2020 Nissan Altima Review

　　

2020 Nissan Altima Review

byDan FrioReviews Editor

　　Dan spent many years covering the go-fast, look-good, get-loud corners of the automotive universe. First, he served as editor of enthusiast magazines AutoSound and Honda Tuning, then as executive editor at SEMA News, the publishing arm of the trade group that produces the annual SEMA Show (yes, that show). As a contributor to zzdcar, he now likes to keep the volume low and the speed limit legal, providing expert car-shopping advice to drivers looking for the perfect match.

　　Redesigned last year, the Nissan Altima features bold changes that vault it back among today's front-running family sedans. Always competent and capable, Nissan's midsizer has long lingered in the shadows of the big sellers from Honda and Toyota. But the 2020 Nissan Altima reasserts itself with improved performance, sophisticated technology and impressive comfort.

　　

Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2020 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

　　$115/mo  for Altima 2.5 S

　　Altima 2.5 S

　　2.5 S 4dr Sedan (2.5L 4cyl CVT) (Most Popular) - $24,300 MSRP2.5 S 4dr Sedan AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT) - $25,650 MSRP2.5 SR 4dr Sedan (2.5L 4cyl CVT) - $25,900 MSRP2.5 SR 4dr Sedan AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT) - $27,250 MSRP2.5 SV 4dr Sedan (2.5L 4cyl CVT) - $28,140 MSRP2.5 SV 4dr Sedan AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT) - $29,490 MSRPVC-T SR 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl Turbo CVT) - $29,750 MSRP2.5 SL 4dr Sedan (2.5L 4cyl CVT) - $30,240 MSRP2.5 SL 4dr Sedan AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT) - $31,590 MSRP2.5 Platinum 4dr Sedan (2.5L 4cyl CVT) - $32,400 MSRP2.5 Platinum 4dr Sedan AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT) - $33,750 MSRPVC-T Platinum 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl Turbo CVT) - $35,180 MSRP

　　vs

　　$164/mo

　　Avg. Midsize Car

　　Bold changes continue with an exterior style that isn't a wholesale departure from the last model. Tighter lines and dimensions as well as a larger grille give today's Altima undeniable personality. The interior isn't quite as memorable, but everything looks good. The controls are within easy reach, and the seats remain some of the best in the business. Longtime Altima watchers may regret the departure of Nissan's brawny V6 engine, but the turbocharged four-cylinder engine offers good solace.

　　Overall, this Altima is more competitive than its predecessor, and you might want to give it a look if you want all-wheel drive. However, it's still no match for the top midsize sedans that include the well-rounded Honda Accord, the value-packed Hyundai Sonata and the upscale Mazda 6.

　　Notably, we picked the 2020 Nissan Altima as one of zzdcar' Best Gas Mileage Cars for 2020.

　　zzdcar Expert Rating

　　Our VerdictThe zzdcar Vehicle Testing Team evaluates a fresh batch of vehicles every week, pairing objective assessments at our test track with real-world driving on city streets, freeways and winding roads. The data we gather results in our Expert Ratings. They’re based on 30-plus scores that cover every aspect of the automotive experience.

　　Average

　　7.6

　　out of 10

　　zzdcar TESTED

　　Rated for you by America's best test team.

　　

Performance

7.5/10

　　How does the Altima drive? The Altima won't win you over with stellar acceleration or braking. Our test all-wheel-drive Altima had the 2.5-liter engine, and it covered 0-60 mph in an unremarkable 8.4 seconds. The CVT automatic is well-tuned, however, and helps make the Altima an almost invisible partner during day-to-day driving.

　　Another bright spot is the stable handling. You'll have confidence guiding the Altima through fast, sweeping curves. But this handling prowess underscores the Altima's overly light and vague steering.

　　

Comfort

7.5/10

　　How comfortable is the Altima? The Altima is a calm place to sit out daily traffic. The front seats are generally comfortable, but some drivers might wish for more thigh support. Engine noises are commendably well-isolated even under hard acceleration.

　　Less appealing is the constant stream of little impacts you'll feel when driving over rough road surfaces. The Altima's ride seems continuously busy in these instances, and larger impacts can be pretty jarring.

　　

Interior

7.5/10

　　How’s the interior? The interior lacks style, but it more than makes up for it with straightforward usability. In particular, the climate controls and touchscreen functions are clearly labeled and easy to reach.

　　Though most of the Altima's sightlines are good, rear visibility is hampered by the high rear decklid. Also problematic are the low-resolution rearview camera and the distracting reflections of the dashboard and rear decklid you'll see in the windows during bright sunlight.

