2018 Nissan Altima Review

　　

zzdcar' Expert Review

byCameron RogersManager, News

　　Cameron Rogers has worked in the automotive industry since 2013. He has tested and reviewed hundreds of vehicles over the course of his career. Today, he leads the news team in developing cutting-edge news articles, opinion pieces and sneak peeks at upcoming vehicles. Favorite cars that he's driven during his tenure at zzdcar include the 991-era Porsche 911 Turbo S, Rolls-Royce Ghost and several generations of Honda Odyssey (really).

　　

What's new

Forward collision warningAutomatic emergency brakingOptional 7-inch touchscreen now adds Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone compatibility

　　Though small crossovers have become more popular in recent years, midsize sedans are still one of the top choices for family-friendly transportation. This segment is so important to automakers that a few of the most popular models have been redesigned or notably freshened for the 2018 model year. Unfortunately, the 2018 Nissan Altima is not one of them.

　　

Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2018 Nissan Altima 2.5 S 4dr Sedan (2.5L 4cyl CVT) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $3.04 per gallon for regular unleaded in North Dakota.

Monthly estimates based on costs in North Dakota

　　$119/mo  for Altima 2.5 S

　　Altima 2.5 S

　　2.5 S 4dr Sedan (2.5L 4cyl CVT) - $23,260 MSRP2.5 SR 4dr Sedan (2.5L 4cyl CVT) (Most Popular) - $24,320 MSRP2.5 SV 4dr Sedan (2.5L 4cyl CVT) - $25,910 MSRP2.5 SL 4dr Sedan (2.5L 4cyl CVT) - $29,110 MSRP3.5 SL 4dr Sedan (3.5L 6cyl CVT) - $33,630 MSRP

　　vs

　　$164/mo

　　Avg. Midsize Car

　　We've generally like the Altima over the years, but this particular generation is getting on in years. The newest crop of rival sedans further highlights the Altima's deficiencies in the areas of technology, interior quality and performance.

　　To Nissan's credit, the 2018 Altima does have some useful enhancements. A forward collision notification system with automatic emergency braking is standard on all trim levels, and the upgraded infotainment display now includes Apple CarPlay and Android Auto functionality. But the segment has so many strong competitors that even a decent choice like the Nissan Altima has a hard time differentiating itself.

　　

zzdcar' Expert Rating

6.0 / 10

　　With the two all-stars of the midsize sedan segment, the Accord and Camry, getting full redesigns this year, the rest of the class is largely playing a game of catch-up. Such is the case for the 2018 Nissan Altima. It's proficient but offers few qualities of true distinction.

　　

Trim tested

　　Each vehicle typically comes in multiple versions that are fundamentally similar. The ratings in this review are based on our full test of the 2016 Nissan Altima 2.5 SR (2.5L inline-4 | CVT automatic | FWD). NOTE: Since this test was conducted, the current Altima has received only minor revisions. Our findings remain applicable to the 2018 Altima.

　　

Scorecard

Overall	6.0 / 10
Driving	5.5
Comfort	6.0
Interior	6.5
Utility	7.0

　　

Driving

5.5

　　Even though the SR is supposed to be the sporty Altima model, it lacks the performance of even its nonsporty in-class competition. The Altima SR receives a decent score for handling, but in almost every other measure, it falls well short of the mark set by rivals.

　　

Acceleration

6.5

　　There's not much power or responsiveness from the 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine. It takes a long 8.2 seconds to reach 60 mph and is accompanied by a loud groan from under the hood. Simulated gear changes from the CVT do keep the drone from being overly intrusive, though.

　　

Braking

6.0

　　The brake pedal feels unsettlingly spongy, and you can actually press it all the way to the floor. That said, the brakes are still reasonably effective. Our test Altima's as-tested emergency stopping distance from 60 mph was about average for the midsize sedan class.

　　

Steering

3.0

　　At parking lot speeds, there's far too much effort needed; compounding this issue is the slippery leather wheel covering. Even worse, the wheel does not return to center on its own, forcing the driver to manually unwind it. This is about as bad as modern steering systems get.

　　

Handling

7.0

　　The Altima SR trim benefits from sportier suspension tuning, allowing it to corner without much body roll relative to other sedans. In aggressive maneuvers, the stability control subtly intervenes to keep the car on the intended path.

　　

Drivability

6.0

　　In addition to the aforementioned shortcomings, the Altima also suffers from some subtle lurches at low speeds, which are likely the result of the CVT's lack of responsiveness. We also experienced inconsistent acceleration from a stop.

　　

Comfort

6.0

　　While other midsize sedans are creeping ever closer to entry-level luxury standards, the Altima seems stuck in the economy car class. One of the few bright spots in regards to comfort are the supportive front seats, but they do little to make up for the stiff ride and loud cabin.

　　

Seat comfort

7.0

　　The standard cloth front seats are well-shaped and make drivers feel as if they're suspended in an elastic hammock. Despite the lack of adjustments, tall and short passengers should be able to find a comfortable position.

