The Mid-Size Sedan That Deserves More Attention

Summary

• Altima’s latest upgrade in 2024 retains its sleek design, powerful VC-Turbo engine, and enhanced elegance.
• Performance edge with the VC-Turbo variant; offers impressive torque, speed, and an optional AWD feature setting it apart from competitors.
• Interior improvements elevate user comfort with plush leather seating, high-tech features like ProPILOT Assist, and prioritized safety measures.

For decades, the Altima has been a pillar of strength for Japanese automaker Nissan. The Altima moved in the 2024 model year with minimal changes following 2023’s modest revision, blending traditional charm with a dash of contemporary. Powered by pioneering engine technology and dressed in a chic design, the latest Altima is a testament to Nissan’s commitment to innovation.

From its humble beginnings in the 1990s, the Nissan Altima has always been synonymous with spaciousness and sportiness, and the 2024 edition upholds this legacy. Its freshened visage now boasts sleek LED headlights, modernized wheels, and Nissan’s revamped logo. But what truly sets the Altima apart in its segment is the distinctive VC-Turbo engine.

While competitors like the Toyota Camry continue to sell well in the mid-size sedan segment, the Altima isn’t too far behind in terms of sales and manages to carve out a niche with a unique blend of performance and panache. Yet, amidst the booming SUV trend and its popular sedan counterparts, the Altima often remains overlooked. Deemed as one of the ‘forgotten mainstream mid-size sedans,’ it truly deserves more attention. Let’s uncover why.

UPDATE: 2024/02/19 6:00 BY MOSES KAROMO

The Altima nameplate has been around for several decades, offering sedan customers an affordable blend of practicality and sportiness. While the Altima remains one of Nissan’s best-selling models in North America, it lags far behind competitors like the Toyota Camry and Honda Accord. However, given the Altima’s price, looks, performance, and wealth of standard features, we detail why the Altima warrants more consideration.

In order to give you the most up-to-date and accurate information possible, the data used to compile this article was sourced from various manufacturer websites and other authoritative sources including the EPA and goodcarbadcar.

Performance And Efficiency: A Dive Into Altima’s Engine Line-Up

Nissan offers two frugal engines with the Altima: a 2.5-liter inline-four and a turbocharged 2.0-liter inline-four. On the face of it, the more potent turbo mill seems the most attractive option. However, opting for it means foregoing all-wheel drive.

AWD Feature Is Exclusive To The 2.5-Liter Engine

The Altima comes standard with a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine that generates 188 horsepower, efficiently paired with a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT). It’s noteworthy that the sought-after all-wheel drive feature is exclusive to the 2.5-liter mill. AWD is an optional extra available on the SV, SR, and SL trims. Nissan doesn’t offer all-wheel drive on the base S trim.

Performance Specifications

(Specs: Nissan)

Nissan’s Innovative VC-Turbo Engine Automatically Adjusts The Compression Ratio

For those with a zest for more punch under the hood, Nissan offers an optional turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder that can ramp up 248 horsepower when complemented with premium fuel. Using regular fuel reduces power output to 236 horsepower and 269 pound-feet of torque. Nissan’s innovation shines with its variable-compression technology. While some competitors venture into hybrid territory, the Altima remains faithful to gasoline power, boasting admirable fuel economy numbers of 29 mpg combined.

The 2.0-liter VC-Turbo engine injects a dynamic edge, allowing the Altima to surge ahead with remarkable agility. This speedster attribute is further accentuated in the Altima SR, equipped with sport-tuned suspension and bold 19-inch wheels – a treat for those craving spirited drives along winding roads.

The 2024 Altima’s Enhanced Elegance

The Altima refresh in 2023 included tweaks to the vehicle’s exterior styling and the addition of new wheel designs throughout the Altima range. These updates elevated the Altima’s overall aesthetic and made the SR VC-Turbo variant particularly appealing.

All Trims Except The S Feature Aluminum-Alloy Wheels

One of the standout exterior features of the Nissan Altima is its aluminum alloy wheels. Nissan introduced four new aluminum-alloy wheel designs in 2023: 17-inch rollers for the SV trim, and 19-inch wheels for the SR, SL, and VC-Turbo trims. The base S variant comes with 16-inch steel wheels which pale in comparison to the alloys propping up the higher trims. Other exterior changes carried over from 2023 include an updated V-Motion grille featuring Nissan’s revised logo.

