2017 Nissan Altima

With a base price of $22,500, the 2017 Nissan Altima Sedan gets its upscale vibes from its dramatic and curvy styling. The suspension is stiffly tuned and the paddle shifters add to its fun-to-drive experience. The Altima provides an unharmed ride with a bunch of active safety features such as adaptive cruise control and automated emergency braking. It qualifies as a sedan in all aspects including a comfortable and spacious cabin.

Under the hood of the Sedan, you will find either a 2.5-liter inline 4cylinder engine or a 3.5-liter V6 engine depending on which trim level you choose. A continuously variable transmission and front wheel drive remains standard on all the trim levels.

 

Safety Features

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

• Nissan Advanced Air Bag System with dual-stage supplemental front air bags with seat belt and occupant classification sensors
• Driver and front passenger seat-mounted side-impact supplemental air bags
• Roof-mounted curtain supplemental air bags 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 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

NHTSA Crash test results

Overall Rating	5 Star
Overall Frontal Barrier Crash Rating	5 Star
Frontal Barrier Crash Rating Driver	5 Star
Frontal Barrier Crash Rating Passenger	4 Star
Overall Side Crash Rating	5 Star
Side Barrier Rating	4 Star
Side Barrier Rating Driver	3 Star
Side Barrier Rating Passenger Rear Seat	5 Star
Combines side barrier & pole rating front seat	4 Star
Combines side barrier & pole rating rear seat	5 Star
Rollover	4 Star

IIHS Top Safety picks

Crashworthiness
Small overlap front driver side	Good
Small overlap front passenger side	Good
Moderate overlap front	Good
Side	Good
Roof strength	Good
Head restraints & seats	Good

 

Crash Avoidance & Mitigation
Front Crash Prevention	Superior
Headlights	Acceptable
LATCH	Marginal

Thoroughly inconspicuous, the Nissan Altima does little to stand out from the crowd. -thecarconnection

Dimensions and Weight

Like most of the midsize family sedans, the Altima isn't a combination of diverse dimensions as they share the similar basic design cues and are identical in size as well. It is no different from the herd of midsize sedans and doesn't very little on its part to stand out among the crowd.

Model	Nissan Altima	Subaru Legacy 2.5i	Ford Fusion	Toyota Camry
curb weight(lbs)	3212	3514	3472	3300
Length(in)	191.9	188.8	191.7	190.9
Width(in)	72.0	72.4	72.9	71.7
Height(in)	57.8	59.0	58.1	57.9
Ground clearance(in)	5.4	5.9	6.4	6.1
Wheel base(in)	109.3	108.3	112.2	109.2
Track width(in) F/R	62.4/62.3	62.2/62.8	62.7/62.4	62.4/62.0

It has a considerably lightest body weight, it is the longest in length, has the least height and the shortest ground clearance. The heaviest Subaru is also with the least length, is certainly the tallest among the four and has the smallest wheelbase. The Ford favors the largest width and has the largest ground clearance and largest wheelbase. Finally, the Camry is a dimensionally well-balanced car except for being the least wide.

Exterior Features

• 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.

Nissan has done well historically with continuously variable transmissions (CVT), and the Altima continues that tradition. The CVT is more responsive when you press on the gas pedal compared to its competitors, and the simulated stepped gears reduce some of the engine drone that others suffer from. - Edmunds

Engine and Transmission

Although both the engine options of the Nissan Altima Sedan are not unique, they manage to get a decent job done. The 2.5-liter inline 4cylinder engine is sufficiently refined and perfectly adequate for a sedan. It is smooth, in terms of both performance and fuel efficiency and produces 179 horsepower and 177-pound feet of torque. If more power and faster speed is your thing, go for the 3.5-liter V6 engine which rates at 270 horsepower.

The continuously variable transmission has undergone a massive improvement than the one in the previous models. Now it is very responsive and smooth and works so well with everyday use that you might even forget that it's a CVT! The transmission behaves more like a conventional automatic when driver flats the acceleration pedal to provide a more droning feel on the road.

Models	Nissan Altima	Subaru Legacy 2.5i	Ford Fusion	Toyota Camry
MSRP	$22,500	$22,195	$22,610	$23,840
Engine	2.5-liter 4 cylinder	2.5L DOHC 16 Valve 4-Cylinder	2.5-liter 4 cylinder	2.5-liter 4 cylinder
Transmission	CVT Automatic	6-Speed Automatic	6-speed Automatic	8-speed Automatic
Power	179 hp	175 hp	175 hp	178 hp
Torque	177 lb-ft	174 lb-ft	175 lb-ft	184 lb-ft

The Altima and the Toyota Camry compete in close quarters as the former a higher horsepower output of 179 against the latter's 178 while the Camry exceeds in its torque generation with 184 pound feet against the Altima's 177 pound feet. Even the Subaru Legacy and Ford Fusion share similar engine output with only 1-pound feet difference in their torque outputs.

