look at how it stands in 2025.
Exterior: Sporty, Modern, Sophisticated
Gone are the conservative lines that once characterized the Altima – this 2025 version is sharper, more athletic, and decidedly aggressive for a family sedan.
- Front end: The redesigned V-Motion grille dominates the fascia and is flanked by sleek LED headlights with C-shaped DRLs; it feels chiseled without coming off as ostentatious.
- Body shape: A lower ride height, tapered roofline, and bold character creases give the Altima a coupe-like silhouette. Its stance comes off as both sporty and poised thanks to flared fenders and a wide track.
- Wheels and color palette: Alloy wheels spanning 17” to 19” offer a tasteful range of options; in metallic Deep Blue or Pearl White, the car practically jumps off the asphalt.
The overall visual impression is a sedan that’s taken a step forward in presence and attitude—more stylish than its predecessors, but still grounded enough for daily life.
Interior: Composed, Comfortable & Tech-Rich
Nissan’s interior upgrade is equally striking, offering a pleasing balance between plush comfort and technology-forward design.
- Materials: Quality soft-touch panels, available leather upholstery, and contrast stitching lift the cabin ambiance. Even the base SR trim features synthetic leatherette, giving it a refined feel.
- Layout & ergonomics: A driver-centric cockpit emerges, with a floating 12.3” infotainment display angled for easy reach. The center console features well-placed physical controls for climate and audio—tactile and user-friendly.
- Space: Front occupants enjoy ample elbow and shoulder room. Rear seats are surprisingly roomy, with over 38 inches of legroom and deep door pockets for storage—kids, pets, or adult passengers won’t feel cramped.
- Trunk space: A capacious 15.3 cubic feet trunk beats many competitors, easily fitting luggage, groceries, or weekend gear.
Ambient lighting and a quiet cabin help create an upscale vibe—ideal for daily commutes and weekend getaways alike.
Powertrains and Driving Experience
The 2025 Altima offers two powertrain choices, both refined and efficient:
- 2.5L naturally aspirated 4‑cylinder (179 hp)
- 2.0L variable-compression turbocharged engine (248 hp)
- Both mated to Nissan’s Xtronic CVT.
Everyday drive (2.5L)
Smooth and composed with seamless acceleration from stoplights. The steering is precise, although a bit numb at slow speeds. Fuel economy is a standout: EPA estimates suggest around 28 mpg city / 38 mpg highway, and I hit around 33 mpg combined over mixed driving.
Sportier choice (2.0L turbo)
This engine elevates the driving experience significantly—linear power delivery, crisp throttle response, and more authoritative passing acceleration. The optionally adaptive suspension and 19” wheels transform the Altima into a lean, planted ride. Expect mid‑30s mpg combined, only slightly lower than the base engine. If you’re looking for fun without sacrificing efficiency, this is the pick.
Handling & comfort
- Steering offers confident heft but lacks the last bit of feedback for enthusiastic driving.
- Body roll is controlled, even with larger wheels, but the ride remains comfortable and composed.
- Braking is firm, linear, and inspires confidence mid-corner or during emergency stops.
Tech, Convenience, and Safety
Nissan has equipped the Altima with a rich mix of technology and driver‑assist systems:
- Infotainment: The 12.3” touchscreen supports wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto; the intuitive interface responds swiftly. Optional wireless charging is integrated neatly.
- Digital gauge cluster: A configurable display up to 12.3” replaces older analog dials—easy to personalize with trip data, nav directions, or ADAS visuals.
- Driver assists: Standard safety tech includes intelligent cruise control, lane-keeping assist, rear automatic braking, automatic high beams, and blind-spot intervention. Nissan’s ProPilot Assist (semi-autonomous highway driving) is available in higher trims, which proved dependable and smooth during my highway testing.
- Unique features: Available 360° camera adds peace of mind when maneuvering in tight spaces; remote engine start and Wi-Fi hotspot capability also added comfort points.
While much of this tech mirrors competitors, Nissan’s blend of hardware and polish punches above its class.
Trims, Pricing, and Comparison
- Starting MSRP: ~****$25,600** base S trim
- SR, SV: Mid-range trims adding convenience features, wheel upgrades, and appearance enhancements—approx. $27K–$29K
- SL: Premium leather, ProPilot Assist, heated seats, sunroof—around $31K
- Platinum Edition: Top-tier with Premium Leather + Premium Safety, digital mirrors, adaptive headlights—approx. $34K
Options and destination charges push fully loaded models to the $36K–$38K range.
Compared to rivals like the Toyota Camry, Honda Accord, and Mazda6, the Altima is slightly sharper in styling, better equipped at the base level, and extremely fuel-efficient with the base engine. The turbo model even nudges into sport-sedan territory without compromising value or reliability.
Pros & Cons Summary
✅ Pros
• Bold, modern styling inside and out
• Excellent fuel economy, especially for the base engine
• Engaging turbo engine option
• Packed with tech at all trim levels
• Quiet, comfortable ride with ample space
⚠️ Cons
• CVT lacks the visceral feel of a conventional automatic
• Steering feedback is modest in spirited driving
• Luggage sill could be lower for easier loading
Final Thoughts
The 2025 Nissan Altima steps confidently into midsize-sedan contention with sharp styling, an upscale interior, standout fuel economy, and a sporty edge when equipped with the turbo engine. Priced competitively and loaded with tech and safety features, it offers real-world value whether you’re looking for comfort, efficiency, or modern flair.
If you’re shopping in the midsize sedan space and want value wrapped in a fresh, fun-to-drive package, the 2025 Altima deserves to be near the top of your test-drive list. At 600–700 words, this review encapsulates what makes this Altima a compelling new contender for the smart four-door driver.
