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:

• 

  Takes a hit well - 2002 Nissan Altima
  By salesman - December 30 - 11:30 am

  Bought this car a couple of years ago with 70000 mi now has 171000 still show room new with no problems. oil changes syn oil, new tires firehawk gt are the best I found for this car. I even hit a deer and it made sense to fix the car.Was looking at new tdi jetta and couldnt do it, spoiled with this car.

• 

  So far so Good - 2002 Nissan Altima
  By figgi01 - December 30 - 2:00 am

  So far I think I made a good purchase. The power is good for a I4, the interior room is great, the standard sound system actually uses Clarion speakers but wish the reciever wasnt so oddly shapped so it could be replaced with an aftermaket. Squeaks and rattles are my main concern with the car. The front suspension makes a squeaking noise when stopping down a hill and the rear suspension seems to rattle over bumpy roads. We will see how it holds up in the long run.

• 

  Love My Altima - 2003 Nissan Altima
  By jbjr - December 30 - 2:00 am

  With the exception of the interior (Nissan could of done better), I love my car and would recommend it to anyone in the market. The car has lots of potent power that takes on the some of the fastest cars out there. The exterior is well put together and the car has quiet smooth ride.

• 

  the best car Ive owned! - 2005 Nissan Altima
  By swapnil - December 26 - 5:40 am

  The throttle response is great, low end torque is amazing, beats all competetion. Best of all it looks great, definitely a cure for a common car!

• 

  So Far So Good - 2012 Nissan Altima
  By cgt79 - December 25 - 8:35 am

  Picked up a 2.5S Sedan over the weekend, and so far we love it! Other than an issue with getting XM (see below) we have no complaints. The car has very good performance for a 4-cylinder, has plenty of power for passing accelerates to speed well. The CVT transmission is what sold the car to my wife (Primary Driver), smooth and very responsive The interior is very comfortable for all sizes (I am 6 and my wife is 52.). Trunk is very large, and includes and optional emergency kit (Jumper Cables, flashlight, basic tools and a warning triangle) as well as a first aid kit. Ride is smooth with very little road noise. Too early to comment on gas mileage, will update once we have driven more.

• 

  Awesome car - 2006 Nissan Altima
  By Jen Fortin - December 23 - 9:30 pm

  I recently purchased the 2006 special edition Altima.........I just LOVE it!!! A very smooth ride, very comfortable, and handles extremely well. By far the nicest car I have ever owned.

• 

  Motor Blew Now Transmission has gone out P.O.S. - 2009 Nissan Altima
  By Jeff Moore - December 23 - 8:36 pm

  Motor Blew Now Transmission has gone out! Had this 2009 Nissan less than two months and had to replace the motor and the day after that the transmission has gone out called Nissan and their wonderful extended warranty is out by 4000 miles gave me a case # and said I would HAVE TO TAKE IT TO A NISSAN DEALER to get it diagnosed and pay for it myself and then call them back with repair cost from the DEALER SHIP! Now how do you think that will go? Less than 2 months motor and Trans.!!! Well I will never own or buy anything from Nissan again! I have a real nice looking piece of crap setting in my drive way that I have been out thousands of dollars on and only drove less than two months!! I plan on doing some free advertising for Nissan for as long as I live and will advise anyone and everyone I know to never ever buy any Nissan product! Very unhappy very disappointed in this car!

• 

  altima is crap - 2013 Nissan Altima
  By nissan_is_crap - December 23 - 11:55 am

  3-month new, two cracks at different location. No paint damage nor dent, body just got cracks from nowhere! cheap cheap plastic!

• 

  new engine - 2002 Nissan Altima
  By 87000 - December 22 - 6:06 pm

  my car is not over 100,000 miles and already had to get a new engine and other expensive parts

• 

  Altima Coupe, a good choice - 2010 Nissan Altima
  By Dukester1a - December 21 - 3:43 pm

  The ride is very quiet and comfortable but Im still getting used to the CVT transmission. I previously owned a 4 cyl. Honda Accord (manual transmission) which had more low end power. Vision is somewhat compromised by the coupes design. Mirror adjustment is thus important.