Mazda CX-5 vs. Nissan Altima
iSeeCars' unbiased and data-driven comparison of the Mazda CX-5 and Nissan Altima contrasts the two cars across a broad spectrum of vehicle specifications to determine which car is better. In addition to comparing pricing and specs, iSeeCars uses all the ratings, rankings, and insights from its comprehensive analyses of each vehicle model, including calculations of reliability, safety, depreciation, value retention, and the vehicle's projected lifetime recalls (based on analyzing over 25 billion data points). This in-depth evaluation is used to identify which vehicle represents a better overall choice for shoppers who are considering both the Mazda CX-5 and the Nissan Altima.
When comparing the Mazda CX-5's and the Nissan Altima's specifications and ratings, the Mazda CX-5 has the advantage in the areas of reliability, resale value, interior volume and overall quality score. The Nissan Altima has the advantage in the areas of new vehicle base pricing, typical lower range of pricing for one- to five-year-old used cars, and base engine power. Based on this comparison of the Mazda CX-5's and the Nissan Altima's specifications and ratings, the Mazda CX-5 is a better car than the Nissan Altima.
Pricing: A used 2025 Mazda CX-5 ranges from $25,750 to $37,887 while a used 2025 Nissan Altima is priced between $20,696 to $31,498. For a new model, the Mazda CX-5's price is between $31,061 and $41,347, with the Nissan Altima priced between $25,808 and $35,879.
Resale/Retained Value: Looking at the 5-year depreciation rate for both models, the Mazda CX-5 loses 42.4 percent of its value and the Nissan Altima loses 47.8 percent of its value. This means the Mazda CX-5 retains 5.4 percentage points more of its value and has the advantage of higher resale value versus the Nissan Altima.
Quality Rating: The iSeeCars Overall Quality rating for the Mazda CX-5 is 8.5 out of 10 while the Nissan Altima's quality rating is 7.9 out of 10. This results in the Mazda CX-5 being ranked 6 out of 19 Best Small SUVs and the Nissan Altima being ranked 6 out of 11 Best Midsize Cars.
Reliability Rating: iSeeCars’ Reliability Rating for the Mazda CX-5 is 8.1 out of 10. For the Nissan Altima the reliability rating is 7.7 out of 10. This gives the Mazda CX-5 a slight advantage in reliability compared to the Nissan Altima.
Engine Power and Fuel Efficiency Comparison: For engine performance, the Mazda CX-5’s base engine makes 187 horsepower, and the Nissan Altima base engine makes 188 horsepower.
Passenger Space Comparison: The Mazda CX-5, a crossover/compact SUV, has the advantage of offering more interior volume, reflected in more front head room, rear head room, rear leg room, and cargo space. The Nissan Altima, a midsize car, has the advantage in the areas of front shoulder room, front leg room and rear shoulder room.
Safety Ratings: When comparing crash test ratings from NHTSA, both the Mazda CX-5 and the Nissan Altima have the same average safety rating of 5 out of 5 Stars.
New Car Pricing
Asking Price:
31061 - 41347
Starting MSRP:
29050
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Compact SUVs)
28836
Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Compact SUVs)
24135 - 30995
New Car Pricing
Asking Price:
25808 - 35879
Starting MSRP:
27000
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Midsize Cars)
26816
Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Midsize Cars)
24700 - 28295
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
30175
Price Range:
25750 - 37887
Category Avg Price:
(Compact SUVs)
32106
Category Avg Price Range:
(Compact SUVs)
28107 - 36583
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
# Good or Great Deals:
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
25110
Price Range:
20696 - 31498
Category Avg Price:
(Midsize Cars)
27493
Category Avg Price Range:
(Midsize Cars)
25110 - 29237
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
# Good or Great Deals:
5-year Depreciation
Depreciation $:
12425
Depreciation %:
0.42771385
Resale Value $:
16625
Residual Value %:
0.57228615
Typical Category Depreciation %:
(Compact SUVs)
0.43208374
Category Depreciation Range:
(Compact SUVs)
0.30791758 - 0.51647538
5-year Depreciation
Depreciation $:
13046
Depreciation %:
0.48316873
Resale Value $:
13954
Residual Value %:
0.51683127
Typical Category Depreciation %:
