The 2012 Hyundai Sonata and 2012 Nissan Altima are both attractive, affordable midsize cars that come with over 30-mpg highway ratings, all of the optional features you could want, and the ability to seat five comfortably.

The 2012 Hyundai Sonata

The 2012 Hyundai Sonata is relatively newer than the Altima, being redesigned for the 2011 model year. The Altima was last redone in 2007. The Sonata’s more recent redesign pays dividends for the Korean car in the form of more advanced engine choices – carmakers are gearing up to meet future fuel economy mandates and are introducing much more advanced engines than were available just a few years ago. Case in point: the Sonata’s turbocharged four-cylinder makes more power and gets considerably better fuel economy than the Altima’s V6.

The 2012 Nissan Altima

Speaking of engines: the Hyundai Sonata is available with a 2.4-liter four-cylinder or a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder. The naturally aspirated four makes 198-hp and gets 24-mpg city and 35-mpg highway. The turbocharged Sonata makes 274-hp and is rated at 22-mpg city and 34-mpg highway. The base engine is available with either a 6-speed manual or an automatic transmission, while the more powerful engine is automatic only. The 2012 Nissan Altima is available with a 2.5-liter four-cylinder with 175-hp, 23-mpg city and 32-mpg highway or a 3.5-liter V6 engine with 270-hp, 20-mpg highway and 27-mpg highway. The Altima is only available with a CVT automatic transmission.
Automatic air conditioning, Bluetooth, heated seats, keyless ignition, navigation and a sunroof are all available on both the 2012 Hyundai Sonata and the 2012 Nissan Altima. The Sonata has a much better warranty than the Nissan, with a five year, 60,000 mile bumper to bumper warranty and a 10 year, 100,000 mile powertrain warranty. The Altima has a three year, 36,000 mile bumper to bumper warranty and a five year 60,000 mile powertrain warranty.
Inside, the 2012 Hyundai Sonata and 2012 Nissan Altima are very closely matched, with 40 inches of front head room and 45.5 inches of front leg room in the Sonata and 40.6 inches of head room and 44.1 inches of leg room in the Altima.