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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  Blue rocket - 2003 Nissan Altima
  By Cobalt Blue - March 28 - 2:00 am

  You wont believe the acceleration! Great design, great power, lots of internal space. Have driven Hondas, Acuras, Toyotas and Japan-domestic only Nissans before and this is by far the best pure performance car of the bunch. This is the car for you if youre looking for a budget-conscious, high performance sports sedan.

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  Mine - 2003 Nissan Altima
  By deadhead - March 28 - 2:00 am

  Excellent car which is fun to drive and filled with conviences

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  I love my 2005 Altima - 2005 Nissan Altima
  By Michele - March 27 - 1:56 pm

  I love driving my car, i feel very secure, and i love how roomy it is. i love the v6 power, never am i going back to 4cyl.. the altima has everything your looking for in a car plus more.

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  Great Car - 2002 Nissan Altima
  By MBrownin - March 26 - 12:50 pm

  Had my Silver 3.5SE for a week now. I am in love! It is fast, yet smooth and seats four very comfortably even with the front seats all the way back. Many people have complained about the cheap, plastic interior. I on the other hand think it looks fine. If you look at other vehicles in the price range there isnt much out there that is any better. The V6 even gets pretty good gas milage for the power you get out of it!

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  Stay Away from the Tech Pkg. - 2013 Nissan Altima
  By rtinaglia - March 25 - 6:05 pm

  After reading all of the pros we drove the car and opted for the V6SL with the Nav pkg. Dont do it. Yes the saftey stuff is OK, but the nav pkg is circa 1990. Very poor graphics, & everything requires 2 or 3 steps to do. Its a Bosch system - & is tied into the radio & other electronics. All in all its a terrible system, brand new, never used by Nissan before. Had we dug into the nav system we wouldnt have bought the car.

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  So far, So good - 2002 Nissan Altima
  By John - March 25 - 4:23 pm

  My 2002 Nissan Altima is the first new car that I have purchased since 1985. It is the first car I have purchased at all since 1990 (have had an SUV until now). It is fun to drive and has decent interior roomm though interior has too much plastic (cheap feel). The amber backlight of the controls can disappear if the sunlight is in the right spot.

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  Overall ok car - 2006 Nissan Altima
  By JENSRQ - March 24 - 6:30 pm

  I drive mainly in city and on the interstate and have averaged 24.9 mpg since Ive owned it. It doesnt handle well in rain - tires spin. The trunk always seems to bonk me on the head when Im putting stuff in the trunk. Both side mirrors have had the trim fall off - once by closing the door and once in a car wash! I had a big piece of trim fly off the underside of the car too. Every time I pull into a parking spot with a curb, the underside is so low it scrapes. The brakes have whistled since shortly after purchase and I had the "dust" removed once at the dealership for $300 (not covered by warranty!) and within a month it was happening again - doesnt seem to affect performance.

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  Great car for commuting - 2010 Nissan Altima
  By matt8679 - March 23 - 6:40 pm

  Just bought the car three weeks ago and love it. I commute about 100 miles a day and average 30-34 MPG with DC traffic. I used to fill up twice a week but now only once because of the 20 gallon tank. I never thought I would get an Altima but after the test drive and price after incentives I was sold. I think one of my tires is off balance because i get a small vibration over 70. Will have the dealership look at it with my next oil change.

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  Shift_Excitement - 2006 Nissan Altima
  By brian - March 23 - 10:33 am

  Only driven a few months but power and styling is what sold me on the altima. Looking back I would have gone with manual for ultimate control. Tons of power to get in and around traffic on highways.

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  Great Reliable Car - 2000 Nissan Altima
  By JimDee - March 22 - 6:33 am

  I bought this car used with 43000 miles. Almost 8 years later and at 143000, the car still runs great. Has always started up. It has only required basic maintenance (oil changes, tires, brakes, lights). It is a stick and gets 30mpg in town, 35 mpg highway. Im so satisfied with this vehicle, Im looking to get another Altima.