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:
Showing 41 through 50 of 3,673.00-
Sporty & Responsive - 2003 Nissan Altima
By kegradtech - September 27 - 1:50 amThis is the 3rd Nissan Altima Ive owned. Ive also had a 2001 GXE Limited Edition (the last year of the old body & engine style) and a 1999 SE Limited Edition. I love the throaty engine noise under heavy acceleration, balanced with a very quiet response under normal driving conditions. The body styling is second to none in its class and I feel you have to upgrade to luxury vehicles to get better body styling than the Altima. My only complaints about it are the front brakes which seem to warp too easily (the same happened in my 2001, but no problems with this in my 1999 model.) I have had to upgrade to slotted rotors to keep this from recurring and I dont even heavily brake the vehicle.
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2001 GXE Limited Edition - 2001 Nissan Altima
By JWR - September 20 - 2:00 amComfortable car to drive. Rear suspension problems. Replaced the bushings on the rear sway bar twice. Just replaced a defective speed regulator on the driver side power window. Service department at the local dealer is very poor when it comes to customer service.
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My Second Nissan Altima, 3.5 Liter - 2005 Nissan Altima
By Larry Stell - September 18 - 10:00 amThis my second Nissan Altima. The first one I owned was a 2003 Nissan Altima and I had about 5 or 6 discrepencies in the auto, plus a replaced engine (frozen crankshaft) at 10,800 miles. The 2004 had to have a replaced fuel pump at 3,000 miles. To date (18,000 miles), I have no complaints. Performance Good+
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fun - 2002 Nissan Altima
By not know - September 15 - 2:00 amfun to drive, needs more insulation from noise
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Been a great lease, deciding to purchase it or not - 2008 Nissan Altima
By tmac4718 - September 14 - 12:07 amBrand new lease on 08/13/2008, now has 36k miles. Have enjoyed the car so much Im trying to decide whether to just buy it. If it was awd it would be a no brainer. Even with brand new Toyo all seasons this year it still stinks in the winter. Car is too light and cant keep the front tires from slipping entirely too much in the winter, drove my 4wd instead. Brakes have squealed the whole time, dealer says normal. And an odd loud ping upon startup when putting in reverse. Dealer can never reproduce the ping. Other than that great car. Other peoples tranny issues concern me but still has warranty
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Pretty Good - 2009 Nissan Altima
By Richard Seibert - September 7 - 6:53 amCar has smooth ride and decent handling. Handling could be improved with better OE tires. Very pleased with MPG so far. Lease deal was terrific, and that is what swayed me, although I do like the styling and interior design. Intelligent key is great--no fishing for the remote.
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Altima Review - 1999 Nissan Altima
By Danny Litton - August 30 - 9:36 amGreat reliability. Have done nothing to the car except tires, brakes and oil. Nothing else has gone wrong with the car. Very low maintenance.
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97 Altima - 1997 Nissan Altima
By mas2003 - August 29 - 2:00 amI bought this Altima after I put my 3rd set of brakes on a Potiac I owned and have been somewhat happy with this car. There seems to be a small problem every year which runs me $100 to $200. The emergency brake cables, the back light socket, and the transmission gasket have all been replaced. Battery is understandable. In general is reliable and is better than the American cars I have had. Very disappointed with the transmission, especially shifting into 1st gear. I now have some water building up in the trunk, no clue how it is getting there, need to investiagte
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Not happy - 2008 Nissan Altima
By MS - August 25 - 11:06 pmThe transmission was changed at 4K. Then trunk open button repaired. Car makes strange sounds that is not continues, dealer says it is normal. The trunk makes a click when open and close due to the two-rod design. I used to drive Toyota Camry; this car is far below the level of Toyota. It has a sport body, keyless engine start and many other options, which does not add to the performance. Dealer says the car built with many motors to operate components, which explain the strange sounds. If I had to buy a car, I would not consider Nissan.
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POTENTIAL - 1998 Nissan Altima
By McFly4ever - August 21 - 10:00 amThis car is great, it is very peppy for a 4 cyl sedan, and if you are interested in car performance it has a lot of potential, I am currently pushing 220 hp at the wheels in my 98 altima GLE