2021 Nissan Altima Review

　　

2021 Nissan Altima Review

byTravis LangnessReviews Editor

　　Travis Langness has worked in the automotive industry since 2011. He has written thousands of car-related articles and tested and reviewed hundreds of vehicles over the course of his career.

　　The 2021 Nissan Altima is a four-door midsize family sedan that was completely overhauled just a couple years ago. As one of the newer choices in the segment, the Altima offers an impressive amount of cutting-edge safety features — several of which are packaged in Nissan's ProPilot Assist system. With driving aids such as lane-centering assist and adaptive cruise control, the ProPilot Assist features are generally more intuitive and accurate than similar systems in competitors. ProPilot Assist is so superior in fact that we think it's the Altima's killer app. The Altima also offers an all-wheel-drive powertrain on most trims, which is uncommon for the class.

　　

Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2021 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) - $24,550 MSRP2.5 SV 4dr Sedan (2.5L 4cyl CVT) - $25,550 MSRP2.5 SV 4dr Sedan AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT) - $26,950 MSRP2.5 SR 4dr Sedan (2.5L 4cyl CVT) (Most Popular) - $26,550 MSRP2.5 SR 4dr Sedan AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT) - $27,950 MSRP2.5 SL 4dr Sedan (2.5L 4cyl CVT) - $29,990 MSRP2.5 SL 4dr Sedan AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT) - $31,390 MSRPVC-T SR 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl Turbo CVT) - $30,900 MSRP2.5 Platinum 4dr Sedan AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT) - $34,250 MSRP

　　vs

　　$164/mo

　　Avg. Midsize Car

　　But if semi-automated driving or all-weather traction aren't major considerations, the 2021 Altima is fairly average among its competitors. Nissan's midsize is still worth consideration, but rivals including the Honda Accord and Mazda 6 are more refined and fun to drive and cost about the same money.

　　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 smartphone connectivity is 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 capacity. 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 have ample storage for small items. However, the cupholders are a bit shallow for taller bottles.

　　

Fuel Economy

8.5/10

　　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 and provides passengers ample comfort and a fair amount of convenience.

　　

Which Altima does zzdcar recommend?

The optional turbocharged engine is our choice for the Altima, thanks to its better response and a significant increase in power. Unfortunately, it can only be had on the SR trim and with front-wheel drive. If you're OK with those restrictions, we say go for it. Otherwise, the SV offers a long list of standard features, including smartphone connectivity and a larger touchscreen, along with some added safety equipment.

　　

2021 Nissan Altima models

The 2021 Nissan Altima is a midsize sedan available in five trim levels: S, SV, SR, SL and Platinum. The Altima's standard engine is a 2.5-liter four-cylinder (188 horsepower, 180 lb-ft of torque) that drives the front wheels via a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT). Optional for the SV, SR and SL, and standard on the Platinum, is an all-wheel-drive powertrain that reduces engine output to 182 hp and 178 lb-ft.

　　Looking for more a little more oomph under the hood? The SR offers a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder with 236 hp and 267 lb-ft on tap (248 hp and 273 lb-ft on 93 octane gas). This engine is paired exclusively with front-wheel drive.

　　S

　　The S base trim is indeed pretty basic, but it offers:

　　16-inch steel wheels Remote engine start Keyless entry and ignition Height-adjustable driver's seat 60/40-split folding rear seat 7-inch touchscreen Six-speaker audio system Bluetooth phone and audio streaming Single USB portSafety features on the base S include:

　　Forward collision warning (alerts you of a possible collision with the car in front) Automatic emergency braking (warns if a front impact is imminent and applies the brakes if you don't respond in time) Lane departure warning (alerts you if the vehicle begins to drift out of its lane) Driver attention warning (issues an alert if sensors determine you are becoming fatigued)A number of features are available via the Driver Assist package. It adds:

　　Power-adjustable driver's seat Blind-spot monitor (alerts you if a vehicle in the next lane over is in your blind spot) Rear cross-traffic alert (warns you if a vehicle behind you is about to cross your vehicle's path while you're in reverse) Rear automatic braking (brakes if sensors detect an imminent collision with an object behind the vehicle) Rear parking sensors (alert you to obstacles that may not be visible behind the vehicle when parking)SV

　　The SV builds on the base S equipment by adding:

　　Driver Assist package 17-inch alloy wheels LED headlights 8-inch touchscreen Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility Satellite radio An additional USB-C port up front and two rear USB portsThe SV also has an optional SV Premium package. It consists of:

　　Heated mirrors Sunroof Heated front seats Adjustable lumbar support for the driver's seat Leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob Nissan's ProPilot Assist system Adaptive cruise control (adjusts speed to maintain a constant distance between the vehicle and the car in front) Lane keeping assist (steers the Altima back into its lane if it begins to drift over the lane marker) SR

　　The SR is the Altima's sport-themed trim. On top of the SV features, it adds:

　　19-inch wheels Sport-tuned suspension (front-wheel-drive models only) Transmission paddle shifters Unique exterior and cabin styling elements Leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knobThe optional SR Premium package consists of everything from the SV's Premium package, with the exception of ProPilot Assist. Selecting the 2.0-liter turbocharged engine automatically adds this package.

　　SL

　　The SL builds on the SV features, adding:

　　SV Premium package Heated steering wheel Dual-zone automatic climate control Power-adjustable passenger seat Leather upholstery Rear air vents Navigation system Nine-speaker Bose premium audio system Platinum

　　Springing for the Platinum adds all-wheel drive, plus:

　　19-inch wheels Driver-seat memory settings Auto-dimming rearview mirror Ambient interior lighting 360-degree camera system (gives you a top-down view of the Altima and its surroundings for tight parking situations)

　　

2021 Altima Highlights

Trim: 2.5 S2.5 SV2.5 SR2.5 SLVC-T SR2.5 Platinum2.5 S

　　

Base MSRP	$24,550
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