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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  Nissan Altima - 2004 Nissan Altima
  By EN - June 9 - 2:00 am

  Fun to drive. Everything is in the right place. Plenty of amenities on this model. Got the new color ( smoke ) and think it is sharp. Suspension, roominess, and engine are better than the comparables. This 4 door has my 3 sons thinking it is a sports car.

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  Terrible Experience - 2003 Nissan Altima
  By GregoryZ - June 9 - 2:00 am

  Just traded in my 03 Altima for 03 Accord. I owned 2.5S model and regret the day I bought it. Poor build quality, fuel economy is terrible (due to A/C always working - known issue in all Altimas.), reliability and resale value are low. I used to be a loyal Nissan owner, not any more...

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  OK Car - 2005 Nissan Altima
  By Anna - June 7 - 12:53 pm

  Car is a bit noisy. Fun car to drive on the highway, but in town visibility doesnt seem to be that great because the car sits so low. Interior parts are very cheaply made. Lots of back seat space & trunk space. Rattling noises in places cant be detected. Dashboard is sensitive to the sun and is actually deforming/melting up above the steering wheel. Always problems w/the door locks. Car likes to just lock by itself at times. Decent on gas. Front seats dont seem to be too comfortable on long rides. They sit too low as well. Tires seem to wear quickly and seems tire noise is loud no matter what. Biggest beef is the cheap interior parts.

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  Velvet Is In All Year! - 2002 Nissan Altima
  By Velvetisin - June 7 - 10:00 am

  I purchased my 2.5SL in October 01 (around the time it first came out). Took a test drive and was hooked. Its a beautiful car (Velvet Beige of course). Drives smoothly. Definitely an eyecatcher. Gets a lot of double takes. And the best part about it is -- I look good driving it!

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  The 3.5 SE Rocks baby! - 2002 Nissan Altima
  By Goz91 - June 7 - 10:00 am

  Hey, this car rocks man! I love it. I can blow by beamers in a blink of an eye. I have already pushed 120 in this baby! How about all yall? Just watch for the coppers drivin this baby! It is very fun and easy to drive, the handling, the performance, cant be beat for the price you pay for it. Its the best car that you can buy for under 30 grand man!

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  Good car, but too much cabin noise - 2003 Nissan Altima
  By Kim - June 5 - 8:56 pm

  I purchased my Nissan after having a lemon of a Chevy. I havent had any problems out of it. It has good kick for a 4 cylinder and Ive been happy with the gas mileage. I was upset to learn they made GPS available, the tires tend to sleep, but sure why with only 40K miles and the cabin noise is really bad. Overall a good car, very reliable.

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  Best in class, mu opinion - 2010 Nissan Altima
  By Stone - June 2 - 6:06 am

  Just got it. Wanted a decent looking sedan at a good price with great gas mileage. Im very happy so far. Gas mileage is 29.6 in all-around driving, mostly city. I pay attention to how I drive and it seems to help the mileage. Doesnt compare to the Audis Ive owned for years but it costs half as much, has a much better maintenance and reliability record and gets better gas mileage. Im retired now so I had to take a step down but Im very happy with the car. Looking forward to driving it a long time. controls are basic and simple. Easy to get to. Am very pleased with my purchase.

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  2015 Altima - 2015 Nissan Altima
  By laurie russell - June 2 - 2:44 am

  I traded in my 2015 toyota camry hybrid for the altima. The trunk and interior space is rommier. Controls are easier. Ease of getting in and out much better. And the mileage difference is minimal. The only thing better on the toyota was the warranty, but hopefully I wont need that.

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  the best ride in town - 2004 Nissan Altima
  By tonynavy - June 2 - 2:00 am

  This is the second Altima we ve owned, after an excellent performance by the 2002, that we had for about 2 years, we went browsing and alas, traded in the first (we recd about $11000 trade in value), and came home weith a new one. This is still the best weve had in the many cars (mostly new ones) weve had in our marriage (35years) In a term "The Greatest"

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  Super car! - 2004 Nissan Altima
  By silver-cinema - June 2 - 2:00 am

  Great car with a lot of guts! Beautifully designed interior and a very stylish exterior. I made the perfect choice!