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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  great car - 2000 Nissan Altima
  By EWilliams - August 26 - 2:00 am

  Bought my GXE new in 2000. The engine is a torquey 4 cylinder that has plenty of power and gets 25mpg. Mine also has 55 series 16" wheels, which offer very good handling. The ride is a bit jiggly, but not too bad. Original tires were awful in the rain and not too good on dry pavement. Once I replaced the tires with Firestone SS- 20s (discontinued now!) it was like night and day. The car has been 100% reliable. Nothing has broken, just regular oil changes and dealer maintenance every 15K. Great reliable car and fun to drive. too bad its ugly! :-)

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  Great car for the price - 2008 Nissan Altima
  By MW - August 25 - 3:26 pm

  Bought the 2.5S after driving the new Accord and Camry. I have had the car for about 2 months and 2000 miles now and can say I have no regrets. Gas mileage is pretty solid, with 30-32 mpg highway and ~25 in city driving. CVT takes some getting used to, but it delivers the right gear and gets the most out of that engine.

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  Suspension - 2004 Nissan Altima
  By phixsius - August 19 - 2:00 am

  This is a great car, run fast and have a great interior space.

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  One of the best - 2005 Nissan Altima
  By james brown - August 19 - 2:00 am

  I think the new changes that Nissan has made to the 2005 Altima are fantastic, I love the new interior and the smoked out front lites are a treat. To see, and drive this vehicle is to love this vehicle.

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  Good ol trusty - 1998 Nissan Altima
  By Melissa - August 18 - 11:05 pm

  I absolutely love this little car, the paint does chip so it will need a paint job, but it always gets me home. I use it to commute to school, when my dad needs another car while he repairs his, and to drive around. I get really upset when it needs repair because its like my baby. I could not imagine ever junking the car, i just love it.

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  LES PLAISIRS DE CONDUIRE - 2002 Nissan Altima
  By R.PICHE - August 18 - 10:00 am

  I HAVE DRIVEN MY ALTIMA FOR 7000 MILES SO FAR AND HAD NO PROBLEMS.AVERAGE FUEL MILEAGE IS GREAT:28,1M/GAL(65% HIGHWAY).ZIPPY ENGINE,POWERFULL BRAKING,VERY CONFORTABLE ON LONG TRIPS.

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  Pretty Car but.... - 2002 Nissan Altima
  By woodstudio - August 17 - 5:00 am

  Ive had various problems with this car that I didnt expect on a new car. Such as: crankshaft sensor (dead in driveway), rear rotors replaced at less than 40K (fronts I could understand), defective latch on console door (cant close it), no heat, and improper rear suspension (bottoms out with people in rear seat). I do not recommend.

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  I love it so far - 2005 Nissan Altima
  By John - August 17 - 4:33 am

  Ive had my Altima for a couple of months now, and Im very happy so far. Ive read some other reviews where people have one problem after another, but I must be lucky because I have had not a single issue, and I have pushed this car hard. Its a real rush when you hammer it, and the Bose sound system is great.

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  Nice for the price. - 2010 Nissan Altima
  By value_driven - August 17 - 3:33 am

  I bought my Altima new, 13 months & 6200 miles ago. I have not taken it to the dealer for anything but 2 oil changes. This is the first car or truck that I have owned that had no defects! I car shopped for 3 years[2007-2010]. During that time period I drove Accords, Camrys, and Sonatas. I almost bought a 2011 Sonata. My Altima was exactly as I wanted; color, options, price. I got a big discount, $0 down, and 0% financing for 60 months! The V-6 is nice! The controls are easy to use. The speedo and tach are easy to read and nicely illuminated. I enjoy driving it. I would drive it more but my main ride is a 1993 T-100 that I bought new and now has 200,000 miles. I like my Altima a lot!

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  Great comfort with economy - 2007 Nissan Altima
  By Ben - August 16 - 8:50 pm

  Before this Altima, I had an Infiniti Q45 and I am glad I traded it in. This Altima has plenty of room, it performs on the road with plenty of power considering it has only a 4 cylinder engine. I get great gas mileage (22.5 mpg city driving: short trips, 5 miles or less). I love the keyless entry and start. I dont have to look for the keys to enter the car or start it. The only drawback I see is the engine noise when accelerating. I have had this for 5 months already, and I have not had any problems with it. I compared the Altima to the Camry and the Accord, and I consider you get more for your money with the Altima. I love the dual exaust pipes and the exterior look.