2025 Nissan Altima

The Nissan Altima is one of the midsize sedan class's oldest nameplates, battling the Toyota Camry and Honda Accord for segment supremacy since 1993. Why the walk down memory lane? Reports place the Altima on the chopping block after the 2025 model year, so this might be your last chance to buy one. We like the Altima's straightforward and easy-to-navigate interior, and both estimated and observed fuel economy are a highlight. But a number of rivals offer the same strengths alongside a more comfortable ride, superior performance or a more sizable cabin.

Edmunds spotlight: Available VC-Turbo engine

There's no hybrid on deck, but the Altima does offer an engine upgrade for those (read: us) who are underwhelmed by the 188-horsepower base motor. It's call the VC-Turbo, and this 248-hp wonder is borrowed from Nissan's luxury arm, Infiniti. It's the only engine on the market that can vary its compression ratio, which, in theory, should deliver shockingly good fuel economy or superlative acceleration, depending on how you drive. In the real world, however, we've found that the VC-Turbo-equipped Altima doesn't outperform other midsize sedans with upgraded engines in either category. The Altima is the least expensive way to own this automotive curio, the likes of which we may never see again.

Competitors to consider

The aforementioned Accord and Camry are the heavy hitters in this segment, with the latter switching to hybrid-only power for its 2025 redesign. We also think the Kia K5 and Hyundai Sonata siblings are worth checking out; both are stylish and offer high-performance engines that pump out nearly 300 horsepower, and the Sonata is available as a hybrid.

We're sad to see the midsize sedan segment lose one of its mainstays, but there are still plenty of options for buyers looking for a spacious four-door.