The Altima’s finer points include a quiet cabin, easy controls, a big trunk, a roomy and comfortable rear seat. The Altima is available with all-wheel drive.
Like many recent competitors, the Altima is no longer available with a V6 engine. For 2025, the 2.0-liter turbo engine is also dropped.
Both acceleration and fuel economy are improved with the standard 2.5-liter engine. The Altima is quick for its class, and its engine has a more refined sound than many competitors’. We measured 31 mpg overall, a 2 mpg improvement over the previous model.
It also has one of the better continuously variable transmissions we’ve tested, with artificial shifts that mimic a traditional automatic.
But the Altima falls behind its rivals in several areas. Its vague steering feels disconnected through corners, leaving the Altima without the eagerness of the Honda Accord and Toyota Camry.
The ride initially feels smooth, but driving on rough roads pokes through that superficial veneer. Most road and wind noises are nicely squelched, though.
The Altima’s low stance makes getting in and out a chore. Once inside, the driver’s seat feels basic, with a bottom cushion that’s short on thigh support. The rear seat is spacious.
The hard plastic surfaces throughout the cabin make the interior look and feel bland, although we appreciate the leather-wrapped steering wheel.
The infotainment screen and controls are refreshingly simple to use.
All trims comes standard with a full range of safety features, including forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, bind spot warning, rear cross traffic warning and rear emergency braking.