　　

Technology

8.0/10

　　How’s the tech? The Altima's base infotainment system is adequate but won't wow you. Android Auto and Apple CarPlay are standard, and the audio system is easy to operate. The sound quality is merely OK. Bluetooth operation was a bit finicky in our testing but the calls were clear.

　　The Altima's ProPilot Assist system, which includes lane centering and low-speed adaptive cruise control, is quite the bonus. The adaptive cruise control works very well, needing very little correction in traffic.

　　

Storage

8.0/10

　　How’s the storage? The Altima's trunk isn't the biggest in the class, but it can still accept a few full-size suitcases. Its squared-off shape also makes it easy to load to the maximum amount. The folding rear seats are standard fare but can only be released through a pull tab in the trunk. They must be lowered by physically pulling on the seatback from the inside — they don't automatically fold when released. Front passengers get ample storage for small items. However, the cupholders are a bit shallow for taller drink bottles.

　　

Fuel Economy

8.0/10

　　How’s the fuel economy? We tested the all-wheel-drive Altima, which the EPA estimates gets 30 mpg combined (26 city/36 highway). It posted an impressive 34 mpg on our 115-mile evaluation route. Odds are, you can expect to get pretty good fuel economy from the Altima.

　　

Value

7.0/10

　　Is the Altima a good value? Roomy and comfortable with the option of all-wheel drive, the Altima proves it has some distinctive value in the midsize sedan class. Warranties are middle-of-the-road, as is the roadside assistance offering. A strong showing with highway fuel economy could tip the scales for long-distance drivers as could the all-wheel drive for those who live with inclement weather.

　　But some spots of poor build quality and a lack of attention to detail set the Altima back where it can least afford it. Gaps where the dashboard meets the windshield, and a hood design that makes it look out of alignment, stand out when compared to better-built competitors.

　　

Wildcard

7.5/10

　　It's nice to see just how normal the new Altima really is. That's not exactly a ringing endorsement, but the experience of driving and living with the Altima is generally more than the sum of its parts. Even though sedans seem to be on the way out, the class is still fiercely competitive and it takes a pretty good car just to be midpack.

　　The Nissan goes about tackling daily driving without much effort from the driver while providing its passengers ample comfort and a fair amount of convenience.

　　

Which Altima does zzdcar recommend?

The turbocharged 2.0-liter engine upgrade is responsive and infuses the Altima with impressive performance. It's limited to the SR and Platinum trims, though, which may be too little or too much for many buyers. The SV is a good middle ground. It doesn't offer the turbo engine, but it comes with most of the features you'll want every day, including the full complement of Nissan's driver aids.

　　

2020 Nissan Altima models

The 2020 Nissan Altima is a five-passenger midsize sedan available in five trim levels: S, SR, SV, SL and Platinum.

　　The Altima's standard engine is a 2.5-liter four-cylinder (188 horsepower, 180 lb-ft of torque) paired with a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT). Front-wheel drive is standard, and all-wheel drive is optional.

　　An optional turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder (248 hp, 280 lb-ft) is available for SR and Platinum trims only. It's also paired with a CVT automatic, but it's limited to front-wheel drive.

　　The S base trim is indeed pretty basic, but it offers decent features for the money, such as a power-adjustable driver's seat, a 60/40-split folding rear seat, a rearview camera, push-button start, and an infotainment system with an 8-inch touchscreen, two USB inputs, Bluetooth phone and audio streaming, and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone connections.

　　The S comes with front collision warning, automatic emergency braking and a rearview camera. And for 2020 you can append additional safety features including blind-spot monitoring, lane departure warning and rear parking sensors.

　　The SR is the Altima's "sport" trim, offering a sportier suspension, transmission paddle shifters and unique styling elements. It also comes with the driver assistance features that are optional on the S trim. The SR can also be ordered with a sunroof and heated seats.

　　The SV blends features from the S and the SR (minus the SR's sportier elements, primarily suspension and styling) and adds items such as noise-reducing side windows, heated front seats and dual-zone climate control. Nissan's ProPilot Assist technology — largely stop-and-go adaptive cruise control and lane keeping assist — is also included.

　　Moving up to the SL brings leather seating, a navigation system and a nine-speaker Bose audio system. Springing for the Platinum adds finishing touches such as 19-inch wheels, a 360-degree camera and ambient cabin lighting.

　　

2020 Altima Highlights

Trim: 2.5 S2.5 SR2.5 SVVC-T SR2.5 SL2.5 PlatinumVC-T Platinum2.5 S

　　

Base MSRP	$24,300
Engine Type	Gas
Combined MPG	32 MPG
Cost to Drive	$115/month
Seating	5 seats
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place	15.4 cu.ft.
Drivetrain	front wheel drive
Warranty	3 years / 36,000 miles