1 / 1Illustrative AI renders — not manufacturer photographs.
Nissan Altima
Roomy, frugal midsize sedan with available all-wheel drive
Nissan Altima review
The Nissan Altima is a roomy front-wheel-drive midsize sedan that competes squarely with the segment's bestsellers. It leans on a frugal 2.5-liter four-cylinder, a smooth-shifting CVT, and one feature rivals can't match in this class: available all-wheel drive. Inside, you get genuinely comfortable seats, a clean cabin, and a generous trunk. It won't thrill enthusiasts, but for value-focused buyers wanting space and efficiency, the Altima makes a quietly convincing case.
On the road, the Altima prioritizes calm over excitement. The 188-horsepower 2.5-liter four-cylinder is adequate rather than energetic, and the continuously variable transmission keeps revs low for the sake of fuel economy. Real-world highway efficiency in the low-to-mid 30s is genuinely strong, and the available all-wheel drive — rare in this segment — gives cold-weather and rainy-state buyers real peace of mind. Nissan once offered a turbocharged VC-Turbo engine for stronger acceleration, but the bread-and-butter 2.5 is what most buyers will live with.
The cabin is where the Altima earns its keep. Nissan's "Zero Gravity" front seats remain among the most comfortable in the class on long drives, and rear legroom is competitive. Material quality is acceptable rather than plush, with some hard plastics lower in the dash, but the layout is sensible and the standard 8-inch (or available larger) touchscreen runs wireless Apple CarPlay. Road and wind noise are well suppressed for the price, reinforcing the car's relaxed character.
Dynamically, the Altima is composed and predictable but not engaging. Steering is light, body control is fine for daily driving, and the ride absorbs rough pavement well. Buyers cross-shopping the Toyota Camry and Honda Accord will find the Altima trails both in outright polish and resale value, and the CVT's drone under hard acceleration is a familiar Nissan trait. Reliability is generally solid, though the CVT's long-term reputation is something used-buyers watch closely.
Value is the Altima's strongest argument. It typically undercuts key rivals on price while bundling a strong suite of standard driver-assistance tech, including automatic emergency braking and Nissan's Safety Shield 360 on most trims. For shoppers who want a spacious, efficient, comfortable sedan without paying a premium badge tax — and who appreciate the all-weather security of AWD — the Altima deserves a serious look.
Pros & cons
What we like
- Available all-wheel drive in the class
- Very comfortable front seats
- Strong real-world fuel economy
- Generous interior and trunk space
- Competitive starting price
What could be better
- CVT drones under hard acceleration
- Resale value trails Camry and Accord
- Some cheap interior plastics
- Base engine feels merely adequate
Nissan Altima price & variants
| Variant | Fuel / Transmission | Starting MSRP |
|---|---|---|
| S Best value | GasolineAutomatic (CVT) | $28,000 |
| SV | GasolineAutomatic (CVT) | $29,800 |
| SV AWD | GasolineAutomatic (CVT) | $31,200 |
| SR | GasolineAutomatic (CVT) | $32,500 |
| SL | GasolineAutomatic (CVT) | $34,500 |
| SR VC-Turbo | GasolineAutomatic (CVT) | $36,500 |
Key specifications
Model Overview
Engine & Transmission
Dimensions & Capacity
Fuel & Performance
Comfort & Convenience
Safety
Nissan Altima colours
Super BlackExpert rating breakdown
Owner reviews
AWD sealed the deal
I live in the Northeast and wanted a sedan that could handle winter without jumping to an SUV. The AWD Altima has been excellent in snow, and I'm averaging around 31 mpg in mixed driving. The seats are seriously comfortable on long trips.
Comfortable and cheap to run
Great commuter car. It's quiet, the CarPlay works wirelessly every time, and gas stops are rare. My only gripe is the engine sounds strained when I really get on it, but for normal driving it's perfectly fine.
Solid value, watch the CVT
No major issues so far and the interior space is fantastic for my family. I do baby the transmission since Nissan CVTs have a mixed reputation. For the price I paid versus a comparable Accord, I'd buy it again.
Alternatives to the Nissan Altima
Audi A4
4.3$42,000 – $57,000Starting MSRP
BMW 5 Series
4.5$59,000 – $74,000Starting MSRP
Mercedes-Benz E-Class
4.4$62,000 – $88,000Starting MSRP
Tesla Model 3
4.5$42,490 – $54,990Starting MSRP
Nissan Altima — frequently asked questions
Does the Nissan Altima come with all-wheel drive?
Yes. Unlike the Toyota Camry's recent layouts and the front-drive-only Honda Accord, the Altima offers intelligent all-wheel drive on its 2.5-liter trims, making it a strong pick for snowy or rainy regions.
What kind of fuel economy does the Altima get?
Front-wheel-drive 2.5-liter models earn roughly 32 mpg combined, with highway figures around 39 mpg. All-wheel-drive versions drop a few mpg, and the VC-Turbo trades some efficiency for more power.
Is the Altima reliable?
The Altima is generally dependable, with strong scores in most owner surveys. The main long-term concern buyers raise is the CVT, so regular maintenance and gentle driving are worth it.
How much cargo space does the trunk offer?
The Altima has about 15.4 cubic feet of trunk space, which is competitive for the class and easily handles a family's luggage or a big grocery run. The rear seats fold to extend cargo room.
Does it have Apple CarPlay and Android Auto?
Yes. The Altima includes Apple CarPlay (wireless on most trims) and Android Auto, along with an 8-inch or larger touchscreen depending on the trim level.
Which Altima trim is the best value?
The SV trim hits the sweet spot, adding Safety Shield 360, blind-spot monitoring, and convenience features over the base S without a big price jump. Choose the SV AWD if you want all-weather traction.
Image is an AI-generated illustration. Specifications and prices are indicative and may vary by variant and city — please confirm with an authorized dealer. Last updated 2026-06-25.