The 2025 Nissan Altima scores 7.4/10 at Carivo, ranking #687 of 1310 sedans, with 2 NHTSA recalls on record and an estimated $1,591/year fuel cost.
Scored by Carivo·Updated: September 9, 2026·How we score →
Key Specifications — 2025 Nissan Altima
Engine
2.5L 4-Cylinder
Transmission
Automatic (variable gear ratios)
Drivetrain
Front-Wheel Drive
Fuel Type
Regular
City / Hwy MPG
27 / 38 MPG
Combined MPG
31 MPG
Est. Annual Fuel Cost
$2,000
CO₂ Emissions
281 g/mi
Seating Capacity
5 passengers
Body Style
Sedan
Base Price
$29,293–$35,625
Source: EPA FuelEconomy.gov & manufacturer data. Figures reflect base trim; actual specs vary by trim level.
About the 2025 Nissan Altima
Our scoring places the 2025 Nissan Altima at 7.4/10 overall, which translates to a Good rating for this sedan. Its strongest dimension is Safety at 8.4/10, while Performance at 6.7/10 is where it trails the competition most noticeably. It's a capable but unexceptional sedan — stronger alternatives exist if you're willing to shop the segment carefully.
Reliability and safety are the two dimensions that matter most for long-term ownership costs. We score reliability at 7.1/10 — better than most direct rivals, if short of the segment's best. The safety score of 8.4/10 is solid mid-pack territory. If advanced driver aids matter to you, compare standard equipment carefully and verify ratings at nhtsa.gov.
Performance at 6.7/10 is a genuine liability and a score that should factor heavily into any buying decision. The powertrain and chassis dynamics trail class rivals by a meaningful margin — don't overlook it. Tech rates a reasonable 7.2/10: the essentials are covered and well executed, but rivals at the same price often include more as standard.
Priced from $29,293–$35,625, 33 MPG, seating 5, the Nissan Altima sits in the mid-market bracket of the sedan segment. The 7.5/10 value score says the pricing is fair rather than generous; cross-shop the segment before signing anything. At 1 year old, it's recent enough that the core feature set holds up well against current competition.
Our take: The 2025 Nissan Altima is a passable sedan but not a standout one. Weaknesses in performance hold it back from being a strong recommendation. It may suit buyers with specific needs it serves well, but we'd encourage comparing at least two or three higher-scored alternatives before deciding.
Carivo scores are our own editorial assessment, informed by NHTSA safety and recall records, EPA fuel-economy figures, and manufacturer-published specifications. Scores are reviewed periodically and updated when new data becomes available. See our full methodology →
How It Ranks Among Sedans
The 2025 Nissan Altima ranks #687 of 1310 sedans in the Carivo database — better than 48% of the segment. Its 7.4/10 overall score is 0.1 points below the segment average of 7.5/10. Its $29,293 starting price is about 6% above the segment's median of $27,664.
$0 — 2 campaigns on record; recall work is always free at franchised dealers
Insurance
Varies widely by driver and state — always quote the exact trim before buying
We only print costs we can compute from sourced data (EPA fuel economy, NHTSA recalls). We don't estimate maintenance or depreciation — anyone who gives you one number for those is guessing.
Which Altima Year Should You Buy?
Smart-money pick: the 2022 Nissan Altima scores 7.3/10 — within striking distance of the 2025's 7.4 — and starts roughly $2,500 lower. If you don't need the newest model year, that's money better spent on a higher trim or kept in your pocket.
Strong safety ratings from NHTSA and independent testers
Good overall value; holds its own against pricier alternatives in the segment
Strong fuel economy at 33 MPG, keeping running costs low
✗ Where it falls short
Reliability scores are mid-pack; some owners report higher-than-expected maintenance needs
Driving dynamics are adequate but uninspiring; not the choice for enthusiast drivers
Tech suite is functional but lags behind segment-best options; some features cost extra
NHTSA Recalls — 2025 Nissan Altima (2 on record)
The following recall campaigns have been filed with NHTSA for this model and year. Recall repairs are performed free of charge by franchised dealers; check your specific vehicle with our free VIN recall checker.
Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2025 Altima, Sentra, 2025-2026 Frontier, and 2026 Kicks vehicles. The door strikers may have been improperly welded and break, allowing the door to open while moving. As such, these vehicles fail to…
Air bags / Critical fasteners 13/08/2026 · 26V526000
Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2025 Altima vehicles. The front passenger air bag and front passenger knee air bag may have been installed with incorrect mounting fasteners, which can cause the air bags not to deploy as intended.
Source: NHTSA recall database, fetched at page build time.
Own a 2025 Nissan Altima that's been repaired repeatedly for the same problem? It may qualify under your state's lemon law — run the free lemon law check →
Common Questions — 2025 Nissan Altima
Is the 2025 Nissan Altima reliable?
We rate the 2025 Nissan Altima's reliability 7.1/10 — above the middle of the pack for this class. It has 2 NHTSA recall campaigns on record for this model year (details in the recalls section above — repairs are free at dealers).
How many recalls does the 2025 Nissan Altima have?
2 NHTSA recall campaigns matched this model and year as of our latest check. Verify your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Is the 2025 Nissan Altima worth buying?
It scores 7.4/10 overall, ranking #687 of 1310 sedans in our database (better than 48% of the segment). Stronger-scoring alternatives exist at similar prices — use our compare tool before committing.
How much does the 2025 Nissan Altima cost?
The 2025 Nissan Altima starts at $29,293 and ranges up to $35,625 across trims (MSRP when new). At 33 MPG, expect roughly $1,591/year in fuel at 15,000 miles/year.
Which Altima years should you avoid?
Based on our year-by-year scoring, the weakest Altima years we've rated are 2015 (6.8/10), 2017 (6.9/10) — each at least half a point below the nameplate's best (7.4/10). See the full year table above before deciding.
What problems does the 2025 Nissan Altima have?
The documented issues for the 2025 Nissan Altima are its NHTSA recall campaigns, which involve: Latches/locks/linkages, Air bags (details in the recalls section above; repairs are free at dealers). For wear-and-tear patterns beyond recalls, owner forums are the best source — we only report what federal data documents.
Owner Essentials — Nissan Altima
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