Nissan Altima Review

The Nissan Altima has been sold for nearly two decades, succeeding in that rare role of a practical five-passenger family sedan that appeals to enthusiasts with its handling and performance ability. Nissan has introduced four generations of Altimas, the newest one in 2007. The sedan has more recently been aimed at traditional segment leaders, with rapid evolutions in its features, finesse and power.

Today's family sedans have never been more capable, and competition in this segment is fiercer than ever. Yet the current Nissan Altima distinguishes itself with perhaps the sportiest handling of any family sedan. It also offers a pleasant interior that's leaps and bounds ahead of its low-grade predecessors. The addition of a coupe model further broadens the Altima's appeal and makes it even more competitive with the Honda Accord and Toyota Camry. Families -- or anyone, really -- seeking practical yet lively daily transportation should give the Altima strong consideration.

Current Nissan Altima
The Nissan Altima provides the kind of style and performance one would have expected years ago from its now-big brother, the Maxima sedan. Distinctive styling has been a Nissan hallmark in recent years, and the latest Altima's svelte sheet metal continues this trend.

Nissan offers the Altima in sedan or coupe body styles and three trim levels: 2.5 S, 2.5 SR and 3.5 SR. The 2.5 models get a 2.5-liter four-cylinder that produces 175 horsepower. A continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT) is mandatory on the sedan, while the coupe gets a standard six-speed manual transmission with the CVT as an option. The 3.5 SR models get a 3.5-liter V6 that produces 270 hp. This engine gets the same transmission choices as the 2.5. A limited-production four-cylinder Altima Hybrid model (reviewed separately) is also available in some states.

We've mostly praised the power and handling of both the four-cylinder and V6 Altima models in our reviews. The 3.5 SR is clearly the more sporting of the two, not only for its power but also its sport-tuned suspension. The base car with the 2.5-liter four-cylinder performs well enough, but has been eclipsed in recent years by newer competitors. The CVT is one of the best examples of its breed, while the six-speed feels rubbery and imprecise.

The Altima coupe drives much like the sedan, but adds unique styling, sportier suspension tuning and more aggressively bolstered seats. Its dimensions are also a bit shorter than the sedan's. Combined with the coupe's rakish roof line, this means markedly less passenger room, though it's still a good bit roomier than dedicated sport coupes.

Pricing is something to consider when looking at an Altima. While the least expensive Altima starts at just under $20,000, opting for the V6 and exercising a free hand with the options list could leave you at $30,000 or more. At that price point, more purpose-built sport sedans from more prestigious luxury automakers enter the discussion.

Used Nissan Altima Models
The current- (fourth) generation Nissan Altima debuted in 2007, with the coupe following in 2008. In the time since, the Altima line has seen only minor changes, mostly to standard and optional feature packages. Nissan made some styling tweaks for 2010 and enhanced the upgraded audio system, iPod interface and navigation system. Prior to 2010, the 3.5 SR was known as the 3.5 SE.

The previous, third-generation Nissan Altima is not entirely dissimilar to the current car and should appeal to used car shoppers. This 2002-'06 model was about 6 inches longer and had a new suspension and stronger body compared to the previous car. At the time, it was one of the most powerful family sedans available, offering either a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine capable of 175 hp or a 240-hp 3.5-liter V6, connected to a choice of manual or automatic transmissions.

The interior was widely criticized for looking 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 the serious driving enthusiast, 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 norm.

It took awhile for the Nissan Altima family sedan, introduced in 1993, to establish itself in the marketplace and the hearts of enthusiasts. The first two generations, powered by a relatively peppy 150-hp 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine, weren't flops, but also weren't the blockbusters Nissan had hoped for. 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.