Used 2021 Nissan Altima

The 2021 Nissan Altima competes in the hyper-competitive midsize-sedan class against the likes of the Honda Accord, Toyota Camry, Hyundai Sonata, Kia K5, and Mazda6. Fine rides, all, but only the Camry and Kia offer the option of all-wheel drive like the Altima does.

The U.S.-built Altima is in its third year, and it’s blessed with particularly comfortable front seats, excellent safety features, and precise-yet-pliant dynamics. The exterior styling of this 5-seat Nissan sedan still looks fresh, and four adults can ride comfortably to dinner in the Altima (remember when we used to do that?). What’s more, the efficiency of the 2.5-liter Altima is excellent, aided by a continuously variable automatic transmission that’s not our favorite, but keeps getting better with each passing year.

The Altima’s seats are all-day comfortable, arguably the best available in a mass-market mainstream midsize sedan. They’re comfortable and supportive, with good bolstering for cornering support.

The base 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine is quiet and adequately powered for around-town duty. When the Altima is driven in a normal fashion, its CVT simulates the shifts of a conventional automatic, so it feels familiar. But with more aggressive throttle usage, the CVT causes the powertrain “motorboat” a bit, that odd sensation when engine rpm feels unrelated to vehicle speed.

The turbocharged variable-compression 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine in the SR models is a true technical marvel. It’s flexible in its power delivery, if a bit coarser than the 2.5, and its 236 horsepower is put to good use via a sport-tuned chassis with shift paddles on the steering column.

With the Altima, Nissan’s interior designers opted for simplicity and functionality over theater. It’s a pleasant interior, and the standard 8-inch touchscreen provides easy access to Apple CarPlay/Android Auto smartphone integration. Moreover, the climate controls are convenient, and USB and USB-C ports are found front and rear.

Occupant space inside the Altima is about average, not as roomy as a Honda Accord. Similarly, the rear legroom of the Altima is a bit less generous than that of many rivals. Trunk space, at 15.4 cubic feet, is similar to that of the Toyota Camry. The view out the rearview mirror is a bit pinched by the high rear deck.

Now in its third year of production, the Altima continues to look fresh. Highlights of the design include the big, bold “V” grille and the “floating-roof” rear roof pillars. The sporty Altima SR is distinguished by a dark chrome grille, LED headlights, 19-inch alloy wheels, black side-mirror housings, and body-color door handles.

VC-T ENGINE
VC stands for “variable compression,” and T stands for “turbocharged.” This turbo 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine is an engineering feat, automatically switching to a lower compression when turbo boost is needed and changing to a higher compression for improved fuel economy on the highway. The VC-T doesn’t quite offer the fuel economy of a 4-cylinder with the power of a V6, but that’s the idea behind this technically fascinating engine.

SAFETY FEATURES
Behind the banners of Safety Shield 360 and ProPilot Assist lies an array of driver aids such as rear automatic braking, lane-departure warning, blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert, and lane-centering/adaptive cruise control technology. But even the entry-level S trim has forward-collision mitigation with automatic emergency braking and, new for 2021, pedestrian protection.

The 2021 Nissan Altima S has cloth upholstery and 16-inch steel wheels, plus 16-inch steel wheels, a tilt/telescope steering wheel, pushbutton ignition, cruise control, a 7-inch touchscreen, and automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection.

The Altima SV has 17-inch alloy wheels and an 8-way power driver’s seat, along with Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, an 8-inch color display, LED headlamps, and a safety suite with a blind-spot warning, rear cross-traffic alert, rear automatic braking, and rear parking beeper.

You get a sport-tuned suspension and 19-inch alloy wheels on the Altima SR, plus paddle shifters, sport seats, and a leather-covered steering wheel. If you order the SR with the VC-Turbo engine, it comes with a single-panel moonroof, heated front seats, and heated outside mirrors with LED turn signals.

Next up, the Altima SL, which is loaded with standard equipment. SL highlights include leather upholstery, dual-zone climate control, and navigation system, along with a Bose audio system with nine speakers, acoustic front door glass, heated seats, a heated steering wheel, and Pro Pilot Assist, which features active cruise control with steering assistance.

Capping the lineup is the Altima Platinum, a leather-clad AWD model with 19-inch alloy wheels, a 360-degree monitor, interior accent lighting, and memory for the driver’s seat.

On the Altima S, a new Driver Assist Package is available. A bargain at $475, this package includes a blind-spot warning system and rear cross-traffic alert, plus automatic rear braking, a back-up sonar beeper, and an 8-way power driver’s seat.

The $1,800 SV Premium Package comes with a moonroof, LED turn indicators (in the rearview mirrors), heated front seats, a leather-covered steering wheel, and shift knob. The package also includes ProPilot Assist with Steering Assist, adaptive cruise control, and an electronic parking brake.

Similarly, the SR Premium Package ($1,200) features a moonroof and LED turn indicators, along with heated front seats and 2-way driver lumbar support.

Stand-alone options on the 2021 Nisan Altima include premium paint, splash guards, a rear spoiler (not available on the S), and 17-inch alloy wheels (on the S, SV, and SL).

Almost all 2021 Nissan Altimas are powered by the naturally aspirated 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine that makes 188 horsepower. This is the only Altima engine that can be paired with AWD.

Only one 2021 Nissan Altima, the 2.0 SR, is equipped with the turbocharged variable-compression 2.0-liter engine. This FWD Altima, with 248 horsepower, is quick.

Both engines are linked to a CVT, which is good for fuel economy but robs this midsize Nissan sedan of any serious sporting pretensions. Our suggestion: Put the shifter in D and forget about it.

2.5-liter inline-4
188 horsepower @ 6,000 rpm
180 lb-ft of torque @ 3,600 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 28/39 mpg (FWD); 26/36 mpg (AWD), 27/37 mpg (SR & Platinum FWD ), 25/35 mpg (SR & Platinum AWD)

2.0-liter turbocharged inline-4
248 horsepower @ 5,600 rpm
280 lb-ft of torque @ 1,600 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 25/34 mpg