There are seven trim levels available for the 2017 Nissan Altima: 2.5, 2.5 S, 2.5 SR, 2.5 SV, 2.5 SL, 3.5 SR, and 3.5 SL. The 2.5L inline-four engine is standard on the base models trim level. On the SR and SL trims, a 3.5L V6 engine is available.

In base trim, the Altima 2.5 comes with 16-inch steel wheels with plastic covers, keyless remote entry, push-button ignition, full power accessories, air conditioning, cloth upholstery, a six-way manually adjustable driver seat (four-way manually adjustable front passenger seat), 60/40-split folding rear seats, Bluetooth phone and audio connectivity, and a four-speaker sound system with a CD player.

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The 2.5 SR finds the perfect mix between all of the trims, with extra perks such as better handling owing to the sport suspension. Aside from that, it has a steering wheel with paddle shifters installed on it, an 8-way power-adjustable driver's seat, and machine-finish 18-inch wheels. A 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system is included in the Special Edition package along with additional features like SiriusXM radio, navigation services, and remote engine start.

". Unlike many competitors, the 2017 Altima sedan offers buyers a choice between a fuel-efficient 4-cylinder and a more potent V6." - Kelley Blue Book

2017 Nissan Altima Engine and Transmission

The basic 2.5-liter inline 4-cylinder engine in the 2017 Nissan Altima is well-refined and suitable for a sedan. It is smooth and generates 179 hp and 177 pound-feet of torque in terms of performance. If you want more power and speed, the 3.5-liter V6 engine with 270 hp is the way to go.

The continuously variable transmission has seen a significant improvement over prior versions. It's now incredibly quick and fluid, and it works so well in normal situations that you could forget it's a CVT! When the driver flattens the accelerator foot, the transmission performs more like a traditional automatic with simulated gears.

The Nissan Altima and the Toyota Camry battle closely, with the former having a greater power output of 179 hp versus the latter's 178 hp, and the Camry outperforming the Altima in torque generation with 184 lb-ft aganist the Altima's 177 lb-ft. The Subaru Legacy and Ford Fusion both have similar engine outputs, with only a 1 lb-ft variation in torque.

2017 Nissan Altima Acceleration

The 2017 Nissan Altima can get from 0-60 mph in just 8.2 seconds which is slightly behind the Toyota Camry which completed the 0-60 mph run in just 7.6 seconds. The Subaru Legacy is the slowest in the range with a 0-60 mph time of 9.1 seconds. In terms of acceleration, the Nissan Altima comes a step above the Subaru Legacy and Ford Fusion. 

Over the quarter-mile, the Toyota is the fastest with 15.9 seconds, followed by the 2017 Nissan Altima Sedan with 16 seconds, the Ford with 16.2 seconds, and the Subaru with 17 seconds. The 2017 Nissan Altima Sedan is also known for being the least emitting vehicle, whereas the Fusion has the most.

2017 Nissan Altima Ride and Handling

The Altima keeps up with Honda, Subaru, and Toyota's basic family vehicles in 4-cylinder form, but the 270-horsepower V6 in the 3.5 versions transforms this modest family sedan into something a little more menacing. When compared to its competitors, the CVT is more responsive when you press on the gas pedal, and the simulated stepped gears help to eliminate engine drone. On a twisting road, the 2017 Altima remains composed and predictable, although the overall ride quality is significantly less polished on uneven surfaces.

2017 Nissan Altima Braking

The 11.7-inch front brakes and 11.5-inch rear brakes don't suffer from any deficiencies. Moreover, the brake pedals feel firm enough for you to cruise the 2017 Nissan Altima Sedan at highway speeds in confidence.

After suffering from the lowest engine output and acceleration performance, the Subaru buckles up and exhibits the best braking power by bringing the vehicle at the fastest by covering a distance of 119 feet. The 2017 Nissan Altima Sedan ends up being the second-best with a stopping distance of 121 feet. Falling short by just one foot, the Ford Fusion comes next and is followed by the slowest Toyota Camry, which manages to stop the vehicle at 126 feet coming down from 60 mph.

The 2017 Altima's 2.5-liter inline 4-cylinder engine gets 27 mpg in the city, 38 mpg on the highway, and 31 mpg combined, while the 3.5-liter V6 engine gets 22 mpg in the city, 32 mpg on the highway, and 26 mpg combined. This characteristic is mostly due to the constantly variable transmission.

The Altima has the highest fuel economy ratings followed by the Subaru with 25 mpg in cities, 34 mpg on highways, and 29 mpg combined. Camry isn't far behind, with a city fuel economy of 24 mpg, highway fuel economy of 33 mpg, and combined fuel economy of 27 mpg. Last but not least, at 21 mpg in cities, 32 mpg on highways, and 25 mpg combined, the Ford is the least fuel-efficient of the four.

" the Altima is comfortable place for four adults, and its interior is both stylish and sophisticated"- Kelley Blue Book

Nissan Altima Seating and comfort

The 2017 Nissan Altima provides seating for five people and plenty of legroom in the back, while headroom is limited. All Altimas have Nissan's zero-gravity seats in the front. The seating, which is said to have been inspired by NASA, is quite comfortable for a range of body types, whether they are fabric or leather.

The passenger capacity of all four vehicles is the same: five. The Altima and the Subaru have the most headroom in the front seats, while the Camry has the least. The Altima also offers the highest legroom, but the Camry continues to be lacking in this department.

