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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  Its what I was hoping for - 2014 Nissan Altima
  By oesterlin - July 11 - 12:40 pm

  I had a problem. I have a commute of 25 miles each way, none of which is on superhighway. My car was getting old, and I needed to replace it. My biggest requirement is that since Im 68" I need to have a car with generous room for the driver. I went to the auto show, and most of the small cars were just too tight. Even in the mid-size class, only the Chevy Malibu, Ford Fusion, and Nissan Altima seemed to be roomy enough. After test drives, I settled on the Altima bcause it seemed most comfortable to me. Now, after having it for a few months, I have some overall good impressions regarding what I had heard about the car.

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  2006 Altima Special Edition - 2006 Nissan Altima
  By chuck - July 10 - 5:50 am

  I was surprised with how well this car rides and the power a 2.5 L has. The options available were a good value. I would like to see ABS made standard, but this car is worth the money.

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  This is a great car! - 1999 Nissan Altima
  By yayaltima - July 9 - 9:23 am

  I bought this car 8 years ago, used with about 50,000 miles on it. It is now at 168,000 miles and I would drive it across the U.S. tomorrow! To be honest, I have driven the heck out of it. It cranks right up everyday except one time when the battery was dead. I have had to replace the CV joints and the drivers side tie rod. The only regular maintenance I have done on it is oil changes, air filters, fuel filter, and breaks. I love this car and would but another one in a heartbeat!

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  Great car! - 2006 Nissan Altima
  By Ryan - July 7 - 4:16 am

  This has been one of my favorite cars I have owned so far. The V6 is very powerful, and gets great fuel economy with the 5-speed. If I baby the car I can get 27 mpg average every time. Plenty of room, front and back. Huge trunk as well. Overall great car!

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  Excellent Car - 2005 Nissan Altima
  By Monir - July 5 - 12:23 pm

  I was deciding between and Acura and the Altima, for the price, this Altima has the power I look for. Even though the interior doesnt have much, it can always be modified to be luxury. Handling is good, the looks beats the Acura anytime. I decided on the Altima for the pricing, power, gas mileage and looks.

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  Very Nice Car - 2003 Nissan Altima
  By jmil1 - July 3 - 10:00 am

  I was very superised after I purchased this vehicle.I knew I like the Outside of the car, but the inside is extremely nice. They did a really nice job with this automobile.

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  Still really like it! - 2014 Nissan Altima
  By greatcarz - July 2 - 12:47 pm

  I took delivery of my new 2014 Nissan Altima SV back in November of 2013, so Ive now had it for a little over a year. After 17,000 miles of highway and city driving I can still recommend it as one of the nicest and best looking cars on the road, especially for the money. From the factory remote start, which I originally thought I wouldnt use very much to the great display in the dash, Nissan incorporated a lot of very usable technology in this 4-door mid-size sedan. The CVT transmission is very smooth and the sport mode is fun when you feel like merging onto the highway with a bit more performance. My fuel mileage has been fantastic, getting the highway rating of 38 mpg.

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  Steerings tough - 2013 Nissan Altima
  By my3cents - July 2 - 12:42 pm

  If youre prone to carpel tunnel or if you have any arthritis in your hands, youll probably want to find a different car. I didnt know I was in either of these categories, but Im finding that driving this car can be real work.

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  Transmissions are the downfall - 2007 Nissan Altima
  By Charles Abourezk - June 30 - 10:33 am

  A great car other than the transmissions. I have had to have the transmission replaced twice while under warranty and now Nissan has extended the warranty on the transmission in recognition of this. Nissan of North Americas customer service is terrible. The second time it went out it cost me about $1900 out of pocket as I was on vacation at the time and had to leave it in another state for over one month. They refused to pay anything for this and I was on my own. Advise against buying this otherwise sweet car because of that experience. I would have been a loyal Nissan person forever if not for this experience.

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  Best Car I Ever HAd - 2008 Nissan Altima
  By Bam Bam - June 30 - 8:33 am

  I bought this car about two years ago and it is still fun to drive. The suspension is sporty and it really shocks people at the "get up and go" it has. I put on an nismo exhaust and cold air intake and it sounds aggressive and just down right mean. Plus it really helps with the mpg, i love the keyless entry and the push button start. I would 100% advice people to look in to this car. I looked at the camry and accord i just didnt feel the same amount of excitement i do from my altima. All around great car