2018 Nissan Altima

Most commuters love the 2018 Nissan Altima's comfortable ride, supportive front seats, impressive fuel economy, and excellent safety scores. But Altima has its downsides, including a relatively dated interior styling and amenities. The 2018 Altima gains standard forward collision warning with brake assist while Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are now part of the options list.

The 2018 Altima’s five-year cost of ownership is estimated at around $23,200 which includes costs for gas, insurance, repairs, and maintenance. That's competitive in the midsize class. Also, J.D. Power gives the 2018 Altima a predicted reliability rating of three out of five, which is also about average

The 2018 Nissan Altima is available for sale in four trim levels: S, SR, SV, and SL. Nissan offers all Altima trims with a standard 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine and the top-range SL is available with a 3.5-liter V6 option. The Altima SR is a sport-focused edition, unlike other trims.

The base price of the 2018 Altima starts at $24,155 for the 2.5 S trim and goes up to $35,525 for the 3.5 SL. Standard features 16-inch steel wheels, a rearview camera, keyless entry and ignition, a height-adjustable driver seat, 60/40-split folding rear seats, Bluetooth, a 5-inch display screen, and a six-speaker audio system with a USB port. For 2018, Altima gains a standard forward-collision warning system with automatic emergency braking as well.

We Recommend:

The entry-level Altima S has a decent set of standard features to suffice the requirements of most shoppers on a budget. Few options are available for this trim, however. We recommend the SV trim for those looking for a mix of premium interior features and additional safety technology.

There's not much power or responsiveness from the 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine. Simulated gear changes from the CVT do keep the drone from being overly intrusive, though.- Edmunds

The 2018 Altima's base engine is a 179-hp, 177-lb-ft of torque 2.5-liter four-cylinder. This engine is a blend of good performance and impressive fuel economy. The available 3.5-liter V-6 generates 270 hp and 251 lb-ft of torque. Both engines come paired with a CVT and front-wheel drive. There is no all-wheel-drive option on the 2018 Altima.

The 2.5 SR trim which is sports-oriented Altima adds paddle shift support and a manual mode that helps drivers to encounter direct gear control. Meanwhile, the Altima 3.5 SL model is significantly powerful but is a pricier upgrade. The CVT is efficient and commuter-friendly but does not add up to make a thrilling powertrain.

The 203 hp base engine in Camry has a significant power advantage, that too, with high-class fuel economy numbers. Honda's 1.5L base engine rated at 192 hp delivers another power-packed performance. Conclusively, the 2018 Altima's base engine is good for daily commuting and even on the highway but the competitors are notch above.

2018 Altima 0-60 mph Acceleration

The 2018 Altima with the standard 2.5L four-cylinder engine hit 60 mph in 8.2 seconds and a quarter-mile in flat 16 seconds. That's not much power but can be considered average for the class. Nissan's CVT does simulated gear changes which keep the droning under the radar. 

The Altima 2.5 isn't quick and posts a long off-the-line performance. The Honda Accord does the same 0 to 60 mph sprint in 7.3 seconds while the 203 hp Camry does it in 7.6 seconds. The 2018 Fusion is the slowest with 8.9 seconds 0-60 mph time.

2018 Altima Braking and Handling

The Altima is a front-wheel-drive sedan that delivers a family-friendly and comfortable ride. The stability and composure aren't a problem, as this midsize sedan cruises smoothly on the highways. Though there is not significant drawback with Altima, some criticize its steering for being too tight at slow speeds. Also, some rivals of Altima offer more exciting driving performance such as Honda Accord.

Handling the Altima is easy and doesn't feel floaty around the corners. The SR trim benefits from Sports tuned suspension, allowing it to corner with stability and no body roll. The stability control also intervenes when you are making aggressive maneuvers, which is helpful to keep the car on the intended path. 

As far as brakes are concerned, they aren't as responsive as the rivals but are reasonably effective. In the emergency braking test, Altima needed 121 feet of stopping distance which is average in the midsize sedan class.

The Altima's base engine is one of the most fuel-efficient in the midsize sedan class, delivering an impressive EPA-rated 27/38 mpg city/highway. The 2.5 SR trim drops the ratings slightly to 26/37 due to its bigger wheels and sports-tuned mechanics. The V6 powered Altima comes with a fuel economy rating of 22/32 mpg city/highway.

By comparison, the Altima's four-cylinder engine is good on gas but the V6 delivers average performance. The 2018 Accord leads the pack with a class-leading fuel efficiency of 30/38 while the Toyota Camry isn't far behind with a rating of 29/41. It is noteworthy that the Camry delivers 41 mpg on the highway even after being one of the most powerful midsize cars.

The Altima's interior trails newer sedans when it comes to overall design. The touchscreen's low placement can be a distraction for the driver. Interior materials look comparable to some competitors, but many of the surfaces are made of hard plastic. - Edmunds

2018 Altima Interior Seating and Comfort

The 2018 Altima's interior trails newer and modern sedans in terms of styling and design. However, the cabin is highly functional and with ample room to seat five people. The front seats are among the best in the class as there is ample legroom and more than adequate cushioning for a comfortable journey. Talking of the rear seats, there is enough room for an average-size adult. The elevated seats give a good outward view but the newer midsize sedans feel more spacious.

Nissan has covered the insulation very well, offering a quiet cabin on the highway. The interior quality is average as Altima features an abundance of hard plastics inside. However, Altima’s Zero gravity front seats are unrivaled. 

