Year
Model Type
Sedan 31 Combined MPG
(27 city / 39 hwy)
EPA estimated
Quick Summary
Nissan's Altima is a midsize sedan designed to compete with the Honda Accord, Toyota Camry and other popular models. In the face of mounting pressure from newer family sedans, the 2016 Nissan Altima receives a styling update along with some new features and a sporty trim level. While these changes add appeal, they are not enough to move the Altima to best-in-class status.
What Is It?
The 2016 Nissan Altima represents a midcycle refresh to the current-generation Altima that debuted in 2013. The most prominent change is the exterior styling, adopting Nissan's corporate V-shaped grille and "boomerang" headlights. There are also several available advanced safety features, minor interior changes and a sporty trim addition to the lineup.
The base Altima 2.5 starts at $23,325 and includes power windows and mirrors, air-conditioning, Bluetooth and little else. The 2.5 S trim costs $400 more and gets you a rearview camera, keyless ignition and entry and an upgraded infotainment system with a 5-inch display. A new $25,295 2.5 SR trim adds sportiness with paddle shifters, a performance-tuned suspension, 18-inch alloy wheels with stickier tires, daytime running lights, active grille shutters, a rear spoiler and power-adjustable sport seats.
The 2.5 SV jumps to $26,285 but foregoes the SR's performance features in favor of items like 17-inch alloy wheels, dual-zone automatic climate control, satellite radio, remote ignition, a blind-spot monitor and rear cross-traffic alerts. The SL hikes the price another $3,000 and adds leather upholstery, a power front passenger seat, heated steering wheel and premium audio.
These 2.5 models are powered by a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine good for 182 horsepower and 180 pound-feet of torque. One transmission is available: a continuously variable unit (CVT) that sends power to the front wheels. A 3.5-liter V6 is available on SR and SL trims that cost $28,215 and $32,915, respectively. Power output jumps to 270 hp and 251 lb-ft. Notable feature differences include navigation and a 7-inch infotainment display for the 3.5 SL. Some features are available on lower-trimmed models as options.
How Is the Interior?
Changes to the interior for the 2016 refresh are very subtle. The overall design and materials quality are decent for the class, but the infotainment systems are showing their age. The standard 5-inch display is tiny compared to contemporary systems. The 7-inch upgrades easier to read, but isn't as intuitive or easy to operate as rival systems. Its low positioning forces drivers to take their eyes off the road to use it.
Base Altima cloth seats deliver good long-distance comfort and despite the lack of adjustments, most drivers will find an acceptable position. The leather upholstered seats on higher trims have more adjustability, but on a hot day the surfaces can be stifling. Rear seats provide adult-size head- and legroom and feature an elevated seat cushion for better forward visibility. Nissan touted an increase in sound insulation for 2016 but we still noticed an abundance of road and engine noise.
The 60/40-split folding rear seats can be lowered with handy remote latches in the trunk, expanding its 15.4-cubic-foot capacity. The cargo space is about average for the class, but the deep trunk, wide opening and low liftover height give it an edge over competitors. Interior storage is more than adequate to hold your personal items as well.
How Does It Drive?
We spent an afternoon driving the Altima 2.5 in a variety of trim levels. Among the many CVTs on the market, Nissan's is the best. It has better response and less drone than most competitors. The last time we tested a mechanically similar Altima, it accelerated to 60 mph in a better-than-average 7.8 seconds.
By using simulated stepped shifts, the CVT mimics a traditional automatic, making it feel as though the engine isn't as heavily burdened. Reaching highway speeds and passing slower traffic does require a healthy amount of pedal pressure, but acceleration is adequate for the average driver.
Previous Altimas have held a slight advantage in the handling department, but as rivals have stepped up their game, the Nissan's performance is about typical for a family sedan. The new SR trim adds some athleticism, but is still tuned with a bias for ride comfort. For the rare individual seeking lively handling in this class, the Altima is limited by its tendency to understeer.
What Safety Features Are Available?
