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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Your Average Car - 1996 Nissan Altima
By dude - August 19 - 5:46 amI have a 96 gxe, and its fine to drive to close distances, but i don trust it to go further distances after the fuel pump, distributor and A/C went out. Gas is ok not the best. I would go with the Toyota Camry though and pay a few hundred bucks more.
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MY 03 ALTIMA REVIEW - 2003 Nissan Altima
By SMLTWNGRL - August 18 - 10:00 amGREAT ACCELERATION FOR A 4CYL, VERY ROOMY, EVERYBODY COMPLIMENTS ON LOOKS INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR
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Good and Bad - 2005 Nissan Altima
By loveless - August 18 - 10:00 amA nice car but the brakes on the 3.5L series are lacking.I have constantly had problems with the brakes since I hit 30,000 miles and they are under warranty. They have been fixed twice and a problem still is there. The dealer said they would fix it but they work for @ 2 weeks and the same old sound and feel come back.
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Outstanding - 2014 Nissan Altima
By Joseph Wain - August 18 - 3:58 amGreat vehicle
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Nissan Altima Review--an okay car - 2010 Nissan Altima
By tmagman1 - August 17 - 6:33 amI really didnt have nor did I want to spend a great deal of money on a car. I test drove the Mazda 3 and the Hyundai Elantra. The Hyundia actually did pretty well. I decided to give the Altima a shot. It wasnt a bad ride, and a decent value for what you get. My biggest complaint is the horsepower. I believe 175 hp is low for a car this size. The new Hyundia Sonata offers a 198 hp engine and will give the Altima a run for its money. In my opinion the engine is relatively loud during acceleration. While cruising the engine is quiet, but during take off this engine is very loud.
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A Satisfying Purchase - 2008 Nissan Altima
By smlly - August 17 - 2:06 amAt first, the CVT is weird. But after a while, I got used to it and start to have fun. Semi-auto is responsive. I used to have a Prelude. The only different btw these 2 is one has V6, the other 4 cylinder V-tech, take your pick. Rear-view camara is very useful (at least for my wife). Plenty of power. 3 inches more head room than Accord & Camry given that I have a "longer" torso and its more comfy in this than in those 2 cars. I chose this over IS 250 because of the big interior.
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Great choice for a fun family car! - 2002 Nissan Altima
By sampson - August 15 - 10:00 amAlthough our experience is brief, (car purchased 8-31-02) we cant say enough about this car! The ride is so smooth, the interior very accomodating, and the extras are wonderful. Great trunk space for a stroller and the child safety options are great and up to date. The radio/cd player is more than adequate-we didnt opt for the Bose-and love the extra large cup holders.
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Cup holders? - 2002 Nissan Altima
By mikek - August 6 - 10:00 amI bought the car from my dad, who purchased it new. Its got a nice ride, but a bit light feeling in rain. I did have to replace the "cam sensor" 2 weeks after taking it home. It simply stalled on the way to dinner. A tow, and $198.00 later it was running fine. I really enjoy the exterior the most. The interior is a bit cheap.. but its not a $30K pricetag.
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Hard to Please Happy Driver - 2009 Nissan Altima
By jmbduke - August 1 - 7:50 amI wanted to wait until the I had some time with the car before I gave my review. All i can say is that I really enjoy driving this car. The engine is sweet and quite responsive around town and on the highway. The gas mileage is where I though it would be (average 26 in mixed driving) and it has been increasing with each tank. No car is perfect, but the SL has all the features I was looking for at a price that didt leave me car poor at the end of the month. I test drove all the competition...Fusion, Accord, Camry, Malibu, Mazda6....and I kept coming back to the Altima. Im glad I did.
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Reliable & Fun But Unsafe! - 1997 Nissan Altima
By webter - July 25 - 12:50 pmThe integrity of the motor and many of the other parts are top notch. If you are looking for a base vehicle to fix to street race, this would be a great one. With that said, I was in an accident with this vehicle. The car was totaled and I had a head injury, which has left me with some brain damage. There isnt ABS on this vehicle and the air bag didnt deploy. There were fairly new Bridgestones on the car, so I cant blame it on the tires. Luckily the seat belt locked or else I wouldnt be writing this review!
