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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  Good Car with a value for money - 2016 Nissan Altima
  By Eldin - April 10 - 9:32 pm

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  Couldnt be Happier - 2009 Nissan Altima
  By NPD - April 10 - 5:56 am

  To say that I am happy with my Nissan Altima would be an understatement. This vehicle replaced a 2006 Murano. It has everything I could want... and more. My car comes with Bluetooth, which is easy to use and it actually understands me! I dont have the optional Navigation system, but there is a convenient compartment with electrical to plug in my portable Nuvi. My Altima only has 4 cylinders, but I have no problem with acceleration onto the expressway. My only regret is that I am leasing. If I had known how happy I would be, I would have bought it.

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  Ultima 2002/2003 - 2002 Nissan Altima
  By ayh822 - April 10 - 2:00 am

  I am a first time Nissan owner. I have always purchased Hondas in the past. I have enjoyed the drive on the new Ultima. Its handling is great, I like that it has more power considering its a 4 cylinder vehicle. I bought it for its sleek new lines and of course the color. Its definitely a fun drive on the open road.

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  Great car. - 2003 Nissan Altima
  By Pmano - April 10 - 2:00 am

  Great car. Roomy interior and best styling in its class... The Bose 8 spkr system is one of the tops out there. This is a highly competitive class but the altima is the tops in my boook. the accords new styling was a bit off... The Camry is nice but too bland. The Passat doesnt have the reliability and is too expensive. We wont even start with the american cars (although the stratus is pretty good).

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  Beautiful but engine blown after 68miles - 2008 Nissan Altima
  By Allen King - April 9 - 3:06 am

  My silver 3.5SE coupe was a sight to be seen. The interior styling is sleek and modern. The Bose stereo sounds crisp and clear, and is paired to a crisp NAV display. The car drove smooth yet powerful and handled very well. Unfortunately after 20 hours of ownership and 68 miles driven, the engine "blew" (Nissan service centers words). Nissan refuses to replace the car, their final decision is to only replace the engine.

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  Altima - 2005 Nissan Altima
  By neel - April 8 - 3:13 pm

  Seats are uncomfortable, lots of road noise. great gas mileage, body style is great, trunk hinges are somewhat intrusive.

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  Nissan is Reliable - 2012 Nissan Altima
  By b4nissan - April 7 - 1:15 pm

  This is my second Nissan Altima. My previous Nissan was a 2002 Altima - 127,000 miles only replaced tires and battery in 10 years! Fabulous car, best Ive owned so had to buy another Nissan Altima. This one is great as well. I like the exterior, absolutely LOVE LOVE LOVE the keyless entry and keyless start! This is wonderful. The mileage will improve with time. Nicer, quieter ride than my 2002 and takes those bumps and potholes really well!! My only complaint would be the interior is boring. After looking at GM cars, GM knows how to do interiors. Nissan doesnt. Boring boring boring. But reliability counts for alot. Reliability trumps interior!!

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  2014 Pearl white Altima - 2014 Nissan Altima
  By nicecarz - April 6 - 6:31 pm

  Love this car. Smooth, quiet and a good quality car for the money. Traded in a 2014 Honda CRV for a 2014 Altima SV. Getting better gas mileage and a smoother ride. Have noticed that noise when accelerating that everyone is talking about. It does not bother me though after all I am coming out of a noisy SUV.

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  Go with a 2015 altima, i found out until then - 2012 Nissan Altima
  By CraigBasciano - April 6 - 5:23 am

  I bought a used 2012 in may 2016 with 46,000 miles, they ripped me off bad, i didnt understand why it was so slow, drove like a truck, the 2.5 uses a lot of gas and handles so poor, i ask the dealer today and they said up til 2015 it weighed 2500 pounds more then it should, that explains why i hate driving it, you wont enjoy it at all

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  A VERY Safe Car, Looking for another! - 2001 Nissan Altima
  By GLSC - April 4 - 2:00 am

  I loved this car, but recently I was involved in a head-on crash with a drunk driver and I was able to walk away from the accident. My Altima was totaled, but it did exactly what it was supposed to do. I had plenty of room for my feet during the crash. The car just absorbed the impact and broke away, but the inside of the car was for the most part in tacked! As soon as I got out of the car I told my husband I wanted another one EXACTLY like it. I never had any problems with it, air worked great, seats were comfy, heat worked great, didnt make any noises when it ran.