Base and midlevel trims offer the typical safety features found in all new cars, with a rearview camera standard on the S trim and above. SV and SL trims benefit from a blind-spot monitor and rear cross-traffic alerts. The SL trim is also eligible for the optional adaptive cruise control with forward collision warning that scans two cars ahead and automatically applies the brakes if the driver doesn't.
What Kind of Fuel Economy Should You Expect?
The 2016 Nissan Altimas with the 2.5-liter engine are estimated by the EPA to return 31 mpg combined (27 city/39 highway), though the SR is rated slightly lower at 30 mpg combined (26 city/37 highway). The 3.5-liter V6 is estimated at 26 mpg combined (22 city/32 highway). These estimates are competitive with other family sedans.
What Does This Car Compete Against?
When the current-generation Altima arrived in 2013, we awarded it an Edmunds "A" rating. Since then, full redesigns for the Honda Accord, Hyundai Sonata (and its Kia Optima cousin) and the Mazda 6 have surpassed the Nissan in some key areas.
What's the Verdict?
The 2016 Nissan Altima is a strong midsize family sedan, but doesn't manage to claim the top spot in the class. The midcycle refresh gives it sharper cosmetic appeal, but it remains largely the same. As a result, the 2016 refresh may not be enough to maintain the Altima's "A" rating. Though it's priced competitively with others in the segment and offers similar features, we recommend a test-drive to evaluate each car's strengths and weaknesses.
Edmunds attended a manufacturer-sponsored event, to which selected members of the press were invited, to facilitate this report.
Used 2016 Nissan Altima listings and inventory:
Shop Edmunds' used car, SUV, and truck listings of over 6 million pre-owned vehicles to find a cheap used and certified pre-owned (CPO) 2016 Nissan Altimas for sale near Ashburn VA. There are currently 2,098 used and CPO 2016 Altimas listed for sale in your area, with list prices as low as 10,500 and mileage as low as 0. Simply research the type of used car, SUV, or truck you're interested in and then select a vehicle from our massive database to find cheap pre-owned vehicles for sale near you. Once you have identified a used vehicle you're interested in, check the Carfax and Autocheck vehicle history reports, read dealer reviews, and find out what other owners paid for the used 2016 Nissan Altima. Then select Edmunds' special offers, perks, deals, and incentives to contact the dealer of your choice and save up to 412 on a used or CPO 2016 Altima available from one of 2,634 dealerships in your area.
What's a good price on a used 2016 Nissan Altima ?
Save up to $300 on one of 329 used 2016 Nissan Altimas for sale at dealerships within 25 miles of Ashburn, Virginia with prices as low as $12199 as of Apr 20, 2018, based on data from 18 dealers and 97 consumer-driven dealer ratings ranging from 1 to 5 out of 5 stars.
Price comparisons for used 2016 Nissan Altima trim styles:
The used 2016 Nissan Altima 2.5 S is priced around $13831 with average odometer reading of 37878 miles.
The used 2016 Nissan Altima 2.5 is priced around $14468 with average odometer reading of 41734 miles.
The used 2016 Nissan Altima 3.5 SL is priced around $20465 with average odometer reading of 16957 miles.
The used 2016 Nissan Altima 2.5 SR is priced around $12498 with average odometer reading of 44688 miles.
The used 2016 Nissan Altima 2.5 SL is priced around $15992 with average odometer reading of 24460 miles.
Shop with Edmunds for perks and special offers on used cars, trucks, and SUVs near Ashburn, Virginia. Doing so could save you hundreds or thousands of dollars. Edmunds also provides consumer-driven dealership sales and service reviews to help you make informed decisions about what cars to buy and where to buy them.
What options are available on the 2016 Nissan Altima?
