2023 Nissan Altima Evaluate: Good, not distinctive

Professionals: Comfy and quiet; user-friendly controls; accessible all-wheel drive; environment friendly engines; top-notch security credentials

Cons: No hybrid or particularly sporty variants; CVT solely; numb steering; uninspired styling

The 2023 Nissan Altima is an excellent automotive. It is an excellent automotive in some ways. However it’s not an ideal automotive, and even with the midsize sedan section shrinking lately, the remaining gamers are critical with distinctive styling, a wide selection of powertrain choices and customarily refined driving experiences that features sturdy dealing with and a comfortable journey. The Altima has the final a part of that, however lacks the flash and the number of choices the competitors places ahead.

The Nissan gives neither hybrids nor sporty choices, aiming its engines and trim ranges on the meat of the section, and nothing else. And the conservative styling causes it to mix in subsequent to the aggressive-looking Toyota Camry and Kia K5, or the elegant Hyundai Sonata.

However as we stated, there are good issues concerning the Altima. It might completely have gas-only engines, however they’re environment friendly and refined. It is a particularly comfy and quiet sedan, whereas nonetheless providing responsive dealing with. The infotainment and controls are a few of the most user-friendly within the section. Many of the accessible security tools could be had on any Altima, even the bare-bones base mannequin, and all-wheel drive is an choice. So the Altima does have lots to supply, it simply does not stand out.

Inside & expertise   |   Passenger & cargo area   |   Efficiency & gasoline financial system

What it is prefer to drive   |   Pricing & options   |   Crash rankings & security options

What’s new for 2023?

The Altima will get modest modifications inside and outside for 2023. New grilles and LED headlights are added to the surface, and the SR will get some sporty wheel choices and trim stage badges. Inside, the non-compulsory instrument and infotainment shows have been expanded. The previous will get an even bigger 7-inch display, and the latter has a 12.3-inch display. Customary shows are unchanged. The SR will get dual-color stitching. Customary security options now embody computerized emergency braking entrance and rear, lane-departure warning, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert and computerized high-beam headlights. Lastly, Nissan has dropped the Platinum trim stage.

What are the Nissan Altima inside and in-car expertise like?

The inside is interesting to a level with attention-grabbing and high quality supplies. The flat-bottom leather-wrapped steering wheel appears to be like good and feels higher in your fingers, whereas the leather-based seats function distinction stitching that’s replicated on the sprint and door panels. The instrument binnacle on most fashions is roofed in a soft-touch materials, as are the tops of the doorways, whereas different inside surfaces are onerous plastic that appears tender. The one element that stands out in a foul method is a few unconvincing wood-look plastic in higher trims. The SR trim’s contrasting stitching additionally does fairly a bit so as to add a sporty aptitude, even when the remainder of the automotive does not add a lot. As good-looking as the inside is, we have now discovered these of the Hyundai Sonata and Toyota Camry to be stronger general.

When it comes to its in-car expertise, USB-A, USB-C, aux and 12V ports are simply accessible within the heart console’s telephone cubby, beneath an infotainment display mounted atop the sprint. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto (neither wi-fi) are additionally commonplace. The automotive has a reasonably easy interface for infotainment and navigation. The brand new 12.3-inch touchscreen appears to be like nice, although it does cut back the variety of bodily controls. It goes to the touch buttons for shortcuts and has a single knob for quantity, fairly than additionally providing one for tuning. Nonetheless, it is greater than another automakers present, and it isn’t tough to work with. The accessible nine-speaker Bose audio system is middling for a premium choice. We additionally vastly recognize the cluster of bodily HVAC buttons and knobs, fairly than integrating the local weather controls into the touchscreen. There’s additionally a standard shifter fairly than convoluted push-button setup, although it’s a bit too simple to by accident pull the shifter again into Low as an alternative of Drive — it requires extra nuance and a spotlight to the pull than it in any other case ought to.

How massive is the Altima?

The Altima feels small to drive however is roomy inside. It’s 193 inches lengthy, 73 inches broad and 57 inches tall, with a 111-inch wheelbase. Every of these dimensions is inside an inch of the Camry. Altima’s curb weight ranges from 3,244 to three,492 kilos, rather less than the load vary of the Camry.

Head- and legroom are enough for 6-footers sitting back and front, which is spectacular, however really now typical for midsize sedans. Dad and mom ought to be aware that the Altima’s fastened headrests might frustrate when making an attempt to safe a baby seat, forward-facing mirror or pill. As at all times, we might suggest bringing the kid seat alongside throughout a check drive. 

At an accommodating 15.4 cubic toes, Altima’s trunk area is a fraction greater than Camry’s, however the Hyundai Sonata trumps it within the 16-cubic-foot vary. Comparisons apart, the Altima’s trunk remains to be fairly cavernous.

What are the Altima gasoline financial system and efficiency specs?

The Altima has two engine choices in addition to front- and all-wheel-drive. The bottom engine is a naturally-aspirated 2.5-liter four-cylinder that makes 188 horsepower and 180 pound-feet of torque. That is a bit lower than a lot of the midsize competitors. Energy goes by way of a constantly variable transmission to both the entrance or all 4 wheels relying on the way it’s geared up. Gas financial system varies based mostly on trim and drive wheels, nevertheless it’s sturdy throughout the board, matching or beating the Toyota Camry and Hyundai Sonata amongst different rivals. The bottom front-drive Altima will get 27 mpg metropolis, 39 mpg freeway and 32 mpg mixed.  The SL and SR get 27/37/31 mpg. The all-wheel-drive variations get 26/36/30 mpg.

