2025 Nissan Altima vs 2025 Tesla Model 3
The Tesla Model 3 wins clearly, 84.5 to 69.9, on fuel & range. The Nissan Altima is ahead on safety.
2025 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…
2025 Tesla Model 3
The 2025 Tesla Model 3 is sold in the U.S. as an electric midsize sedan with 4 EPA-rated configurations. Its longest-range version, the Model 3 Long Range RWD, …
2025 Tesla Model 3
Clear winThe Tesla Model 3 wins clearly, 84.5 to 69.9, on fuel & range. The Nissan Altima is ahead on safety.
| Category · weight | 2025 Nissan Altimaoverall 69.9 | 2025 Tesla Model 3overall 84.5 | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pricenot compared | Specs not available | Specs not available | |||||||||
| Fuel & rangew 3 | 24.6 | 100 | |||||||||
EPA annual fuel cost and combined mpg / MPGe; EV range when both are electric. | |||||||||||
| Safetyw 4 | 88.8 | 65.2 | |||||||||
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 | 100 | 100 | |||||||||
Seats, cargo volume behind the 1st and 2nd rows, rear legroom. | |||||||||||
| Performancenot compared | Specs not available | Specs not available | |||||||||
| Tech & comfortnot compared | Specs not available | Specs not available | |||||||||
| Warrantynot compared | Specs not available | Specs not available | |||||||||
| Overall | 69.9 | 84.5 | |||||||||
Safety-only comparison · 3 of 7 categories compared · specs not available for Tesla Model 3
Nissan Altima: base trim S FWD · Tesla Model 3: safety only (EPA and NHTSA record; specs not available). Pick a trim in the tool to compare any other trim.
Where the gap is
the biggest differences, from the scorecard's own numbersWhere the 2025 Tesla Model 3 wins
- It is rated 137 combined against 31 (EPA mpg or MPGe).
- It costs $1,600 a year less to fuel on the EPA's estimate ($550 against $2,150).
Where the 2025 Nissan Altima answers
- It has drawn fewer owner complaints (7 against 124 filed with NHTSA).
What they share
- A Safety Signal of 85.
- 5 seats.
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
45 specs · manufacturer press kits| Spec | Nissan AltimaS FWD | Tesla Model 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | ||
| Base MSRP (excludes destination) | $27,000 | — |
| Engine Basics | ||
| Aspiration | naturally aspirated | — |
| Cylinder count | 4 | — |
| Engine displacement | 2,488 cc | — |
| Engine type (full description) | 2.5L 4-cylinder inline DOHC DIG | — |
| Fuel injection system | gdi mpi | — |
| Valve configuration | 4 valves per cylinder; CVTCS on intake and exhaust valves | — |
| Engine Output | ||
| Horsepower | 188 hp | — |
| Torque | 180 lb-ft | — |
| Fuel Economy | ||
| MPG (city) | 27 mpg | — |
| MPG (combined) | 32 mpg | — |
| MPG (highway) | 39 mpg | — |
| Transmission | ||
| Final drive ratio | 4.828 | — |
| Transmission type | cvt | — |
| Dimensions Exterior | ||
| Overall height | 56.7 in | — |
| Overall length | 193 in | — |
| Overall width | 72.9 in | — |
| Wheelbase | 111 in | — |
| Cargo | ||
| Cargo volume behind 2nd row | 15.4 cu-ft | — |
| Total interior volume | 116 cu-ft | — |
| Seating | ||
| Passenger seating capacity | 5 | — |
| Headroom | ||
| Front headroom | 39.1 in | — |
| Third-row headroom | 36.9 in | — |
| Legroom | ||
| Front legroom | 43.8 in | — |
| Third-row legroom | 35.2 in | — |
| Weights | ||
| Curb weight (maximum) | 3,253 lbs | — |
| Curb weight (minimum) | 3,253 lbs | — |
| Gross vehicle weight rating | 4,328 lbs | — |
| Suspension | ||
| Front suspension type | Independent strut with coil springs, aluminum links, 25mm stabilizer bar | — |
| Rear suspension type | Multi-link independent suspension, 26mm hollow stabilizer bar | — |
| Steering | ||
| Steering type | Dual-Pinion Electric-Powered Steering System | — |
| Turning radius (curb-to-curb) | 36.1 ft | — |
| Brakes | ||
| Front brake diameter | 296 mm | — |
| Front brake type | Power-assisted vented disc | — |
| Parking brake type | Foot brake / mechanical | — |
| Rear brake diameter | 292 mm | — |
| Rear brake type | solid disc | — |
| Wheels | ||
| Wheel diameter | 16 in | — |
| Wheel material | steel | — |
| Tires | ||
| Tire size | 215/60R16 | — |
| Fuel System | ||
| Fuel tank capacity | 16.2 gal | — |
| Minimum recommended octane | 87 | — |
| Connected Services | ||
| Connected services brand | NissanConnect Services Powered by SiriusXM | — |
| Shoulder Room | ||
| Front shoulder room | 58.2 in | — |
| Third-row shoulder room | 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
53 features · differences first, then sharedSafety26 differ · 26 listed
| Feature | Nissan AltimaS FWD | Tesla Model 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Automatic Emergency Braking with Pedestrian Detection | std | — |
| Intelligent Forward Collision Warning | std | — |
| Rear Cross Traffic Alert | std | — |
| Front seat-mounted side impact supplemental air bags | std | — |
| Lane Departure Warning | std | — |
