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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  The real truth about it...... - 2003 Nissan Altima
  By Batesville CSC 8078 - November 19 - 10:00 am

  Beautiful vehicle. I purchased the Sheer Silver with every option except for the wood grain. The only things that I have added is a color keyed grill & had the original rims chromed. In doing so, that made the vehicle for me! It rides semi smooth for the most part but when the road gets bumpy, youll know it. Fantastic handling & mileage! Interior quality is maybe just avergae. An annoying thump in the right front shock has been a problem though. Everything else has been great! Really will surprise you on how quick it is. Older MUSTANG 5.0S BEWARE!

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  good bang for the buck - 2012 Nissan Altima
  By dmihailescu - November 17 - 9:35 pm

  responsive and fun to drive. The interior looks a little outdated nowadays. Easy to use controls. Good deal if you get the end of year rebates.

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  Excellent car - even at 11 years old! - 1999 Nissan Altima
  By McCallister - November 17 - 12:10 pm

  I have a 1999 GXE 5 speed manual. Its currently at 97,500 miles. Its been extremely reliable. Im meticulous about maintenance and appearance. Outside of one CV joint and speakers, no other repairs. Just regular maintenance expenses like oil/ manual tranny fluid/coolant/brake pad changes, etc. I replaced the struts and springs at 92,000 which helped to restore the cars ride quality to "like new". Fuel economy is 23 mpg around town and 28 mpg highway with a/c on. With cruise control at 60-65 mph on long highway trips without A/C Ive gotten as high as 32-33 mpg. I can put at least another 100K miles on this car and plan on giving it to my son in 2 years. Great car!

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  Not so bad but can ask for more - 2001 Nissan Altima
  By Thomas - November 14 - 7:16 am

  Ive had my Altima for a little over a year now and its been fairly reliable, no major concerns so far. About the rattling hub caps, I bought a set of aftermarker hub caps and they make funny noises as well! Turning radius is horrible. You cant make a tight U-turn to save your life. Gas mileage is okay, all interior features are easy to read and use and the car rides smoothly. The stereo system is good too. Its a good value for the money.

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  Hmm - 2008 Nissan Altima
  By snowfish - November 12 - 10:56 am

  Well I have had the car for about 2 months now. There are a lot of things I like and some I dont. I traded in a fullsize truck for this car, so getting used to the smallness off the interior, and the low ground clearance has been tough. Also the lack of comfort and the road noise. I live in Alaska so some of the roads arent smooth. I do however like the gas mileage. I am getting a little more than 550 mi. On a tank. Thats mixed. The interior fabric is cheap ultra suede. Cannot be cleaned! I dont like the cheap plastic interior. For the price it should be much nicer. Am not totally happy with the car and find myself wishing for something else.

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  fair - 2009 Nissan Altima
  By Bob Turner - November 11 - 1:17 pm

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  Awesome - 2008 Nissan Altima
  By Andy in Indy - November 10 - 7:20 pm

  I didnt get a chance to test-drive the 3.5 until I picked it up and wow can you tell the difference. So quick and very smooth acceleration. Really love the car and cant beat it for the price. Everyone whos seen it comments on how great it looks.

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  Disappointing Fuel Mileage - 2007 Nissan Altima
  By jimbo - November 10 - 7:10 am

  Most of my driving is around town. The fuel mileage I am getting is very disappointing. On average I drive 270 miles on 17 gallons of gas. The equates to 15/16 miles to the gallon. Whether I drive the car manual or automatic I get the same results. The manufacture states 23 miles around town. Highway I am not sure of. I bought the car thinking the milage around would be good. Disappointed.

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  Dont judge a book by its cover. - 2008 Nissan Altima
  By nwryuber - November 10 - 6:46 am

  Ive got to say that this is an absolutely incredible car and I would definitely say it is the best in its class. I looked at all of the coupes at this price point including Tiburon, Eclipse, Solara, etc., and this by far is the nicest. The only thing that would be nice, would be a nicer interior. The interior isnt that bad as compared to the sedan in my opinion, but could definitely use work. But other than that, Ive had no problems and absolutely love this car!

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  Great little car. - 2008 Nissan Altima
  By jim - November 10 - 4:50 am

  Recently bought the car for my wife. Have taken it on a few short road trips. Car is fun to drive, fuel economy was out of this world, powerful beyond belief.