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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  2001 Altima - 2001 Nissan Altima
  By woodrow ban - November 19 - 2:00 am

  A very reliable and competent car. Nothing about the car reaches out and grabs you. It just starts and runs every day. Handling comfortable, but not exciting. Acceleration more than adequate, but wont excite you. If you want comfortable, decently appointed, reliable transportation, this is it. Short legged/armed drivers will feel more at home than gangly drivers. Particularly, shorter women will like the cars seating. Opt for a sunroof. It makes the interior brighter, and makes the car seem more open and spacious.

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  Wheres the downside? - 2008 Nissan Altima
  By Mke - November 18 - 10:56 am

  I have had this Altima 2.5SL for a week. I love the car. Brand new it averages 29 mpg. It is reasonably luxurious, comfortable, quiet, and smooth. Im still waiting to find something I dont like. What an awesome car!

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  Altima - 2002 Nissan Altima
  By NissanAltima002 - November 17 - 10:00 am

  I was really looking for a car to haul a lot of stuff and I looked at the Altima and was compelled!!! The exterior is awesome thuoght the interior is very plasticy and cheap. IMO Nissan should redo the whole interior for all our sakes.

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  Upholstery - 2005 Nissan Altima
  By Susan M. - November 16 - 8:40 pm

  My husband has had 4 Nissan trucks in the past 25 years, two of them still going. This is my second Altima. I love the car except for the upholstery. Its been in 2 times for ripples and puckers in the drivers seat, problem with material. The passenger side is doing the same thing but the dealership wont replace it - says its not bad enough yet.

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  Thanks Dad - 1999 Nissan Altima
  By Lawdogg30 - November 14 - 10:00 am

  My father gave me his 1999 Nissan Altima GXE a few days ago. It has 57650 miles on it and he has not had one problem with it. My mother owned a 1998 and I drove that all the time and i loved it. This car runs and drive GREAT! The 4 cylinder motor feels like a V6 with awesome power when you need it. The gas mileage is super as well. Thanks Dad I know I will have this car another 150,000 miles. Thanks Nissan

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  great car - 2004 Nissan Altima
  By goose - November 14 - 10:00 am

  I have owned this car for 2 months and i love it. It handles like any high priced car and has amazing acceleration. for the price you cant buy a better car. It looks great too.

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  Nice car but engine problems - 2002 Nissan Altima
  By km - November 14 - 1:40 am

  Ive owned this car since 2002. Only owner and I took it back the dealership each time for a decent oil change service. For some reason unknown to us, our engine had to be replaced after about 50k miles. At first the dealership wanted to make us pay for it, but arguing with Corporate Nissan helped us get it for free (after warranty ran out.) Some other minor repairs but overall not a bad car except for the engine issue.

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  Altima GXE 01 - 2001 Nissan Altima
  By emg - November 13 - 2:00 am

  Decent car for under $20k, got the LTD edition. Lots of torque for this class, much better hanlding once you get rid of the stock tires. Steering is tighter than average (good thing), auto tranny shifts smoothly, though wish it was a 5-speed auto. The sound system is great - even at louder volumes the bass doesnt overpower the high tones. Only warranty issues: replaced rear stabilizer bar bushings and driver side power window motor. Still pretty happy and going strong at 55k miles!

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  Silver Bullet! - 2004 Nissan Altima
  By LiquidSilver - November 13 - 2:00 am

  I have had my eye on the Altima and took the opportunity to buy one of my own when my 99 Ford with less than 80K miles needed a new engine! I love this car, it is beautiful and fun to drive. Very smooth shifting and ride. Very low road noise. I wanted an 05 but got a much better interest rate on the 04, and I dont regret my decision. No more American junk for me!

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  Hard to beat for the money. - 2015 Nissan Altima
  By Albert - November 7 - 9:58 pm

  Its cheap, reliable, pretty good looking and has enough power for you to have fun with enough safety features to keep you alive. Turns at double the limit and snow driving are no problem for this machine. Smooth as silk in the triple digits. Only complaint is that the trunk is on hinges instead of struts and that changing bulbs is not something a novice can easily do. I would recommend putting a cold air intake on for the mpg increase and increase in engine noise to drown out the higher pitched CVT.