As the Nissan Altima family vehicle gains more traction in its sixth generation, Nissan updates the appearance and technology of its popular midsize sedan. These are only surface-level upgrades for the 2023 Altima, such as a new, gorgeous blue colour. Thankfully, all-wheel drive is still an option, even if more trustworthy sedans are beginning to lack it.
Although the company discontinued the Platinum trim, the sporty SR VC-Turbo trim is, quite simply, the one that ought to have been dropped. The range starts with the Altima S, priced at $26,385. Except for the basic S model, the rest of the models in the range are available with front- or all-wheel drive: S FWD, SV FWD, SV AWD, SR FWD, SR AWD, SL FWD, SL AWD, and SR VC-Turbo FWD. Additional changes for 2023 include a new infotainment system, and Nissan has transformed its external appearance and material selections to the point where it is no longer the underdog Japanese carmaker.
A few standard models in the now-reduced American sedan market are apparent rivals. Here, the Toyota Camry is unquestionably the benchmark. With an alluring moniker and an incredible 10-year, 100,000-mile guarantee, the Hyundai Sonata is now a strong competitor. The Honda Accord, another freshly revised vehicle, is also in the running.
The Altima is still alluring, particularly when you consider its 2023 revisions. Furthermore, the Nissan’s turbo-four engine outperforms most expectations in terms of speed, and at most speeds, the ride is smooth. Front-wheel drive basic S models start at $25,490 (fees not included) and go up to $26,290 for the SV, $27,690 for the SR, and $32,190 for the SL. The $36,085 SR VC-Turbo is the highest specification. AWD is available for SV and higher for $1,500.
The Altima is firmly average in size, comfort, and storage; it falls in the middle of the pack regarding internal space and trunk capacity. With the update, the styling has been enhanced, particularly up front, with the redesigned grille, lights, and black chrome SR trim. The centre console’s 8-inch touchscreen has been replaced with a 12.3-inch one, which is much needed.
Most Altima specs include many safety and driver-aid measures if a driver loses control or skill. You won’t strike anything using automatic emergency braking with pedestrian recognition and blind area monitoring. Lane-keep aid will also help. Despite its use, the brand’s Safety Shield 360 technology isn’t included in every model in the portfolio. The Altima stands out because of its feature and price combination, but in a world where most buyers would prefer a crossover, competition in this little market is surprisingly tricky.
What’s New
- The Platinum trim level has been eliminated, leaving just the S, SV, SR, and SL trim levels.
- All-wheel drive is available on all models except the S, with the default front-wheel drive.
- The Altima has a redesigned grille and logo.
- Four new designs for aluminium-alloy wheels: Wheel sizes are 17 inches for the SV and 19 inches for the SR, SL, and SR VC-Turbo.
- There are now two more exterior colors: Gray Sky Pearl وGarnet Pearl Metallic.
- Inside, Nissan’s most recent infotainment system replaces an old-fashioned one in the dash to provide a more contemporary experience.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Rapid turbocharged motor
- Outstanding cargo and interior space
- very contemporary design and infotainment
Cons:
- Driver assistance systems lag
- 19 total trim combinations and variations
- CVT transmission feels dated and groans
Performance: Nissan Altima
For the Altima, Nissan provides a variety of engine and wheel options. The base engine option is a 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine with 188 horsepower, and all trims are offered with front- or all-wheel drive. This is matched with the one available gearbox option throughout the range, a continuously variable automatic transmission.
With a turbo, Nissan delivers a 2.0-litre four-banger that is more healthful. It produces 248 horsepower here. It should be mentioned that the more asthmatic 2.5 engine is the only one available with AWD. The best of the lot is the 2.0-liter VC-Turbo engine, which produces 236 horsepower and 267 lb-ft of torque and is available on the SR model.
With this engine and the FWD configuration of the SR trim, the SR enters perilous terrain. With specs of $36,440, the SR VT-Turbo pales compared to the smaller, similarly priced Hyundai Elantra N. Despite the size difference, this is the place to invest if you’re searching for a sporty sedan.
Although the Altima has a CVT gearbox, the vehicle sometimes drones and screams. Aside from the turbocharged engine, the Altima’s brakes are another unexpected feature. These hold the automobile firmly and quickly reduce its speed. Despite its mechanical issues, the Altima is generally a pleasant vehicle, despite its lumpy and unevenly contoured seats. Fortunately, the comfortable and mostly silent ride helps offset this.
