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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  Wow! - 2003 Nissan Altima
  By CD Smith - December 9 - 2:00 am

  I love my car!Tons of interior room, great amenities, and just gobs of fun to drive. On top of it all, I can find it in the parking lot at all the kiddy activities we attend.(Love the distinctive styling!) Drove this car to KC MO from WNC-took about 2 tanks of gas, (almost 1000 mile trek!). Caveats: crystal blue is WAY brighter than it appears on the web. More like electric blue. I love the color, and I dont get lost in the mall parking lot! Not for everyone, though. Also, use premium gas. Even the 4 cyl laughed at me with mid grade!

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  Nice But Disapointing - 2003 Nissan Altima
  By NissanGuy652 - December 9 - 2:00 am

  Overall- nice design and packaged well with some creature comforts and decent audio system.Vert disapointed in the way the car drives and handles. Does not track the road straight and shimmies all over from right to left at highway speeds. Replaced oem tires for goodyear- had wheel alignment and still doesnt drive any better. Takes the enjoyment out of owning this car.

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  not so smooth.... - 2006 Nissan Altima
  By vamshi - December 9 - 1:26 am

  I had this car for almost 3 years...37K miles on it. the tires that came with the car were very cheap...cant blame the car. My only complaint is the ride doesnt feel smooth anymore....I can hear the road noise through the cabin....It is not supposed to be that way. Dealer says everything ok but not sure. Like the car for all its features but still have my doubts about its reliability.

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  Altima Review - 2002 Nissan Altima
  By Joe Mama - December 8 - 10:00 am

  This is a great car.

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  Sweeeet...however... - 2002 Nissan Altima
  By BrianP - December 7 - 2:00 am

  Very pleased over all, however, a few things left me a bit disapointed: 1) no standard fog lights on 2.5 ("fully loaded") SL model. 2) steering wheel mounted "convienience" controls are NOT illuminated 3) no spare change small storage compartment. My coins rattle all over the bigger compartments, and I have to use the map light to see the mounted controls.

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  Poor shock absorbers - 2008 Nissan Altima
  By Gino - December 6 - 2:00 am

  We live in a condo complex that has 5 speed bumps. The car scrapes bottom when carrying 4 passengers or if the trunk is full of personal items. Also have had problems with tire wear and more noticeable after having rotated the tires.

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  Nice Wheels - 2011 Nissan Altima
  By Matt in Chi-Town - December 6 - 2:00 am

  Just purchased my first foreign car. Built in Tennessee, it is more American than most domestics. Impressive looks and nice, punchy driving experience. Beware the Bluetooth, capability is limited. Great music options and great gas mileage. Really looks great, something I thought Id never see in a Japanese designed automobile, especially in this segment.

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  excellent buyDependable quiet economical ride that - 2013 Nissan Altima
  By george waller - December 5 - 3:36 am

  excellent buyDependable quiet economical ride that is conomical, mixed driving of 33+mpg, 34 on straight interstate, really like cvt transmission.

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  happy as a clam - 2005 Nissan Altima
  By pete - December 3 - 6:23 pm

  Went from a 2005 $65K E-class Mercedes to this! I just got tired of knowing my service adviser on a first name basis. This car has been great to own/drive. Its roomy for clients and has just enough performance not to let me get bored like my Accords did. I had one small interior molding issue and that was fixed in just a few hours by the dealer.

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  Finally a Stand Out Sedan! - 2008 Nissan Altima
  By Tiok - December 3 - 3:00 pm

  I just purchased this car Jan. 7 and found out that this car really runs great with no jittering feeling when the car shifts gears thanks to the CVT. It really made a big difference. It accelerates good and has a special feature for those who were locked out of their cars. This one wont lock you out and I found out about it accidentally. Put my back pack in the trunk without knowing that my key is in one of its pockets and the trunk keep popping up everytime I tried to close it till I realized that the car key is on it. What a relief, I dont have to call a locksmith.