Designed to compete with the likes of the Honda Accord and Toyota Camry, the Nissan Altima has often played second banana to the establishment. That's also given it a reason to be different from some of the most conservative cars on sale.

While it's never consistently rivaled the Camry or Accord in sales, the Altima is still considered a midsize sedan staple. It's also bested emerging competition from the Hyundai Sonata and Kia Optima and outlived the Mazda6, Volkswagen Passat, Ford Fusion, Chrysler 200, and a few others in a rapidly contracting sedan market.

The Altima has evolved, pushing its rivals at times in terms of performance, space, and styling. As a result, it's likely never been more relevant over the last 30 years. 

### 2019 - Present Nissan Altima (L34 6th Generation)

[![Nissan Altima 6th Generation Front Photo](https://www.autolist.com/6tuem73u73an/28qOU528BuMPiN21tftlLK/91e0403cfb9b7f2758a352030de1cb6e/Nissan_Altima_6th_Generation_Front_Photo.jpg)](https://www.autolist.com/nissan-altima#year_min=2019)

The Altima was significantly redesigned for 2019. Still stung by criticism that the previous model was bland and less refined than rivals, Nissan's stylists and engineers stepped up their game. The styling was sharpened, even if it wasn't as adventurous as rivals from Kia or Toyota, and the Altima stayed about the same size as the outgoing version.

![Nissan Altima 6th Generation Back Photo](https://www.autolist.com/6tuem73u73an/5jLRYK7yk4rzxFrXOw4hir/fb84bfca214a0d3ef53b3b7cf59c6456/Nissan_Altima_6th_Generation_Back_Photo.jpg)

This generation also introduced more advanced driver assistance and technology features that started to appear on rival vehicles and other Nissan models. For example, every Altima included an eight-inch touchscreen display, a power driver's seat, automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, and blind-spot monitoring. Optional features included a 360-degree camera system and the ProPilot Assist setup incorporating lane centering for highway driving.

![Nissan Altima 6th Generation Interior](https://www.autolist.com/6tuem73u73an/3FWVEo00k7aBfjPED9gRNB/1deabd7604b7c28130c9fd97caf37978/Nissan_Altima_6th_Generation_Interior.jpg)

While the previous 188-horsepower, 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine and continuously variable transmission (CVT) carried over mostly unchanged from the previous iteration, the 3.5-liter V6 was replaced by a new 248-horsepower, turbocharged 2.0-liter four with  variable-compression technology. Front-wheel drive was still standard but all-wheel-drive (AWD) was a new option for the 2.5-liter engine. Trim levels were the base S, SV, sport-styled SR, SL, and plush Platinum, with the turbocharged engine initially standard on the Platinum.

For 2020, the Nissan Altima made more driver assistance features available on lower trims, added memory side view mirrors to the top trim’s specs, and changed the interior trim on mid-level trims.

In 2021 Nissan limited the variable-compression engine to SR trim Altimas and shuffled some options and packages related to the SV trim level.

A Midnight Edition package was added to the options list for SR trim levels Altimas in 2022 and SV Premium trim added heated side mirrors with LED turn signals.

For 2023, the Altima received a midcycle update, with a facelift to the grille, new wheel designs, LED headlights, and other minor exterior styling changes. Inside, the Altima was now equipped with a 12.3-inch touchscreen for the infotainment system on SR Turbo and SL models and available on the SV. It also incorporated wireless Apple CarPlay on those trim levels. In addition, the Platinum model was dropped. Standard safety equipment was upgraded to include automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, rear automatic braking, lane departure warning, blind spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and automatic high beams.

Following a significant refresh the prior year, the 2024 Altima had only one significant change: Nissan Connect Services was offered free for three years, rather than six months.

[View 6th Generations Listings](https://www.autolist.com/nissan-altima#year_min=2019)

### 2013 - 2018 Nissan Altima (5th Generation) 

[![nissan-altima-5th-generation](https://www.autolist.com/6tuem73u73an/2RdUkYr2Oj7awpaamo1JDZ/adafe52a3b851778bcf8794dd0a98acb/nissan-altima-5th-generation.jpg)](https://www.autolist.com/nissan-altima#year_min=2013&year_max=2018)

Nissan continued to refine the Altima with the fifth-generation model. But while levels of technology were upped, weight savings and fuel economy were the targets. Using lighter materials and high-strength steel, Nissan's team could reduce weight by as much as 120 pounds on certain versions. 

Engine options remained largely the same, though, with the 2.5-liter four getting a slight power boost to 182 horsepower and the 3.5-liter V6 staying at 270. This time, however, all models got a CVT, and the six-speed manual transmission was gone. The Altima Coupe stuck around for one more year before being discontinued.