Fuel Efficiency: Nissan Altima
The Altima’s fuel efficiency ratings vary significantly according to the model and number of driven wheels. The EPA estimates 29 mpg overall for the VT-Turbo with FWD, or 25 mpg in the city and 34 mpg on the interstate. These numbers don’t hurt the car’s rating against competitors with gas engines. Honda’s Accord hybrid is a sector mainstay, and Toyota provides a hybrid Camry. Both surpass the Altima in terms of fuel efficiency with ease. The two hybrids achieve a combined fuel efficiency of 51 and 52 mpg, respectively.
With all-wheel drive, the Altima’s 2.5-litre engine achieves slightly greater fuel efficiency—30 mpg overall. If you remove two driven wheels, the 2.5 will get a combined 29 mpg. The front-drive Sonata has a combined fuel economy of 31 mpg, while the combined fuel economy of the Camry and Accord is 32 mpg.
Driver assistance and safety:
Regarding basic safety features, the Nissan Altima has an excellent array. These include automatic emergency braking, rear cross-traffic alert, high-beam assistance, blind-spot monitoring, and forward collision warning. But they are also common among the competitors.
Nissan uses Safety Shield 360 to set itself out modestly. You may turn this set of safety measures on and off with a single button press. The program monitors your surroundings and works to avoid crashes by using the car’s radar and cameras. Despite its use, the brand’s Safety Shield 360 technology isn’t included in every model in the portfolio.
Nissan provides ProPilot Assist, the brand’s cutting-edge driving aid software, and Safety Shield 360. With adaptive cruise control and automatic steering included in this package, drivers must focus on the road ahead while the vehicle takes care of the rest. While it functions well for a car in the mid-20s to high-30s price range, the Altima’s braking system might need some refinement when vehicles suddenly brake in front of it.
The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) awarded the Altima a Top Safety Pick+ rating for the 2022 model year. Still, a new stringent testing standard resulted in the car receiving just “Good” ratings. Despite this, the Altima performs well in crashes. The vehicle has received a five-star rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Safety is emphasized in this area, and other models, like the Accord and Camry, get comparable praise.
Coziness & Space:
In any condition, the Nissan Altima can comfort all its passengers. One might characterize the optional heated steering wheel as “nuclear,” but the heated seats unintentionally melted an ice cream tub during testing, which is worth something. Although the rear seats aren’t heated, they still have 35.2 inches of legroom. That isn’t comparable to the 40.4 inches of the Accords and the 38 inches of the Camry. Owners of Altimas may anticipate 43.8 inches of legroom up front. For comparison, the front legroom of the Sonata, Camry, and Accord is 46.1, 42.1, and 42.3 inches, respectively.
There are a few complaints. The poor front seats of the Altima were discussed before. These seats are not up to the current Honda seats or any of the competitors’ chairs, for that matter. Furthermore, the adjustment range of the lumbar support that comes with certain trim levels is not as extensive.
Infotainment: Nissan Altima
For 2023, Nissan has made significant improvements to its infotainment system. An optional 12.3-inch touchscreen, the brand’s newest and an improvement over the previous 8-inch model, is one of the Altima’s features. This screen is compatible with wireless charging and Apple CarPlay or Android Auto. Phones connect with this combo relatively fast and flawlessly. A 7-inch driver information display is part of the updated instrument panel behind the wheel.
If you use Nissan’s built-in navigation, the visuals are a little archaic, but you’ll still get where you need to go on time. For a more seamless digital experience, stick with the phone connection. Other high-tech features Nissan offers include an eight-speaker Bose music system with Active Noise Cancellation and Amazon’s Alexa speech assistant.
Storage & Cargo Space:
The Altima’s 15.4 cubic feet of trunk space puts it on a level with many of its rivals in this market, where large trunks distinguish sedans. The trunk capacity of the Camry is 15.1 cubic feet, whereas that of the Hyundai and Honda models is 16 and 16.1 cubes, respectively.
The tale is the same in the inside books. Nissan’s interior capacity is 100.6 cubic feet, whereas the comparable totals for Hyundai, Honda, and Toyota are 104.4, 102.8, and 100.4 cubic feet, respectively. This generally makes the Accord the most roomy vehicle on the list, which has been the case for a while. Nevertheless, Nissan is commendable in that it is comparable to its rivals.
