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 car - 2008 Nissan Altima
  By mike - June 28 - 12:10 am

  This is a very high quality car, you can tell they spent money on these, I can see by owning this car Nissan takes great pride in building and designing their cars. All the parts from the brake rotors to the windshield wipers are top notch. The trans alone is worth the price of admission. What a car.

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  ALTIMA 05 - 2005 Nissan Altima
  By sas - June 27 - 9:50 pm

  I bought my altima 05 2.5S brand new. Love the look of the car. Very sporty looking. Performance was great until I had approx 34k on the car. Radiator went. Dealership made me pay for radiatior which was over $800K and I had bumper to bumper on car plus extended warranty. Ended up getting my money back when I went to Nissan Headquarters. Changed dealerships for servicing. Check engine light came on at 104K and was told it was the catalyc converter which cost me over $900 to fix it. Needless to say I drove it until I had 145K and traded it in for a 2009 Mitsubishi Galant. Engine too noisy. Overall not a bad car with improvements. Wanted to try something different.

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  Think twice before buying this used... - 2001 Nissan Altima
  By jenvok - June 24 - 11:33 pm

  Had this car for close to 5 years, just paid it off and glad I did. As mentioned in other reviews, the hubcaps rattle, there is significant wind noise, gas mileage isnt great (24mpg highway) and the ride is stiff. The seats are a tad uncomfortable and become moreso on long drives. Had to have all 4 window motors replaced under recall, then had the intake manifold gasket replaced at 63K miles ($600 job and apparently a known problem with Nissan Altimas, but not subject to recall). All that said, this has been a very reliable little car. The 4-cyl engine coped fairly with driving the Virginia hills towing a U-Haul trailer and does okay otherwise.

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  Thumbs Up for the Altima - 1999 Nissan Altima
  By toniatonga - June 23 - 10:00 am

  My Altima has been an excellent car. My next car will be a Maxima. I have only had a couple of minor problems with the car and the warranty offered excellent no-hassle coverage. I am in sales and drive a lot. It has been a great car for the road.

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  Altima SL - 2002 Nissan Altima
  By montecristokid - June 23 - 10:00 am

  Like many others, I have noticed the same shortcomings: excessive wind noise, poor interior quality, and some build/design issues. my rear drivers side door doesnt close easily, may be slightly off alignment, but havent taken it back to the dealer yet.

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  Great Car - 2003 Nissan Altima
  By hello241 - June 23 - 10:00 am

  the car looks great, rides superb, and has excellent interior room. The interior is very ergonmic, very clean and efficient. I love the radio volume controls on the stearing wheel. The CD is awesome.

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  Ultimate Altima - 1997 Nissan Altima
  By beisenmann - June 21 - 11:40 am

  This was my first car and it looks like itll hold up long enough for me to cart my children around in! It has held up well, even though I havent always treated it as well as I should have.

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  2007 Altima (3.5 L ) - 2007 Nissan Altima
  By peses - June 20 - 9:23 am

  I have owned my car for 2 years. Overall Nissan made a great car! Starting with the exterior, I find the car sporty looking especially with the 17" rims. The interior is put together very well. Mostly soft touch materials and no rattles. The Bose speakers and absolutely amazing, the best Ive heard for stock speakers. I just reached 200,000 km ( 125,000 miles ) and the only problem Ive had is the tire light malfunctions. I would recommended this car to anyone!

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  Watch out! - 2000 Nissan Altima
  By Larry B - June 20 - 5:45 am

  Bought this car for my son and daugther while in college. It was already is bad shape because the previous owner did not perform standard maintenance. Put almost $3000 into it to get to safety margins. Car is now inoperable due to engine failure. Dont recommend this car at this age.

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  Nissan Altima 2010 - 2010 Nissan Altima
  By nissan - June 20 - 4:10 am

  Smooth, excellent engineering. The best car I have ever driven in the last 23 years.