Acceleration

In spite of the presence of paddle shifters, the continuously variable transmission of the Nissan slides back into its automatic programming if the shift is held for long during partial-throttle acceleration. The CVT tries to mimic the 7speed automatic transmission largely. Nevertheless, it achieves respectable acceleration with its average engine and orthodox transmission.

Models	Nissan Altima	Subaru Legacy 2.5i	Ford Fusion	Toyota Camry
0-60 MPH	8.2 sec	9.1 sec	8.5 sec	7.6 sec
Quarter mile	16.0 sec	17.0 sec	16.2 sec	15.9 sec
Engine	2.5L	2.5L	2.5 L	2.5 L
Emission   Tons/yr of CO2 Emissions @ 15K mi/year	5.6	6.0	7.1	6.5

Leaving everyone behind, the Toyota ends up having the best acceleration of 0-60 mph in 7.6 seconds. Even the Nissan pulls up impressive stats by coming second best with 8.2 seconds. It is followed by the Fusion with only a difference of three milliseconds. Finally, the Subaru turns out to be slowest to hit the 60mph mark in 9.1 seconds.

The rankings remain unchanged over the quarter mile as well with the Toyota being the fastest with 15.9 seconds, the 2017 Nissan Altima Sedan coming next with 16 seconds followed by the Ford with 16.2 seconds and then the Subaru with 17 seconds.

The 2017 Nissan Altima Sedan also enjoys the reputation of the least emitting car while the Fusion has the highest emission ratings.

Handling and Steering

Unlike its stereotypical looks, the 2017 Nissan Altima Sedan has taken special of its handling department with its sporty driving dynamics. The steering may feel a bit slow but it's very accurate. It also features an understeer control system that applies brakes to the front wheel in order to tighten the cornering lines.

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.

Model	Nissan Altima	Subaru Legacy 2.5i	Ford Fusion	Toyota Camry
Brake Front(in)	11.7	11.6	11.8	11.7
Brake Rear(in)	11.5	11.8	11.9	11.0
Curb weight(lbs)	3212	3470	3472	3300
60-0 MPH (ft.)	121	119	122	126

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 has room for five with good legroom in back, although headroom is snug. Up front all Altimas feature Nissan's zero-gravity seats. - Kelley Blue Book

Seating and comfort

The front seats of the sedan are designed to ensure long-distance comfort. There is enough headroom and legroom for the rear seats. An elevated seat cushion promotes enhanced forward visibility.

Model	Nissan Altima	Subaru Legacy 2.5i	Ford Fusion	Toyota Camry
Passenger capacity	5	5	5	5
Passenger Volume (ft cube)	101.9	104.6	102.8	102.7
Front (Head/Shoulder/Leg)   (In.)	40/56.4/45.0	40.0/58.1/42.9	39.2/57.8/44.3	38.3/58.0/41.6
Second (Head/Shoulder/Leg)   (In.)	37.1/56.4/36.1	37.0/57.3/38.1	37.8/56.69/38.3	38.1/56.6/38.9

All the four vehicles have the similar passenger capacity of five.

In terms of the front seats, the Altima and the Subaru share the largest headroom while Camry has the least of it. The Altima has the most legroom space as well while Camry continues to suffer from the lack of legroom area as well.

Coming to the rear seats, the Camry jumps back with the most generous headroom and legroom. While the Subaru has the least headroom, the Nissan has a comparatively congested legroom.

Interior Features

• Power adjustable drive 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 rearview camera
• Dual illuminating vanity mirrors

Infotainment System

The infotainment system of the sedan isn't something to be impressed. It comes with a standard 5-inch screen and upper trims house a 7-inch touch screen display. Thankfully, it is compatible with Apple Carplay and Android Auto.

• 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

Cargo Volume

Being a family sedan, the only downside of the Altima sedan is its small cabin space of 15.4 cubic feet.

Model	Nissan Altima	Subaru Legacy 2.5i	Ford Fusion	Toyota Camry
Trunk volume (ft. cube)	15.4	15.0	16.0	15.4

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.

Something that makes the sedan an ideal choice for a family sedan is it's highly fuel efficient capability, irrespective of the fact whether you are driving around cities or racing down the highways. The continuously variable transmission has a lot to do with this trait. The 2.5-liter inline 4cylinder engine rates at 27 mpg in cities, 38 mpg on highways and 31 mpg combined while the 3.5-liter V6 engine takes a little dip, rating at 22 mpg in cities, 32 mpg on highways and 26 mpg combined.

