Compare the2024 Hyundai ElantraVS 2024 Nissan Altima

Safety
Warranty
Reliability
Fuel Economy and Range
Environmental Friendliness
Brakes and Stopping
Suspension and Handling
Chassis
Passenger Space
Cargo Capacity
Ergonomics
Economic Advantages
Recommendations

Safety

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With its standard Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist, the Hyundai Elantra is better at preventing collisions with pedestrians than the Nissan Altima, according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety:

	Elantra	Altima
Overall Evaluation	GOOD	MARGINAL
	Crossing Child - DAY
12 MPH	AVOIDED	AVOIDED
25 MPH	-20 MPH	-11 MPH
	Crossing Adult - NIGHT
12 MPH Brights	AVOIDED	-5 MPH
12 MPH Low beams	AVOIDED	-1 MPH
25 MPH Brights	AVOIDED	-7 MPH
25 MPH Low beams	-20 MPH	-5 MPH
	Parallel Adult - NIGHT
25 MPH Brights	AVOIDED	-11 MPH
25 MPH Low beams	AVOIDED	-5 MPH
37 MPH Brights	AVOIDED	-9 MPH
Warning Issued-Brights	2.1 sec	1.3 sec
37 MPH Low beams	-27 MPH	No Slowing
Warning Issued-Low beams	1.3 sec	No Warning

Both the Elantra and Altima have rear cross-traffic warning, but the Elantra has Rear Cross-Traffic Collision-Avoidance Assist (automatically applies the brakes) to better prevent a collision when backing near traffic. The Altima’s Rear Cross Traffic Alert doesn’t automatically brake.

Both the Elantra and the Altima have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front and rear side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, front wheel drive, height adjustable front shoulder belts, plastic fuel tanks, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning, driver alert monitors and available rear parking sensors.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does 35 MPH front crash tests on new vehicles. In this test, results indicate that the Hyundai Elantra is safer than the Nissan Altima:

	Elantra	Altima
	Driver
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	142	171
Neck Injury Risk	21%	30%
Neck Stress	268 lbs.	343 lbs.
Neck Compression	51 lbs.	78 lbs.
Leg Forces (l/r)	66/48 lbs.	114/342 lbs.
	Passenger
STARS	4 Stars	4 Stars
Neck Injury Risk	42%	54%
Neck Stress	177 lbs.	280 lbs.
Neck Compression	6 lbs.	110 lbs.
Leg Forces (l/r)	135/61 lbs.	260/280 lbs.

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does side impact tests on new vehicles. In this test, which crashes the vehicle into a flat barrier at 38.5 MPH and into a post at 20 MPH, results indicate that the Hyundai Elantra is safer than the Nissan Altima:

	Elantra	Altima
	Front Seat
STARS	5 Stars	4 Stars
HIC	83	187
Chest Movement	1.2 inches	1.4 inches
Hip Force	327 lbs.	511 lbs.
	Rear Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Hip Force	355 lbs.	544 lbs.
	Into Pole
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Max Damage Depth	11 inches	16 inches
Spine Acceleration	40 G’s	42 G’s

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

Side impacts caused 23% of all road fatalities in 2018, down from 29% in 2003, when the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety introduced its side barrier test. In order to continue improving vehicle safety, the IIHS has started using a more severe side impact test: 37 MPH (up from 31 MPH), with a 4180-pound barrier (up from 3300 pounds). The results of this newly developed test demonstrates that the Hyundai Elantra is much safer than the Altima:

	Elantra	Altima
Overall Evaluation	GOOD	POOR
Structure	GOOD	POOR
	Driver Injury Measures
Head/Neck	GOOD	MARGINAL
Head Injury Criterion	189	562
Head Peak Forces	no contact	109 G’s
Neck Tension	312 lbs.	625 lbs.
Neck Compression	-134 lbs.	22 lbs.
Torso	ACCEPTABLE	POOR
Shoulder Deflection	1.1 in	2.09 in
Torso Max Deflection	1.26 in	2.2 in
Torso Deflection Rate	10 MPH	11 MPH
Pelvis	ACCEPTABLE	POOR
Pelvis Force	1093 lbs.	1339 lbs.
Head Protection	GOOD	MARGINAL
	Passenger Injury Measures
Neck Tension	112 lbs.	201 lbs.
Neck Compression	-156 lbs.	22 lbs.
Shoulder Force	178 lbs.	290 lbs.
Pelvis	GOOD	GOOD
Pelvis Force	558 lbs.	892 lbs.
Head Protection	GOOD	GOOD

The Hyundai Elantra achieved a “Top Safety Pick” rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) for the 2024 model year. This recognition was based on its impressive performance in the small overlap frontal crash test, updated side impact crash test, headlight evaluations, and pedestrian crash prevention testing. The Altima is not a “Top Safety Pick” for 2024.

Warranty

The Elantra comes with a full 5-year/60,000-mile basic warranty, which covers the entire car and includes 24-hour roadside assistance. The Altima’s 3-year/36,000-mile basic warranty expires 2 years or 24,000 miles sooner.

Hyundai’s powertrain warranty covers the Elantra 5 years and 40,000 miles longer than Nissan covers the Altima. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 10 years or 100,000 miles. Coverage on the Altima ends after only 5 years or 60,000 miles.

The Elantra’s corrosion warranty is 2 years longer than the Altima’s (7 vs. 5 years).