　　

Ride comfort

5.5

　　A byproduct of the Altima SR's sporty suspension is a stiffer ride. Even though impact harshness is filtered out, you feel every bump in the road, and passengers will experience a lot of jostling, even over moderate undulations.

　　

Noise & vibration

5.5

　　When accelerating with purpose, the engine emits an unpleasant sound, like someone groaning into an empty glass jar. Road and wind noise is ever-present but not intrusive, which makes the numerous interior creaks and rattles more noticeable.

　　

Interior

6.5

　　The Altima's interior trails newer sedans when it comes to overall design. The touchscreen's low placement can be a distraction for the driver. Interior materials look comparable to some competitors, but many of the surfaces are made of hard plastic.

　　

Ease of use

5.5

　　Primary controls are placed where you'd expect, but many secondary knobs and buttons are awkwardly located. The infotainment system is well behind the times, and the low-mounted screen is far outside of the driver's sight lines. The controller knob is also small and has weak detents.

　　

Getting in/getting out

6.0

　　It's as easy to get in and out of the Altima as most other cars in the class. Front passenger access is unobstructed, but rear passengers have to dip their heads to clear the sloping roofline.

　　

Roominess

6.0

　　There is enough space for taller passengers up front and just enough room in back for an average-size adult, and the elevated seat gives a good forward view. But newer midsize sedans feel more spacious and airy.

　　

Visibility

7.0

　　Comparably narrow roof pillars and a lower rear decklid give the Altima better all-around outward visibility than rivals. The standard rearview camera display is small and does not give as clear a view as competitors' systems.

　　

Quality

5.5

　　The Altima misses the mark set by competitors by a wide margin due to its abundance of hard plastics and frequent creaks inside.

　　

Utility

7.0

　　The wide and low trunk space makes the class-average 15.4-cubic-foot capacity seem bigger than it is. Bulky luggage and golf bags are easily swallowed up, and remote seatback releases further simplify loading larger items.

　　

Which Altima does zzdcar recommend?

　　The base Altima S feels a bit like a rental car, and the next-level SR gives up too much passenger comfort for a tiny increase in handling ability. As such, the midtrim SV is our choice. It adds a number of desirable features for a reasonable bump in price. Upgrades over the base S include alloy wheels, a power-adjustable driver seat, dual-zone automatic climate control, satellite radio, and blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert. You can also opt for the SV's Technology package, which adds a sunroof, heated front seats, and a 7-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone integration.

　　

2018 Nissan Altima models

　　The 2018 Nissan Altima comes in five trim levels: 2.5 S, 2.5 SR, 2.5 SV, 2.5 SL and 3.5 SL. All Altimas (except the 3.5 SL) are powered by a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine (179 horsepower, 177 pound-feet of torque) that routes power through the front wheels through a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT).

　　Standard features for the 2.5 S include 16-inch steel wheels with plastic covers, a rearview camera, keyless entry and ignition, a height-adjustable driver seat, 60/40-split folding rear seats, Bluetooth, a 5-inch display screen, and a six-speaker audio system with a USB port. Also standard for 2018 is a forward collision warning system with automatic emergency braking.

　　The sporty 2.5 SR trim upgrades the 2.5 S with 18-inch alloy wheels, daytime running lights, foglights, a rear spoiler, a sport-tuned suspension, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, paddle shifters (with seven simulated shift points), upgraded upholstery and a power-adjustable driver seat.

　　Compared to the 2.5 S, the 2.5 SV trim has 17-inch alloy wheels, LED daytime running lights, remote engine start, blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert, dual-zone automatic climate control, satellite radio and the SR's foglights, power driver seat and leather-wrapped steering wheel. The 2.5 SL adds LED headlights, power-folding mirrors, a heated steering wheel, leather upholstery, heated front seats, air vents for the rear seats, a power front passenger seat and a nine-speaker Bose premium audio system.

　　The 3.5 SL is the only model not powered by the 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine. Instead, a 3.5-liter V6 lies underhood, developing a healthy 270 hp and 251 lb-ft of torque. It also gets 18-inch wheels, front and rear parking sensors, a sunroof, heated mirrors, paddle shifters, adaptive cruise control, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, a 7-inch touchscreen, a navigation system, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay smartphone connectivity, and NissanConnect services with emergency telematics.

　　All four-cylinder trims can be ordered with a single package that adds features from upper levels. For example, the Convenience package for the 2.5 S only adds a power driver seat and remote engine start, while the 2.5 SR's Special Edition package includes satellite radio, heated front seats, synthetic leather upholstery, and the 7-inch touchscreen with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay.

　　

2018 Altima Highlights

Trim: 2.5 S2.5 SR2.5 SV2.5 SL3.5 SL2.5 S

　　

Base MSRP	$23,260
Engine Type	Gas
Combined MPG	31 MPG
Cost to Drive	$119/month
Seating	5 seats
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place	15.4 cu.ft.
Drivetrain	front wheel drive
Warranty	3 years / 36,000 miles