2015 Nissan Altima | VS | 2015 Hyundai Sonata |
2.5L 4-cyl. w/ CVT | Standard Powertrain | 2.4L 4-cyl. w/ 6-speed Auto. |
27/38/31 mpg | Fuel Economy (city/hwy/comb) | 25/37/29 mpg |
182 hp | Horsepower | 185 hp |
180 lb-ft | Torque | 178 lb-ft |
Ask almost anyone closely watching trends within the automotive industry, and they’ll tell you roughly the same thing: the mid-size sedan segment is a’booming. The powertrains have become more sophisticated, the fuel efficiency numbers are through the roof and they routinely are as accommodating as the so-called large sedans were just a few years ago. And now, Robbins Nissan is looking at two of the most popular models in this increasingly competitive segment, the 2015 Nissan Altima and the 2015 Hyundai Sonata. Both boast impressive measurable stats, and both are rightly revered by critics and drivers alike. So how are they different?
The powertrains, for starters. The 2015 Nissan Altima returns its two world-beating options for this model year--a 2.5L four-cylinder option and the 3.5L V6--while the Sonata debuts three new ones for 2015. The standard option is a 2.4L four-cylinder, while a 2.0T four-cylinder and 1.6L Eco model are available as well. So what is the takeaway here? Mostly, that the Hyundai might have overextended itself; none of the available powertrains is more efficient than Nissan’s 2.5L, or is more powerful than the 3.5L. Those are numbers that are tough to argue with.
While the 2015 Hyundai Sonata has certainly made strides in its quest to supplant the 2015 Nissan Altima from its perch atop the mid-size sedan class, it still has work to do.
By any estimation, the 2015 Nissan Altima is among the finest models in the mid-size segment today. However, it’s finer features distinguish it not only from the vehicles it competes against, but against all other vehicles, period. The NASA-inspired Zero Gravity front seats, now standard in all Altima trim levels, help to alleviate the stress commonly associated with travel by keeping your body in a neutral position, while the generous trunk and interior space have long offered more than is commonly expected from a mid-size sedan.
The safety features, as with all other features in the Altima, are also nothing to sneeze at. Now standard on the 2015 Altima are features such as a full deployment of airbags, stability and traction control and antilock disc brakes. For those wishing to step up the level of safety even further, Nissan offers crash mitigation technology and an AroundView Monitor to safely negotiate troublesome situations. With this sort of forward thinking, it’s no wonder that the 2015 Nissan Altima continues to be the sedan that many Houston-area drivers choose.
To learn more about this great vehicle or to schedule a test drive, visit Robbins Nissan today!