The Nissan Altima sport sedan has been on sale for almost 15 years and has now settled into the rare role of a practical five-passenger family sedan with handling and performance that appeals to the enthusiast.
There have been four generations of Altima, with the newest one recently introduced and on sale now. The sedan has been aimed at serious competitors such as the Toyota Camry and Honda Accord and over time it has matured in terms of features, finesse and power.
The third- and fourth-generation Nissan Altimas are the most desirable. They're most likely to appeal to people who need a midsize sedan but put a premium on responsive handling and an entertaining driving experience.
Current Nissan Altima
The current Nissan Altima has been fully redesigned for 2007 and provides the kind of style and performance one would have expected years ago from its big brother, the Maxima sedan.
In recent years, strong styling has been one of Nissan's characteristics and that continues. The Altima's overall length has been reduced about 2 inches as compared to the previous model, which means a loss of almost 2 inches of front and rear legroom. But there is still enough room for four 6-foot adults to be carried in reasonable comfort, at least for a short distance.
The Altima is available with a 270-horsepower 3.5-liter V6 or a 175-hp, 2.5-liter four-cylinder. Transmission choices are a six-speed manual or a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT).
Starting with the least expensive model, the four-cylinder Altima models are the 2.5, 2.5S and 2.5SL. The V6 comes in the 3.5 SE and 3.5 SL trims. The "SL" trim level indicates an inclination toward luxury, while the "SE" version is for the serious enthusiast as it provides a more firmly tuned sport suspension.
In reviews of the fourth-generation Nissan Altima, we've mostly praised the performance and handling of both the four-cylinder and V6 models, although the ride on the sporty SE can be a little stiff on a rough surface. Edmunds.com testers have found that the CVT allows the V6 Altima to move from zero to 60 mph in only 6.6 seconds, a fine performance for a family sedan. Meanwhile, the base car with the 2.5-liter four-cylinder performs well enough that it will probably make some consumers think twice about whether a V6 is necessary.
One thing to consider is the pricing. While the least expensive Altima starts at just under $19,000, a desire for V6 power and a self-indulgent hand with the options means an Altima could quickly reach $30,000 or more. At that price point, one could also start considering some sport sedans from more prestigious luxury automakers.
Past Nissan Altima Models
It took awhile for the Nissan Altima family sedan, introduced in 1993, to find its place in the marketplace and the hearts of enthusiasts.
The first two generations, powered by a strong, 150-hp 2.4-liter four-cylinder, weren't flops but neither were they the kind of midsize sedan blockbuster Nissan wanted. We found the second-generation Altima, which was sold for the 1998-2001 model years, to be a decent handler but too bland in its overall design.
A big upgrade came with the third generation. The redesigned 2002 Altima was about 6 inches longer and had a new suspension and stronger body. At the time, it was one of the most powerful family sedans available, as it came with either a 240-hp 3.5-liter V6 or a 175-hp 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine. All models were offered with a manual or automatic transmission.
The interior was widely criticized for looking cheap but the Altima had a particularly lively feel for a front-wheel-drive family sedan. Reviewers including Edmunds.com declared that the Nissan Altima had gone from the status of wallflower to a desirable sedan.
For the serious driving enthusiast, the most fun was to be had from the 2005-'06 Altima SE-R. This specialized model came with a firmer suspension, a bit more power and an exclusive six-speed manual transmission.
There have been four generations of Altima, with the newest one recently introduced and on sale now. The sedan has been aimed at serious competitors such as the Toyota Camry and Honda Accord and over time it has matured in terms of features, finesse and power.
The third- and fourth-generation Nissan Altimas are the most desirable. They're most likely to appeal to people who need a midsize sedan but put a premium on responsive handling and an entertaining driving experience.
Current Nissan Altima
The current Nissan Altima has been fully redesigned for 2007 and provides the kind of style and performance one would have expected years ago from its big brother, the Maxima sedan.
In recent years, strong styling has been one of Nissan's characteristics and that continues. The Altima's overall length has been reduced about 2 inches as compared to the previous model, which means a loss of almost 2 inches of front and rear legroom. But there is still enough room for four 6-foot adults to be carried in reasonable comfort, at least for a short distance.
The Altima is available with a 270-horsepower 3.5-liter V6 or a 175-hp, 2.5-liter four-cylinder. Transmission choices are a six-speed manual or a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT).
Starting with the least expensive model, the four-cylinder Altima models are the 2.5, 2.5S and 2.5SL. The V6 comes in the 3.5 SE and 3.5 SL trims. The "SL" trim level indicates an inclination toward luxury, while the "SE" version is for the serious enthusiast as it provides a more firmly tuned sport suspension.
In reviews of the fourth-generation Nissan Altima, we've mostly praised the performance and handling of both the four-cylinder and V6 models, although the ride on the sporty SE can be a little stiff on a rough surface. Edmunds.com testers have found that the CVT allows the V6 Altima to move from zero to 60 mph in only 6.6 seconds, a fine performance for a family sedan. Meanwhile, the base car with the 2.5-liter four-cylinder performs well enough that it will probably make some consumers think twice about whether a V6 is necessary.
One thing to consider is the pricing. While the least expensive Altima starts at just under $19,000, a desire for V6 power and a self-indulgent hand with the options means an Altima could quickly reach $30,000 or more. At that price point, one could also start considering some sport sedans from more prestigious luxury automakers.
Past Nissan Altima Models
It took awhile for the Nissan Altima family sedan, introduced in 1993, to find its place in the marketplace and the hearts of enthusiasts.
The first two generations, powered by a strong, 150-hp 2.4-liter four-cylinder, weren't flops but neither were they the kind of midsize sedan blockbuster Nissan wanted. We found the second-generation Altima, which was sold for the 1998-2001 model years, to be a decent handler but too bland in its overall design.
A big upgrade came with the third generation. The redesigned 2002 Altima was about 6 inches longer and had a new suspension and stronger body. At the time, it was one of the most powerful family sedans available, as it came with either a 240-hp 3.5-liter V6 or a 175-hp 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine. All models were offered with a manual or automatic transmission.
The interior was widely criticized for looking cheap but the Altima had a particularly lively feel for a front-wheel-drive family sedan. Reviewers including Edmunds.com declared that the Nissan Altima had gone from the status of wallflower to a desirable sedan.
For the serious driving enthusiast, the most fun was to be had from the 2005-'06 Altima SE-R. This specialized model came with a firmer suspension, a bit more power and an exclusive six-speed manual transmission.
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