2021 Nissan Altima

The Nissan Altima provides a comfortable ride and exceptional handling. Built with room for up to five passengers, the latest model will come with a handful of small changes pertaining to its powertrain and safety front. Smooth and quiet, this vehicle offers you all that you need to get from place to place without any hassle. It competes with other hotshots, such as the Toyota Camry, Chevrolet Malibu, and Honda Accord. 

The 2021 Nissan Altima is offered in five definitive trim levels namely, S, SV, SR, SL, and Platinum. A 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine with 188 horsepower and a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT) is standard on all models. There is only one trim with a turbocharged engine, the SR. All-wheel drive is standard on the Platinum trim and available for $1,400 on the SV, SR, and SL trims.

With all of the trims, numerous features come preinstalled. Each trim is equipped with features like leather upholstery, an eight-way power driver's seat, a 7-inch touchscreen, six speakers, voice recognition, Bluetooth, two USB ports, and satellite radio. As part of the driver assistance technology, there is a rearview camera, forward collision warning, front automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, lane departure warning, and driver drowsiness monitor.

Which trim should you buy? 

We recommend skipping the base S model and upgrading to the SV instead since it comes with better infotainment stuff such as Apple CarPlay, safety features, and a few driver assistance aids. In addition, it is the first trim level with AWD. It would be beneficial to try out the SR version, which has more grunt and delivers a refined performance. 

The new 2021 Nissan Altima is powered by a choice of two engines: a 2.5-liter inline four-cylinder and a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine. Each is matched with Nissan's innovative Xtronic transmission with D-step Logic Control. Except for the SR trim, all trims are powered by a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine good for 188 horsepower in front-wheel-drive models and 182 horsepower in all-wheel-drive models. SR trim models provide 248 horsepower from a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder. 

Each engine is mated to a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT). Standard engines provide good power and fuel economy. This transmission is as versatile as a traditional automatic transmission and, as such, works well with both engines. With regard to performance, the all-wheel-drive Nissan Altima with its 2.5-liter engine can sprint from zero to sixty in 7.4 seconds and complete a quarter-mile run in 16.4 seconds.

Based on the aforementioned metrics, the Toyota Camry is the most powerful sedan in the segment. The Nissan Altima offers modest performance with its average power and torque. Honda's Accord shows its ability through its engine output of 192 lb-ft of torque, the best in the segment.

How well does the 2021 Nissan Altima handle?

When you are looking to buy a new vehicle, the handling and ride quality of the car is typically one of the first things you think about. The 2021 Nissan Altima has been designed to handle and ride smoothly through the curves. When cornering and driving on bumpy roads, the Altima maintains a stable ride with minimal body lean. 

With a lower center of gravity, the 2021 Nissan Altima conveys a comfortable, secure feeling that provides a confident and inspiring ride. The vehicle offers an enhanced level of convenience and control. All in all, every inch of the Altima has been scrutinized to deliver world-class ride and handling, confident road manners along with responsive acceleration and braking.

2021 Nissan Altima Braking Performance

There is no doubt that all of these upright sedans have disc brakes on all four wheels. A Nissan Altima's brakes fall effortlessly onto speed without any sudden jerks. The brakes, however, panic when suddenly braked, and the suspension struggles. S, SR, SV FWD 2021 Altimas feature 11.65 inches of front power vented disc brakes and 11.50 inches of rear power solid rotors. On SL and Platinum FWD models, along with all Altimas with AWD, the rear rotor size is 11.02. 

With a 3,207-pound curb weight, the Nissan Altima has a 120-foot stopping distance from 60 mph. This is average for a midsize car, but not the best. The Malibu stops first in the braking test, but the other sedans need a bit more carpet to settle down. When it comes to pedal response, the Accord has excellent brake modulation. 

In terms of fuel economy, the 2021 Nissan Altima is a decent vehicle but not exceptional. It gets an EPA-estimated 28 mpg in the city and 39 mpg on the highway when powered by the 2.5-liter engine. Those are impressive figures for a midsize car. As for the All-wheel-drive models, they achieve 26 mpg city and 36 mpg highway. Engines with turbochargers get 25 miles per gallon in the city and 34 miles per gallon on the highway.

Typically, the fuel ratings of the sedans described above are similar. Although the 2021 Toyota Camry gets the best fuel economy with 34 mpg combined, it isn't by much. Having slightly better mpg figures than the Nissan Altima, the Honda Accord earns second place, while the Altima secures the last position. Chevrolet's Malibu has the lowest highway fuel efficiency among the competition. 

Stepping inside the 2021 Nissan Altima, you'll find yourself in an intuitively designed cabin that is at home on any road. The sporty steering wheel, dual climate control, and 7-in. multi-function display take center stage. Enjoy the sound of satellite radio while sitting in a premium fabric seat that envelops you in comfort. You'll find some hard-plastic surfaces here and there, however.

When it comes to family-friendly sedans, the quiet and comfortable interior of the Nissan Altima sets it apart. The 2021 Nissan Altima can accommodate up to five people. With both rows of seats being adult-friendly, Altima's Zero Gravity seats rank highly among midsize cars in terms of comfort and support. The trunk of the Altima measures 15.4 cubic feet, which is pretty decent for a short weekend getaway. Although the seats fold up, making it easier to store longer items, the trunk hinges encroach on available trunk space, limiting the amount of cargo you can store.