(Midsize Cars)
0.43738499
Category Depreciation Range:
(Midsize Cars)
0.35336067 - 0.49749174
Mazda CX-5 Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
8.5 / 10
Reliability:
8.1 / 10
Retained Value:
8.3 / 10
Safety:
9.0 / 10
Nissan Altima Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
7.9 / 10
Reliability:
7.7 / 10
Retained Value:
7.9 / 10
Safety:
8.0 / 10
iSeeCars Reliability Insights for Mazda CX-5
Avg Life Expectancy (years):
15.7
Typical Category Life Expectancy:
(Compact SUVs)
11.3
Category Life Expectancy Range:
(Compact SUVs)
9.6 - 15.7
Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:
0.263
iSeeCars Reliability Insights for Nissan Altima
Avg Life Expectancy (years):
10.9
Typical Category Life Expectancy:
(Midsize Cars)
10.9
Category Life Expectancy Range:
(Midsize Cars)
7.8 - 13.6
Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:
0.194
Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls
Expected Lifetime Recalls:
2.5563369845389827
Typical Category Recalls:
(Compact SUVs)
2.6
Category Range for Recalls:
(Compact SUVs)
1.6 - 16.1
Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls
Expected Lifetime Recalls:
1.6151994693340448
Typical Category Recalls:
(Midsize Cars)
3.5
Category Range for Recalls:
(Midsize Cars)
1.6 - 7.3
Mazda CX-5 Rankings
Ranking
1 out of / 18Ranking
1 out of / 12Ranking
2 out of / 54Ranking
2 out of / 20Ranking
2 out of / 19Ranking
4 out of / 66Ranking
4 out of / 12Ranking
5 out of / 19Ranking
6 out of / 20Ranking
6 out of / 19Ranking
6 out of / 19Ranking
7 out of / 19Ranking
9 out of / 19Ranking
10 out of / 19Ranking
10 out of / 18Ranking
11 out of / 19Ranking
12 out of / 19Ranking
12 out of / 19Ranking
13 out of / 19Ranking
15 out of / 66Ranking
15 out of / 66Ranking
15 out of / 66Ranking
16 out of / 19Ranking
17 out of / 66Ranking
21 out of / 54Ranking
27 out of / 66Ranking
32 out of / 66Ranking
33 out of / 66Ranking
38 out of / 66Ranking
38 out of / 66Ranking
40 out of / 66Ranking
44 out of / 66Ranking
46 out of / 66Nissan Altima Rankings
Ranking
3 out of / 11Ranking
4 out of / 11Ranking
4 out of / 7Ranking
4 out of / 6Ranking
4 out of / 6Ranking
5 out of / 11Ranking
5 out of / 11Ranking
5 out of / 11Ranking
5 out of / 7Ranking
6 out of / 11Ranking
6 out of / 11Ranking
8 out of / 11Ranking
8 out of / 11Ranking
9 out of / 11Available Body Styles
SUV
Available Body Styles
Sedan
Available Drivetrain Options
Gasoline
Available Drivetrain Options
Gasoline
Mazda CX-5 Trim Levels
2.5 Carbon Turbo, 2.5 S, 2.5 S Carbon Edition, 2.5 S Preferred, 2.5 S Premium Plus, 2.5 S Select, 2.5 Turbo Premium, 2.5 Turbo Signature
Nissan Altima Trim Levels
2.5 S, 2.5 SL, 2.5 SR, 2.5 SV
Warranty Information
Warranty, Bumper-to-Bumper:
3 years / 36000 miles
Warranty, Powertrain:
5 years / 60000 miles
Warranty, Roadside Assistance:
3 years / 36000 miles
Warranty Information
Warranty, Bumper-to-Bumper:
3 years / 36000 miles
Warranty, Powertrain:
5 years / 60000 miles
Warranty, Roadside Assistance:
3 years / 36000 miles
Safety Ratings
NHTSA Safety Rating (last 5 year average):
5 out of 5 Stars
2026 NHTSA Overall Rating:
4 out of 5 Stars
2026 NHTSA Front Crash Overall Rating:
5 out of 5 Stars
2026 NHTSA Side Crash Overall Rating:
5 out of 5 Stars
2026 NHTSA Rollover Rating:
4 out of 5 Stars
IIHS Safety Rating:
Not yet available
Safety Ratings
NHTSA Safety Rating (last 5 year average):
5 out of 5 Stars
2026 NHTSA Overall Rating:
5 out of 5 Stars
2026 NHTSA Front Crash Overall Rating:
4 out of 5 Stars
2026 NHTSA Side Crash Overall Rating:
5 out of 5 Stars
2026 NHTSA Rollover Rating:
5 out of 5 Stars
IIHS Safety Rating:
Not yet available
Base Drivetrain Specs
Horsepower:
187 hp @ 6000 rpm
Torque:
186 foot-lbs @ 4000 rpm
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.051 hp per pound
Towing capacity:
Not yet available
Base Drivetrain Specs
Horsepower:
188 hp @ 6000 rpm
Torque:
180 foot-lbs @ 3600 rpm
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.058 hp per pound
Towing capacity:
Not yet available
Engine Specifications
Engine Size:
2.5 liters
Engine Configuration:
Inline
Number of Cylinders:
4
Transmission:
Automatic
Standard/Optional Drivetrain Type:
AWD
EPA Fuel Economy
(City/Highway/Combined MPG):
Not yet available
Range (city/hwy):
Not yet available
Recommended Fuel Type:
Not yet available
Engine Specifications
Engine Size:
2.5 liters
Engine Configuration:
Inline
