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While the Nissan Altima might not
be the sportiest the Edmunds top-ranked midsize sedan,
it does have the benefit of offering an impressive amount
of equipment for the money.
They've also done a redesign in 2019,
offering even more for your money.
Let's take a deep dive into the two generations
and hopefully help select the right one for you.
I'm Travis from Edmunds.
We test and review hundreds of cars and trucks every year,
while CarMax buys, sells, and expertly appraises thousands.
We've combined our testing knowledge
with CarMax's experience to help find the right car for you.
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and let us know about your driving experience.
Here we have two representations of the most recent versions
of the Nissan Altima.
This is a 2018.
The 2018 represents the fifth generation, which
was around from 2013 to 2018.
And average CarMax prices for the 2018 model
are around $17,000.
Here we have a 2019, which represents
the sixth generation.
The 2018 had been around for about five years,
so it was due for some updates.
The main differences between these two models
are on the exterior, stuff like headlights, grill, and exterior
dimensions.
But we'll get more into that later.
Average CarMax prices for the 2019 are around $19,000.
And sure there's newer 2020 and 2021 models,
but the specifications on those aren't very different.
It's just small things like differences in trim levels
and available equipment.
On the inside there's updated tech.
And under the hood, there's a lot to look at, too.
The 2018 model we have here is using the base 2.5-liter
four-cylinder engine, but there was an available V6 with more
power.
In 2019, the base 2.5-liter engine,
the one that we have here, got more power and better fuel
economy up from an estimated 31 MPG combined to 32 MPG
combined.
The newer 2019 turbo-charged 2-liter engine
can adjust its compression ratio,
which is actually pretty unique and pretty darn cool,
if you ask me.
Essentially, it can prioritize power or fuel economy depending
on your driving style.
With the turbo-charged 2-liter, the EPA
estimates that the 2019 will get 29 MPG combined, a big leap
from the 2018 Altima and it's V6 engine, which got an EPA
estimate of 26 MPG combined.
And if all those changes weren't enough,
the Altima began offering all-wheel drive in 2019.
You can only have all-wheel drive with the base 2.5-liter
engine, though, so no peppy performance version to go along
with your all-weather traction.
Sorry.
So, what are the interiors like?
Hop in, and let's take a look.
So we're inside the 2019, or sixth gen Altima,
and things in here are much more modern, much nicer
than the previous generation.
It's definitely not as luxurious as some of the top class
competitors, but there are a couple
of things worth noting that set it apart from the fifth gen. It
has stuff like standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, which
on the previous generation, you had to upgrade to the higher
trim levels to get.
It feels a little bit more driver-centric.
The screen has moved up.
It's gotten larger.
There are a couple of additional stereo options.
And this is an SV model, as is the 2018 we have here, which
is the middle of the lineup.
The SL has a little bit nicer materials,
feels less plasticky.
But this is definitely an upgrade
from the previous generation.
And one of the things that makes it better
is the inclusion of several new tech features,
stuff like ProPILOT Assist.
ProPILOT Assist is standard on 2019 SV, SL, and Platinum
models.
It adds drive aide features like adaptive cruise control
and lane centering.
A number of other driver aides are also new for 2019,
including rear automatic braking and lane departure warning.
Sitting in it, it doesn't feel all that much different.
Sure, it's nicer than the previous generation.
But this is just a good A to B cabin
that you'll feel comfortable in and you
won't be mad at driving on a daily basis.
Overall, there are clear attempts
between the fifth- and sixth-generation Altima
to make this a more livable interior.
And with the added tech, the new standard features,
they've delivered on those promises.
But let's take it out on the road
and see how it performs first before we give you
a verdict on which one you should choose.
The Altima is certainly comfortable enough
for the daily commute.
And it can be fun to drive into right scenarios.
The two models we have here are both powered by 2.5-liter
four-cylinder engine.
And there's some differences between the two generations.
You get 9 additional horsepower and 3 additional pound-feet
of torque in the 2019 model, but it's not so much
that you'd notice from behind the driver's wheel.
If you really want the sporty experience,
we recommend going with the older V6 or the new 2-liter
turbo-charged four cylinder.
The newer Altima has much improved steering.
And it's quieter and more comfortable on the highway.
Now, we can attribute these changes to a couple of facts.
One, the wheel base is longer on this model,
and it has different suspension components and some changes
in suspension geometry that make the steering much more
enjoyable.
The previous generation Altima had some pretty bad steering.
It was pretty sloppy.
And we weren't big fans of it.
But this one cleared things right up.
Now with the changes in dimension, this vehicle being
longer, wider, and lower, it also
had a change in interior dimensions.
The head room was significantly lower in this newer model
than it was in the old one.
But I'm 5-foot-9, and you can see
there's still plenty of space above me, lots of leg room,
and the back seat's the same way.
Cargo space, though, went unchanged
and is pretty much average for the class.
One benefit for drivers is definitely the tech.
The screen has gotten larger, it's moved up,
it's in clearer view, and buttons are all
still within close reach.
It does wash out in the sun a little bit,
but it's not terrible.
Also included are some user-friendly driver aides
like adaptive cruise control and blind spot monitoring.
And there's this great little display here on the driver
screen that shows me which of these features are being used.
So, for instance, if I go over the lane line
here without signaling, it says, hey, you're
drifting out of your lane, a great feature to have.
2018, pros, comfortable front seats, great for long drives.
Fuel economy ratings are good for the class.
Go with the sporty Altima SR, and the handling
gets significantly better.
Cons, the layout of the interior and the quality
of the materials is poor.
Touchscreen graphics are poor, and the location
makes it hard to see.
Drawback of the sporty SR, a harsh ride on the highway.
2019, pros, lots of driver aid features are included.
EPA fuel economy estimates are above average for the class.
Cons, poor outward visibility due to thick roof
pillars and a low res rear camera,
uninspiring interior materials and a disappointing fit
and finish.
The Altima isn't without its positive character traits.
It's offered in all-wheel drive, and it
comes at a relatively low price with a lot of features
for the money.
Now, the Camry and the Accord, they
both come in hybrid variants, so you may want to check those out
for maximum MPG.
And if you're looking for something with a more luxury
feel, we'd recommend the Mazda 6.
But if you do decide to go with an Altima,
we recommend the SV trim.
It's right in the middle of the lineup for either
of the generations, and it's more comfortable on the highway
than the SR trim, which, to be fair,
is a little bit more enjoyable to drive.
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