With regard to the interior and seating, the Chevy Malibu wins the prize for the largest cabin in the segment. Compared to the competition, both the Camry and Accord make good use of the cabin space with the decent rear room, while the Altima offers the least amount of rear space. Standard interior features of the 2021 Nissan Altima include:

• Keyless entry and push-button start
• Dual-zone Climate Control 
• A Leather-wrapped steering wheel
• Moonroof
• Rear air vents
• Leather-appointed seats
• Heated front seats
• 8-way power-adjustable driver’s seat
• Memory settings for the driver’s seat and outside mirrors

How intuitive is the 2021 Nissan Altima Infotainment System?

The 2021 Nissan Altima infotainment and technology are designed to make your driving experience more enjoyable. From high-resolution touchscreens to available NissanConnect Services, the innovative cabin shows how much of a car is within your reach. Nissan's user-friendly NissanConnect infotainment system is standard on every Altima. 

Physical buttons and touch controls are both easily accessible while driving, making it simple to bring up the information you need. In the base version, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay are no longer standard but have all other connectivity options. All the standard Infotainment features are listed below:

• 7-inch or 8-inch Touchscreen Infotainment System 
• 6-speaker sound system or 9 Speaker JBL Audio System
• Satellite Radio
• Android Auto and Apple CarPlay compatibility
• Voice recognition
• Bluetooth
• Available navigation

The 2021 Nissan Altima delivers the style you want and the technology you need, all at an affordable price. From its distinctive front end to its spacious interior, this sedan commands respect on the road with its sharp and sporty appearance. A strong V-motion grille with boomerang styling, LED headlights, and tailgate spoilers distinguish this sedan. 

Altima's exterior has been reworked to have a more streamlined, aerodynamic appearance. Optimum height and width are now seen on the Altima's front end, as well as a bold, modern grille. Sharp lines surround the headlights and sweep through the corners of the vehicle. The side profile reinforces the Altima's more prominent wheel arches while the dark beltline emphasizes its sleeker appearance. 

Dimensionally, the Nissan Altima 2021 is among the norms of its segment. Malibu is the tallest and longest sedan, and it actually provides more ground clearance than any other model. The 2021 Altima has the shortest wheelbase and is the heaviest. Some standout exterior features of the 2021 Toyota RAV4 include:

• 16/17/19-inch alloy wheels
• V-motion grille
• LED headlights
• DRLs
• LED foglights
• Rear parking sensors

Overall, the 2021 Altima was rated five stars by the NHTSA, with five stars in the side crash and rollover tests and four stars in the front crash test. IIHS has not carried out testing on the 2021 Altima, but the 2020 model earned every IIHS crash test rating of Good. 

As part of Nissan's Safety Shield 360 and ProPilot Assist system, the 2021 Nissan Altima is equipped with rear automatic braking, lane departure warning, blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert, and lane centering and adaptive cruise control. For 2021, the Altima S trim will include pedestrian protection and forward-collision mitigation with automatic emergency braking, which are available on all trim levels including the base variant. Standard and available safety features include:

• Lane departure warning
• Lane keep assist
• Rearview camera
• Forward collision warning
• Automatic emergency braking
• Pedestrian detection
• Adaptive cruise control
• Forward-collision mitigation
• Automatic high-beam headlights
• Rear parking sensors
• Reverse automatic emergency braking
• Blind-spot monitoring
• A 360-degree parking camera system
• Traffic sign recognition

2021 Nissan Altima vs 2021 Toyota Camry

The Nissan Altima and Toyota Camry are two of the most popular mid-size sedans on the market. They come with similar pricing, many options, and are quite similar in size. They also have very similar scores from J.D. Power on dependability and overall satisfaction. Unlike the Nissan, the Toyota features a solid, fuel-efficient four-cylinder engine, but it also offers a V6 that is more powerful than the Nissan's.

2021 Nissan Altima vs 2021 Honda Accord

The Nissan Altima and the Honda Accord are similar to each other in a lot of ways. They have a similar wheelbase, the same amount of back seat legroom, and they both offer four-cylinder engine options. In fact, drive the two back-to-back, and you're likely to find them equally satisfying. Performance-wise, the Accord has more power and a better steering system than the Altima. However, the Altima offers all-wheel drive, which the Accord lacks.

2021 Nissan Altima vs 2021 Chevrolet Malibu

The Nissan Altima and the Chevrolet Malibu are two sedans that have a lot in common. The base models are identical, with more specialized models offering a few more unique features. While both offer great handling, safety features, and standard comfort options, they also offer a lot of similar performance packages that can change the drive of the car completely. However, the 2021 Malibu offers a roomier and more comfortable cabin with, higher fuel economy than that of Altima. 

The Nissan Altima has been created with your comfort and convenience in mind. From its roomy interior and intuitive infotainment display to an innovation-packed Powertrain and top-notch safety features, the new Altima ensures that both you and your time are taken care of. The new Altima is a car that will thrill you! If, on the other hand, you are on the hunt for a well-rounded sedan, you would enjoy the Camry and Accord.