Overview & Reviews

The Nissan Altima has been sold for nearly two decades, starting out as a smallish midsize sedan and maturing into the full-fledged family sedan it is today. There have been five Altima generations thus far, with the third generation marking the key shift to mainstream dimensions and specifications. Nissan likes to emphasize the Altima's fun-to-drive character, a trait we've come to appreciate in road tests over the years. Significant evolutions in features, finesse and frugality have made the Altima a perennial top pick in this popular segment.

Current Nissan Altima
The Altima is available with one of two engines. The standard 2.5-liter, 182-horsepower four-cylinder returns an impressive 31 mpg combined, while the 3.5-liter, 270-hp V6 achieves a respectable 25 mpg combined. Both are equipped with a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT).

There are seven trim levels to choose from, designated as either 2.5 or 3.5 depending on which engine's under the hood. The base 2.5 model gets you steel wheels along with nice perks like keyless ignition/entry and Bluetooth streaming audio, while the 2.5 S adds a power driver seat and an upgraded stereo. The 2.5 SV includes alloy wheels, dual-zone automatic climate control and a touchscreen interface. The fancy 2.5 SL boasts leather upholstery and Bose audio.

Note that the 3.5 S gets many of the 2.5 SV's features plus larger alloy wheels, and the 3.5 SL tacks on xenon headlights. All SV and SL models are eligible for a Technology package that includes a bigger touchscreen, a navigation system, voice controls and a collection of electronic safety features like blind-spot monitoring.

In reviews, we've been very impressed with the Nissan Altima. Most of its competitors are certainly worth a look, but this Nissan has all the makings of a benchmark. It does all the little things right, and goes the extra mile with its rewarding driving dynamics and high-end cabin. Passenger space is also quite good, though some may find backseat headroom a bit lacking.

If you're having a hard time choosing between the four-cylinder and the V6, consider that the four offers a rare combination of excellent fuel economy and relatively swift acceleration. In Edmunds testing, a four-cylinder Altima accelerated to 60 mph in 7.8 seconds, which is pretty impressive given its high fuel economy. Of course, we clocked the burly V6 at just 6.2 seconds, so if power's a priority, the 3.5 model range is a nice option to have.

Used Nissan Altima Models
The current, fifth-generation Nissan Altima debuted for the 2013 model year. The latest Altima benefits from overhauled styling inside and out, with a focus on a more upscale look and feel. Fuel economy is markedly better for both four-cylinder and V6 models, while updated suspension and steering systems maintain the Altima's reputation as one of the market's best-handling family sedans. For that debut year only, the previous-generation Altima coupe continued to be sold alongside the redesigned sedan. The coupe was subsequently discontinued.

The previous, fourth-generation Nissan Altima sedan was produced from 2007 through 2012 and marked the arrival of the now-ubiquitous CVT. It is in many ways similar to its successor, so a used one could be a good budget-friendly alternative. A coupe version debuted in 2008 and was produced in modest numbers through 2013. A limited-production Altima Hybrid was also available in some states from 2007 through 2011.

The fourth-generation Altima went without major changes for most of its run, though used car shoppers should note that there were some styling tweaks for 2010, along with the addition of an iPod interface and enhanced audio and navigation systems. Both the sedan and coupe were broken into 2.5 and 3.5 model ranges. The 2.5 models had a 2.5-liter four-cylinder that produced 175 hp. The 3.5 SR (originally called SE) models had a 3.5-liter V6 that produced 270 hp. Though these powertrains are similar to those of the fifth-generation Altima, they were considerably less fuel-efficient. A CVT was mandatory on the sedan, while the coupe got a standard six-speed manual transmission with the CVT as an option.

We mostly praised the power and handling of both the four-cylinder and V6 Altima models in our reviews. The 3.5 models were more sporting, of course, thanks to their effortless acceleration and sport-tuned suspensions. But even the most basic 2.5-liter four-cylinder was one of the more rewarding family sedans to drive, while still providing a comfortable ride. The CVT was one of the best examples of its breed, and we would choose it over the coupe's six-speed manual, which was unrefined and difficult to use.

The third-generation Nissan Altima, produced from 2002-'06, set the stage for the Altima we know today. Radically different from the previous car, this enlarged model put Nissan smack dab in the middle of the family-sedan wars. It was about 6 inches longer than the previous generation, and its new suspension design and stronger body made it both better to drive and more useful for families. At the time, it was one of the most powerful family sedans available, offering either a 175-hp 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine or a 240-hp 3.5-liter V6, the latter a shot over the bows of the weaker Camry and Accord V6 models. Both engines offered a choice of manual or automatic transmissions, with four-cylinder Altimas limited to a four-speed automatic versus the V6's available five-speed auto.

