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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  Loaded 2002 Altima 2.5SL - 2002 Nissan Altima
  By aljr - March 4 - 10:00 am

  With the 2.5SL Altima loaded, I felt I made the best purchase of my life. No Regrets at all. Compared to Honda and Toyota, its was a quick decision. And specially, compared to the Euro-cars, its a no brainer. This is not what we call "you get what youve paid for", but more of "you get a lot more that what youve paid for" situation. More power and better looking styling than most car in its class. I had the sporty-looking sheer silver color with all black interior dash and black leather seats....and just imagine.......what a classy sport sedan. I feel this car can stand right beside the best of them, BMW 3series, Audi and VW, when it comes to overall VALUE.

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  Just bought my new Altima... - 2002 Nissan Altima
  By CamryConvert - March 4 - 10:00 am

  Ive driven Toyotas exclusively since the age of 16, but instead of another Camry, I bought the Altima this time, and FOR LESS MONEY. I have to say, originally, I wanted it because of the way this car looks. It is super- super. You know? But as far as the nuts and bolts, I find the 4 cyl to be PLENTY zippy, especially over 3500 RPMs when it really kicks in. Im not wild about the placement of the air vents in the severely slanted dash - too far from my face. But other than that, the interior and exterior of this car are wonderful. That BOSE stereo also makes my rearview mirror vibrate some, but who can really complain about that?

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  So Far So Great... - 2009 Nissan Altima
  By Nando9 - March 2 - 11:20 am

  I bought this car two days ago. I am a believer in waiting to give a review until a full month or two has passed, as you cant understand a car fully in a couple of days. I will update my review to include whatever needs to be updated at that time. So far I love the car. It looks great both interior and exterior and more importantly, it runs GREAT! The CVT is weird at first but is actually pretty neat. It is one factor that gives this car great mpg. The push to start is another neat perk. The car rides smooth, runs very quiet, and has a good load of features fro the price. The dealer tried the usual tricks to rip me off, but I was able to hold off and get what I feel is a v good deal

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  A Tremendous Value! - 2005 Nissan Altima
  By PozzyMoto - February 27 - 3:13 am

  I love my Altima. I have the luxury of a high priced designer vehicle without the dent in my wallet. I didnt realize that 4 cylanders had such great pickup. Its a pretty car, its a peppy car, its a reliable car. Why spen more?

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  Dont rush buying a Nissan at the Avenue - 2004 Nissan Altima
  By Zabonk! - February 27 - 2:00 am

  The car looks nice. After a year the engine had to be repaired for a recall and it still rattles and using oil. The car is very noisy and rides like a buck board. Motor is slow pick up. The dealership was not up front when we bought the car. We had no vehicle and should not have rushed in buying the Nissan, usually buy Fords. We are very dissappointed in the car and very, very disappointed in the dealership in not keeping their promises. We will go back to Fords.

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  Nice - 2004 Nissan Altima
  By james - February 26 - 7:20 am

  Just got this car, it looks nice on the outside, just a little generic. drives smooth, overall a decent car. bought mine used with less than 100k miles on it for about $8000 plus tax. i wanted a Honda but i couldnt find out and was in a hurry to get a car. overall Im happy with the car. i got the S model, automatic, sedan.

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  great value - 2002 Nissan Altima
  By acmeroadrunnr - February 25 - 10:00 am

  I have 3000 miles on my Altima SE now and have found it to be as much fun to drive today as it was when I first test drove it. I had money down on a Passat GLX V6, but decided to test drive the SE and never looked back. I should also add that I replaced a 2000 Accord EX for the new Altima and am very happy with the new car.

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  34K and still great! - 2013 Nissan Altima
  By svalent2 - February 24 - 3:17 pm

  Overall its a really great car, Ive only needed regular maintenance. The pep is there when I need it especially when merging onto highways or zooming around idiots in the city that dont use their signals. I average about 29.5 with all city and about 33 mixed. Very comfortable and lots of storage space. I have experienced the "shutter/vibration" of the transmission, about 3 times since Ive had the car (34k miles btw) at about 40 mph coasting for about a minute long. Its very distracting and doesnt feel too good during that minute but its so rare that it even happens that it doesnt bother me too much. If it happened all the time I could see why some would trade it.

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  The Nissan Family - 2004 Nissan Altima
  By ADP37 - February 22 - 10:00 am

  Love this car. This is my third Nissan (simply because I love cars ) My mother has the Quest and My father has the Murano. They are the best car, they never breakdown, the Engines last forever, and it is excellent on gas, plus the ride is smooth

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  Nissan Altima- a great car to own! - 2005 Nissan Altima
  By wamavrick32000 - February 22 - 10:00 am

  Love this car! Drives nice, very comfortable, roomy too. Not one thing I dont like about it. I drove Hondas, Toyotas and Buick and really the best car is the Nissan, certainly more car for the money.