Nissan Altima

Nissan Altima at a glance

The Altima's closest relative in Nissan's world line-up is the Teana, the name used for the same car in China and other Asian markets. Our Nissan catalogue lists all the brand's models.

Generations of the Nissan Altima

U13 and L30 (1992-2001)

The first Altima was built in June 1992 in Smyrna, Tennessee, as a 1993 model; early cars wore "Stanza Altima" badges. It had a 2.4-litre KA24DE four-cylinder with 112 kW (150 hp), a five-speed manual or four-speed automatic, and XE, GXE, SE and GLE trims. The second generation (L30, 1998-2001 model years) kept the formula and was built only for the US and Canada, with side airbags standard on the GLE from 2000.

L31 (2001-2006)

The third Altima grew into a true mid-size car on Nissan's FF-L platform, unique to North America, and was the first with a V6. The 3.5-litre engine delivered 179 kW (240 hp), rising to 186 kW (250 hp) for 2005, while the 2005 SE-R had 194 kW (260 hp), 340 Nm and a six-speed manual. It was named 2002 North American Car of the Year, and from 2004 production was added at Canton, Mississippi. Wikipedia notes that some 2002 cars with the 2.5-litre engine suffered from excessive oil consumption.

L32 (2006-2012)

Shown in New York in April 2006, the fourth generation moved to the Nissan D platform and introduced a CVT as the automatic option. Engines were the 2.5-litre QR25DE with 130 kW (175 hp) and 244 Nm, and the 3.5-litre VQ35DE V6 with 201 kW (270 hp) and 350 Nm. A two-door coupe followed in May 2007 and stayed until the 2013 model year. The Altima Hybrid (2007-2011), Nissan's first hybrid, used a system licensed from Toyota with a combined 148 kW (198 hp). Electronic stability control became standard across the range for 2010.

L33 (2012-2018)

The fifth Altima, revealed in New York in 2012, went on sale in June 2012. It was about 54 kg (120 lb) lighter than its predecessor and used only the CVT. The 2.5-litre now produced 136 kW (182 hp), the V6 stayed at 201 kW (270 hp). In Asia the same car was sold as the Teana, and Australia offered the Altima for the first time until April 2017; ANCAP gave the 2013 car five stars. A facelift arrived for the 2016 model year.

L34 (since 2018)

The current Altima was revealed in New York in March 2018. Production started in Smyrna on 24 August 2018 and in Canton on 27 September 2018. For the first time, all-wheel drive was available with the 2.5-litre engine. The 2.0-litre VC-Turbo, a variable-compression four-cylinder with 185 kW (248 hp), was offered on SR and Platinum versions until the 2024 model year. A 2023 refresh added a new front, standard LED headlights and a 12.3-inch touchscreen on upper trims. Canada dropped the Altima after 2025, but Nissan announced US pricing for a 2026 model in December 2025.

Engines, transmissions and performance

Every Altima since the 2013 model year uses Nissan's Xtronic CVT; the last manual gearbox was available on the L32. In December 2023 the US safety regulator NHTSA opened an investigation into engine failures of the KR15DDT and KR20DDET engines; the KR20DDET is the VC-Turbo once offered in the Altima.

Dimensions, space and boot

These are Nissan's figures for the 2026 Altima. The Chinese version, sold by Dongfeng Nissan, is 4,920 mm long. At almost 4.9 metres the Altima is longer than most European D-segment saloons; our size comparison tool puts it next to any car in the catalogue.

Fuel economy and running costs

The US EPA rates the 2026 Altima at 26 mpg city, 36 mpg highway and 30 mpg combined with front-wheel drive, which equals about 7.8 l/100 km combined. With all-wheel drive the combined figure is 28 mpg, or about 8.4 l/100 km.

Trims, equipment and prices

For 2026 Nissan cut the range to SV and SR, each with front- or all-wheel drive; the S, SL and Platinum versions have gone. Nissan's US list prices from December 2025 are USD 27,580 (2025, about EUR 23,500) for the SV FWD, USD 28,980 (2025, about EUR 24,800) for the SR FWD, USD 29,080 (2025, about EUR 24,900) for the SV AWD and USD 30,480 (2025, about EUR 26,000) for the SR AWD. Destination and handling add USD 1,275 (2025, about EUR 1,100). Every version has Nissan Safety Shield 360 with automatic emergency braking and pedestrian detection, blind spot warning, rear cross traffic alert and rear automatic braking, plus knee airbags; ProPILOT Assist is optional.

Safety

The Altima has never been tested by Euro NCAP. In the US the 2019 model was an IIHS Top Safety Pick, and in Australia ANCAP gave the 2013 Altima five stars. Our safety section covers cars rated by Euro NCAP.

Reliability and known issues

Documented issues in our sources are limited to excessive oil consumption on some 2002 2.5-litre cars, a 2015 US class action over rusted floor pans on 2002-2006 cars that was dismissed in January 2016, and the 2023 NHTSA investigation into VC-Turbo engine failures. We found no other systematic faults to report.

Rivals

In North America the Altima competes with the Toyota Camry, Honda Accord and Hyundai Sonata. The smaller Sentra is Nissan's own cheaper alternative with a similar CVT drivetrain.

Photo gallery