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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  Fun but Laggy - 2009 Nissan Altima
  By K Douglas - April 17 - 1:16 pm

  Bought the Car Aug. 2009. noticed the CVT did not accelerate when making turns. It lags and can be scary if you need the power and its not there. Ive read the other reviews and noticed that Nissan says its designed that way. When you step on the gas pedal you expect it to go, not with the Nissan Altima.

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  WOW - 2002 Nissan Altima
  By Scottstpetefl - April 17 - 2:00 am

  Great Car. I bought it new Sept 1st. We all know what happened after that. Love the car. No complaints. this thing hauls butt

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  In love with the V6 Power - 2002 Nissan Altima
  By Altima3.5Fan - April 17 - 2:00 am

  Ive been wanting this car since March of 2001, when I saw what they have been doing with the redesign of the car and I must say Ive been quite pleased!!! The car is a dream to drive, compared to my previous Altima, it was a 98.

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  GREAT CAR! - 2009 Nissan Altima
  By Krystal - April 13 - 5:30 pm

  I love this car! I was undecided between the Altima and the Malibu and after test driving both of these cars I fell in love with the Altima! It has so much more room and it drives so much smoother then the Malibu! Im so pleased with my final decision! Also, you can also use the Altima as a standard or an automatic vehicle. I dont know how to drive a standard but my boyfriend loves that we have that extra feature in the car! The push start button is amazing because when I leave work my hands are always so full so Ive always had to dig for my keys and now I dont have to! This is a really amazing car and Im so pleased that I chose the NISSAN ALTIMA!

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  better then camry - 2004 Nissan Altima
  By altima admirer - April 13 - 2:00 am

  i really enjoy this car. i find it handles better then my old camry. the exterior noise isnt as big of a problem reviewers give it. a whole lot of car for $ after a trade and rebate!

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  Great Car - 2007 Nissan Altima
  By Gary - April 13 - 2:00 am

  Smooth, responsive and faster than you would expect from a 2.5L. It gets optimal coasting mpg at any speed because of the CVT. The CVT is the heart of the performance and MPG of this car.

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  2001 Nissan Altima SE - Nicest SE ever - 2001 Nissan Altima
  By CARLOS - April 11 - 10:00 am

  The reason I bought an altima is because they made an SE. I think that if this model wouldnt have came out right now I would probably be driving something else. So far I have put 7600 miles on the car and it runs great. I recommend this car to anyone who would like to own a luxury sport sedan.

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  Unbelievable! - 2002 Nissan Altima
  By shaqintyre - April 11 - 10:00 am

  I fell in love with the appearance of this vehicle months before it was available. As soon as I test drove one, I knew I had to purchase it. Every one of my friends has an Accord, Camry, etc. But I wanted something different and much more exciting. VALUE, ROOM, SPEED, GAS MILEAGE, & GOOD LOOKS, this car definitely has it all!

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  Great Sporty Car! - 2008 Nissan Altima
  By krismuszynski - April 9 - 2:47 pm

  Previously had an 07 2.5 Altima Sedan and LOVED it but wanted something sportier after a year of owning it. Lived up to exactly what its built to be, a front wheel drive sporty car! First trip was to North Carolina in the first week of owning the car, averaged between 70-75mph on the eight hour trip from Florida (may have given it the beans a few times on the hwy as well) and had a 31mpg rating both ways to and from NC. Decided to give the suspension a work out on the mountain roads of Pisgah national forest. The car handled beautifully! The ride is TIGHT though, dont expect a soft ride in the SE package. It is made to be sporty! Loved the car and would only change the turning radius.

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  great car for its class - 2013 Nissan Altima
  By cars129 - April 9 - 1:12 pm

  The nissan altima is a great car for its class. It gets great fuel economey, yet gets decent performance. My car has the tech package. It has Blind spot warning, lane departure warning, and moving object detection.The intierier fit and finish is impressive. The navigation system works well. The optional Bose sound system sounds fine, but not exeptional. It is however better then the standard speakers. The zero gravity seats are quite comfortable. Overall the Altima is a good choice for its segment.