The third-generation interior was widely criticized for looking and feeling cheap, but the Altima had a particularly lively feel for a front-wheel-drive family sedan. Our editors concluded that the Altima had gone from wallflower to genuinely desirable sedan overnight. For driving enthusiasts, the 2005-'06 Altima SE-R was the way to go. This specialized model came with a firmer suspension, a bit more power and an exclusive six-speed manual transmission whose slick operation was a cut above Nissan's unimpressive norm.

The first and second generations saw the Altima trying to find its groove. All models of this vintage were powered by a reasonably peppy 150-hp 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine. Introduced in 1993, the original Altima fell somewhere in between the compact and midsize categories, and American car shoppers weren't overly impressed. We found the second-generation Altima, sold for the 1998-2001 model years, to be a decent handler, but its overall design was simply too bland, and its odd size remained an issue. Mainstream success would have to wait for the blockbuster third-generation model.

User Reviews:

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  Great Car to Have - 2003 Nissan Altima
  By KarlaSellsRealEstate - October 16 - 10:00 am

  Love the design of the car both inside and out. Wanted something alittle sporty yet able to accommidate a family of 4 on trips comfortably. It handles well, however, having gone from an SUV to a car I can feel the highway alittle more than I did before....bumps, dips, etc. Overall, I am completly satisfied with my purchase!!!

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  I love my Nissan! - 2003 Nissan Altima
  By Sonia Price - October 16 - 10:00 am

  Although I havent owned "my" own personal Nissan Altima very long (just over a month), my in-laws have owned two which Ive driven frequently and my late husband worked at a local Nissan dealership, so Ive been exposed to them over a matter of years, and driven them a lot. Im encouraged to see that they are finally commanding respect and recognition in the consumer marketplace. They are great!

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  Great Style,Sound,Mileage !! - 2003 Nissan Altima
  By ToyotaTraitor - October 16 - 10:00 am

  Have had car a month,but drove a lot as we took it on long vacation. Rides great,handles tight. Love it in big city traffic or winding road trips.First trip got 33 mpg hiway,fully loaded trunk.---Sound system is fantastic !! Only drawback is OEM Tire selection all season radial Continentals. I will quiet this car with better tires. Current tires too noisy at high speed. Nissan should have gone with Dunlop or Michelin. I will.

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  Altima! - 2003 Nissan Altima
  By Jedidiah - October 16 - 10:00 am

  This car is very fun to drive and the interior is great. Test drove Camry, Passat, Lexus, and Jetta and the Altima Out did them all.

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  I am in love with my car!! - 2003 Nissan Altima
  By Stoober - October 16 - 10:00 am

  We are big Nisson fans here at my home. This is my second Altima. My first was a 1997. The Altima today is a class act. I have the 3.5 in pearl. It is very sporty and fun to drive. Now I just need to keep my boys out of it!!

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  wow - 2002 Nissan Altima
  By joebobster - October 15 - 5:50 pm

  I have done alot of research, and this car is something else...finally purchased it and the stick is very smooth, the ride is excellent...and aweseome acceleration...i got it with the wood trim and emerald green...absoluletly beautiful car...

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  Not Pleased - 2007 Nissan Altima
  By br - October 14 - 11:20 am

  I bought this car brand new at the beginning of 2008 however, I purchased the 2007 model. I have 29,000 miles on the vehicle and Nissan has had three recalls on the vehicle. This is important depending on where you live. I could not renew the cars registration until one of the recall issues had been taken care of in my state. I have had my brake calipers replaced already as well. This is my first foreign car, and I am not pleased.

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  Hard Vibrating ride - 2008 Nissan Altima
  By J. R. - October 14 - 6:40 am

  I purchased the 2.5SL Altima for three main reasons. Fuel economy, style and price. Those are the good things. I noticed a vibration in the front end, on the drive home, between 63 and 70 mph (approx 20 miles). Took it to a tire shop to check the balancing, that helped, but didnt solve it. Im on my third trip to the Nissan shop. If this doesnt fix the problem, I will have to consider another vehicle. The vibration and what I would consider a hard ride, has soured me. I still like the style and fuel economy and would love to have the vibration issue fixed. I will check the tires for overinflation from the factory. That may improve the hard ride.

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  Pretty sporty car for an old man - 2008 Nissan Altima
  By bob holley - October 14 - 1:58 am

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  best car ever - 2006 Nissan Altima
  By claudia - October 12 - 12:13 am

  I love this car ,its roomy thats one of the things i love about it plenty of space the interior looks realy nice and because its the spcial editionit has crome and ctrls on the steering wheel, elegant look (mine is black with tinted windows)and sporty in the same time,fuel eficient 27.2 in the city wich is good for a sedan at this size and that offers such a comfort,the engine and brakes respond very good i just love it what can i say and i dont have any problems whatsoever, I enjoy driving this car