When it comes to the rear seats, the Camry offers the most legroom and headroom. While the Subaru has the least amount of headroom, the Nissan has a plenty of legroom. The following are some of the key interior features:

• Power adjustable driver and passenger seat with multilevel heating
• Rear ventilation ducts
• Split-folding rear seatback
• 2 one-touch power windows
• External temperature display
• Tilt and telescopic electric power steering with audio and cruise controls
• Universal remote transmitter and keyless ignition
• Interior air filtration
• Electrochromatic inside rearview mirror and a rearview camera
• Dual illuminating vanity mirrors

2017 Nissan Altima Infotainment System

The standard 5-inch display is tiny and difficult to see at a glance; the upgrade to a 7-inch display is larger but less intuitive than competing devices. The screen's low placement also makes it difficult to view. Thankfully, it is compatible with Apple Carplay and Android Auto.

Some major features of the infotainment system are:

• Bose stereo system with 2 subwoofers and 9 total speakers
• USB connection with external media control
• Auxiliary audio input
• Speed sensitive volume control
• Satellite radio
• AM/FM stereo

2017 Nissan Altima Cargo Volume

The Altima's trunk space is about average for the class at 15.4 cubic feet, but the wide and low entrance earns it extra marks. The cabin also has plenty of storage space for your own belongings.

The Ford Fusion turns out to be most spacious in terms of cargo space with 16 cubic feet while the miseries for Subaru pile up with its smallest 15 cubic feet of cargo space.

"Thoroughly inconspicuous, the Nissan Altima does little to stand out from the crowd." - The Car Connection

2017 Nissan Altima Dimensions and Weight

With Nissan's iconic V-shaped grille design and slim headlamp housing, the new Altima has a strong familial resemblance to the rest of the company's automobile range. The Altima's rear end has an expressive bumper and horizontally extending taillight housings into the trunk door.

It has the smallest ground clearance, is the shortest, and has the heaviest body weight. The Subaru is the tallest and has the shortest wheelbase of the four. The Ford boasts the most width, ground clearance, and wheelbase. Finally, with the exception of being the shortest, the Camry is a dimensionally well-balanced automobile.

Some notable interior features of the 2017 Nissan Altima are:

• Rear defogger
• Variable intermittent wipers
• All-season tires and alloy wheels
• Daytime running lights
• Dusk sensing headlamps
• Front fog and driving lights
• Turn signal mirrors
• Ventilated front and solid rear disc brakes.

The 2017 Nissan Altima received a perfect five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA. In addition, it received five stars in the frontal and side crash tests, as well as four stars in the rollover test. The 2017 Altima earned a top score of Good in each of the six crash tests conducted by the IIHS, resulting in a Top Safety Pick+ award.

The impressive safety bundle of the Altima includes rear-cross traffic alert and blind-spot warning, a forward-collision warning system, adaptive cruise control, a rearview camera, and automated emergency braking.

• Nissan Advanced Air Bag System with dual-stage supplemental front airbags with seat belt and occupant classification sensors
• Driver and front passenger seat-mounted side-impact supplemental airbags
• Roof-mounted curtain supplemental airbags for side-impact and rollover head protection for front and rear-seat outboard occupants
• Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC) with Traction Control System (TCS)
• Predictive Forward Collision Warning (PFCW)
• Forward Emergency Braking (FEB)
• Blind Spot Warning (BSW)
• Rear Cross-Traffic Alert (RCTA)
• 3-point ALR/ELR passenger seat belt system (ELR for the driver)
• LATCH system (Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children)
• Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) with Easy-Fill Tire Alert
• Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) with individual tire pressure display and Easy-Fill Tire Alert
• Vehicle Security System

2017 Subaru Legacy vs 2017 Nissan Altima

The Subaru Legacy 2.5i is a good value for sedan fans, with a slew of safety features and all-wheel drive as standard. It has two engine options: a 2.5-liter flat 4-cylinder and a 3.6-liter flat 6-cylinder, both of which are coupled with a continuously variable gearbox. The entertainment system, which is compatible with smartphones, adds to the pleasant interior experience. The Subaru has somewhat less engine power and significantly slower acceleration than the Nissan. It has strong braking abilities, although its fuel-efficiency suffers slightly.

2017 Ford Fusion vs 2017 Nissan Altima

The Ford Fusion provides something for everyone, from luxury aesthetics to everyday usefulness. The Fusion provides a wide range of customization options, including a handful of engine options, a 6-speed gearbox, and basic front-wheel and optional all-wheel-drive systems. Its sporty handling and strong posture are credited to the stiffer suspension. When comparing the Fusion to the Altima, we can observe that it has a little lesser engine power and lags behind in acceleration. Its brakes and fuel efficiency are also underwhelming.

2017 Toyota Camry vs 2017 Nissan Altima

The Toyota Camry has managed to live up to its reputation once again, thanks to a more responsive chassis and an eye-catching new appearance. The 8-speed automatic transmission is compatible with both the inline 4cylinder and V6 engines. With a slew of new active safety features, the Camry becomes even more attractive. When compared to the Nissan Altima, the Camry has a similar engine power and far superior acceleration.

As a family car, the 2017 Nissan Altima Sedan impresses us in many ways. Aside from its bland appearance, there isn't much to criticize about this midsize automobile. Improvements in technology would make it even more enticing than it is now. The adoption of higher-quality materials would also help the cause.  Finally, we can conclude that, being the mid-priced car among its competitors, the Nissan Altima Sedan is a fantastic value and a win-win situation for us.