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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  Luster wears off quick!! - 2005 Nissan Altima
  By Ticked-off-tico - September 25 - 4:10 am

  I had written a review with higher ratings when I 1st got car but that has changed dramatically. Car started to pull to left more and more. Let go of steering wheel & you might hit curb or cars. Seats are uncomfortable for 50 plus mile trips. Interior parts have popped off or loosened and I have noticed that the black paint job on exterior is of inferior quality for $25,000 plus car. Engine sounds like it will need to be fixed soon. Rear view mirror does not dim well enough at night that you dont squint during night driving. I believed in Nissan before but lost faith that they even care about customers more than the buck. Ridiculous maintenance prices. No mp3 compatibility.Lots of road noise.

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  Its a pretty good car - 2003 Nissan Altima
  By axxess1 - September 24 - 3:58 am

  I bought the car back in 2013 with 77k miles on it, now i have about 106k and had to do some maintenance on it.. ex brakes, engine mount, water pump.. but overall it a pretty good car, A/C is awesome and gas is pretty good !

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  great car - 1997 Nissan Altima
  By RRom - September 22 - 10:00 am

  I bought my Nissan when I was moving to a big city and it has been a great and reliable vehicle. I would recommend it to my family and friends. It kept me safe in an accident!

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  bumpy but ok - 2003 Nissan Altima
  By michael g - September 22 - 10:00 am

  I recently purchased this car. Havent had any problems yet. The engine, altho only 4 cyl, is powerful. However, the ride is quite harsh b/c of tight suspension. It is roomy emough.

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  2012 Nissan Altima 2.5S - 57,000+ miles - 2012 Nissan Altima
  By whf1957 - September 22 - 9:39 am

  I purchased my car used from a rental car company in November 2012. It had about 32,000 miles on it. They did a great job of making it seem new. I have 57,500+ miles on the car now and besides replacing the tires and having the oil changed, no issues to report. I have averaged about 28.5 mpg between city/hwy driving. I did make a trip to Omaha, NE in May 2013 and when I filled up I had just over 34 mpg (hand calculated with a calculator 3 times). I was driving about 72 mph with the a/c on. The MPG listed on the dash board has never been accurate. Just because I am old school I do get the oil changed every 5000 miles instead of the 7500 recommended by Nissan.

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  Great car, great price - 2003 Nissan Altima
  By Jay from Chicago - September 20 - 10:00 am

  Bought the 2003 3.5 SE, and have been just completely blown away by how improved the interior is over the 2002, as well as how comfortable and fun to drive this car is. Ive never owned a Nissan before (Honda & Toyotas mostly), but this Altima has me won over!! And, best of all, due to an error by the dealership, I got this one at slightly over Invoice!!! ;) The only downer is that Nissan doesnt run any financing specials on Altimas, so the Rate is a little higher than I would have liked, but I can live with it!

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  2003 Altima is terrific. - 2003 Nissan Altima
  By Altima Fan - September 20 - 10:00 am

  What a great car! My fiance happily dropped off her lemon (a 2000 Olds Alero) and picked up one of the nicest cars on the market. We fell in love with this car after test driving many others in its class. The styling and build quality were unmatched.

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  This Is The Best - 2006 Nissan Altima
  By dwalz - September 17 - 9:50 pm

  Ive owned Hondas, Toyotas, Jaguars, Fords and Volvos during the past 10- years. My new Nissan Altima 2.5 S is by far and away the best car Ive ever driven. I dont have any idea of where some of the negative reviews come from. I can only guess its from another car maker owner that wants to "dis" Nissan to help raise the re- sale value of their car. This is a great car and a great value for the price.

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  2008 Altima 2.5S nice but could be bette - 2008 Nissan Altima
  By Fred from Albuquerqu - September 16 - 10:06 am

  I like the inside and outside style of the vehicle. The layout of the controls on the dash are very user friendly. Good gas mileage and surprising pep in starting from a stop. Not the best vehicle for 6 ft or taller people since steering wheel (even though telescopic) does not extend enough if seats are set back for leg room. Wish Nissan could have added 1 or 2 more inches to the extension.

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  Very Good Car/Value - 1998 Nissan Altima
  By rkrois - September 16 - 10:00 am

  Purchased car new in 1998, stick shift, no problems at all, currently have 115,000 miles and it still runs great and is fun to drive.