Head-to-head
2025 Mazda Mazda3 vs 2025 Nissan Altima
The Mazda Mazda3 wins clearly, 97.1 to 86.7, on tech & comfort, performance. The Nissan Altima is ahead on space & cargo and safety.
A
2025 Mazda Mazda3
The 2025 Mazda Mazda3 is sold in the U.S. as a gas midsize sedan with 7 EPA-rated configurations. The most efficient version, the 3 4-Door 2WD, is EPA-rated at …
vs
B2025 Nissan Altima
The 2025 Nissan Altima is sold in the U.S. as a gas midsize sedan with 3 EPA-rated configurations. The most efficient version, the Altima, is EPA-rated at 31 mp…
Verdict · default weights
2025 Mazda Mazda3
Clear winThe Mazda Mazda3 wins clearly, 97.1 to 86.7, on tech & comfort, performance. The Nissan Altima is ahead on space & cargo and safety.
Tech & comfort 2025 Mazda Mazda3 leads by 52.8
Space & cargo 2025 Nissan Altima leads by 7.2
Performance 2025 Mazda Mazda3 leads by 3
| Category · weight | 2025 Mazda Mazda3overall 97.1 | 2025 Nissan Altimaoverall 86.7 | |||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pricenot compared | No data | No data | |||||||||||||||
| Fuel & rangew 3 | 100 | 100 | |||||||||||||||
EPA annual fuel cost and combined mpg / MPGe; EV range when both are electric. | |||||||||||||||||
| Safetyw 4 | 93.3 | 94.4 | |||||||||||||||
NHTSA 5-Star rating, WhichTrim Safety Signal (open recalls by severity), owner complaints, standard driver-assist features (from the press kit, or from what the manufacturer filed with NHTSA where there is none). Open park-outside / do-not-drive advisories cost 25 points. | |||||||||||||||||
| Space & cargow 2 | 92.8 | 100 | |||||||||||||||
Seats, cargo volume behind the 1st and 2nd rows, rear legroom. | |||||||||||||||||
| Performancew 2 | 100 | 97 | |||||||||||||||
Horsepower, torque and horsepower per ton. | |||||||||||||||||
| Tech & comfortw 3 | 100 | 47.2 | |||||||||||||||
Standard (1) and optional (0.5) infotainment, convenience, climate and interior features from the manufacturer's press kit. | |||||||||||||||||
| Warrantynot compared | No data | No data | |||||||||||||||
| Overall | 97.1 | 86.7 | |||||||||||||||
Trim vs trim · 5 of 7 categories compared
Mazda Mazda3: base trim 2.5 S FWD · Nissan Altima: base trim S FWD. Pick a trim in the tool to compare any other trim.
Change what matters to you →Scores are 0–100 per category from the data on this page. The weights are yours to set.
Where the gap is
the biggest differences, from the scorecard's own numbersWhere the 2025 Mazda Mazda3 wins
- It lists more comfort and tech equipment (36 points against 17 on the press-kit count, standard = 1, optional = ½).
- It has the cleaner recall record (Safety Signal 92 against 85).
- It carries 122 hp per ton against 116.
Where the 2025 Nissan Altima answers
- It has drawn fewer owner complaints (7 against 9 filed with NHTSA).
- It lists 26 standard driver-assist features against 24.
What they share
- 5 NHTSA stars.
- The same EPA fuel cost ($2,000 a year).
- 31 combined.
Ranked by how far apart the two score on each measure, so a price gap and a horsepower gap are compared on the same scale. Every figure is on this page.
