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:

• 

  Just love it - 2004 Nissan Altima
  By zoom_zoom - February 18 - 2:00 am

  Own in for about 3 weeks now. Just love it. Fun to drive, very roomy, very good milage(30-33 on highway, 23+ in city), leather is good, Bose audio is awesome. No need to say its sexiest looking car in that price-range.

• 

  Solid, reliable car - 2001 Nissan Altima
  By natenoyd - February 15 - 2:00 am

  Very well built, reliable car. Havent had one problem in 6 months of ownership. I dont expect any either. A great bargain when compared to similarly priced competitors.

• 

  IN THE MARKET TO BUY - 2002 Nissan Altima
  By ELMOBLATCH - February 15 - 2:00 am

  I love the looks of the car...only 2 faults that I see are the cheap plastic interior parts & the goose neck arms on the trunk. Would like to see the price of anti-lock brakes reduced...Honda & Toyota charge half as much for this feature. ABS should be standard on a 20k car.

• 

  goodlooking -bad driving - 2009 Nissan Altima
  By santo - February 14 - 1:00 am

  I bought this car because of its looks. But was disappointed by the performance. The brakes are super sensitive and it jerks when braking and my back hurts every time. Poor visibility for a short person. Very bad on ice and slick roads. In real life look can be deceiving.

• 

  Geat car - 2002 Nissan Altima
  By DavidAAA - February 13 - 12:50 pm

  If you want afast sedan!

• 

  see you later - 2005 Nissan Altima
  By jerry singh - February 12 - 7:16 pm

  i had a lot of compliment on this vehicle. fun to drive but too much interior noise and poor stability. nissan need to improve in these 2 areas. running a 250h.p. vehicle need some stability on the road. this is my 3rd new nissan i am very pleased with them.

• 

  Unsafe at speeds above 60 - 2015 Nissan Altima
  By Ingrid Smith - February 12 - 5:20 am

  I purchased a 2015 Altima S from the dealer. Initially upon taking it home we heard a knocking in the engine. Five weeks after we had it, we took a road trip. It was one of the most horrifying experiences of my life. The car wandered and shifted from left to right at higher speeds. Keeping it on the road was a major ordeal and very exhausting. We were happy to make it to our destination and back. Once we got home the car was taken to the deal where it was purchased. The service manager explained that the new electronic steering in the new models was set that way and I would just have to "learn to deal with it." They checked out the car and claimed that nothing was wrong. At this point I would not drive the card off of the lot as I know it is unsafe and very dangerous. I was forced to buy a Rogue and loose thousands of dollars on the deal after owning the car for only 5 weeks and driving it for less than 1,000 miles. My attempts to explain the situation to Nissan Consumer Affairs were useless. Buyer beware!

• 

  Life Saver - 1997 Nissan Altima
  By ReporterOKC - February 12 - 2:00 am

  After having relatively good luck with my Nissan, a 17 year old in a Saturn put a hault to its life. She pulled directly into my path and I broadsided her going 40mph...her Saturn was obliterated but my Altima held up quite well. The airbag deployed, and there was a signifigant amount of damage, but nothing that injured me...I truely believe that this car saved my life.

• 

  MANY DEFECTS, RECALLS!! - 2013 Nissan Altima
  By Heidi Hatfield - February 9 - 12:57 am

  Had to have new brakes and rotors before 35,000, driver window fixed came off track, new grill and rims replaced due to peeling, 2 new hood latches, new strut (popping in front), alternator replaced, passenger airbag replaced, heated steering wheel recall and replaced,recently quit while driving and left me STRANDED and has been missing. Gas mileage sucks, average 24-25 highway and city. Shifter is worn, driver seat worn after 25,000 miles. Seat belt light stays on even when buckled up. Heated seat button in BAD LOCATION, always turning on when you sit something down on console. Fob multiple batteries..(Total of 5 recalls, working on the 6th possibly since broke down this week) I work home health and have for 10 year, and have never been so DISAPPOINTED in a car and so DISGUSTED. I have wasted so much of my time taking it to the garage, and then having to take it back because they cant figure out whats wrong with it. Kinda sad you pay for a nice car and get a LEMON. Please do not buy and waist your money and or time!

• 

  Go ahead and buy it,its worth it. - 2003 Nissan Altima
  By Paul Bittner - February 8 - 10:00 am

  I have to say so far no problems and japanese quality still #1.I would be happy for little bit more power but than I have to realize it is 4cil. Perfect handling on the road, really excellent.Definetly keeper.