The VC Turbo Is The Standout Trim

The 2024 Altima, especially in its mesmerizing Gray Sky Pearl hue offered on the VC-Turbo model, encapsulates the evolution of Nissan’s design vision. This specific shade, an optional addition worth every penny of its $395, uniquely interacts with its surroundings. Depending on the ambient light, it shifts from a pristine white to a rich blue, lending the car a chameleonic elegance. These aesthetic choices and notable design updates further underscore the Altima’s transformed identity.

Some Standout Enhancements On The VC-Turbo Include

• Revamped Wheel Design: The brand-new 19-inch wheel design adds a layer of sophistication to the sedan.
• Distinctive Badging: Red SR badges accentuate the vehicle’s sporty demeanor, ensuring it doesn’t go unnoticed.
• Exquisite Grille: The unique black chrome grille commands the Altima on the road.

Elevating The Altima’s Interior Game

The narrative surrounding Nissan’s cabin design was significantly redefined during the Altima’s 2023 refresh. With a more refined aesthetic and emphasis on user comfort, it’s clear the brand has evolved beyond its past. For 2024, Nissan increased the NissanConnect Services trial period from six months to three years.

The Nissan Altima Has A High-Tech Interior

On the VC Turbo model, the plush black leather Zero Gravity seats, adorned with red and white stitching, immediately catch the eye. These seats aren’t just visually appealing – but they provide an optimal seating position that distances Nissan from its history of compromised comfort. Though the driver’s seat could use a tad more thigh support, and the omission of height adjustment for the passenger side remains, the overall experience is elevated.

Incorporated within the Altima’s design are thoughtful features:

• Tech-forward: The Advanced Drive-Assist Display seamlessly combines digital and analog gauges, creating a modern cockpit experience. The ProPILOT Assist adds adaptive cruise control and lane centering.
• Safety Prioritized: Safety isn’t an afterthought. Nissan underlines its commitment to driver and passenger safety with rear automatic braking, traffic sign recognition, and automatic high beams.

The Altima Has Ample Passenger And Cargo Volume

Regarding space, the Altima shines, generously offering more volume than some mainstream competitors like the Toyota Camry. The expansive trunk, offering 15.4 cubic feet of space, could make luxury models like the Mercedes S-Class (12.9 cubic feet) pause with envy.

2024 Nissan Altima Interior Dimensions

(Source: Nissan)

Rear passengers are lavished with leg and headroom and will appreciate the USB ports and air vents. In its essence, this Altima iteration seeks to dispel previous misconceptions. It’s not merely a mainstream mid-size sedan – it genuinely merits more recognition in the automotive world.

2024 Nissan Altima Offers More For Less

Nissan’s journey is a testament to its strategic evolution. The diversified updates across its vehicle line-up, including the much-anticipated Z sports car, highlight the Japanese brand’s dynamism. While past iterations of the Altima might have sparked playful stereotypes about its drivers, the 2024 Altima emerges with a sophisticated and mature persona.

Nissan Offers Five Feature-Packed Altima Trims

Nissan’s expansive range caters to various preferences and budgets, from a starting price of $26,000 S trim to the upscale yet affordable $35,700 SR VC-Turbo. Among these, the SR trim stands out as an outstanding value proposition. At $28,200, it projects an air of sportiness, and the optional addition of AWD for just $1,500 makes it even more appealing. This trim level comes with enhanced infotainment, power seats, a leather-clad steering wheel, and the option to elevate the experience further with the Premium package – featuring heated seats and a sunroof.

2024 Nissan Altima Trims And Price

(Source: Nissan)

In the market of mid-size sedans, Nissan’s pricing strategy is wise. Compared to its rivals, an equivalent Toyota Camry is priced at $26,420, and a Honda Accord fetches a tag of $27,895. The math is straightforward: Nissan is redefining value by delivering top-tier features at competitive prices. This successful formula of offering more for less seems to be a win-win for both Nissan and its customers, and the Altima stands tall as its glowing testament.