Specifications side by side
48 specs · manufacturer press kits| Spec | Mazda Mazda32.5 S FWD | Nissan AltimaS FWD |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | ||
| Base MSRP (excludes destination) | — | $27,000 |
| Engine Basics | ||
| Aspiration | naturally aspirated | naturally aspirated |
| Cylinder count | 4 | 4 |
| Engine displacement | 2,488 cc | 2,488 cc |
| Engine type (full description) | SKYACTIV-G 2.5L DOHC with Cylinder Deactivation | 2.5L 4-cylinder inline DOHC DIG |
| Fuel injection system | gdi mpi | gdi mpi |
| Valve configuration | 4 valves per cylinder, Variable-Valve Timing | 4 valves per cylinder; CVTCS on intake and exhaust valves |
| Engine Output | ||
| Horsepower | 191 hp | 188 hp |
| Torque | 186 lb-ft | 180 lb-ft |
| Fuel Economy | ||
| MPG (city) | 27 mpg | 27 mpg |
| MPG (combined) | 31 mpg | 32 mpg |
| MPG (highway) | 37 mpg | 39 mpg |
| Transmission | ||
| Final drive ratio | 3.422 | 4.828 |
| Transmission speeds | 6 | — |
| Transmission type | SKYACTIV-DRIVE 6-speed AT | cvt |
| Dimensions Exterior | ||
| Ground clearance | 5.5 in | — |
| Overall height | 56.9 in | 56.7 in |
| Overall length | 184 in | 193 in |
| Overall width | 70.7 in | 72.9 in |
| Wheelbase | 107 in | 111 in |
| Cargo | ||
| Cargo volume behind 2nd row | 13.2 cu-ft | 15.4 cu-ft |
| Total interior volume | 92.8 cu-ft | 116 cu-ft |
| Seating | ||
| Passenger seating capacity | 5 | 5 |
| Headroom | ||
| Front headroom | 38 in | 39.1 in |
| Third-row headroom | 37.3 in | 36.9 in |
| Legroom | ||
| Front legroom | 42.3 in | 43.8 in |
| Third-row legroom | 35.1 in | 35.2 in |
| Weights | ||
| Curb weight (maximum) | 3,124 lbs | 3,253 lbs |
| Curb weight (minimum) | 3,124 lbs | 3,253 lbs |
| Gross vehicle weight rating | — | 4,328 lbs |
| Suspension | ||
| Front suspension type | Independent MacPherson strut | Independent strut with coil springs, aluminum links, 25mm stabilizer bar |
| Rear suspension type | Torsion Beam Axle | Multi-link independent suspension, 26mm hollow stabilizer bar |
| Steering | ||
| Steering type | Rack-and-pinion | Dual-Pinion Electric-Powered Steering System |
| Turning radius (curb-to-curb) | 17.4 ft | 36.1 ft |
| Brakes | ||
| Front brake diameter | 280 mm | 296 mm |
| Front brake type | ventilated disc | Power-assisted vented disc |
| Parking brake type | epb | Foot brake / mechanical |
| Rear brake diameter | 265 mm | 292 mm |
| Rear brake type | solid disc | solid disc |
| Wheels | ||
| Wheel diameter | 16 in | 16 in |
| Wheel material | alloy | steel |
| Wheel width | 6.5 in | — |
| Tires | ||
| Tire size | 205/60R16 M+S | 215/60R16 |
| Fuel System | ||
| Fuel tank capacity | 13.2 gal | 16.2 gal |
| Minimum recommended octane | 87 | 87 |
| Connected Services | ||
| Connected services brand | Mazda Connect | NissanConnect Services Powered by SiriusXM |
| Shoulder Room | ||
| Front shoulder room | 55.7 in | 58.2 in |
| Third-row shoulder room | 53.5 in | 57.1 in |
Green marks the better value where the direction is unambiguous (more room, more power, lower price). Blank rows are specs the press kit does not publish.
Equipment, feature by feature
118 features · differences first, then sharedSafety18 differ · 34 listed
| Feature | Mazda Mazda32.5 S FWD | Nissan AltimaS FWD |
|---|---|---|
| Automatic Emergency Braking with Pedestrian Detection | — | std |
| ProPILOT Assist | std | — |
| Intelligent Forward Collision Warning | — | std |
| Intelligent Lane Intervention | std | — |
| Seat-mounted rear passenger side-impact supplemental air bags | — | std |
| 3-point safety belts for all seating positions | std | — |
| Brake Assist | — | std |
| Child safety rear door locks | std | — |
| Driver and front passenger supplemental knee air bags | — | std |
| Easy-Fill Tire Alert | — | std |
| Electronic Brake Force Distribution | — | std |
| Front & Rear safety-belt pretensioners with force limiters | std | — |
| LATCH rear seat child safety seat anchors & upper tether anchors | std | — |
| Rear Automatic Braking | — | std |
| Rear Sonar System | — | std |
| Seat belt warning/reminder for driver, front passenger and rear passengers | std | — |
| Smart Brake Support with pedestrian detection (SBS) | std | — |
| Vehicle Security System | — | std |
| Rear Cross Traffic Alert | std | std |
| Front seat-mounted side impact supplemental air bags | std | std |
| Lane Departure Warning | std | std |