Nissan Altima rides on a slightly shorter wheelbase in comparison to competitors such as Accord or Camry, thus its rear isn't as spacious as theirs. Though the Altima offers a good set of interior amenities for the price, the newer midsize sedan has a better design and technology.

Nissan Altima Interior Features

• Leather upholstery
• Heated front seats
• Heated steering wheel
• Eight-way power-adjustable driver's seat
• Four-way power-adjustable front passenger seat
• Leather-wrapped steering wheel

2018 Altima Infotainment

Every 2018 Altima model comes with a 5-inch infotainment display, six speakers, Bluetooth, a USB port, Siri Eyes Free, and hands-free text messaging. The base screen is small though, the NissanConnect interface is easy to use but isn't modern like some rivals. You can upgrade to the available 7-inch infotainment touch screen with a navigation system and Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto.

The placement of both the touchscreens makes it inconvenient for quick access while driving. On higher models apart from a bigger touchscreen, you will also get a nine-speaker Bose premium sound system, voice commands, and satellite radio.

2018 Altima Cargo Space

The Altima has 15.4-cubic-foot cargo space in the trunk, which is average for a midsize sedan. In comparison, the Fusion and Accord have 15.8 and 16.7 cubic feet in the back. However, the Altima's trunk is wide and deep with hinges for ergonomic cargo management. The back seat folds with a 60/40 split and expands the space for hauling longer items.

Also, Atima has plenty of cupholders and small-item storage options, which enhances the utility. The Altima is a decent midsize car if you are looking for practicality.

We'll call the Altima's shape handsome and on the conservative end of the sedan spectrum. It may not pop as much as others, but the design should hold up well in the years ahead. - Kelley Blue Book

2018 Altima Exterior Design and Styling

The 2018 Nissan Altima, a family sedan, flaunts an unchanged dashing look of the predecessor but it has grown familiar over time. In a recent redesign, the Altima received newly styled front fenders and a reshaped hood, a wider V-shaped grille, and a lower front bumper. At the rear, the reshaped taillights, a new rear bumper, and a new trunk lid add more weight. The car looks distinctive, especially when we compare it with the Nissan Maxima.

On the Altima SR, Nissan adds exclusive sports styling with fog lights, new wheels, spoiler, and smoked headlight covers. The new 2018 Altima offers a strong family resemblance, retaining some of the major exterior outlooks with the previous generation models.

The SV sedan has 16-inches alloy wheels, the SR has 18-inch alloy wheels and the V-6 SL sedans have LED headlights and 18-inch wheels. A sunroof is a stand-alone option. In terms of dimensions, the curb weight of the Altima sedan ranges from 3,212 to 3,463 pounds. By comparison, Altima's wheelbase of 109.3 inches is average in the class but the rivals are longer.

The 2018 Nissan Altima received the perfect five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA. The sedan also received a Top Safety Pick award by the IIHS for receiving the highest rating of Good in all crash five tests.

The automatic emergency braking and Intelligent Forward Collision Warning systems are standard and helped the sedan earn a Superior rating in crash prevention. Rear cross-traffic alert and blind-spot warning are standard on the 2.5 SV trim and above. The top-spec 3.5 SL adds an adaptive cruise control as a standard feature.

Available advanced safety features:

• Adaptive cruise control
• Front and rear parking sensors
• Blind-spot monitoring
• Rear cross-traffic alert 

2018 Nissan Altima Vs 2018 Honda Accord

The 2018 Honda Accord ranks in the top half in the midsize car rankings, while Altima ranks in the lower half. The Honda has its merits over the Nissan, starting with a roomier cabin with more rear-seat legroom and a larger trunk. The Accord also comes with more standard safety features including driver drowsiness, road departure mitigation, and traffic sign recognition.

The 2018 Accord also has exciting and engaging driving dynamics, unlike the 2018 Altima which is comfort-oriented. However, prices for the Accord sit much higher than Altima's MSRP. 

2018 Nissan Altima Vs 2018 Toyota Camry

The 2018 Toyota Camry is among the few midsize sedans available with a hybrid powertrain. The Camry is comparatively expensive than the Altima but in return, you will get a more powerful 203 hp base engine, better fuel economy, more rear-seat legroom, and higher predicted reliability ratings.

The Camry also becomes a better choice considering its long list f standard features as well as standard smartphone integration. These also include more standard safety features, almost more than any other midsize sedan in the segment. Overall, the Camry is a better choice.

The 2018 Nissan Altima is a good family sedan with impressive fuel economy and high safety ratings to its credit. It comes with good reliability along with the most desired amenities. Nissan has also addressed many drawbacks with the 2016 model redesign and added much-needed safety features like standard automatic emergency braking and forward-collision warning.

2018 Nissan Altima FAQs:

Which 2018 Nissan Altima model is available with AWD?

None of the 2018 Nissan Altima trims are available with an AWD drivetrain. All models with the base engine as well as V6 are paired with standard CVT and FWD. 

What year Nissan Altima is best?

The Nissan Altima has been around for quite some time. According to most reports, the 2011 Nissan Altima is its best model year so far.

What's the warranty plan with the new Nissan Altima?

The current Nissan Altima comes with a regular limited warranty of 3 years or 36,000 miles and roadside assistance of 3 years or 36,000 miles.

Does the 2018 Nissan Altima get Apple CarPlay and Android Auto Connectivity?

For 2018, Nissan offers Altima with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. It is available with a bigger 7-inch touchscreen display as a part of the technology package.