Model	Nissan Altima	Subaru Legacy 2.5i	Ford Fusion	Toyota Camry
MPG (city)	27	25	21	24
MPG (highway)	38	34	32	33
MPG (combined)	31	29	25	27

As discussed, the Altima has the best fuel economy ratings followed by the Subaru with 25 mpg in cities, 34 mpg on highways and 29 mpg combined. Camry doesn't fall behind by much and rates at 24 mpg in cities, 33 mpg on highways and 27 mpg combined. Last but not the least, the Ford turns out to be the least fuel efficient among the four with 21 mpg in cities, 32 mpg on highways and 25 mpg combined.

All the trim levels except the 3.5 SL and 3.5 SR get the 2.5-liter inline 4cylinder engine. As for the SL and SR, they get the 3.5-liter V6 engine. The continuously variable transmission and front-wheel drive are common in all the trims.

Trims	Base 2.5	2.5 S	2.5 SR	2.5 SV	2.5 SL	3.5 SL	3.5 SR
MSRP	$22,500	$22,900	$24,470	$25,760	$28,870	$32,990	$32,690
Features	Projector-type halogen headlights   Dual body-color power outside mirrors Advanced Drive-Assist Display Air conditioning Remote keyless entry Sun visors with vanity mirrors	Projector-type halogen headlights   Dual body-color power outside mirrors Advanced Drive-Assist Display Air conditioning	Projector-type halogen headlights   Smoked headlights Dual body-color power outside mirrors Advanced Drive-Assist Display Air conditioning	Projector-type halogen headlights   Dual body-color power outside mirrors Advanced Drive-Assist Display Dual Zone Automatic Temperature Control (ATC) Remote Engine Start System with Intelligent Climate Control	Projector-type halogen headlights   Dual body-color power outside mirrors Advanced Drive-Assist Display Dual Zone Automatic Temperature Control (ATC) Remote Engine Start System with Intelligent Climate Control	LED headlights with integrated signature   Dual body-color power outside mirrors Advanced Drive-Assist Display Dual Zone Automatic Temperature Control (ATC)	LED headlights with integrated signature   Smoked headlights Dual body-color power outside mirrors Advanced Drive-Assist Display Air conditioning Remote Engine Start System with Intelligent Climate Control

What we recommend

The 2.5 SR strikes as the ideal balance among all the trims and it comes with added benefits like improved handling, thanks to the included sport suspension. Other than that, it also features a steering wheel with paddle shifters mounted on it, 8way power adjustable driver's seat and 18-inch wheels with a machine finish. The Special Edition package adds a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system with SiriusXM radio, navigation services and remote engine start.

Subaru Legacy 2.5i vs Nissan Altima

With a heap of safety tech and all wheel drive as standard, the Subaru Legacy 2.5i makes a sweet deal for sedan lovers. The two engine options - a 2.5liter flat 4cylinder and a 3.6liter flat 6cylinder - paired with a continuously variable transmission make it a solid performer. The comfortable interior experience is amplified by its Smartphone integrated compatible infotainment system. In comparison with the Nissan, the Subaru has slightly less engine power and a considerable slower acceleration. It has good braking skills but it takes a slight dip in its fuel economy.

Ford Fusion vs Nissan Altima

From posh looks to everyday usability, the Ford Fusion has something to offer to everyone. With a couple of engine choices, a 6speed transmission and standard front wheel and optional all-wheel drive system, the Fusion offers many customization opportunities. The stiffened suspension takes credit from its athletic handling and muscular stance. When compared with the Altima, we see that the Fusion has a slightly lower engine output and lacks behind in acceleration by a bit as well. Its braking and fuel economy aren't impressive as well.

Toyota Camry vs Nissan Altima

With a more responsive chassis and impressive new look, the Toyota Camry has managed to live up to its reputation once again. Both the inline 4cylinder and V6 engines pair with the 8speed automatic transmission. The Camry becomes more appealing with a series of new active safety features. Up against the Nissan Altima, the Camry has an equal engine output and much better acceleration as well. The braking abilities need some tweaking and the fuel economy could improve as well.

The 2017 Nissan Altima Sedan impresses us in many ways as a family sedan. Its conventional looks aside, there is nothing much to complain about this midsize car.

Technological improvements would make it more appealing than it already is. Use of better materials would contribute to the cause as well.

At the end, all we can say is that being the mid-priced car among its rivals, the Nissan Altima Sedan is a great deal and is definitely a win-win deal for us.