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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  Ive owned it for only 3 months - 2003 Nissan Altima
  By Robert D. Hardison - January 6 - 2:00 am

  After only 3 months of owning and almost 9000 miles all I can rate is the highest number. I average 22mpg city and 26-28 on long trips/air conditioning. Everything on it is as perfect as can be and I could never improve on anything. Road noise is very quiet also.

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  Awesome engine, awesome sound system! - 2005 Nissan Altima
  By LAlayla - January 6 - 1:56 am

  Incredible engine, awesome sound system, totally hot! I love my Altima! I bought it with just about every option available. It is by far the coolest car EVER MADE!

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  Dissappointing. I Must have had a lemon! - 2008 Nissan Altima
  By Dissappointed - January 6 - 1:46 am

  I purchased the 2.5SL Sedan and was so excited. I previously owned a 1996 Maxima and loved it. The Altima had too many problems to list. The main issues were the CVT transmission, ride stability and the drivers seat. I had to practically floor the car to get it going from a stop or slow speed. I really thought there was something wrong with the CVT, but the dealership told me it was fine 3 times. The drivers seat shifted around when turning (very annoying) and the dealer said there was nothing wrong. On the highway, if there was a slight breeze, the car was dangerously all over the road, again...the dealer said there was nothing wrong. I traded it in on an Acura and I am very happy.

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  2009 Altima Hybrid--disappointed - 2009 Nissan Altima
  By msginny - January 3 - 8:36 pm

  I really wanted to like this car. Even though it wasnt originally sold in the Midwest where I live, I had a dealer get one for me back in 2010. Over the weekend, my car stranded me with the infamous steering column issue. I couldnt get it started in the Mall parking lot...no prior warning lights, etc. Upon trying to start it, the red "key" light came on. Today they fixed it under the "extended warranty" which shouldve been a recall. The dealer did tell me the parts arent always in stock, and some customers had to wait a month for a part and repair. Bad job, Nissan. The romance is over, and Im kicking you to the curb.

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  2006 2.5L Altima Alert - 2006 Nissan Altima
  By Chang - January 2 - 3:20 pm

  Purchased vehicle in April 06 and found out about oil problem June 06. Vehicles are still being sold although Nissan has requested otherwise. Wrote letter to Nissan and receive prompt response...."They plan to do nothing." Bought for interior space. Engine too noisy, interior too bland, cd skips on the slightest bump. Hope the engine does not catch fire!!!

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  Fantastic vehicle!! - 2007 Nissan Altima
  By deanh2nd - January 1 - 11:23 pm

  So this is probably one of the best cars on the market right now, no joke. Ive had it for about 4 months and the car only gets better each day. The fuel economy has become better than the EPA estmates. Maybe its my driving or perhaps its the area, but the car is great on fuel. The CVT is a dream and so is the handling. If there is anything it could use is a little more engine refinement and a bit less grey inside, but otherwise it is almost the perfect car.

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  Stalling issues - 2005 Nissan Altima
  By JT - December 31 - 8:56 pm

  The car looks great and is usually fun to drive. The 2.5 engine is really loud at high speeds. When driving on the freeway for an hour or more at a time, the transmission gets stuck and will try to idle in 3rd gear when it comes to a stop, causing the car to stall. The Nissan dealer could not find any problems and they didnt know what to do about it. The problem has gotten worse on each trip that Ive taken.

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  Road Noise????? - 2005 Nissan Altima
  By DinDenver - December 31 - 7:06 pm

  I would have to say that I love everything about this car expect for the road noise. I feel like my undercarriage is going to fall off every time I go over a bump, and there is a lot of shaking going on under there as well. Other than that the car is great, the redesigned interior for 2005 looks so much better than the preceding years.

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  Great car - 2008 Nissan Altima
  By Gus - December 27 - 11:46 am

  Great build quality and fun to drive. the V6 flies so be careful of speeding tickets!

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  disappointment - 2003 Nissan Altima
  By esky71 - December 26 - 10:00 am

  I promised myself I would never spend my hard-earned money on a sleepy Japanese automobile. When it came time, it seemed like my only option so, I avoided Honda Accord and Toyota Camry because they are REALLY boring. And I chose Nissan Altima hoping it would be less boring - its not. Despite the extra horsepower, the ride is just as mundane as Camry- actually just as mundane as Oldsmobile Eighty Eight. Not only that, my service was a disgrace and the car rattles in a new place every time I sneeze. I can not wait until it is time to trade it in and Ill be on my way to a Pre-Owned BMW or Mercedes dealer. European cars are the only option from this car forward!