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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  I love my Altima! - 2002 Nissan Altima
  By a. padilla - February 24 - 10:00 am

  I really love my Nissan Altima, it is very comfortable and has a lot of nice features and looks great and sporty. I also love the rear lights they really make the vehicle look euro.

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  great! - 2002 Nissan Altima
  By suzy lombadi - February 24 - 10:00 am

  I was in a car reck.I was hit from the side(driver side) and I hade nothin wrong whit me but my car was gone so I will be on the market for a new Altima for sure.I`m a mother of to kids and I`m home whit them after one day of my car exident, so thak you a lot form me and my kids.

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  Great Car - 2003 Nissan Altima
  By Andrew M - February 24 - 10:00 am

  I picked up on black on black Altima in the end of July 2003. So far I am extremely satisfied with the car. It turns heads and gets instant respect. The front seats are extremely comfortable and the leather finish is well made. The back seat and trunk are huge. There is a second dc adapter under the armrest which allows you to charge your cell phone without annoying cables exposed (even the shelf on the upper edge of the armrest has a punch out for the cell charger cable). This shows some real thought in the engineering of this car.

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  I love my nissan! - 2005 Nissan Altima
  By navypolice - February 22 - 10:00 am

  I love my Nissan. Ill just get that one out of the way. For a 2.5/175 hp its got some giddy up and go. It handles pretty well. I wish it didnt have as much roll when Im taking tight turns. I wish it had more hp. And I wish it had a nice system, but I installed that. But Im used to BMW and Mercedes-Benz.

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  Great comfortable car - 2010 Nissan Altima
  By tom - February 22 - 10:00 am

  I have always owned GM in the past but decided to give Nissan a try. So far I like the car. Its really great on gas even in the city. Car is very roomy on the inside. Everything is in easy reach. Seems very solidly built. My only complaint is that the wind pushes the car all over the highway. Granted it was 30 mph winds but they really pushed it around. Other than that it has been a great riding vehicle and i would recommend to anyone

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  This car simply rocks! - 2010 Nissan Altima
  By scandalous - February 22 - 10:00 am

  I purchased my altima on 8.20.2010 and am very pleased with my purchase. It has 640 miles on it now and I am getting 27 miles to the gallon which is just as good as my last car. This is my third new car-I traded in a 2010 versa for my altima. I am a 21 y/o college student and it fits my needs. Also looked at the accord/camry/fusion but ultimately i knew i would get the altima. I Really wanted a 2010 maxima however it is almost the same car except the maxima costs more being that it is faster and has more features. I would recommend this car in a heartbeat to anyone looking for a sexy, safe, affordable, sporty midsize sedan. Will write another review later.

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  So Far So Good - 2010 Nissan Altima
  By Nadeem - February 22 - 10:00 am

  It has been three months now with my ALtima SL. So far I am very much pleased with its performance. Fuel economy is outstanding and ride is quite comfy. Dash layout is the simplest you can think off. All necessary buttons are well laid out. The only thing which gives little bit inconvenient feel for me is that when you press the throttle for a rapid acceleration the engine roars quite a bit and gets silent when it reaches to a certain ratio of CVT gear. Other then that overall satisfied with this purchase

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  My New 2007 Nissan Altima - 2007 Nissan Altima
  By Dottie - February 20 - 4:00 pm

  Have only had this car for 2 weeks and have decided it is the best car I have ever owned. Handles great, smooth ride, unbeatable shifting, more power than any other vehicle before. Classic beautiful color, interior. Bose radio & Satellite unbeatable. Heated automatic leather seats pure pleasure. Hands free phone is great. Love it.

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  Nissan service - 2012 Nissan Altima
  By Paul Jackson - February 20 - 4:26 am

  If you find a problem with a certified car that the dealer refuses to correct, Nissan will not assist the customer to resolve the matter.

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  massive excellence - 2004 Nissan Altima
  By lauraboop - February 18 - 2:00 am

  The power under the hood tranfers to you as the driver and gives you this over whelming sense of one. This car is a car made for the "Gods" and Nissan definately made a car worth reproduction year after year. Very smooth ride with tons of style to spare its passengers.