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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  2005 Altima 3.5se 5spd - 2005 Nissan Altima
  By rwouell1 - January 17 - 10:04 am

  I love love love this car. I bought it new in 2005 and have almost 92000 on it now. The 3.5 with a 5spd is a rocket ship. Love to pull up next to sport coupes and blow there door off. I have only had to change the breaks and put new tires on it. It has been to the shop twice for repair work. Once for a rear suspension recall and once to replace something in the steering system which had rusted out. Over all would buy another except for the fact that you can no longer get a v6 stick shift sedan anymore. Only wish the car had come with abs and side airbags. Might actually trade it in for a mazda.

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  Decent Car Overall - 2010 Nissan Altima
  By KG - January 15 - 6:16 pm

  I traded an 04 Impala in for this car. It is smaller than the Impala and gets worse gas mileage, so Im not sure if I made a good decision or not. The keyless start is nice, but if you lose your keys it is very expensive to replace. Its an ok car overall, but sometimes I miss my Impala.

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  Great Car for The Money!! - 2008 Nissan Altima
  By ChadO - January 15 - 12:46 pm

  Car is amazing!! The Altima is built tough and has plenty of features on the base model to make it practical for everyone to use!!

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  Terrific Value - 2000 Nissan Altima
  By mbednorz - January 14 - 2:00 am

  Best value in this class and this price range. Looked hard at 4-door auto subcompacts. Got it down to Civic, Protege, and Altima. All had build quality, resale, value, interior room, handling, and reliability. On test drives, the Altima stood out for performance, ride, and interior. Got a used GLE (for $12k, 29k miles, like new). Very torquey 4 cylinder works very well with the automatic. Youd swear it was a V6. Terrific GLE interior. Very smooth on the highway, roomy interior, great trunk. Completely trouble-free. Only downside is the drab styling. Two thumbs up.

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  Good Torque For a 4CYL - 2003 Nissan Altima
  By drdoz - January 14 - 2:00 am

  I was going to buy a 3.5 V6 but after driving the 2.5 I decided the larger engine was a little overkill. The variable valve timing, variable intake runners and 2.5 liters make power from take off though high RPMs. This may well be the most powerfull feeling 4 cylinder sedan in its price range. The car rides good; acomplished by increases in the wheelbase and is quiet. The fuel economy is on par with most cars in the class but not as good as an Accord. Maintenence should be less expensive as there is no timing belt to replace. The back seat is very spacious compared to any other midsize I have been in.

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  Upset With My Altima - 2013 Nissan Altima
  By tom1945 - January 13 - 8:33 am

  My Altima has a voice recognition system that is not compatable with my phone. In addition, my spouse weighs a little over 100 lbs so we have a warning light always on to indicate the air bag is off. I have complained to the dealer and Nissan and have been told that both systems are operating correctly. I feel anyone looking to purchase an Altima should check first to make sure their phone is compatable and also be aware if you plan on driving with anyone who is not 110+ lbs.

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  only 24.6 mpg on highway so far - 2012 Nissan Altima
  By jim_janet - January 13 - 7:04 am

  We just bought our first new car in 40 years. We had not planed to but the 2010 Altima we bought on June 4th we trades back in 10 days later because you could hear the lifters, there was fuel in the oil and it was only getting 21 mpg. We were told this was a lemon not typical for an Altima and they gave us a good deal on a 2012. We wanted a car that would provide us with the best gas mileage possible so we choose an Altama. So far that is not what our new 2012 is doing. Maybe it takes time to break in. We have only had our 2012 since June 23.So far it is getting 24.6mpg on the highway and overall only22 mpg About 440 miles per 20 gal tank. We are not happy. We do like how it looks & handles.

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  Well worth the money! - 1998 Nissan Altima
  By Ernie - January 12 - 11:46 am

  I have owned my Nissan Altima for just over 10 years. In that time, I have managed to accumulate over 200,000 miles on my vehicle with very little major repairs. I changed the oil, rotated and changed tires, and got regular tune ups done, but that is about it. The car still runs great. It was money well spent.

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  Ultimate Sports Sedan - 2005 Nissan Altima
  By MartymdSE-R - January 7 - 12:00 pm

  This is my second Altima and i love it more than any other car that Ive ever owned. It combines everyday drivability along with excellent performance! Plus, it wont break the bank.

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  Well-equipped, good looking sedan - 2015 Nissan Altima
  By Mary - January 6 - 5:48 pm

  Nice riding car. We get 40 mpg on the highway. If we go between 55-65 we have even gotten 43mpg. Very comfortable seats, front and back. Our Altima SL is well equipped with moonroof, Bluetooth, back up camera. Our car doesnt have navigation, but has a big app package called Nissan Connect. It also has a huge trunk.