Available Nissan Altima 2016 Submodel Types: Sedan, Coupe
Available Nissan Altima 2016 Trims: 2.5 S, 2.5 S w/Prod. End 06/17, 2.5 SV w/Prod. End 06/17, 2.5, 2.5 SR, 3.5 SE, 2.5 SR w/Prod. End 06/17, 2.5 SL w/Prod. End 06/17, 2.5 SL, 2.5 SV, 3.5 SL, 3.5 SV, 3.5 SR w/Prod. End 06/17, 3.5 SL w/Prod. End 06/17, GLE, 2.5 w/Prod. End 06/17, GXE, 3.5 S, 3.5 SR, XE
Exterior Colors: Scarlet Ember, Super Black, Winter Frost Pearl, Brilliant Silver, Gun Metallic, Pearl White, Cayenne Red, Solid White, Brilliant Silver Metallic, Saharan Stone, Metallic Slate, Radiant Silver Metallic, Dark Slate Metallic, Glacier White, Navy Blue Metallic, Storm Blue, Tuscan Sun Metallic, Ocean Gray Metallic, Java Metallic, Crimson Black Metallic, Sheer Silver, Azure Blue Metallic, Majestic Blue Metallic, Majestic Blue, Polished Pewter, Radiant Silver, Coral Sand Metallic, Deep Blue Pearl, Smoke, Sonoran Sand Metallic, Dark Slate, Metallic Slate Metallic, Mystic Emerald, Precision Grey, Red Brick Metallic, Saharan Stone Metallic, Smoke Metallic, Sonoma Sunset Metallic, Code Red Metallic, Mystic Emerald Metallic, Precision Grey Metallic, Red Alert, Satin White Pearl, Sheer Silver Metallic, Winter Frost Metallic, Metallic Jade, Pebble Beach Metallic, Polished Pewter Metallic, Seascape, Velvet Beige, Winter Frost, Beige Mint Pearl Metallic, Cloud White, Crimson Black, Platinum Metallic, Red Alert Metallic, Sandrift Beige, Satin White, Sonoma Sunset
Interior Colors: Black leatherette, Charcoal cloth, Charcoal velour, Blond cloth, Unique Sport Interior cloth, Blond leather, Charcoal leather, Blond velour, Frost velour, Beige cloth, Charcoal, Blond, Beige leather, Frost cloth, Frost, Red leather
Popular Features: Tire Pressure Warning, Automatic Emergency Braking, Alarm, Audio and cruise controls on steering wheel, Bluetooth, Fold Flat Rear Seats, Rear Bench Seats, Stability Control, Trip Computer, Aux Audio Inputs, Back-up camera, Keyless Entry/Start, USB Inputs, Power Driver Seat, Lane Departure Warning, Remote Start, Upgraded Stereo, Auto Climate Control, Blind Spot Monitoring, Multi-Zone Climate Control, Sunroof/Moonroof, Heated seats, Leather Seats, Navigation, Upgraded Headlights, Parking sensors, Post-collision safety system, Pre-collision safety system, Adaptive Cruise Control, Apple Carplay/Android Auto
Engine/Mechanics: 4, 6 cylinders
Transmission: AUTOMATIC, MANUAL
Fuel Types: regular unleaded, premium unleaded (required), premium unleaded (recommended)
Drivetrains: front wheel drive
Used 2016 Nissan Altima Overview
The used 2016 Nissan Altima is offered in the following submodels: Sedan. Available styles include 2.5 S 4dr Sedan (2.5L 4cyl CVT), 2.5 SR 4dr Sedan (2.5L 4cyl CVT), and 2.5 SV 4dr Sedan (2.5L 4cyl CVT). Pre-owned Altima models are available with a 0-liter gas engine, with output up to 0 hp, depending on engine type. The used 2016 Altima comes with front wheel drive. Available transmissions include: continuously variable-speed automatic.
EPA Est. MPG | 31 |
Transmission | Automatic |
Drive Train | Front Wheel Drive |
Displacement | 2.5 L |
Passenger Volume | 117.3 cu ft |
Wheelbase | 109 in |
Length | 191 in |
Width | 72 in |
Height | 57 in |
Curb Weight | 3212 lbs |
The Edmunds TCO® estimated monthly insurance payment for a Used 2016 Nissan Altima in VA is:
The Edmunds TCO® estimated monthly insurance payment for a Used 2016 Nissan Altima in VA is:
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