Toyota Prius vs Nissan Altima

If the disparity between your income and the cost of living is getting you down, but you need a new set of wheels, consider the 2024 Prius. The Prius recently won the 2024 World Car Design of the Year, carries up to five people, and holds up to 23.8 cubic feet of cargo behind its back seat. All-wheel drive (AWD) and a plug-in hybrid powertrain are available, and the Prius gets up to 57 mpg in combined driving. Prices start at less than $30,000.

Verdict: The 2024 Toyota Prius is the right car for lots of people. Blending intriguing design with comfortable front seats and a practical interior at an appealing price, the Prius is perfect for daily driving and will save you plenty of money at the gas pump.

Compared to midsize sedans, compact crossover SUVs offer more interior room, a taller driving position, easier entry and exit, and more models offer all-wheel drive (AWD). Their extra ground clearance helps you through snow or to scramble down a trail, too. They literally leave sedans in the dust, though they’re usually more expensive, get worse fuel economy, and handle less securely. Nevertheless, Nissan adds a value-packed 2025 Altima SV Special Edition Package to the lineup to drum up interest in its fading family car.

Verdict: Is the 2025 Nissan Altima a good car? It has terrific front seats, available AWD, and SL and SR Premium Package models offer competitive technology. Otherwise, it simply doesn’t have what it takes to attract customers better served by other midsize cars.