Number of Cylinders:
4
Transmission:
Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT Automatic)
Standard/Optional Drivetrain Type:
FWD / AWD
EPA Fuel Economy
(City/Highway/Combined MPG):
27 / 39 / 32
Range (city/hwy):
437 / 632 miles
Recommended Fuel Type:
Regular Unleaded
Standard/Optional Features
Adaptive Cruise Control:
Standard
Alloy wheels:
Standard
Android Auto:
Standard
Apple CarPlay:
Standard
Bench Seats:
Standard
Bluetooth:
Standard
Internet Radio:
Standard
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Keyless Ignition:
Standard
Power outlet:
Standard
Roadside assistance:
Standard
Voice Recognition:
Standard
Wifi:
Standard
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
Available
Heated Seats
Available
Heated Steering Wheel:
Available
Leather Upholstery:
Available
Navigation System:
Available
Paddle Shifters:
Available
Parking Sensors:
Available
Power Lift Gate:
Available
Roof Rack:
Available
Satellite radio:
Available
Sunroof/Moonroof:
Available
Trailer Hitch:
Available
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
Available
Air Suspension:
N/A
Automatic Parking:
N/A
Captain's seat:
N/A
Front Bench Seats:
N/A
Massage Seats:
N/A
Panoramic Sunroof/Moonroof
N/A
Quad Seats:
N/A
Standard/Optional Features
Adaptive Cruise Control:
Available
Alloy wheels:
Available
Android Auto:
Standard
Apple CarPlay:
Standard
Bench Seats:
Standard
Bluetooth:
Standard
Internet Radio:
N/A
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Keyless Ignition:
Standard
Power outlet:
Standard
Roadside assistance:
Available
Voice Recognition:
Standard
Wifi:
Available
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
N/A
Heated Seats
Available
Heated Steering Wheel:
Available
Leather Upholstery:
Available
Navigation System:
Available
Paddle Shifters:
Available
Parking Sensors:
Standard
Power Lift Gate:
N/A
Roof Rack:
N/A
Satellite radio:
Standard
Sunroof/Moonroof:
Available
Trailer Hitch:
N/A
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
Available
Air Suspension:
N/A
Automatic Parking:
N/A
Captain's seat:
N/A
Front Bench Seats:
N/A
Massage Seats:
N/A
Panoramic Sunroof/Moonroof
N/A
Quad Seats:
N/A
Safety Features
Backup camera:
Standard
Blind Spot Monitoring:
Standard
Forward Collision Warning:
Standard
Lane Departure Warning:
Standard
Lane Keeping Assist:
Standard
Pedestrian Detection:
Standard
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:
Standard
Rear Seat Reminder:
Standard
360-Degree Camera:
Available
Driver Attention Monitoring:
Available
Safety Features
Backup camera:
Standard
Blind Spot Monitoring:
Standard
Forward Collision Warning:
Standard
Lane Departure Warning:
Standard
Lane Keeping Assist:
Available
Pedestrian Detection:
Standard
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:
Standard
Rear Seat Reminder:
Standard
360-Degree Camera:
Available
Driver Attention Monitoring:
Standard
Interior Dimensions
Front Head Room:
39.7 inches
Front Leg Room:
41 inches
Front Shoulder Room:
57.1 inches
Rear Head Room:
39 inches
Rear Leg Room:
39.6 inches
Rear Shoulder Room:
54.8 inches
Cargo Space:
30.8 cubic feet
Cargo Space, 2nd-row seat folded down:
59.3 cubic feet
Overall Interior Volume:
134.4 cubic feet
Interior Dimensions
Front Head Room:
39.1 inches
Front Leg Room:
43.8 inches
Front Shoulder Room:
58.2 inches
Rear Head Room:
36.9 inches
Rear Leg Room:
35.2 inches
Rear Shoulder Room:
57.1 inches
Cargo Space:
15.4 cubic feet
Cargo Space, 2nd-row seat folded down:
Not yet available
Overall Interior Volume:
100.6 cubic feet
Exterior Dimensions
Curb Weight:
3679 lbs
Width:
83.3 inches
Height:
66.1 inches
Length:
180.1 inches
Wheelbase:
106.2 inches
Ground Clearance:
7.6 inches
Exterior Dimensions
Curb Weight:
3253 lbs
Width:
72.9 inches
Height:
56.7 inches
Length:
192.9 inches
Wheelbase:
111.2 inches
Ground Clearance:
Not yet available
Standard Wheel/Tire Information
Wheel Size:
17.0 x 7.0 inches
Wheel Type:
painted aluminum alloy
Tire Size:
P225/65R17
Standard Wheel/Tire Information
Wheel Size:
16.0 x 7.0 inches
Wheel Type:
steel
Tire Size:
P215/60R16
Exterior Colors
Black
Jet Black Mica
Blue
Deep Crystal Blue Mica
Gray
Platinum Quartz Metallic
White
Rhodium White Metallic
Silver
Not available
Exterior Colors
Black
Super Black
Blue
Not available
Gray
Gun Metallic
White
Glacier White
Silver
Brilliant Silver Metallic
Interior Colors
Black
Black
Interior Colors
Black
Charcoal
