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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  Love It - 2007 Nissan Altima
  By Me - November 5 - 7:16 pm

  Love this car. Good gas mileage. Nice to drive.

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  I Love It! - 1998 Nissan Altima
  By Snowbunny44 - November 4 - 10:00 am

  Oh my gosh, this is the best car in the world, we also have a 2000 Chevy Impala, and I love this 98 Altima so much more.

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  FOR SALE - 2000 Nissan Altima
  By MikeyC - November 4 - 10:00 am

  The dealership I bought this car from had horrible selling tactics, so I had a sour taste to start. I havent went back there since. The car itself is ok, it is seriously lacking power and refinement. I havent had any mechanical problems, mostly because I baby my cars. For the money though, it has a lot of luxury features. I would keep it if it had a V6, but she is on her way out when new 350Z is on dealer lots.

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  the best car EVER period - 2002 Nissan Altima
  By EddieJ58 - November 4 - 10:00 am

  I have always liked altimas since they first came out, but this altima beats them all!

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  Is it just looks? - 2002 Nissan Altima
  By Alejo - November 4 - 10:00 am

  Altima 2002 is a good car and fun to drive but has a couple of problems: My brakes dont work properly and there is air in them but dealership says that is "the nature of the beast". Only showed up after 10,000 miles. The interior seats and consoles have been adjusted couple of times becasue they were not well put together. It is fun to drive and nice looking but PLEASE watch for the problem in your brakes!!!

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  Why did I buy this? - 2007 Nissan Altima
  By Jessica - November 3 - 7:23 pm

  Plain and simple, I do not like this car. Stereo speakers rattle like crazy. Random banging noises coming from all around the car when driving. Tires are crap and the car drifts and sways on the highway. Wind noise on highway is awful, I feel like Im flying a plane. There is a big dent on my trunk for no reason that I know of, and thats probably because the trunk is made of complete tin and any little thing will dent it. CVT jerks and sounds funny especially its the tiniest bit cold out. Interior side piece of the dash is warped and coming off. Dealer doesnt fix issues like theyre supposed to. Sometimes I wish it would get totaled out so I could get a different car. Save yourself. RUN!

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  2ND Altima - 2007 Nissan Altima
  By Lil J - November 3 - 4:16 pm

  I LOVE MY 07 ALTIMA. I previously owned a 2002 Altima 3.5SE and I loved it. I was sad to let it go, but I will soon forget about it. My 07 tops the cake. I love the Look and Performance. When I took the test drive, I knew I wanted this car. I love the curves of it. I have the Technology package with the bluetooth. Love it. I also love the 270 hp that it produces. Im so happy I didnt get a Maxima. Car looks good at night. Love the Xenon headlights. My car gets about 20 mpg city and about 25 highway. I would recommend this car to anyone. Loves the way it feels on the road. Hugs a corner like a rail. LOVE MY 07.

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  THIS IS IT!!! - 2002 Nissan Altima
  By Toney - November 1 - 4:06 am

  I have driven a Toyota since 1984, and assumed that I would always remain Toyota loyal. My son kept talking about this new Altima, so i went on the internet and did my homework. I found out that the Altima beat out the Avalon on everything but weight (it was almost 300 pounds heaver). So off I went to see what all the fuss was about. From the moment I test drove the car, I was in love!! This car has as much room as my 1996 Avalon had, but with all the bells and whistles. All I can say is please start a savings account, because youre going to need it. On my first day out, I looked down at the odometer, and I was doing a smooth 80 mph! All I can say is go for it.

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  Love my Altima - 2014 Nissan Altima
  By David W St. Louis - October 31 - 12:49 pm

  My husband was so impressed when he drove an Altima for the first time drove from New York to Maine that he suggested that I test drive one when I was ready to trade in my 2008 Honda CRV. I feel in love with it from the moment I drove it.

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  Nice Car - 2005 Nissan Altima
  By Toni - October 30 - 12:03 am

  I have been pricing and looking at Altimas for over a year. I rented an Altima before purchasing this one. I purchsed this one out of town over the phone. It was several days before I picked it up. The salesman was excellent and the car was ready when I got there. I have no complaints about the dealership. The car performs well. I do not have the excitement I thought I would with the car. Im still driving my 14 year old car with 331,000 miles, so Ive only driven this one 3,000 miles. It performs well on the road and overall, I think it is a very nice car.