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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It looks like a high performance car. - 2008 Nissan Altima
By rambosky - February 1 - 5:10 amI was taken by the sporty looks of the coupe. I thought it looked better than the 350Z. I got the premium package which included leather seats, sun roof, alloy wheels and Bose sound system. It handles better than other sports cars Ive driven which cost $10K more. The shiftless CVT is awesome. Cant wait til I drive it again.
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Superb Vehicle: Best on the market for the price. - 2014 Nissan Altima
By Rosalind Arthur - February 1 - 5:06 amYou will get your moneys worth. It has the best value of any car on the market in terms of price, features, reliability, comfort, etc. I vote it #1 in all categories.
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Great value and reliability - 2001 Nissan Altima
By iowaboy - January 31 - 2:26 pmBought privately when it had 7,000 miles due to sellers expecting twins. No major repairs in 104,000 miles of ownership - now has 111,000 miles. I now drive 47 miles one-way to work all highway and average 33 mpg using non-ethanol 87 octane fuel. Plan on driving until 250,000. No rust anywhere. I believe the great reliability is due to the 6th and final year of this body/design style. All kinks worked out.
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MPG not as Advertised - 2013 Nissan Altima
By mpgreview - January 29 - 5:16 pmThe major issue is that we are getting 23 to 25 MPG in the City and no better than 30 to 32 on the Highway. This falls far short of the rated 27/38 that is heavily promoted by Nissan. I did a lot of research on this before buying to make sure there werenÂt any issues with stated MPG. I donÂt believe anyone is getting over 27 in the city unless they are doing a lot of coasting. Nissan has looked at the vehicle 3 times and as of the last visit said they also got 23 MPG but found no mechanical issues with the vehicle. The dealer recommended that I contact Nissan Consumer Affairs. They said that temperature and using the A/C will reduce MPG. Car should be rated for 25/30 at best.
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Excellent - 2006 Nissan Altima
By Miranda - January 29 - 1:56 amThe Nissan Altima is a reliable vehicle and is envied by many who see it. This vehicle is a great investment for road trips or for toting around a lot of people. I always feel a little stylish in my Altima.
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Transmission issue - 2009 Nissan Altima
By Tarak - January 28 - 11:54 amI have seen lots of problems with my Nissan Altima and having another problem with Transmission now. It really sucks, dont buy Nissan ever.
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Am I the only one with this problem? - 2005 Nissan Altima
By Anthony - January 28 - 10:16 amThe car was great for the first 30,000 miles. Yes the engine is noisy but bearable. Before the 30k I was getting around 410 miles per tank of gas. Then I noticed I was only getting 270 miles to the tank! I have been riding with this terrible fuel economy for 10,000 miles now. I filed a complaint with Nissan Corp. right after I noticed this downfall and they still havent helped me. Unfortunately the warranty ended when it hit 36,000 miles so they say nothing can be done about it now even though I filed it before the warranty was up. The car has been a nightmare ever since this happened and now recently the gas light stays on even when I fill up the tank.
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So and So - 2000 Nissan Altima
By Tiki - January 28 - 9:33 amThis car was great when i bought it used with 85k miles, it waws wonderful until i decided to customize it, Rims, exhaust, the works, the suspension is now very bumpy, but it corners like a BMW. Overall this car is "you get what u pay for". Brakes wear down real fast, but maybe thats just my driving. Tires wear down real fast too.
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Nissan, my first NEW car! - 2011 Nissan Altima
By Olivia Melton - January 27 - 7:02 am -
Black on Black 06 SE-R - 2006 Nissan Altima
By Jason in St. Louis - January 27 - 4:53 am1 year now with my SE-R. Many positives, but room for improvement. Very stylish, I receive a lot of compliments from young and old alike. Great performance from a very reliable and well engineered engine. Aggressive exhaust tones, Xenon headlights, 18" wheels, 6 speed, 2 tone leather, Bose stereo, etc. With all this great stuff you get TORQUE STEER... big time, interior road noise from tires that are expensive to replace, and huge front wheel wells (car looks unbalanced from side profile). Overall, Im VERY satisfied with my experience with this car... highly recommended.
