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 - 2016 Nissan Altima
  By Deanna sall - March 12 - 9:56 am

  Love my car best car I ever had love it it rides great great gas mileage

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  Burning Oil-Nissan says to bad. - 2006 Nissan Altima
  By Antonino Ferrara - March 11 - 11:06 am

  I purchased this vehicle 10 months ago. About a month later I received a letter from Nissan that some of the 2006 Altimas 2.5S were catching on fire due to mechanical problems that was causing the car to burn a large amount of oil and to keep on checking and add oil to the vehicle until they could came up with a solution. Finally 8 months later there was a recall on it and to bring the car to the dealership. There I was complaining that the car was burning about 2 qt of oil every 3,500 miles And I was told by the service manager that it is normal for the car to burn that much oil and for something to be wrong with the car it has to burn 1 qt of oil every 700 miles. Nissan headquarters gave same ans.

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  New car experience - 2009 Nissan Altima
  By JMart - March 9 - 3:00 am

  White W/SL Package minus navigation... Initially worried about getting a four cylinder to commute across a small mountain everyday on the way to work. Those fears have been put to rest and the cvt helps slow the car when going downhill. Very smooth ride and currently averaging 27 mpg.

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  Great Car - 2001 Nissan Altima
  By Tallguy - March 8 - 8:00 am

  I bought this car used with about 20,000 miles on it. I replaced the hubcaps with wheels to get rid of the rattle. This car still has the original rear brakes good for about another 20,000 miles. Im 66" tall and I fit fine. I have driven this car from coast to coast including 2 trips up Pikes Peak. I love this car!!

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  3.5 SE nav, leather etc.... - 2007 Nissan Altima
  By Edgardo Garcia - March 8 - 5:06 am

  This is my second Altima, I had a 03 before, I used to be a honda man, but when the new 02 model come out it sold me, you get a lot more for your money, with the same reliability of honda and toyota. Test drove the new 07 and I was sold again this time we went for the 3.5 engine with the SE package and cvt tranny, theres a lot of options on this altima that you find on the higher end brans like infinity, Acura, Bmw etc. It just a great car to drive and to look. This is going to be the first car that I could love to write a check for each month.

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  I Love My New Altima! - 2003 Nissan Altima
  By Retzy14 - March 8 - 2:00 am

  Get in and go baby! This car rocks my world! I never thought I could have so much fun in a car, especially after having a Jeep Wrangler. Im a kid all over again when I step on the pedal!

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  VALUE CAR - 2003 Nissan Altima
  By pinoyii - March 8 - 2:00 am

  You cant buy a camry/accord with the load of the altima for the price close to 19k. Since its cheaper, it wont be perfect and there would an aspect that would be inferior. In the case of the altima, its the interior. Its inferior in quality but nicely done. In the same vein, Camry is also using the cheaper 15" tires. If people buy cars based on performance such as horsepower, acceleration, torque, braking etc. the altima is far more superior. Im so used in driving the altima that when I got to drive a 2003 camry xle, i could tell the difference in power. Nissan wisely puts where youre money should be - performance.

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  New Altima - 2013 Nissan Altima
  By newaltima1 - March 7 - 1:55 am

  I traded in a 2010 Honda Civic because I was looking for a bigger car as I am 62" tall. The selling point for me is the gas mileage. I was averaging 31 with the civic, do a little better with the Altima but its a bigger car. All the bad reviews on here scared me at first, but I think those may be the first 2013s released. No problems with mine (1,000 miles) yet. Car is very quite and smooth. Steering is different, does wander a bit, may be the tires. Again, it is a bigger car than Im used to. Good luck, very pleased thus far.

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  great car - 2007 Nissan Altima
  By mitch - March 6 - 1:26 pm

  i love this car,a lot of bang for your buck.good power for a 4 cylinder, great aerodynamics, good interior design. love the smart key, makes feeling of german luxury. all round this is a great car,my only gripe would be the quality of the factory paint, i only put 500 miles of all highway driving and noticed many paint chips on the nose and lower passenger side door. i live in new york and we really have not had any snow so salt wouldnt be to blame. i think car manufacturers are cutting many corners to turn in more profit!i will contact nissan to try and solve this matter being i am leasing i do not want to incur any more damage and be held responsible when my 3 years are up.please get the nose mask

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  awesome - 2003 Nissan Altima
  By margie - March 4 - 5:33 pm

  I loved my Altima. I only had it 7 months but it drove so smooth, was fast and handled curves very well. I no longer have it, it was totaled after a serious accident I had. I survived but my beautiful Altima did not. It was the best vehicle I had ever had.