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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  Another Nissan, Another Winner. - 2008 Nissan Altima
  By Zack B - November 25 - 4:13 pm

  I traded in my 04 Spec V on this car. One of the most difficult, yet one of the best things Ive ever done. The Spec V was a wonderful bang for the buck, and I have graduated to the next level of bang for the buck with my new Altima Coupe SE with Premium Package. Hands down, this is the best daily driver sport coupe on the market. Plenty of performance without sacrificing comfort. The Bose stereo is fantastic. Homelink and Bluetooth systems are absolutely wonderful. Plenty of punch with the VQ35DE motor paired with the Xtronic CVT. Takes a bit of getting used to coming from a 6 speed manual. The speed can sneak up on you very easily as the car accelerates effortlessly at any RPM.

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  Awesome - 2006 Nissan Altima
  By William - November 24 - 8:43 pm

  I traded in my 2005 Toyota camry because I got a better deal and I must say WOW. This car is a blast to drive. I really opened it up the other day and that 2.5 liter engine really packs some power. It performs just like a v6. Im getting 26mpg right now with everyday driving. The Altima is bigger and faster then my camry was and still has a good reliability record. Reliability is the key point I look for when purchasing a car. Now I have a sports sedan with the reliability of a Honda or Toyota.

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  A fine, reliable car - 2002 Nissan Altima
  By dinoman - November 24 - 7:33 pm

  Bought the car new for its huge interior and exciting acceleration. It won out over the current Accord (much smaller interior, bland) and Camry (boring, slow, awful brake feel). Have had to replace the hood prop rod catch and took it to dealer for drive belt squeal when started cold. That is it. Pretty good for 92,000 miles and eight years!

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  first opinion - 2006 Nissan Altima
  By wrench1 - November 24 - 6:50 am

  Car drove terrific, was hard to keep it at 70 MPH. 2.5 Engine also got 30 mpg during break-in. This is my 5th Nissan product, first car. Had 1 pathfinder, 1 frontier, 2 xterras. I purchased the vehicle with the replaced engine and extended warranty.more rebate. This car is fun to drive everyday to work and pleasant to look at. I have a lot of options that enhance the appaerance like woodgrain interior, rear spoiler,Billet grille,Spec Edition pkg etc.

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  Not happy with Nissan - 2005 Nissan Altima
  By ch - November 23 - 11:56 am

  This Nissan will probably be our last. We have had 4 sensors go out, the shifter assembly went out and needed to be replaced, the brake rotors were warped when we picked the car up new from the dealer. This car has been nothing but problems.

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  Nissan Altima 2015 s - 2015 Nissan Altima
  By dougman33 - November 23 - 4:34 am

  Id like to start out saying that I love the style and looks of this car. The handling performance matches the looks. We bought this car for the gas mileage. My wife drives it more than I do but when I do drive it I love the overdrive feature. when you take it off the RPMs go up and it drives like a sports car really cool. Heater issue, When I put the heater in the foot selection it automatically turns on the defroster instead of the feet, ( only in really cold weather). This is a function of nissan which is not very cool. I froze my feet off. I think I know when to turn my defroster on. I may consider a trade to something that lets me control where to put the heat.

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  great car, sporty too - 1998 Nissan Altima
  By dynatmrider - November 22 - 10:00 am

  iv had this car since may of 98 when they came out. this car is great. its an SE with leather, cd, abs, manual, sport suspension (stiffer ride) and power drivers seat. seats are comfortable and the back seats are those of a bmw. i have 120,000 miles on the car and have not done anything to it. over six years on the original battery and still going! once this thing is in 5th gear you can go from 60 to 100 in a blink! fast car! buy it!

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  One Hot Auto - 2005 Nissan Altima
  By Blue Ram - November 22 - 10:00 am

  Altima is a fun car to drive, the first week I had it we took a little four day trip down through West Virginia. The Altima performed great on those narrow, curvey roads. I just love the auto but may not get to drive often as my wife has taken it over. HaHaHa

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  Great All Round Car - 2015 Nissan Altima
  By S vess - November 22 - 8:44 am

  I bought this can back in June and now have approximately 7000 miles on the car, I am very impressed with the overall ride, comfort, and gas mileage of the car. This is the first new car I have ever owned (that I personally drive all the time) and I am 60 years old. The brakes on the car are outstanding and I bought the technology package with the car so I can use my iPod. I drove several different cars when traveling on business and quickly found that this was the car I liked best out of all the different cars that I had rented. The CVT transmission makes the car great to drive on a long trip and in the mountains it will climb steep grades without all the down shifting that you normally see with other cars. So far I have averaged 38-39 MPG on my daily drive to work (50 miles total mostly interstate driving). CVT can be somewhat jerky when in stop and go traffic at times but other than that the CVT is very impressive for the performance and the MPG I get. The car will comfortably seat 4 adults and the trunk size is great for a trip. Only a few things concerns me about the car, the sheet metal is very thin and it would not take much to make a ding in the sheet metal. The motor rattles when it is first started after sitting for a period of time, I believe this is due to the type of lifters they used and the very light weigh oil used in the car. I plan on changing over to 10-W30 at the next oil change since I don’t live in a cold weather area. Once the car is hot the problem goes away, I have been a technical type of guy (electrician/mechanic) my whole life and I am not overly concerned at this point. These problems are not a major issue but in fairness I thought they should be mentioned. I highly recommend this car to anyone who is looking for a great all round car.

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  Great Value, Nice Style - 2005 Nissan Altima
  By rufus1959 - November 21 - 5:50 am

  I was really torn between the Altima, Camry, and Accord. I chose the Altima basically because of the sale price which was considerably lower mainly due to the 1500 dollar rebate. The Altima style is nicer in the 2005 model over previous years,in my opinion. Great fit and finish. More horsepower than the Camry and Accord.Good standard features included. More room than the Camry and Accord.Handling is good and things are kept simple, but have an elegant glow.Plenty of trunk space.The only "cons", if you can call them that, are ABS brakes are not standard, somewhat noisy ride, and auto tranny shifts a bit harsh. But these are very minor and are not bothersome. Besides, I like that engine growl.