Initial 2013 Nissan Altima models were Base, S, SV, and SL, with both engines available on all but the base model. Every version received standard amenities such as power windows, power door locks, and air conditioning. SV and higher were available with features such as alloy wheels, an infotainment system, a power driver's seat, and a surround-view camera.

While reception to the car was somewhat mixed as rivals such as the Honda Accord, Ford Fusion, and Volkswagen Passat upped the game around the time the Altima arrived, sales were still consistent. As a result, there were few changes for 2014 and 2015, apart from the paring down of certain trim levels, including the lower-line V6 models.

Nissan was still getting dinged for a lineup that lacked refinement. So for 2016, the fifth-generation Altima received a comprehensive round of updates. It started with sharper exterior styling that removed some of the roundness of the design, along with new lighting, new wheels, and a sportier-looking SR trim was also introduced for both four and six-cylinder models.

Inside, there were new front seats, a new steering wheel, and upgraded upholstery. In addition, more sound deadening and insulation were added in another attempt to improve the noise level in the cabin.

There were a handful of changes for 2018 ahead of a redesigned Altima, with the base model and 3.5SR deleted, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto added to a revamped infotainment system that would appear in models other Nissan models like the Rogue, and every version received standard keyless access.

[View 5th Generations Listings](https://www.autolist.com/nissan-altima#year_min=2013&year_max=2018)

### 2007 - 2012 Nissan Altima (4th Generation)

[![nissan-altima-4th-generation](https://www.autolist.com/6tuem73u73an/5Y4gOKudUriTJzTgfqDCh6/8c18586d9ef1fe5107df7f97f1d7fadd/nissan-altima-4th-generation.jpg)](https://www.autolist.com/nissan-altima#year_min=2007&year_max=2012)

Significant changes came with the fourth-generation Nissan Altima, including more styling changes, new technology for the class, a new platform, and the first time the Altima was offered as a coupe to rival the Honda Accord Coupe and Toyota Camry Solara. And riding high off the success of the previous iteration, Nissan continued to go after the class leaders.

While the 2.5-liter four and 3.5-liter V6 engines returned, the V6 received a jump in power to 270 horsepower. A six-speed manual was standard, but the conventional automatic transmissions were replaced by a CVT, common among all Nissans of the era.

Every Altima now got a push-button start, which was unheard of among family sedans of the time. In addition, interior quality, a criticism from the last generation, was vastly improved this time. New options included a backup camera, a navigation system, and Bluetooth phone connectivity.

In early 2007, Nissan introduced the first Altima Hybrid. Powered by a 158-horsepower version of the 2.5-liter four and 40-horsepower electric motor for a total of 198 horsepower, it gave Nissan a rival to the popular Camry Hybrid. It even used Toyota's hybrid technology through a licensing agreement. The Altima Hybrid was only available in select states, such as California, and did not gain anywhere near the same popularity, so it was dropped after 2011.

The Altima Coupe arrived in 2008 using the same engines as the Altima sedan and many of the same trim levels but on a shorter wheelbase with moderate exterior styling changes. All Altimas gained standard anti-lock brakes this year, and the sedan got a new base model that didn't even include a factory radio.

There were few changes besides a modest update for 2010 when all models got revised exterior styling, new wheels, and electronic stability control. Still a hot seller amid an aggressive recession, the Altima would stand pat until a new version arrived for 2013.  

[View 4th Generations Listings](https://www.autolist.com/nissan-altima#year_min=2007&year_max=2012)

### 2002 - 2006 Nissan Altima (3rd Generation) 

[![nissan-altima-3rd-generation](https://www.autolist.com/6tuem73u73an/4npC6t4OfpLZ45IqsLMRhG/53e54e2e8304bd5a577b5f20d4d75f4e/nissan-altima-3rd-generation.jpg)](https://www.autolist.com/nissan-altima#year_min=2002&year_max=2006)

The third-generation Nissan Altima was a significant departure from past iterations. It was bigger inside and out thanks to a new platform, and it sported far more aggressive styling than any midsize sedan rival. It made the public and other automakers sit up and notice.

It was also significantly more potent than the competition. The base engine was a 175-horsepower, 2.5-liter four-cylinder. For the first time, the Altima offered a V6 (as did key rivals Accord and Camry), with a 3.5-liter V6 producing 240 horsepower like the upcoming Murano SUV. A five-speed manual was offered with both engines, and a four-speed automatic was an option with the four-cylinder and a five-speed automatic on the V6.

