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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  Awesome !! - 2005 Nissan Altima
  By Franco - April 1 - 2:33 pm

  Its been a month and this car is awesome..Had a Galant before this..BORING, This car has it all..awesome sound system..great engine with great accelration..Display are nice and bright..seats are comfy..Everyone who has seen it or rode it love it. As with any car there is always room for improvement..would like to see auto locks, folding side mirrors and better rim selection

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  bad transmission & endless recalls - 2007 Nissan Altima
  By THEPILGRIMS - April 1 - 12:16 pm

  My car has less than 30000 miles and the transmission already has to be replaced. My rotors had to be turned already and dont get a remote starter to the tune of 549.00 for this really bad car. Im trading this thing in next week. Whats it gonna be like at 40000 miles?? If I get one more recall I will scream!!

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  Great Car - 2008 Nissan Altima
  By Lois Sutton - April 1 - 12:46 am

  I bought a Honda CRV in July 2007 and was very disappointed in the gas mileage (17 mpg). So in December 2007 I decided to try the Nissan Altima (2008). I was very surprised at the pickup that this car had for a 4 cyl. (the Honda had a 4 cyl. too but was not as peppy). So after spending a couple hours at the dealership working out the details, I drove out being the proud owner of a 2008 Nissan Altima 2.5 S. Right off the bat my mileage around town is 25 mpg. There arent any sedans in this class that really come close to 25 mpg. I really love this car. It handles like a dream and is very sporty. I had owned 3 Maximas before buying the Honda and from now on, Ill only buy a Nissan.

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  Horrible whining noise after 10,000 miles - 2015 Nissan Altima
  By Robert Grosberg - March 30 - 6:03 am

  About a year ago a very irritating whining noise in the car cabin was herd. Went to dealership and they said it was the power steering pump and it was "normal" I have owned the car 24 months and the first 12 months no noise existed. Another 12 months of driving and the whining appeared and is getting louder every day. This is not normal and makes my drive very unpleasant. I now hate my Altima and Nissan has had hundreds if not thousands of complaints about the power steering noise and refuses to do anything. I will never buy another Nissan.

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  This is the car - 2013 Nissan Altima
  By Cody heape - March 29 - 11:39 pm

  This is a very awesome car! The gas mileage is great. It only takes 30 to fill it up and last me about 2 weeks. On the highway it drive very smoothly and steering isnt to touchy. I even love the looks of the car! The interior is super nice and clean. Was kept up to date. Id give this all 5 stars but one tire was flat and has a slow leak

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  Would not reccomment another Nissan - 2002 Nissan Altima
  By Prof - March 29 - 12:16 pm

  I bought the Nissan altima 02 new and had planned o drive for at least 10 yrs. In the beginning it had recalls every other 3 mths. Every thing was ok since I made sure I took it in for every service the manufacturer recommended. This was until it go to 95,000 miles. It could not start in the mornings and the dealer said I had to replace the head gasket ($1500). This is after they replaced the body throttle 2 weeks before ($600). 3 mths later it just loses power while driving on the highway. I took it to the Nissan dealer 3 times ad they could not figure the problem out. I drove it to 3 mechanics who could not fix the problem. I had to buy another car. I do not recommend Nissan car to anyone. That engine?

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  Best Value for the Money - 2008 Nissan Altima
  By Mike C - March 28 - 4:23 am

  This isnt the most fun thing in the world to drive, but it has decent enough power and the front/rear stabilizer bars make it good for cornering except that the seat bolsters are too wide and dont offer much support. The creature comforts are great, the styling is classy, the interior is simple yet refined, and plenty of storage space.

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  Saved My Life - 1999 Nissan Altima
  By Marlene - March 28 - 2:33 am

  Ive owned this car since purchased and loved it. A few minor improvements to the model would have been nice but overall an excellent car. I rolled it down a hill last week and totalled it. I crawled out virtually unscathed. A few bruises but nothing major. The safety features in this car saved my life.

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  Nice car! - 2001 Nissan Altima
  By 2001 Altima SE - March 27 - 9:50 pm

  Strong engine. Transmission pretty smooth. Both exterior and interior size somewhat smaller than other midsize cars but bigger than compact size cars. Ride is comfortable but not luxury. I owned it since new had no problem so far-86K now. Mine is sportier version with spoiler, alloy wheels, sport suspension and etc. When it was new, better value than accord or camry I felt but resale value is poorer. No timbing belt in this car. It has chain which does not requre replacement at 60k. Overall, Nice car!

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  A Reliable Gem - 1996 Nissan Altima
  By Hot shot - March 27 - 10:00 am

  This is a great little car. Its fun to drive and highly reliable. The gas mileage isnt bad, either. I like it so much this is my second one; the first one was hit from both front and rear but the body integrity was such that all four doors opened and shut soundly after the car was totaled!