| Nissan Advanced Air Bag System with dual-stage supplemental front air bags with seat belt sensors and occupant classification sensor | std | std |
| RearView Monitor | std | std |
| Roof-mounted curtain side impact supplemental air bags for front and rear-seat outboard occupant head protection | std | std |
| Intelligent Driver Alertness | std | std |
| Anti-lock Braking System | std | std |
| Blind Spot Warning | std | std |
| High Beam Assist | std | std |
| Hill Start Assist | std | std |
| Rear Door Alert | std | std |
| Traction Control System | std | std |
| Vehicle Dynamic Control | std | std |
| Nissan Vehicle Immobilizer System | std | std |
| Tire Pressure Monitoring System, 4-corner pressure readout | std | std |
Infotainment19 differ · 20 listed
| Feature | Mazda Mazda32.5 S FWD | Nissan AltimaS FWD |
|---|---|---|
| MAZDA CONNECT™ Infotainment System - Mazda Connect Wi-Fi (In vehicle Wi-Fi 2GB/3 month free trial provided by AT&T) | std | — |
| Bluetooth® Hands-free | — | std |
| 6-speaker audio system with Mazda Harmonic Acoustics | std | — |
| 8-inch color display with multi-touch control | — | std |
| 8.8" full-color center display | std | — |
| AM/FM with RDS and aux-in, 6 speakers | — | std |
| AM/FM/Radio | std | — |
| Apple CarPlay™ / Android Auto™ integration | std | — |
| Hands-Free Text Messaging Assistant | — | std |
| MAZDA CONNECT™ Infotainment System | std | — |
| Multi-function Commander control | std | — |
| NissanConnect® featuring Apple CarPlay® integration and Android Auto™ | — | std |
| Single front illuminated USB connection port (one Type-A) | — | std |
| Siri Eyes Free®/Google Assistant™ Voice Recognition | — | std |
| SiriusXM® with advanced audio features | — | std |
| Streaming audio via Bluetooth® | — | std |
| USB Type-C Audio Inputs (2 ports) | std | — |
| Wired Android Auto | — | std |
| Wired Apple CarPlay | — | std |
| Steering wheel-mounted control switches (cruise control, audio, Bluetooth® hands-free phone system) | std | std |
Convenience7 differ · 7 listed
| Feature | Mazda Mazda32.5 S FWD | Nissan AltimaS FWD |
|---|---|---|
| Nissan Intelligent Key® with Push Button Ignition | std | — |
| Remote engine start | — | std |
| Cruise control with steering wheel-mounted controls | std | — |
| Illuminated entry system | std | — |
| Power door locks - speed sensitive with 2-stage unlocking | std | — |
| Power windows with one-touch down/up feature (4) | std | — |
| Remote keyless entry system | std | — |
Climate1 differ · 1 listed
| Feature | Mazda Mazda32.5 S FWD | Nissan AltimaS FWD |
|---|---|---|
| Air conditioning - manual | std | — |
Seating4 differ · 6 listed
| Feature | Mazda Mazda32.5 S FWD | Nissan AltimaS FWD |
|---|---|---|
| 4-way manual adjustable front passenger seat | std | — |
| 4-way manual passenger's seat | — | std |
| 60/40 split one-touch fold-down and reclining rear seatback | std | — |
| Headrests - height-adjustable, front & rear (3 passenger seats) | std | — |
| 6-way manual driver's seat | std | std |
| Woven fabric seating | std | std |
Interior16 differ · 16 listed
| Feature | Mazda Mazda32.5 S FWD | Nissan AltimaS FWD |
|---|---|---|
| 5-inch meter display | — | std |
| 7-inch LCD meter display | std | — |
| Assist handles - (4) | std | — |
| Cargo area light (LED) | std | — |
| Gear selector - urethane | std | — |
| Map lights (LED) | std | — |
| Steering wheel - tilt & telescopic | std | — |
| Steering wheel - urethane | std | — |
| Storage - center console armrest with covered storage compartments | std | — |
| Storage - cup holders, (2) front | std | — |
| Storage - glove compartment | std | — |
| Storage, bottle holder, front (2) and rear (2) door panels | std | — |
| Sun visors - dual covered vanity mirrors and extensions | std | — |
| Rearview mirror - manual day/night | std | — |
| Floor mats - carpeted | std | — |
| Trip computer - Odometer, Trip meter A & B, current and average fuel economy | std | — |
Exterior22 differ · 24 listed
| Feature | Mazda Mazda32.5 S FWD | Nissan AltimaS FWD |
|---|---|---|
| 16 x 6.5J inch aluminum alloy wheels with Silver Metallic Finish | std | — |
| 16-inch steel with full wheel cover | — | std |
| 205/60 R16 all-season tires | std | — |
| 215/60R16 all-season tires | — | std |
| Active grille shutters | — | std |
| Brake light - center high-mount | std | — |
| Dual exhaust outlets | std | — |
