Nissan Altima Overview: Features, Pricing, and Key Comparisons
Discover the Nissan Altima's key features, pricing, and competitive comparison in this comprehensive overview. Learn about its generations, performance, safety ratings, and what sets it apart in the midsize sedan market for 2017.
Nissan Altima: Key Features, Pricing, and Comparison
The Nissan Altima, a prominent mid-size sedan crafted by Nissan, has been available on the market since 1992. Its roots trace back to the Nissan Bluebird series, active since 1957.
Comparison with Competitors
The main rivals in the segment include Toyota Camry and Honda Accord. Within Nissan's lineup, the Altima is larger and more powerful than the Sentra but less luxurious and smaller than the Maxima. The model has evolved over five generations, starting from 1992 through to today’s 2012-present version.
The first four generations were produced exclusively in the United States, with sales extending across North America, South America, Australia, and the Middle East. The Nissan Teana served as a counterpart to the Altima and Maxima based on size and was marketed outside the Americas, Australia, and the Middle East. By 2013, the Teana was rebadged as the fifth-generation Nissan Altima. Initially, the "Altima" name was used for a top trim of the Nissan Leopard in Japan and later for the Nissan Laurel in Central America before 1992.
In 1992, Nissan introduced the North American Altima when it discontinued the Stanza model.
Features and Pricing Details
The 2017 Nissan Altima starts at approximately $22,500. It includes a child safety latch system for secure seat installation and is known for its quiet ride, thanks to effective sound insulation. Its trunk offers 15.4 cubic feet of cargo space, suitable for shopping or travel luggage. The vehicle features practical cup holders and is equipped with a 179-hp 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine, providing a balance of power and efficiency. The V6 variant boasts a 270-hp 3.5-liter engine, ideal for highway performance and overtaking. Fuel efficiency ranges from 27 mpg in urban driving to 39 mpg on highways. The V6 models achieve about 22 mpg city and 32 mpg highway.
The 2017 Altima ranks 12th among 19 midsize sedans, excelling in comfort, seating, and fuel economy. Since its last redesign in 2013, it slightly lags in technology and driving dynamics but remains highly rated for safety and reliability. It received the 2010 NHSTA Top Safety Pick and earned the 2017 IIHS Top Safety Pick award.