Optionally accessible is a turbocharged, variable-compression 2.0-liter four-cylinder. This engine makes 248 horsepower and 273 pound-feet of torque. It additionally makes use of a CVT, and it is solely accessible with front-wheel drive. Unsurprisingly, the best energy additionally delivers the bottom gasoline financial system, nevertheless it’s nonetheless fairly respectable at 25/34/29.

Sadly, in case you’re on the lookout for an ultra-efficient hybrid, Nissan does not provide one for the Altima. And whereas the higher-output turbo engine provides the automotive extra straight-line efficiency, together with paddle shifters and sportier suspension than the bottom naturally-aspirated fashions, there are opponents that go additional with sporty upgrades, such because the Camry TRD and Sonata N-Line.

What is the Altima prefer to drive?

The Altima delivers cheap if uneventful acceleration from the mixture of the usual 2.5-liter 4 and the constantly variable transmission, a expertise Nissan has been utilizing for many years now and that works higher than another CVTs on the market. That stated, it’s nonetheless sluggish from a begin, requiring the revs to rise for the acceleration to start. On the street, the Altima comports itself properly, offering responsive cornering and a great journey. The SR mannequin gives a firmer suspension tune, and it verges on fun-to-drive on a winding street. It is gentle and responsive, however nonetheless compliant.

The turbocharged 2.0-liter engine is the particular alternative for somebody on the lookout for a bit extra driving enjoyable, or not less than for aggressive freeway passing. It offers loads of low-down torque, so it really works far much less more durable when puttering round, and the almost 100 additional horsepower means it pulls strongly once you do work it onerous. The CVT doesn’t do it any favors, both, nevertheless it will get the job accomplished, and shift paddles are current to simulate gears must you need a bit extra driving involvement. There isn’t any full guide mode, although, so it reverts to computerized shifting if left alone.

The electrical energy steering system is our least favourite factor. On heart, it is utterly anesthetized and has what appears like an excessive amount of play when driving casually round city. As such, it makes the Altima really feel distant and uninvolving. However it’s correct and light-weight. And since the entire automotive additionally feels gentle and responsive, the Altima can really feel barely playful. It additionally has a delicate, soft journey, so it may be an ideal all-arounder. 

What different Altima critiques can I learn?

2019 Nissan Altima Platinum 2.5 AWD Drivers’ Notes Evaluate | Aggressive if not class-leading

Our editors in Michigan check the bottom four-cylinder paired with all-wheel drive and the top-of-the-line Platinum trim stage.

2019 Nissan Altima SR VC-Turbo Evaluate

West Coast Editor James Riswick checks the improve 2.0-liter turbo engine and the sportier SR trim stage. 

2019 Nissan Altima First Drive Evaluate | A sedan for a brand new technology

First impressions from when the present Altima was launched, together with extra in-depth details about its design and engineering.

2019 Nissan Altima AWD Second Drive Evaluate | Gaining traction

A better have a look at the Altima geared up with all-wheel drive.

2021 Toyota Camry AWD vs. Nissan Altima AWD and Subaru Legacy | How they evaluate on paper

See how the Altima’s specs and dimensions evaluate to the opposite two midsize sedans accessible with all-wheel drive.

How a lot is the 2023 Altima worth and what options can be found?

The Altima begins at $26,385 for the bottom S trim stage. It comes with the naturally aspirated four-cylinder and front-wheel drive. Consolation and comfort options are fairly fundamental on this trim with 16-inch metal wheels with wheel covers, cruise management, energy home windows and locks, distant begin, Bluetooth and single-zone guide local weather management. And one main lacking function on the bottom mannequin is Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

Except you are on the lookout for the utmost gasoline financial system and absolute lowest worth, you are seemingly greatest off choosing not less than the SV trim, which begins at $27,185. For lower than $1,000 extra, you get many extra options. It comes 17-inch alloy wheels, energy adjustable driver seat, the larger 7-inch instrument show and 8-inch infotainment display, further USB ports entrance and rear, proximity key with push-button begin and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The SV will also be optioned with different fascinating options like ProPilot freeway driving help, adaptive cruise management, a sunroof, heated facet mirrors, heated seats, the 12.3-inch infotainment display, wi-fi Apple CarPlay, wi-fi telephone charging and navigation.

Different notable options and choices embody all-wheel-drive, which is a $1,500 choice accessible solely on naturally aspirated SV, SR and SL trims. The turbo engine is simply accessible on the SR trim now, and it is front-wheel-drive solely. The highest SL trim additionally comes with unique options such dual-zone computerized local weather management, rear air vents, surround-view digicam and a Bose 9-speaker audio system.

Base pricing for the entire Altima line is under.

S: $26,385
SV: $27,185
SR: $28,585
SL: $33,085
SR Turbo: $36,085

What are the Altima security rankings and driver help options?

Even the bottom Altima S comes well-equipped with commonplace security options. It comes with computerized emergency braking entrance and rear, pedestrian detection for entrance computerized braking, blind-spot monitoring, rear-cross visitors alert, lane-departure warning, driver inattention monitoring and computerized high-beam headlights. Optionally available options are the ProPilot adaptive cruise management and lane-centering steering help system, and visitors signal detection.

The Insurance coverage Institute for Freeway Security provides the 2022 Nissan Altima its highest ranking of “Good” in all crash checks and named it a High Security Decide+. The federal government additionally rated the Altima extremely in its crash checks, with 5 out of 5 stars general and for facet affect and rollover danger, and 4 stars for frontal crash safety.

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