Interior space also eclipsed that of most rivals, as it was significantly larger than the previous Altimas and even surpassed that of the more expensive Nissan Maxima. As a result, the third-generation Altima earned rave reviews, sales boomed, and it reversed the automaker's financial fortunes.

There were only minor changes to equipment and some interior materials for the third-generation Altima's first three years. A midcycle facelift was the big news for 2005. It included a slight increase in power for the V6, to 250, mild exterior styling revisions, and an entirely new dashboard that used better materials to address some quality concerns.

The same year, a sporty Altima SE-R model debuted with 260 horsepower from the V6, a more aggressively tuned suspension, six-speed manual or five-speed automatic, 18-inch wheels, and minor styling changes.

As successful as the Altima had become, Nissan decided to continue raising the stakes with a new model for 2007.  

[View 3rd Generations Listings](https://www.autolist.com/nissan-altima#year_min=2002&year_max=2006)

### 1998 - 2001 Nissan Altima (L2nd Generation) 

[![nissan-altima-2nd-generation](https://www.autolist.com/6tuem73u73an/7aGBNetif81TQooHa5FrC8/fcb921742e426fb1ea5bf2118aaddb40/nissan-altima-2nd-generation.jpg)](https://www.autolist.com/nissan-altima#year_min=1998&year_max=2001)

Revising the popular Altima was important for Nissan. While working on the second act, financial trouble found the automaker. So the second-generation Altima suffered from being more conservative and lost many of its standout features.

To gain more acceptance, the Altima's exterior styling was less adventurous than the curvaceous first-generation model's, even though it was roughly the same size and offered slightly more space inside. The interior was laid out more logically and included better storage solutions and a folding rear seat on most models.

The 150-horsepower, 2.4-liter four-cylinder remained, along with the choice of a five-speed manual or four-speed automatic, except on the automatic-only GLE. Likewise, trim levels remained the same: basic XE, better-equipped GXE, sportier SE, and luxury GLE. But the previous model's available head-up display, woodgrain trim, and more aggressive tuning for the SE were all gone.

For 2000, Nissan tried to add more upscale details to the exterior styling, more differentiation for the SE with a stiffer suspension, 16-inch alloy wheels on the SE and GLE, and available side airbags. In addition, the interior was upgraded, and the engine was upgraded to make 155 horsepower.

Ultimately, the second generation was a lackluster follow-up, and Nissan would make some drastic changes for 2002.   

[View 2nd Generations Listings](https://www.autolist.com/nissan-altima#year_min=1998&year_max=2001)

### 1993 - 1997 Nissan Altima (1st Generation) 

[![nissan-altima-1st-generation](https://www.autolist.com/6tuem73u73an/2siVzb8AZ5sEQjzCUJylUD/4b37ae0527130f5489877a033bcda0d3/nissan-altima-1st-generation.jpg)](https://www.autolist.com/nissan-altima#year_min=1993&year_max=1997)

The first-generation Nissan Altima made its debut for the 1993 model year as a replacement for the Stanza. It sat between the Sentra and Maxima in the lineup. Unlike the Stanza sedan, the Altima was designed to be more striking and upscale, with better appointments and interesting features.

Only one engine was available: a 150-horsepower 2.4-liter inline four-cylinder. It was mated to either a five-speed manual or a four-speed automatic, making the Altima more powerful than four-cylinder models from the Camry and Accord. The Altima was also designed for the American market and built at Nissan’s plant in Tennessee.

Base XE models came with minimal equipment like manual locks and windows. Other trim levels, namely the GXE, SE, and GLE, came with more equipment such as power windows, a retractable radio antenna, and fog lights. In addition, the top-of-the-line GLE had a heads-up display and automatic climate control. SE trim had a sport-tuned suspension, alloy wheels, and even more structural bracing for better handling. 

The Altima was a success, and Nissan made incremental changes, such as adding a driver's side airbag (later a passenger's side airbag, too), but eventually dropped some costly features to keep the price competitive. A 1996 revision changed the styling slightly, but equipment and most features were the same until a new model arrived in 1998.

[View 1st Generations Listings](https://www.autolist.com/nissan-altima#year_min=1993&year_max=1997)

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Here are the top Nissan Altima listings for sale ASAP. Check the carfax, find a low miles Altima, view Altima photos and interior/exterior features. Search by price, view certified pre-owned Altimas, filter by color and much more. What will be your next ride?

Aquí están los mejores listados de Nissan Altima a la venta lo antes posible. Verifique el carfax, busque millas bajas en Altima, vea las fotos de Altima y las características interiores / exteriores. Busque por precio, vea Altimas usados ​​certificados, filtre por color y mucho más. ¿Cuál será tu próximo vehículo?

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