The Nissan Altima has been on the market for 30 plus years, and over the decades it has seen some changes. That's what we're here to go over. If you're in the market for a used Altima, you may be curious on what models differ from one another. Here are some top features to look for in a used Nissan Altima.
Key takeaways
- The 2023 Altima is the safest one yet.
- If you're looking for a coupe, then you'll need to look for models between 2008 and 2012.
- Much like the coupe, a hybrid model was added in 2007, but discontinued in 2011.
Third Generation (2002-2006)
This is the first generation that is unique to the North American market, as the other generations before it had shared models in Japan.
For the 2003, and 2004, the Altima models received two-tone dash colors, and the engine saw a boost in horsepower at 245. When 2005 came around, the Altima saw a facelift that added a new front grille, all-red tail lights, and a new interior. Much like 2003, this year also saw a boost in power for the V6 being rated at 250 horsepower.
The SE-R trim came out this year and brought even more power. This trim came with a V6 that can produce 260 horsepower, and comes with a manual transmission, upgraded brakes, 18-inch wheels, and a stiffer suspension.
Fourth Generation (2007-2012)
Building off of the success from the year before, this one brought a new suspension to the platform. Building in the power too, this year saw it hit 270 horsepower.
Being that this model came out when tech started to boom for vehicles, and phones, this generation came equipped with a Smart Key, as well as Bluetooth capabilities, and a parking camera.
When 2009 came around, Nissan showed off the 2010 Altima. This model came with a new front fascia, hood, and headlights. This year also came with electronic stability control to help keep the vehicle safe.
If you're not a fan of the sedan, you're in luck as this generation also came as a coupe. For the 2008 year model, the vehicle came with mostly the same features as its 4-door brother.
This was a big generation for the Altima as it also came with a hybrid model in 2007, but that was ultimately discontinued in 2011. This model did come with some features as standard that were optional on the gas versions, such as aluminum-alloy wheels.
Fifth Generation (2013-2018)
2013 marked a new generation for the Altima, and with it came the loss of the manual transmission. While this generation did grow in size, it did lose 120 pounds, making it more spacious without losing fuel efficiency.
2013 was a bad year for those who liked the coupe as it was discontinued, much like the manual transmission. This year did add the advanced drive-assist display.
For 2016, Nissan felt like things were getting a bit stale, so they figured it was time for a refresh. The refresh brought new bumpers, headlamps, tail lamps. and reshaped seats to help give you more comfort. The cabin was also redesigned, now coming with better silencing materials, and new sound-reducing windshield.
2018 saw the addition of new special editions for the SR trim level. These were the 2.5 SR Special Edition and the 2.5 SR Midnight Edition. While the 2.5 trim was discontinued, the 2.5 S is the new base trim. This comes with Apple CarPlat, and Android Auto.
Sixth Generation (2019-Present)
This generation for the Altima was pretty conservative upon release, only replacing the previous V6 with a 2.0L V4. For 2023, Nissan gave the vehicle a new look, and some new features. They touched up the standard LED headlights, as well as put Nissan's new logo on the vehicle.
The previous 8-inch screen is now replaced by a 12.3-inch touchscreen on some trims. This year also adds some wireless features, such as charging, and phone connectivity. Some new safety features have been added, too. These are automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, rear automatic braking, lane departure warning, blind spot warning, rear cross-traffic alert, and high-beam assist.
Final Thoughts
With the Nissan Altima having gone through its changes, if one thing that remains the same, that is that the Altima is “a perfectly adequate family sedan” as noted by Car and Driver. It's nothing too fancy, but it gets the job done, and at a good price. Come on by to Alan Jay to see what we have in stock for Nissan Altima's and more!
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