Overview & Reviews

The 2009 Nissan Altima receives only minor changes. Base models have a few more standard features this year, including power mirrors and a trip computer. Available options now include dual-zone climate control with rear vents and a sunroof as a stand-alone option.

• Strong engines, smooth and responsive continuously variable transmission (CVT), responsive steering, attractive styling inside and out, high-grade interior materials, high crash test scores.

• Stability control unavailable on four-cylinder models, mediocre rear seating comfort, complex option grouping.

User Reviews:

Showing 1 through 10 of 172.00

• 

  Update - 2009 Nissan Altima
  By phillygm - December 29 - 12:43 am

  Ive got about 10000 on the clock now. Car still drives like a champ. Mileage pretty much the same as when purchased, @ 20-22mpg combined 20 miles roundtrip daily depending on foot. Noise in engine compartment is ABS automatic and occurs on all Lexus and Nissan V6s, some more audible than others. Sadly, the rattle in the back was never solved after repeated trips. Strangely, it goes away when a passenger sits on side of the back seat, may try and lcoate rattle myself at some point. No major disappointments yet.

• 

  Cheap, Fast, Cool - 2009 Nissan Altima
  By Josh - November 8 - 12:43 pm

  Car has good acceleration, and the CVT is nice. At cruising speeds, if you need to pass somebody the power is always there. The one thing that I found very odd: there is no radio in the base version? Dealer had to install one for me. Car looks good (minus the wheel covers... I dont get that either). Engine noise is present, but its a 4 cyl so its expected. Push button start is cool. Display is cool. Overall its a nice ride for the money.

• 

  Pretty Good - 2009 Nissan Altima
  By Richard Seibert - September 7 - 6:53 am

  Car 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.

• 

  Hard to Please Happy Driver - 2009 Nissan Altima
  By jmbduke - August 1 - 7:50 am

  I 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.

• 

  Pathetic Fuel Economy - 2009 Nissan Altima
  By Sorrybuyer - March 7 - 7:30 pm

  I traded in my 4Runner thinking that I would get better fuel efficiency based on the advertised 23/31 mpg. Its giving a dismal 18 mpg in the city and a pathetic 20.5 mpg combined. And yes it is the 4 cylinder 2.5S. My 4Runner was giving me just a mile or two less with a 6 cylinder engine! Besides the poor fuel efficiency its a decent car but if you are looking for better mileage, look elsewhere. My last Nissan purchase!

• 

  09 Altima 2.5 with Navigation - 2009 Nissan Altima
  By Dan - December 13 - 9:56 pm

  You get your moneys worth! The 2.5 with navigation has many high end features of luxury brands without the price. I traded in an 07 Audi A4 which had more torque and better cornering but the Altima has a lot more to offer for the price and looks just as sporty. The navigation system with integrated Bluetooth and Bose stereo is great. The fog lights and rear spoiler make the car more sporty. The CVT is great but the engine can be loud when you accelerate quickly. Push button start is a cool and convenient feature. Im happy with my purchase and got a fantastic lease payment!

• 

  BUGS!! BUGS!! BUGSS!!! - 2009 Nissan Altima
  By evelynt1 - August 31 - 1:37 pm

  I have had a pretty fair experice with my Nissan Altima but a major dissapointment in this car is that when there is a problem with the vehicle the dealership seems unavailbale to fix it. I live in a rural area where bugs are prominent and it seems that my car as well as others around mine are extremly suscepitable to bugs being into the tail lights. They are very unsightly and nearly immpossibe to get out. When i contacted the dealer they told me that if the problem was not water they were not responsible for fixing my inconvience. I went to the nissan service area to see what I could do about this and they informed me that I would have to pay $500 each for new tail lights.

• 

  Fun, but room for improvement - 2009 Nissan Altima
  By GMO - August 20 - 9:16 pm

  Fun car. Looks great. Issues: Super loud wind noise esp. with windows down and driving over 40mph. Steering is weird. Always aligning it. tends to pull too much to left. Found condensation in rear brake light already. Volume knob makes squeaky sounds sometimes. Dont like the seek control on steering wheel. why hold it down and have to wait. That isnt good. Brakes are jumpy and just not right. The CVT shifting is okay,but takes too long to shift and hangs in high rev too long. It is better when i do it manual and shift at the proper time. It is not smooth at all. its fun to drive around town. Engine revs a bit too loud and wish the shifting was better. Mileage is good and it looks nice

• 

  Poor performance - 2009 Nissan Altima
  By kim - July 3 - 9:56 am

  Having problems with the CVT trans. Hesitates upon acceleration. Took it to the shop and said that is normal. Car is getting used to your driving. Tries to anticipate what you are going to do. Now I am having problems with the windows opening on their own only the 2 front ones. Has done it 3 times since I bought in June. Dealer cannot find anything wrong. Just have to live with it. NOT ACCEPTABLE!!!! But Nissan will fix it if the inside gets ruined by rain. I am not pleased. Sure they will argue that I left the windows down. At this point I will NEVER buy another Nissan. Very unhappy after all of the great reviews.

• 

  Great Looking car-good in snow - 2009 Nissan Altima
  By Jersey Driver - February 21 - 2:36 am

  I currently have about 2k miles on the car. The Car handles excellent on the highway and in the city. It took a little while to get used to the brakes and the acceleration of the CVT. I recently drove in the snow storm of 2009. I had no problem keeping up with the snow plows. Handles great in rain, snow and icy roads.