| Nissan Advanced Air Bag System with dual-stage supplemental front air bags with seat belt sensors and occupant classification sensor | std | — |
| RearView Monitor | std | — |
| Roof-mounted curtain side impact supplemental air bags for front and rear-seat outboard occupant head protection | std | — |
| Intelligent Driver Alertness | std | — |
| Seat-mounted rear passenger side-impact supplemental air bags | std | — |
| Anti-lock Braking System | std | — |
| Blind Spot Warning | std | — |
| Brake Assist | std | — |
| Driver and front passenger supplemental knee air bags | std | — |
| Easy-Fill Tire Alert | std | — |
| Electronic Brake Force Distribution | std | — |
| High Beam Assist | std | — |
| Hill Start Assist | std | — |
| Rear Automatic Braking | std | — |
| Rear Door Alert | std | — |
| Rear Sonar System | std | — |
| Traction Control System | std | — |
| Vehicle Dynamic Control | std | — |
| Vehicle Security System | std | — |
| Nissan Vehicle Immobilizer System | std | — |
| Tire Pressure Monitoring System, 4-corner pressure readout | std | — |
Infotainment12 differ · 12 listed
| Feature | Nissan AltimaS FWD | Tesla Model 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Bluetooth® Hands-free | std | — |
| 8-inch color display with multi-touch control | std | — |
| AM/FM with RDS and aux-in, 6 speakers | std | — |
| Hands-Free Text Messaging Assistant | 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 | — |
| Steering wheel-mounted control switches (cruise control, audio, Bluetooth® hands-free phone system) | std | — |
| Streaming audio via Bluetooth® | std | — |
| Wired Android Auto | std | — |
| Wired Apple CarPlay | std | — |
Convenience1 differ · 1 listed
| Feature | Nissan AltimaS FWD | Tesla Model 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Remote engine start | std | — |
Seating3 differ · 3 listed
| Feature | Nissan AltimaS FWD | Tesla Model 3 |
|---|---|---|
| 6-way manual driver's seat | std | — |
| 4-way manual passenger's seat | std | — |
| Woven fabric seating | std | — |
Interior1 differ · 1 listed
| Feature | Nissan AltimaS FWD | Tesla Model 3 |
|---|---|---|
| 5-inch meter display | std | — |
Exterior8 differ · 8 listed
| Feature | Nissan AltimaS FWD | Tesla Model 3 |
|---|---|---|
| 16-inch steel with full wheel cover | std | — |
| 215/60R16 all-season tires | std | — |
| Active grille shutters | std | — |
| Intelligent Auto Headlights (LED with Daytime Running Lights and High Beam Assist) | std | — |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | std | — |
| Center High-Mounted Stop Light (LED) | std | — |
| Splash Guards | std | — |
| Temporary spare tire – 16 x 4T, steel wheel | std | — |
Powertrain1 differ · 1 listed
| Feature | Nissan AltimaS FWD | Tesla Model 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Front engine / FWD | std | — |
Chassis1 differ · 1 listed
| Feature | Nissan AltimaS FWD | Tesla Model 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ZF Sachs monotube rear shock absorbers | std | — |
Highlighted rows are where the two differ. Wording is the manufacturer's own.
Safety record
NHTSA recalls, complaints, NCAPNissan Altima
Top recalls
- high Air Bags 26V526000 · 149 vehicles
- high Latches/Locks/Linkages 26V023000 · 26,432 vehicles
Tesla Model 3
Top recalls
- high Electrical System 25V690000 · 12,963 vehicles
- moderate Electrical System 25V002000 · 239,382 vehicles
- minor Tires 24V935000 · 696,281 vehicles
Ownership
EPA, manufacturer warranty| Nissan AltimaS FWD | Tesla Model 3 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $27,000 (base trim) | — |
| Price range across trims | $27,000 – $34,830 7 trims | — |
| Powertrains | GAS | BEV |
| EPA configuration compared | Altima | Model 3 Long Range RWD |
| Combined mpg / MPGe | 31 | 137 |
| EPA annual fuel cost | $2,150 | $550 |
| EV range | — | 363 mi |
| Basic warranty | — | — |
| Powertrain warranty | — | — |
| Roadside assistance | — | — |
Common questions
Source: EPA, NHTSA and manufacturer press kitsWhich is better, the 2025 Nissan Altima or the 2025 Tesla Model 3?
The Tesla Model 3 wins clearly, 84.5 to 69.9, on fuel & range. The Nissan Altima is ahead on safety. On WhichTrim's default weights the 2025 Tesla Model 3 scores 84.5 and the 2025 Nissan Altima 69.9. 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 Nissan Altima or the 2025 Tesla Model 3?
2025 Nissan Altima: 5 NHTSA stars, grade B, 2 recalls. 2025 Tesla Model 3: no NHTSA rating yet, grade B, 3 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 Nissan Altima and the 2025 Tesla Model 3?
Where the 2025 Tesla Model 3 wins: it is rated 137 combined against 31 (EPA mpg or MPGe) and costs $1,600 a year less to fuel on the EPA's estimate ($550 against $2,150). Where the 2025 Nissan Altima answers: it has drawn fewer owner complaints (7 against 124 filed with NHTSA). What they share: a Safety Signal of 85 and 5 seats.