There was a time when midsize sedans were among the hottest segments in the industry. Today, things are quite different, but some manufacturers still believe there's a place in the market for this type of car, as Nissan does. In fact, the Altima has experienced a certain resurgence in popularity in recent years, which is why I decided to give it a try.
The Nissan Altima has been around for quite some time now. In fact, it hit the market in 1994 to replace the Stanza. The Japanese sedan quickly established itself in its category thanks to its American-style comfort and Japanese reliability. A second generation appeared in 1998, followed by a third in 2002. In 2007, Nissan launched the fourth generation of the Altima, which was very popular. Many of these can still be seen on the roads, demonstrating the model's durability. The fifth generation arrived in 2013, followed by the current generation in 2018.
This means that the sixth generation of the Altima will soon be renewed, but that doesn't mean you should wait for the new model. You see, the designers have done a remarkable job with the Japanese sedan, which still feels up-to-date. Its interior remains very modern, and it's a car that lacks nothing in terms of equipment. The quality of the finish is impressive, which is why the Altima remains such an interesting car even today.
Driving Experience
For 2024, the Nissan Altima only offers one option in terms of mechanics. It's a 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine that produces 182 horsepower and 178 pound-feet of torque. This is paired with a CVT gearbox. Fortunately, all-wheel drive is standard. This is the kind of mechanics found in most midsize cars still present on the market, which is a good thing for the Nissan Altima. However, several of its rivals offer a second, more dynamic option.
Let's talk about my test drive because, in my opinion, numbers don't mean much. First, the only mechanic that the Altima offers suits it perfectly. No, you won't win in an acceleration race, but that's not the point here. This engine was chosen to offer a certain comfort in rolling and nice linear accelerations, which it does wonderfully. Plus, the engine isn't too noisy.
Nissan advertises an average consumption of 7.9 L/100 km for its sedan, which is quite realistic in my opinion. During my test, I was able to achieve an average consumption of 7.4 L/100 km without paying particular attention.
Highway
The Nissan Altima is the kind of car you could spend hours driving. It's comfortable, enjoyable to drive, and so on. In short, all this to say that if you drive several hundred kilometers on the highway per week, you should like the Japanese sedan.
City
It's quite easy to maneuver in the city, and it has a good field of vision. Its suspension is a bit firm, especially with the nice roads of Quebec, but that's what gives it a certain comfort on the highway.
Gravel
As the Altima offers all-wheel drive as standard, I allowed myself to go test it on a surface with less grip, and I must say I was quite impressed by the way the system behaves.
Design and Technology
What I like about Nissan is its audacity to offer vehicles different from others, and that's why you can easily recognize an Altima. It's a pretty car that presents itself with as much character as elegance. The manufacturer has also made excellent choices in terms of color and finish.
Now, let's talk about the multimedia system of the Japanese sedan, as this is one of its greatest assets. Its 12.3-inch screen is clear and very pleasant to use. In fact, navigation is smooth, and all the controls you're looking for are quickly found. Nissan has built the menu well, and it's something other manufacturers should certainly take note of.
Price and Equipment
For 2024, the Nissan Altima range consists of four versions. First, there's the Altima S, which serves as the entry-level model with a starting price of $34,374, which is quite reasonable for a car of this quality. Next up is the SR version, which offers a more interesting look for $37,274. The SR Privilege version is next at $39,474. Finally, it's the Platinum version that sits at the top of the range at $40,774. The price range of the Altima is not exaggerated, and I would even say that the car offers a lot regardless of its price, especially when compared to an equivalent-sized SUV.
Author's Recommendations
In my opinion, the Nissan Altima remains one of the best midsize sedans you can buy. It's spacious, comfortable, functional, and above all, it focuses on simplicity and quality. It's the kind of car you simply can't regret choosing.
Jean-Sébastien Poudrier