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Nissan Altima

EPA MPG: 25 mpg
Average Retail Price
$2,950 - $3,325

RECALL ALERT:
There are 12 recalls on this vehicle. Learn More.

Road Test

With this first major redesign, the Altima was transformed from a bland and uninteresting also-ran into a car that competed with the best in the class. It boasts generous accommodations, a punchy and refined powertrain, fairly nimble and secure handling, a pleasant ride and a quiet cabin. Compared with some of its competitors however, some of the interior plastics look and feel cheap. Overall, the Altima is a good choice that scored well among the class leaders.

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2002 Sedans & Hatchbacks Reliability

This Car
NA
vs. Similar Cars

Crash Tests

IIHS Front Moderate Overlap
Good
IIHS Front Small Overlap, Driver
NA
IIHS Side Crash
NA
NHTSA Overall Crash
NA
NHTSA Overall Frontal-Crash
NA
NHTSA Overall Side-Crash
NA

Crash Tests

IIHS Front Moderate Overlap
Good
IIHS Front Small Overlap, Driver
NA
IIHS Side Crash
NA
NHTSA Overall Crash
NA
NHTSA Overall Frontal-Crash
NA
NHTSA Overall Side-Crash
NA

Nissan vs. Other New Car Brands

Nissan vs. Other New Car Brands

Crash Tests

IIHS Front Moderate Overlap
Good
IIHS Front Small Overlap, Driver
NA
IIHS Side Crash
NA
NHTSA Overall Crash
NA
NHTSA Overall Frontal-Crash
NA
NHTSA Overall Side-Crash
NA

2002 Midsized cars Ratings

$2,950 - $3,325
economy-icon
EPA MPG 25 mpg
Road test
Reliability
Owner Satisfaction
$2,850
economy-icon
EPA MPG NA
Road test
Reliability
Owner Satisfaction
$2,900 - $2,950
economy-icon
EPA MPG NA
Road test
Reliability
Owner Satisfaction
$2,900 - $3,800
economy-icon
EPA MPG 26 mpg
Road test
Reliability
Owner Satisfaction
$2,900
economy-icon
EPA MPG NA
Road test
Reliability
Owner Satisfaction
Features & Specs
Body Style
    sedan
Seating
2 front, 3 rear
Drive Wheels
Front
Engines Available
  • 2.5-liter 4 (175 hp)
  • 3.5-liter V6 (230 hp)
Transmissions Available
  • 5-speed manual
  • 4-speed automatic
Warranty
Coverage varies among versions of this vehicle

In most cases, automotive warranties are based on the vehicle identification number (VIN), and the warranty will be valid regardless of ownership. The dealership can tell you exactly how much warranty is left.

Read more about extended warranties
Model History
2019-
Current Generation

The sixth-generation Altima offers all-wheel drive and a turbo engine. It is a rather unremarkable midsized sedan. That said, it's a competitive car that gets the job done. It delivers on room, fuel economy and user friendliness. But the driving experience is bland, falling short on handling agility, and the seemingly pliant ride isn't adept at absorbing all types of bumps. The standard 2.5-liter engine provides decent acceleration and the car gets commendable 31 mpg overall. With that engine, buyers can opt for all-wheel drive but not with the uplevel, more powerful 2.0-liter turbo engine. The car is relatively quiet. The cabin is roomy, if a bit too low for easy access. Controls are very easy to use and both Android Auto and Apple CarPlay are compatible. To its credit, standard safety systems include automatic emergency braking. For 2021 pedestrian detection with automatic emergency braking is standard. For the 2025 model year, the turbo engine is dropped and a new Special Edition package becomes available on the SV trim. 

2013-2018
2013 Redesign Year
This version of the Altima was considerably less lustrous than its forebears. In a segment brimming with better cars, the 2013 Altima is a lackluster choice, ranking below virtually all of its competitors with a humdrum driving experience. If you do buy one, we suggest going with the 2.5SV to get a power driver's seat and blind spot monitoring. Advanced safety equipment, including forward-collision warning with automatic emergency braking, is only available on the 2.5SL and 3.5SL trims; in both cases as part of a Technology package. Said succinctly, we'd skip this version of the Altima. There are many better choices within the crowded midsized sedan field.
2007-2012
2007 Redesign Year
The well-rounded 2007 redesign was even better, with an improved ride, especially with the powerful -- yet economical -- four-cylinder engine. The sportier 3.5 SE handles more sharply, but rides stiffly. Interior fit and finish are improved over the previous model, but the rear seat is less roomy. All Altimas have pushbutton keyless start. The 2010 freshening brought the previously optional stability control as a standard feature. Antilock brakes and brake assist are also standard equipment for this generation. A hybrid version was offered as well, but was dropped after 2011; its powertrain returned 32 mpg.
2002-2006
2002 Redesign Year
The third-generation Altima was much roomier than its predecessors. It was also quick, fairly comfortable, and generally competitive. Among its attributes are generous accommodations, a punchy and refined powertrain, nimble and secure handling, as well as a pleasant ride and a quiet cabin. Rear-seat passengers get large-car legroom and can easily stretch, or cross their legs. Though the roomy interior is stylish, fit and finish could be better, as some of the interior plastics look and feel cheap. Be apprised, IIHS side-crash-test results were poor without the optional curtain airbags. Anti-lock brakes were optional as well. For this reason, you'll want to look for a car equipped with the ABS/airbag Package.