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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  First Altim Lasted 17 years...heres to another 17+ - 2017 Nissan Altima
  By bill regan - November 12 - 7:41 am

  Do your research then when you get back to the Altima for all the right reasons, go to Jim MLady Dealership in Crystal Lake Il, the Midwests largest volume dealer. Ask for Sales Rep Scott Ryan if you dont use the Internet route to get pricing. Great deal, great guy, no pressure, easy to do business with all from Finance Manager, Sales Manaager, and Customer Care Manager, all easy going, friendly supportive folks. They even introduced me to the Service Manager. If you are a Veteran be sure to sign the Vets Poster by the Service dept if you purchase the car...Jim MLady is a Marine Corp vet, played football on the Marine team and supports Veterans in the area. They offer free lifetime car washes and oil changes and have had the car washed 3 times already so its real folks. The Altima is a dream to drive and own---we owned one for 17 years before we bought this one, so we already know quality and longevity is on our side with this Make and Model. Dont waste time looking at toyota and hondas, theyre too much more money and Altima offers more upgrades for free, and you cant beat this dealers deal, and lifetime car washes and oil changes. Very Happy Customer.

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  Fabulous Car!!! - 2002 Nissan Altima
  By JC 90210 - November 9 - 10:00 am

  I am 100 o/o happy with this car. I have had many cars, and this one is right at the top. The only negative is the steering wheel radio and speed controls are not lighted. The rest is Perfect!

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  Im so happy, I could plotz! - 2003 Nissan Altima
  By webdiva1269 - November 9 - 10:00 am

  Just picked this up yesterday, and have already put close to 200 miles on it. This is absolutely the most fun car I have ever owned!! I am the mom of a 3 year old, and it fits an adult and 2 car seats in the back, as well as me (58") and my brother (64") in the front. Factory stereo is good quality- no Bose, but a nice sounding system, and the crystal blue paint with the side sills and splash guards gives this car a distincly not-your-average kindermusik mom look!!

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  best - 2003 Nissan Altima
  By billlotida - November 9 - 10:00 am

  overall a nicely designed and built car, that can take on the best Toyota or Honda can throw at it.

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  Not Bad...but not Good - 2000 Nissan Altima
  By honest abe - November 9 - 9:56 am

  Good car. Freezing AC. Gas mileage is not too great. Steering tough to turn in parking lots. Very reliable. Good engine. Could be smoother and quieter. If you are looking for a nice "USED" car then this is your pick. I would rather have gone with the VW Passatt

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  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.

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  My first new car... ever!!! 2.5 SL pkg - 2008 Nissan Altima
  By Mista T - November 8 - 5:03 am

  This is my first new car purchase. Was gonna get a Subie Legacy but didnt like the way it shifted. Camry is bland, boring, and dealers wouldnt haggle with me. G35x was my dream car that never came true (lotta bread for that car). My friend bought an Altima and I was taken away by the tranny. Felt like a 6 cylinder to me and the smoothness and pickup was impressive.

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  Surprised and Love the Altima - 2008 Nissan Altima
  By akepley - November 7 - 11:50 am

  I drove the new Accord, Camry, and Altima. Bottom line, the Altima drove the best and had the best mileage. I now have 9000 on my 6 speed manual, 2.5S with convenience pkg plus and it has be a blast. Steering is awesome, its comfortable, roomy, I get 35-38 mpg, no lie!!! With all this, it was much cheaper than either the Accord or Camry. The 6 spd manual is hard to find, but worth the search for sure.

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  Rattle at times - 2013 Nissan Altima
  By Fjl - November 5 - 11:27 am

  Road test car for noise over bumps I have a high pich rattle sound over bumps at times might be struts ,take car for long ride before buying over different roads and compare against another car of the same type.

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  Great Car - 2005 Nissan Altima
  By TCPohlman - November 5 - 10:00 am

  As a former Accord owner I compared the Accord, Camry and Altima. No comparison. Styling, size, room were all superior in the Altima. Nissan seems to be leading the pack with giving the market an aggressive looking option in the otherwise mundane four door sedan market.