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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  Almost missed this beauty - 2007 Nissan Altima
  By paul - March 27 - 12:53 pm

  I was all set to buy the Passat (also a lot of car for the money) and decided last minute to drive the Nissans. Drove both the Maxima and Altima and it was clear as day that I preferred the Altima, much more fun to drive for me and newer technology throughout. Slightly less luxurious than Maxima though. So far, I love this car. Pure pleasure to drive and I hate when I arrive at work and have to get out of this thing. I think it is the right combination of size, comfort, sport and economy to win the category hands down. I can say this after having driven the Passat, Accord, Camry, A4 and countless others. My second choice would have been the Passat.

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  New Transmission - 2007 Nissan Altima
  By Nels - March 27 - 10:00 am

  Hey everyone Im an owner of a 6 speed 2007 Nissan Altima that is on its second transmission. I noticed the problem when I couldnt shift out of 2nd gear. I called the dealer and they give you the runaround as if I never drove a manual before. So I let it go for a week until I said enough is enough. I called and told them I had a wedding to go to in West Virginia and I need my car looked at and Im not leaving until I know whats wrong. 4 hours of waiting and they say, It looks like you need a new transmission. My stomach dropped. Well it was covered so they had to eat that 4500 dollar bill, but I noticed again that shifting into second is harder then ever. So it looks like its going back.

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  Mileage not what is promised! - 2013 Nissan Altima
  By cakid1 - March 27 - 6:22 am

  Bought the car 3 months ago...nice car but very disappointed with the mileage. I am getting a solid 27 mpg with about half of my driving being freeway.

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  2007 nissan altima - 2007 Nissan Altima
  By Dolly - March 27 - 2:06 am

  I am very excited about this my car and loook forward to driving it everyday. This is my third Altima and I do appreciate the upgraded features e.g. 6 airbags, low tire pressure and gas signals etc.

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  Fun to Drive!! - 2008 Nissan Altima
  By jason - March 24 - 4:00 am

  It’s almost a month since I have this car and I love it! I’m a father to a 5 month old baby girl and whenever we go out she goes to sleep. The suspensions are awesome, excellent ride, very good acceleration! Mid-sized sedan with a character of a sports car!

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  Problem Free - 1999 Nissan Altima
  By jeffh - March 23 - 2:00 am

  I bought the car new in 1999. Drive 100 miles a day to work and back. Absolutely no problems at all. Cruises nicely at expressway speed (or slightly higher.) Comfortable ride that seems to get better as you add more passengers. At 6-4, Im definitely at the upper limit of who the cars was designed for. Engine has been great! With 112,000 mi, Ive replaced the front brakes once, the tires once, the serpentine belt, and a $.99 hose clamp. Not bad. Interior is the epitome of conservative, which is nice because I havent gotten sick of looking at it.

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  the best affordable car in the market... - 2004 Nissan Altima
  By bill rutter - March 23 - 2:00 am

  from a one, I was like wow.... The car had all I needed and then some..

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  Nissan Altima S - 2003 Nissan Altima
  By urishj - March 23 - 2:00 am

  This has been a great car to drive. Peppy, but with good fuel efficiency. Comfortably transports two adults, two children, and a mid-size dog. Much nicer to drive and significantly roomier than the Buick Skylark it replaced.

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  Shouldve bought one sooner - 2003 Nissan Altima
  By hartotis - March 23 - 2:00 am

  Even though Ive only had the car for two weeks I am extremely impressed. Ive driven Jettas for the last fourteen years and had good luck with them but the Altima is a far better value. Very nice engine, large interior, might be nicest looking car in its class. Good sales experience with Brasso Nissan in Calgary as well.

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  Great car for the price! - 2006 Nissan Altima
  By CharlieLuvsBrookeAAF - March 22 - 4:03 pm

  Sure you can go out and spend 30 or 40k on a Benz, BMW, or a Lexus,,,but why? It is a fact the Nissans last just as long and are actually really nice cars. I would suggest this car to anyone. I am a family man with a small child and there is no other name other than Nissan that I would trust to put my child in. In 2004 We had a serious fuel pump problem which we should have gotten fixed. I decided I would hold off since it was going to cost 500 dollars to fix. I was riding down the road and the car just shut off. (This was in my 1997 Nissan altima ) Come to find out the mechanic said we would have all died in any other car. Nissan added a protective device that makes the car shut dow