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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  No happy with it car - 2004 Nissan Altima
  By Cesar - March 5 - 5:37 pm

  I had this car for 2 years and I have so much problems with it. I wish i had never bought this car

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  Its an OK Car - 1997 Nissan Altima
  By Rams - March 5 - 10:00 am

  I have this car for 6 years 98 K miles, no major problem but always some minor problems. Alternator died at 72 K, front brakes at 75, muffler at 84, rear break at 92. Car is very reliable so far. What i dont like about this car is its noisy, gear shif is not smooth, pick up is not smooth, power steering is not firm and there is a lot of vibration at high speeds (these are not just my car, i have some friends who have the same complaints). I would rather pay an extra 2000 and buy an accord.

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  02 Nissan Altima - 2002 Nissan Altima
  By 1integra - March 5 - 10:00 am

  This car is everything you could ask for. If you need performance then this car is ready to take you for a ride. It has plenty of room for 4 adults and their baggage for a trip and enough room for 5 adults for a night out. If you have children and dont want a van then this is the car.

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  Nice Car! Fun To Drive! - 2007 Nissan Altima
  By Cones - March 4 - 11:03 pm

  I just bought the 07 Altima 3.5 SE with the CVT. Nice car inside and out. A little bit of a gas hog for mixed driving. But good gas mileage on the highway. Has good acceleration when and if you need it. Its fun to drive in manual or automatic mode. I get a lot of stares esp from the ladies!

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  Its all good - 2007 Nissan Altima
  By perfection - February 26 - 3:23 am

  I drive a blue 2.5sl altima, it has all the bells and whistles. Leather, sunroof, navigation, rear view monitor, and bose. I love the way this drives. I feel like im driving 60 mph then i look down to see im oing 80. This is my first nissan the salesperson taught me a lot about the car that just made me fall in love with it. I never feel the car jump, its just like the commercial. I have to admit nissan did a really good job on the 2007 altima. I cant wait to see whats next.

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  Great Practical Car - 2001 Nissan Altima
  By jmdineen - February 26 - 2:00 am

  This car has a lot of room for its size. I have had no problems with it at all, and it has over 26k miles. It is great on the open road (a little stiff maybe) but also handles two lane roads with lots of curves with ease. Fuel milage isnt great but not bad.

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  Great Car for the Money - 2007 Nissan Altima
  By johnny D - February 24 - 11:13 am

  Love the way the Altima 3.5 SE handles, cabin is very quiet at highway speeds, CVT Transmission is smooth , car is very quick, and handles great. A lot of car for the money, great job on redesigning the Altima !

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  Great car for the money - 2006 Nissan Altima
  By Lola - February 23 - 2:23 am

  A nice and roomy vehicle with a cool twist. Great on gas, yet not too small of a vehicle. The body on the altima has improved and so has the drive. Nice and smooth!

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  Disappointed and Concerned/Buyer Beware - 2013 Nissan Altima
  By tsz628 - February 21 - 4:23 am

  I purchased my new 2013 Nissan Altima in January, 2013. I have had the vehicle now for nearly 2 months and 1300 miles. The performance of the vehicle thus far has been very disappointing. A very annoying vibration and lugging of the car upon acceleration at low rpms has been an issue. I just recently took a short trip using all interstates and felt a vibration and howling noise in the car the entire trip at speeds of 65-75mph. I have called the dealership and was told this was typical of a CVT Transmission. That statement is far from the truth. Nissan has a serious problem and needs to find a solution to correct this problem. Without these very annoying issues this can be a great car.

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  satisfied customer - 2003 Nissan Altima
  By doris williams - February 21 - 2:00 am

  I was very pleased with the new look. But the inerior could have be alittle better made. The quality of the carpet is poor. The carpet under the seats is very poor made. I was really suprised at how the carpet feels. It is not very well put together. I had a 1995 althima and it felt better the carpet was of better quality. It seems the put a lot of money in the design and compfort. But was willing to skip on the interior.