Complete configuration comparison
CarGurus experts rate the 2025 Nissan Altima 5.8 out of 10 versus the 2026 Mazda3's 6.5, recommending the Mazda3 for offering a more engaging driving experience, superior safety ratings, and a more luxurious interior, while the Altima's strengths are a comfortable and spacious interior, ample cargo space, and a comprehensive suite of standard safety features. TrueCar says the Mazda3's $25,885 MSRP undercuts the Altima's $28,855 by $2,970, and the Mazda3 also wins on fuel economy at 27 city/36 highway mpg versus the Altima's 26 city/36 highway.
CarGurus experts rate the 2025 Nissan Altima 5.8 out of 10 versus the 2026 Mazda3's 6.5, recommending the Mazda3 for offering a more engaging driving experience, superior safety ratings, and a more luxurious interior, while the Altima's strengths are a comfortable and spacious interior, ample cargo space, and a comprehensive suite of standard safety features. TrueCar says the Mazda3's $25,885 MSRP undercuts the Altima's $28,855 by $2,970, and the Mazda3 also wins on fuel economy at 27 city/36 highway mpg versus the Altima's 26 city/36 highway.
CarGurus (opens in a new tab) experts rate the 2025 Nissan Altima 5.8 out of 10 versus the 2026 Mazda3's 6.5, recommending the Mazda3 for offering a more engaging driving experience, superior safety ratings, and a more luxurious interior, while the Altima's strengths are a comfortable and spacious interior, ample cargo space, and a comprehensive suite of standard safety features.
TrueCar (opens in a new tab) says the Mazda3's $25,885 MSRP undercuts the Altima's $28,855 by $2,970, and the Mazda3 also wins on fuel economy at 27 city/36 highway mpg versus the Altima's 26 city/36 highway.
CarGurus (opens in a new tab) recommends the Mazda3, rated 6.5/10 versus the Altima's 5.8/10.
TrueCar (opens in a new tab) says the Mazda3, by $2,970 at MSRP.
Side-by-side matrix
| Decision field | Mazda 3 | Nissan Altima |
|---|---|---|
| Exact EPA records | 7 | 2 |
| Model / option labels | 4 | 2 |
| Drive layouts | 4-Wheel Drive, Front-Wheel Drive | All-Wheel Drive, Front-Wheel Drive |
| Engines / propulsion | 2.5L 4-cyl SIDI | 2.5L 4-cyl SIDI |
| Transmissions | Automatic (S6), Manual 6-spd | Automatic (variable gear ratios) |
| Fuel types | Regular | Regular |
| EPA classes | Compact Cars, Midsize Cars | Midsize Cars |
| Combined efficiency | 26–30 MPG/MPGe | 28–30 MPG/MPGe |
| Electric range | Not listed | Not listed |
| Annual fuel / energy estimate | $2150–2500 per year | $2150–2300 per year |
Head to head
| Measure | Mazda 3 | Nissan Altima |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price (KBB base) | $25,885 | $28,720 |
| Top trim price (KBB base) | $39,325 | $31,620 |
| Horsepower | 186-227 hp | 182 hp |
| Torque | 186-310 lb-ft | 178 lb-ft |
| Curb weight | 3,111-3,413 lb | 3,253-3,442 lb |
| Length | 183.5 in | 192.9 in |
| Wheelbase | 107.3 in | 111.2 in |
| Cargo volume | 13.2 cu ft | 15.4 cu ft |
| Seating | 5 seats | 5 seats |
| Basic warranty | 3 years | 3 years |
Figures are ranges across each model’s trims from Kelley Blue Book records (2026 model year); prices are KBB base prices.
Background on each vehicle
The Mazda3 is a compact car manufactured by Mazda since 2003 over four generations. The body styles have been a 5-door hatchback and 4-door sedan across all generations. It was sold as the Mazda Axela in Japan until 2019.
Source: Mazda3 (Wikipedia)
The Nissan Altima is a mid-size car manufactured by Nissan since 1992. It is an offshoot of the Nissan Bluebird line, which began in 1955. The Altima has historically been larger, more powerful, and more luxurious than the Nissan Sentra but less so than the Nissan Maxima.
Source: Nissan Altima (Wikipedia)
NHTSA rated the 2025 Nissan Altima overall 5 of 5 stars, front crash 4 of 5 stars, side crash 5 of 5 stars, rollover 5 of 5 stars.
Owners filed 7 complaints with NHTSA for the 2025 Nissan Altima, most often about service brakes (2), hydraulic (1), air (1).
Open both dossiers
Comparison answer desk
The 2026 Nissan Altima lists the higher combined-efficiency midpoint in this snapshot (29 vs. the 2026 Mazda 3's 28 MPG/MPGe).
1 combined MPG/MPGe separates the 2026 Mazda 3 from the 2026 Nissan Altima at the midpoint, a relative difference of 3.6%.
Yes. The 2026 Mazda 3 and the 2026 Nissan Altima both list Front-Wheel Drive among their current drive designations.
Yes. The 2026 Mazda 3 and the 2026 Nissan Altima both list 2.5L 4-cyl SIDI among their current descriptions, though shared wording does not guarantee identical output or calibration.
No shared transmission description between the 2026 Mazda 3 and the 2026 Nissan Altima in this snapshot. 2026 Mazda 3: Automatic (S6), Manual 6-spd. 2026 Nissan Altima: Automatic (variable gear ratios).
Yes, entirely: the 2026 Mazda 3 and the 2026 Nissan Altima both run on Regular and nothing else in this snapshot.
Yes, at least partly: the 2026 Mazda 3 and the 2026 Nissan Altima are both categorized under Conventional in this snapshot.
The 2026 Nissan Altima lists the lower annual-cost estimate midpoint than the 2026 Mazda 3 ($2,225 vs. $2,325).
$100 per year separates the 2026 Mazda 3 from the 2026 Nissan Altima at the midpoint under EPA's standardized assumptions.
The 2026 Mazda 3 spans a wider combined-MPG range across its own current configurations than the 2026 Nissan Altima does (4 points vs. 2).
Partly. The 2026 Mazda 3 and the 2026 Nissan Altima overlap on Midsize Cars, but the 2026 Mazda 3 also carries Compact Cars.
The 2026 Mazda 3, with 7 certification records against the 2026 Nissan Altima's 2.
The 2026 Mazda 3, at a 16.5 cubic-foot midpoint against the other's 15.
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