2025 Honda Civic vs 2024 Nissan Altima

The 2024 Nissan Altima, a familiar name since 1993, retained much of its sixth-generation design introduced in 2019, with a notable update to its grille in 2023. The Altima was available in four trim levels: S, SV, SR, and SL, with most models featuring front-wheel drive, though all-wheel drive was an option for the SV, SR, and SL trims. The SR trim could be equipped with the advanced VC-Turbo engine. The Altima SL with AWD, which we tested, sported a conservative yet appealing design with Garnet Pearl Metallic paint and 19-inch alloy wheels. The SL trim featured chrome accents, while the rear badging was a gunmetal gray. LED projector headlights and dual exhaust pipes added a touch of modernity, and an optional rear spoiler was available for an additional $420.

Inside, the Altima's interior felt somewhat outdated, with soft yellow overhead lights and wood trim reminiscent of older vehicles. However, the seats were notably comfortable, offering a balance of softness and support. The cabin layout was practical, with easily accessible cupholders and cubbies. Our test vehicle included a wireless phone charger, a feature not available on the base S trim. Despite the comfortable seating, the front-passenger seat had limited adjustability, and the leather upholstery in the SL trim was underwhelming. The cabin also contained a noticeable amount of cheap plastic parts, though commonly used touchpoints like the steering wheel and shift knob were of higher quality.

The 2025 Honda Civic received subtle exterior updates, including a widened lower grille and slimmer air inlets, giving it a more aggressive appearance. The Civic Si featured a new honeycomb grille texture, echoing the interior theme. Standard LED headlights and darker tail lights with a smoked effect enhanced the Civic's styling. New color options were introduced, with Solar Silver Metallic and Urban Gray Pearl available for all models, while Blue Lagoon Pearl and Sand Dune Pearl were specific to the sedan and hatchback, respectively. The Civic Si offered a limited color palette, with Rallye Red being a standout choice.

The Civic Si featured new 18-inch matte black wheels with a design inspired by the Acura logo. Inside, the Si boasted red accents on the honeycomb dash and red seats, though the styling didn't extend to the rear row, creating a distinct cabin division. The lack of a coupe option made the rear seats feel like an afterthought. Despite this, the Civic Si's interior was sporty, with a focus on the front half of the cabin. The Si's interior was equipped with a 10.2-inch digital instrument cluster, featuring F1-inspired shift lights and navigation instructions from Google Maps.

The 2024 Nissan Altima was powered by a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine, producing 182 horsepower and 178 lb-ft of torque. This engine provided adequate performance, with a 0-60 mph time of approximately 7.5 seconds. For those seeking more power, the Altima SR VC-Turbo offered a 2.0-liter turbocharged engine with 248 horsepower and 273 lb-ft of torque. However, this engine was not available with AWD, limiting its appeal in snowy regions. The Altima's AWD system, tested in Boston's winter conditions, delivered power to the rear wheels when needed, enhancing traction. The Altima achieved an EPA-estimated 26 mpg city, 36 highway, and 30 combined with the standard engine and AWD.

The Altima's driving dynamics were characterized by light steering and minimal body roll, thanks to its low center of gravity. The brakes were predictable, and the continuously variable transmission (CVT) managed power output well, though it produced a droning noise under heavy acceleration. Despite this, the Altima's noise insulation was generally impressive.

The 2025 Honda Civic offered a range of engine options, with the base model featuring a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine producing 150 horsepower and 133 lb-ft of torque. The Civic Si, however, was equipped with a turbocharged inline four-cylinder engine, delivering 200 horsepower at 6,000 rpm and 192 lb-ft of torque between 1,800 and 5,000 rpm. The Si's six-speed manual transmission provided short throws and smooth action, making it enjoyable to drive. The clutch was light and easy to manage, and the ride was comfortable yet responsive.

The Civic Si featured three drive modes: Normal, Sport, and Individual, with Sport mode increasing throttle sensitivity. The Si's digital driver-information display included a Formula One-inspired shift indicator, enhancing the driving experience. While the Civic Si was user-friendly, it lacked certain features like a traditional manual e-brake and gear display, which might deter new manual drivers.

The 2024 Nissan Altima offered impressive interior space, with front seats providing more room than competitors like the Honda Accord and Toyota Camry. The rear seat offered 35.2 inches of legroom, matching the Kia K5 but falling short of the Accord and Camry. The Altima's trunk provided 15.4 cubic feet of space, surpassing the Legacy and Camry but not the Accord or Korean rivals. The trunk's wide opening facilitated loading bulky items, and the 60/40-split folding rear seat allowed for additional cargo space. Overall, the Altima's interior was comfortable and practical, with well-placed cupholders and cubbies.

The 2025 Honda Civic Sedan and Hatchback offered 39.3 inches of headroom and 42.3 inches of legroom in the front. The Civic Si, with a power moonroof, had slightly reduced front-seat headroom at 37.6 inches. Rear passengers enjoyed 37.1 inches of headroom and 37.4 inches of legroom. The Civic Si's trunk provided 14.1 cubic feet of cargo space, slightly less than other Civic Sedans. The Civic Hatchback offered a generous 24.5 cubic feet of cargo space, surpassing competitors like the Golf GTI. Heated front seats were standard on the Civic Si, enhancing comfort, though leather seats were reserved for the Hybrid Sport Touring trim.

The 2024 Nissan Altima featured an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system on most trims, with the base S trim having a 7-inch screen. Our test car, however, was equipped with a 12.3-inch display, standard on the SL and SR VC-Turbo trims. This larger screen offered crisp graphics and excellent resolution, with static icons for easy navigation. Android Auto and Apple CarPlay were standard, with wireless versions available only on the largest screen. The available nine-speaker Bose stereo was underwhelming, and the SiriusXM interface appeared cluttered. NissanConnect telematics features were standard on higher trims, allowing remote access and vehicle health reports.

The 2025 Honda Civic Si was equipped with a 9-inch touchscreen, while other trims had a 7-inch screen. The Si featured Google Built-In, with three years of service included, and a 12-speaker Bose Premium sound system with wireless smartphone projection. The Si also had a 10.2-inch digital instrument cluster, offering F1-inspired shift lights and navigation instructions. Lower trims received two front USB-C ports as a standard feature.

The 2024 Nissan Altima received a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA, with strong side-impact and rollover crash test results. However, it scored four stars in frontal crash tests and did not receive the IIHS Top Safety Pick+ designation due to poor side-impact test performance. The Altima came equipped with Nissan Safety Shield 360, including features like forward collision warning, blind-spot monitoring, and lane-departure warning. Higher trims offered a 360-degree surround-view monitor and traffic-sign recognition. ProPilot Assist, a semi-autonomous driving system, was available on SV trims and standard on SL and SR VC-Turbo models.

The 2025 Honda Civic earned Top Safety Pick+ awards from the IIHS and five-star overall ratings from the NHTSA. Honda Sensing was standard on all Civics, with enhanced collision-mitigation braking and adaptive cruise control systems. The lane-keeping assist system was updated for smoother performance, though it felt slightly aggressive. The Civic's improved frame rigidity contributed to its strong safety ratings.