| Front grille - matte finish | std | — |
| Headlights - auto On/Off feature | std | — |
| Headlights - LED | std | — |
| Intelligent Auto Headlights (LED with Daytime Running Lights and High Beam Assist) | — | std |
| License plate lamp (LED) | std | — |
| Rear combination lights | std | — |
| Rear hatch spoiler - black (Premium Plus Unique- PIO) | std | — |
| Side garnish - black | std | — |
| Side mirrors - body-color, dual power remote | std | — |
| Snowflake White Pearl Mica (exterior color option - Hatchback) | opt | — |
| Windshield wipers - rear intermittent with washer | std | — |
| Windshield wipers - variable-intermittent | std | — |
| Rear window defogger with timer | std | — |
| Center High-Mounted Stop Light (LED) | — | std |
| Splash Guards | — | std |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | std | std |
| Temporary spare tire – 16 x 4T, steel wheel | std | std |
Powertrain2 differ · 3 listed
| Feature | Mazda Mazda32.5 S FWD | Nissan AltimaS FWD |
|---|---|---|
| SKYACTIV-G® 2.5 DOHC 16-valve 4-cylinder engine with Cylinder Deactivation | std | — |
| SKYACTIV®-Drive 6-Speed AT with manual-shift mode and Sport mode | std | — |
| Front engine / FWD | std | std |
Chassis6 differ · 6 listed
| Feature | Mazda Mazda32.5 S FWD | Nissan AltimaS FWD |
|---|---|---|
| Electronic Parking Brake (EPB) | std | — |
| Front Suspension - MacPherson strut with stabilizer bar | std | — |
| Power-assisted rack-and-pinion steering | std | — |
| Rear Suspension - Torsion Beam | std | — |
| SKYACTIV-VEHICLE DYNAMICS: G-Vectoring Control Plus (GVC Plus) | std | — |
| ZF Sachs monotube rear shock absorbers | — | std |
Cargo1 differ · 1 listed
| Feature | Mazda Mazda32.5 S FWD | Nissan AltimaS FWD |
|---|---|---|
| Cargo Cover (hatchback) | std | — |
Highlighted rows are where the two differ. Wording is the manufacturer's own.
Safety record
NHTSA recalls, complaints, NCAPMazda Mazda3
Safety Signal 92 A
NHTSA overall ★★★★★
Frontal / side / rollover ★★★★★ / ★★★★★ / ★★★★★
Recalls 1
Owner complaints 9 · 2 crashes · 0 fires
Most complained about Forward Collision Avoidance (2), Unspecified (2), Air Bags (1)
Top recalls
- high Air Bags 25V357000 · 171,412 vehicles
Nissan Altima
Safety Signal 85 B
NHTSA overall ★★★★★
Frontal / side / rollover ★★★★☆ / ★★★★★ / ★★★★★
Recalls 2
Owner complaints 7 · 2 crashes · 0 fires
Most complained about Service Brakes (2), Air Bags (1), Seats (1)
Top recalls
- high Air Bags 26V526000 · 149 vehicles
- high Latches/Locks/Linkages 26V023000 · 26,432 vehicles
Ownership
EPA, manufacturer warranty| Mazda Mazda32.5 S FWD | Nissan AltimaS FWD | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | — (base trim) | $27,000 (base trim) |
| Price range across trims | — 13 trims | $27,000 – $34,830 7 trims |
| Powertrains | GAS | GAS |
| EPA configuration compared | 3 4-Door 2WD | Altima |
| Combined mpg / MPGe | 31 | 31 |
| EPA annual fuel cost | $2,000 | $2,000 |
| EV range | — | — |
| Basic warranty | — | — |
| Powertrain warranty | — | — |
| Roadside assistance | — | — |
Common questions
Source: EPA, NHTSA and manufacturer press kitsWhich is better, the 2025 Mazda Mazda3 or the 2025 Nissan Altima?
The Mazda Mazda3 wins clearly, 97.1 to 86.7, on tech & comfort, performance. The Nissan Altima is ahead on space & cargo and safety. On WhichTrim's default weights the 2025 Mazda Mazda3 scores 97.1 and the 2025 Nissan Altima 86.7. The weights are yours to change — move what you care about and the verdict recalculates on the page.
Which has the better safety record, the 2025 Mazda Mazda3 or the 2025 Nissan Altima?
2025 Mazda Mazda3: 5 NHTSA stars, grade A, 1 recall. 2025 Nissan Altima: 5 NHTSA stars, grade B, 2 recalls. Crash ratings come from NHTSA's own tests; the grade is WhichTrim's read of the recall record, and the two can disagree.
What are the biggest differences between the 2025 Mazda Mazda3 and the 2025 Nissan Altima?
Where the 2025 Mazda Mazda3 wins: it lists more comfort and tech equipment (36 points against 17 on the press-kit count, standard = 1, optional = ½), has the cleaner recall record (Safety Signal 92 against 85), and carries 122 hp per ton against 116. Where the 2025 Nissan Altima answers: it has drawn fewer owner complaints (7 against 9 filed with NHTSA) and lists 26 standard driver-assist features against 24. What they share: 5 NHTSA stars, the same EPA fuel cost ($2,000 a year), and 31 combined.