2026 Nissan Sentra vs 2025 Nissan Altima

The 2025 Nissan Altima presented a balanced aesthetic appeal, offering just enough flair to capture interest without alienating its customer base with extreme design choices. Available in S, SR, SR Premium, and Platinum trims in Canada, the Altima's SR trim featured sporty elements like 19-inch wheels and sport-bolstered front seats. However, the interior of the test model, lacking the SR Premium trim's enhancements, felt underwhelming with its basic materials and visible foam insulation. Despite these shortcomings, the Altima maintained a comfortable interior, especially with its Zero Gravity front seats, although the rear seats were less impressive.

The 2026 Nissan Sentra, in its ninth generation, showcased a more dramatic exterior with a massive grille and slim LED headlights, giving it an aggressive look, especially in the Energetic Ember paint. Available in five trims, the Sentra's SR and SR Premium trims stood out with 18-inch wheels and a power moonroof. The interior of the SR trim exceeded expectations with high-quality materials and a modern dashboard featuring ambient lighting. However, rear-seat legroom and headroom were slightly cramped compared to competitors. The redesigned trunk offered practical improvements, and the inclusion of Nissan's zero-gravity seats added to the comfort.

The 2025 Nissan Altima was equipped with a 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine producing 182 horsepower and 178 lb-ft of torque, paired with a CVT and standard AWD. Its driving experience was described as unremarkable, with decent acceleration and quiet operation. The SR trim offered balanced handling, though the steering lacked precision, and the brakes could overheat. Fuel efficiency was reasonable, with the Altima averaging 8.3 L/100 km in combined driving. However, it lacked a hybrid option, making it less appealing for those seeking maximum fuel economy.

The 2026 Nissan Sentra featured a 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine delivering 149 horsepower and 146 lb-ft of torque. It offered front-wheel drive and a CVT, with no manual transmission option. Fuel economy was decent, with the SR trim achieving 7.2 L/100 km combined. Despite improvements to the CVT, acceleration remained noisy, and the Sentra was not a sporty car. However, it excelled as a quiet commuter with well-weighted steering and smooth operation. The drive mode selector offered minimal performance enhancement, emphasizing the Sentra's focus on tech and comfort over driving dynamics.

The 2025 Nissan Altima boasted a comfortable interior with Zero Gravity front seats, providing excellent support and reducing fatigue on long drives. The dashboard design enhanced the front passenger's seating experience, while the rear seats offered adequate space for adults. Interior storage was commendable, with a 437-litre trunk expandable to 1,645 litres with the rear seats folded.

The 2026 Nissan Sentra's SR trim offered a high-quality interior with a modern dashboard and ambient lighting. The climate controls were touch-sensitive, and the centre console featured practical storage solutions. Rear-seat legroom and headroom were slightly limited, but the redesigned 405-litre trunk provided a wider opening and lower load height. The inclusion of zero-gravity seats added to the overall comfort.

The 2025 Nissan Altima offered two infotainment systems, with the SR Premium and Platinum trims featuring a 12.3-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The standard system, with an 8-inch touchscreen, was less satisfying, and the sound system was merely adequate. The SR Premium trim's Bose stereo was a notable upgrade.

The 2026 Nissan Sentra impressed with its modern tech, featuring a large, customizable touchscreen with stylish icons. The SR Premium trim included a Universal Garage Door Opener and an eight-speaker Bose stereo. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, and a wireless device charger was available on SR trims. The Sentra's tech enhancements aimed to attract buyers seeking a high-tech experience in an affordable vehicle.

The 2025 Nissan Altima's SR Premium trim offered advanced safety features like ProPilot Assist 1.0 and a surround-view camera system. Nissan Safety Shield 360 was standard, providing features like forward collision warning and blind-spot monitoring. The Altima received a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA but performed poorly in IIHS evaluations.

The 2026 Nissan Sentra included standard safety features like automatic emergency braking and lane departure mitigation. The SR Premium trim offered a surround-view monitor and ProPilot Assist. While crash-test ratings were unavailable, the Sentra's safety features aimed to enhance driver confidence and convenience.