Hyundai pays for scheduled maintenance on the Elantra for 3 years and 36,000 miles. Hyundai will pay for oil changes, tire rotations, air filter replacements, cabin filter replacement, brake fluid replacement, inspections, and any other required maintenance. Nissan doesn’t pay scheduled maintenance for the Altima.

Reliability

To reliably power the ignition and other systems and to recharge the battery, the Elantra has a standard 150-amp alternator. The Altima’s standard 120-amp alternator isn’t as powerful.

To reliably start during all conditions and help handle large electrical loads, the Elantra has a standard 760-amp battery. The Altima’s 510-amp battery isn’t as powerful.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the statistics that show that Hyundai vehicles are more reliable than Nissan vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Hyundai third in reliability, above the industry average. With 57 more problems per 100 vehicles, Nissan is ranked 20th.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2024 Auto Issue reports that Hyundai vehicles are more reliable than Nissan vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Hyundai 6 places higher in reliability than Nissan.

Fuel Economy and Range

On the EPA test cycle the Elantra gets better mileage than the Altima:

			MPG
Elantra
	FWD	SE 2.0 DOHC 4-cyl.	32 city/41 hwy
		2.0 DOHC 4-cyl.	31 city/40 hwy
Altima
	FWD	S/SV 2.5 DOHC 4-cyl.	27 city/39 hwy
		SL/SR 2.5 DOHC 4-cyl.	27 city/37 hwy
		2.0 turbo 4-cyl.	25 city/34 hwy
	AWD	2.5 DOHC 4-cyl.	26 city/36 hwy

In heavy traffic or at stoplights the Elantra SE’s engine automatically turns off when the vehicle is stopped, saving fuel and reducing pollution. The engine is automatically restarted when the driver gets ready to move again. If the conditions warrant or the driver wishes, the system can be manually disabled at any time for the duration of a trip. The Altima doesn’t offer an automatic engine start/stop system.

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Hyundai Elantra uses regular unleaded gasoline. The Altima SR requires premium for maximum efficiency, which can cost on average about 82.8 cents more per gallon.

Environmental Friendliness

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the Hyundai Elantra higher (7 out of 10) than the Nissan Altima (6 to 7). This means the Elantra produces up to 1.1 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the Altima every 15,000 miles.

Brakes and Stopping

The Elantra stops shorter than the Altima:

	Elantra	Altima
70 to 0 MPH	175 feet	176 feet	Car and Driver
60 to 0 MPH	116 feet	119 feet	Motor Trend
60 to 0 MPH (Wet)	139 feet	140 feet	Consumer Reports

Suspension and Handling

The Elantra Limited handles at .85 G’s, while the Altima SV AWD pulls only .84 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The Elantra Limited executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver quicker than the Altima SV AWD (27 seconds @ .63 average G’s vs. 27.7 seconds @ .61 average G’s).

For better maneuverability, the Elantra’s turning circle is .7 feet tighter than the Altima S’ (35.4 feet vs. 36.1 feet). The Elantra’s turning circle is 2 feet tighter than the Altima SR/SV/SL/Platinum’s (35.4 feet vs. 37.4 feet).

Chassis

The Hyundai Elantra may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 550 to 600 pounds less than the Nissan Altima.

The Elantra is 7.5 inches shorter than the Altima, making the Elantra easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

As tested by Car and Driver, the interior of the Elantra Limited is quieter than the Altima SR AWD:

	Elantra	Altima
At idle	35 dB	45 dB
70 MPH Cruising	68 dB	70 dB

Passenger Space

The Elantra has 1.5 inches more front headroom, .4 inches more rear headroom and 2.8 inches more rear legroom than the Altima.

Cargo Capacity

To make loading groceries and cargo easier when your hands are full, the Elantra SEL/Limited’s trunk can be opened just by waiting momentarily behind the back bumper, leaving your hands completely free. The Altima doesn’t offer a hands-free gesture to open its trunk, forcing you to put cargo down if your hands are full.

Ergonomics

The power windows standard on both the Elantra and the Altima have locks to prevent small children from operating them. When the lock on the Elantra is engaged the driver can still operate all of the windows, for instance to close one opened by a child. The Altima prevents the driver from operating the other windows just as it does the other passengers.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) conducts detailed tests on headlights for their range both straight ahead and in curves and to be certain they don’t exceed acceptable amounts of glare to oncoming drivers. The Elantra’s headlights were rated “Good” by the IIHS, while the Altima’s headlights are rated “Acceptable.”

Economic Advantages

Insurance will cost less for the Elantra owner. The Complete Car Cost Guide estimates that insurance for the Elantra will cost $1260 less than the Altima over a five-year period.

The Elantra will cost the buyer less in the long run because of its superior resale value. The IntelliChoice estimates that the Elantra will retain 51.66% to 55.34% of its original price after five years, while the Altima only retains 41.69% to 47.34%.

IntelliChoice estimates that five-year ownership costs (depreciation, financing, insurance, fuel, fees, repairs and maintenance) for the Hyundai Elantra will be $8613 to $16837 less than for the Nissan Altima.

Recommendations

Consumer Reports® recommends both the Hyundai Elantra and the Nissan Altima, based on reliability, safety and performance.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the Elantra third among compact cars in owner reported satisfaction. This includes how well the vehicle performs and satisfies its owner’s expectations. The Altima isn’t in the top three in its category.

A group of representative automotive journalists from North America selected the Elantra as the 2021 North American Car of the Year. The Altima was last chosen in 2002.

The Hyundai Elantra outsold the Nissan Altima by 6119 units during 2023.

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