Design: Nissan Altima
Putting aside the customary stylistic and subjective warnings, the Nissan Altima becomes slightly nicer this year. Nissan provides intriguing colour options depending on the model, and the updated Nissan emblems add more style. Bottomless Blue Pearl is particularly popular, a pleasant diversion from the typical Hertz Rental Gray that so many Altimas don. The new Gray Sky Pearl is more captivating and has a bluer grey tone.
The rear window’s Hofmeister-like kink and the SR trim’s unique V-shaped snout and chrome front are other noteworthy aesthetic elements. However, Honda’s recently redesigned Accord is the best-looking big or midsize sedan.
Is the 2023 Nissan Altima Worth It?
Nissan, as a whole, has advanced significantly for 2023. Along with the release of its new Z sports vehicle and lineup-wide improvements, its partnership with Renault continues to pay off. For the Altima, the narrative is much the same: a car that has become a joke continues to improve steadily. On the road, early Altima drivers could behave like this, but this Altima is a more responsible vehicle. Nissan has a model to suit every taste and budget, ranging from the entry-level $26,385 S trim to the sportier $36,085 SR VC-Turbo.
Right now, the SR trim is where you should invest your money the most. Ignoring its pretended sportiness, the $28,585 SR adds AWD for only $1,500 and many other fantastic goodies. Upgraded infotainment and power seats with leather-wrapped steering wheel are available with this model level. Also available to buyers is the Premium option, which comes with a sunroof and heated seats. Additionally, the SR is reasonably priced in comparison. Honda will cost $30,155, while a comparable Camry will cost $28,855.
These figures indicate that Nissan now has a formula: Offer comparable equipment levels while undercutting the competitors. It seems to work so far for the brand, and the Altima is no different.
How Much Does Nissan Altima Insurance Cost 2023?
Regarding insurance costs, the 2023 Nissan Altima is comparable to most of its competitors. The average yearly premium for a 30-year-old female driver with a spotless record is $2,518; however, this figure is averaged across all 50 states. Owners of a Honda Accord may spend $2,140 annually, compared to $2,095 for a Toyota Camry and $2,225 for a Hyundai Sonata.
Nissan Altima Generations
Sixth Generation
2019 to Present
With its 2019 model year launch, the current Altima gained all-wheel drive for the first time. The Platinum trim level was eliminated in 2023, leaving the S, SV, SR, and SL trim levels as the only options. Except for the S trim, all-wheel drive is now an option; front-wheel drive is the default. A new front logo and grille were part of the redesign. A somewhat antiquated infotainment system gets swapped out with Nissan’s most recent model.
Fifth Generation
2013 to 2018
Despite growing in size, the fifth-generation Altima maintained its low weight. The coupe was only offered for six years before being discontinued for this generation.
Fourth Generation
2007 to 2012
It gained a coupe when the fourth-generation Altima made its début for the 2007 model year. Once again, it had features like intelligent key technology, a backup camera, and hands-free Bluetooth connectivity. With the introduction of the Altima Hybrid, Nissan made its hybrid debut with this generation of vehicles. Although it was limited to ten states at the time, it cleared the path for more environmentally friendly transportation in the future. 2011 saw its discontinuation.
Third Generation
2002 to 2006
The V6 engine, two-tone dashboard, and optional navigation system were all available on the third-generation Altima.
Second Generation
1998 to 2001
The second generation was again innovative, with side airbags available on all trim levels. The top model’s leather seats were standard—a luxury in this class. This particular Altima was created in California with the American market in mind.
First Generation
1993 to 1997
The Stanza was replaced by the first-generation Altima, which debuted in 1993. It made its debut at first with badging from both Stanza and Altima. Additionally, it came with a head-up display, a feature that is just now starting to catch on.
Verdict
While the 2023 Altima lives up to expectations, some trims—such as the pricey and sporty SR VC-Turbo—still seem unnecessary. However, the large Nissan now has a degree of refinement that was not there before, thanks to new technology. This year, the Altima poses a severe challenge to the Camry thanks to standard driver assistance and safety technologies. Its 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine produces 236 horsepower and 267 pound-feet of torque, making it seem quick.
