2016 Nissan Altima Review
Price Range: $5,995 - $19,998





+171
Edmunds' Expert Review
by the Edmunds Experts
Pros
- Strong acceleration
- responsive transmission
- competitive fuel economy.
Cons
- Lackluster infotainment systems
- underwhelming interior materials quality
- more road and engine noise than some competitors.
What’s new
The 2016 Nissan Altima receives a midcycle styling refresh, along with new advanced safety features and a sporty SR trim level.
Edmunds says
The 2016 Nissan Altima's makeover gives it a bit more curb appeal, but underneath it all is a sedan that's not quite as compelling as some other top rivals.
For sale near San Antonio, TX
86 listings
- $10,098fair price
- 101,586 miles
- No accidents, 2 owners, personal use only
- 27 City / 37 Hwy MPG
- North Park Chevrolet Castroville (18 mi away)
- Back-up camera
- Bluetooth
- Keyless Entry/Start
- Power Driver Seat
- USB Inputs
Close
Located in Castroville, TX
Recent Arrival! Odometer is 9859 miles below market average! 26/37 City/Highway MPGNorth Park Chevrolet is the Chevrolet Dealer of the Year! Posted Pr...
AutoCheck Vehicle History Summary
Accident Free Vehicle: Yes
Personal Use Only: Yes
History Provider: AutoCheck
Title Details: Clean Title
Salvage Vehicle: No
Frame Damage: No
Theft History: No
Lemon Status: No
Free History Report: No
Features and Specs:
31 Combined MPG (27 City/37 Highway)
Listing Information:
VIN: 1N4AL3AP6GC278540
Stock: GC278540
Certified Pre-Owned: No
Listed since: 06-28-2025 - $7,995good price
- 114,130 miles
- 1 accident, 3 owners, corporate fleet vehicle
- 27 City / 39 Hwy MPG
- San Antonio International Motors (5 mi away)
- Back-up camera
- Bluetooth
- Leather Seats
- Keyless Entry/Start
- Blind Spot Monitorin...
Close
Located in San Antonio, TX
AutoCheck Vehicle History Summary
Accident Free Vehicle: No
Personal Use Only: No
History Provider: AutoCheck
Title Details: Clean Title
Salvage Vehicle: No
Frame Damage: No
Theft History: No
Lemon Status: No
Free History Report: No
Features and Specs:
31 Combined MPG (27 City/39 Highway)
Listing Information:
VIN: 1N4AL3APXGC292361
Stock: SA141
Certified Pre-Owned: No
Vehicle overview
It's only been three years since the Nissan Altima received a full redesign and in that short span its competition has surpassed it in many ways. The 2016 Nissan Altima strives to restore relevance with an exterior styling update, a handful of new features and a sporty new SR trim.
The new V-shaped grille up front brings the Altima up to date with other Nissan vehicles and, when combined with sharper headlights and taillights, it does breathe some life back into its predecessor's comparably plain appearance. The addition of adaptive cruise control, paired with forward collision warnings and automatic braking, may also entice shoppers.
Unfortunately, the interior has largely been ignored in this midcycle refresh. The drumbeat of technology has made the Altima's once praiseworthy infotainment system old news compared to the latest units from rivals. The same holds true for the materials used in the cabin. The Altima's engine performance is still strong, however, and fuel economy remains at or near the top of the field for both the four-cylinder and V6.
Overall, the current-generation Altima isn't quite as dominant in 2016 as it was in 2013. It's still perfectly adequate on its own, but when compared to newer A-rated sedans like the Honda Accord, Mazda 6, Hyundai Sonata and its Kia Optima cousin, it becomes very clear that the Nissan has been surpassed.
Performance & mpg
The 2016 Nissan Altima's 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine produces 182 horsepower and 180 pound-feet of torque. Power is sent to the front wheels through a continuously variable transmission (CVT) with simulated stepped gears to feel more like a conventional automatic. The EPA estimates fuel economy at 31 mpg combined (27 city/39 highway). The 2.5 SR drops slightly to 30 mpg combined (26 city/37 highway).
In Edmunds testing of a mechanically similar 2013 Altima 2.5, we recorded a zero-to-60-mph acceleration time of 7.8 seconds, which is better than average for the class.
The 3.5-liter V6 engine is good for 270 hp and 251 lb-ft of torque and can propel the Altima to 60 mph in just 6.2 seconds. Fuel economy estimates come in at 26 mpg combined (22 city/32 highway). These estimates, as well as the 2.5's, are very good for a midsize sedan.
Safety
Standard safety features for all 2016 Nissan Altima models include antilock brakes, stability and traction control, front-seat side airbags and full-length side curtain airbags. A rearview camera is standard on 2.5 S trims and above. SV and SL trims also receive a blind-spot monitor and rear cross-traffic alert. The forward collision warning and mitigation systems (with automatic braking) are only available on SL trims. The available NissanConnect Services system includes automatic collision notification, emergency assistance and stolen vehicle locating services.
The government has not crash-tested the 2016 Altima as of this writing, but the mechanically similar 2015 model received five out of five stars for overall crash protection, with five stars for frontal-impact safety and five stars for total side-impact safety. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety awarded the 2016 Altima its top rating of "Good" in moderate-overlap frontal-offset, side-impact, roof-strength and whiplash reduction (seatbelts and head restraints) tests. Results for the small-overlap front-impact test were not available as of this writing.
Driving
Nissan has done well historically with continuously variable transmissions (CVT) and the 2016 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. Still, drivers of an Altima 2.5 will feel the need to floor the pedal to get up to highway speeds confidently, and it will seem overly noisy and loud in the process.
The Altima used to hold a handling edge over other family sedans, but recent redesigns to its class rivals have seen that advantage disappear. It remains composed and predictable on a winding road, but it is limited by the front tires' tendency to lose grip. The new SR trim may make the Altima more competitive when it comes to athleticism, but we haven't yet fully tested it to know for sure.
Sporty handling isn't a priority for most family sedan buyers, obviously, so for the majority of drivers the Altima will be adequate, though not impressive. The ride quality isn't as smooth or composed over rougher pavement as rivals', but it's not overly harsh, either. Like many things about the 2016 Nissan Altima, it neither excels nor fails.
Interior
Changes to the 2016 Nissan Altima's interior are subtle compared to the exterior makeover. The design and materials quality are decent for the class, but the infotainment systems have fallen behind the times. The standard 5-inch display is small and difficult to read at a quick glance. The 7-inch upgrade is easier to read but isn't as intuitive or easy to operate as competitors', and the low positioning of the screen forces the driver to take his or her eyes off the road to use it. It also doesn't offer as in-depth smartphone app integration as the latest systems.
The front seats are comfortable thanks to Nissan's NASA-inspired "zero gravity" design, but the leather upholstery on the SL trim can be stifling on warmer days. Rear seats provide enough head- and legroom for the average adult and feature an elevated seat cushion for better forward visibility. Despite an increase in sound insulation for 2016, road and engine noise can sometimes be intrusive.
Trunk space is about average for the class at 15.4 cubic feet, but the Altima scores additional points for the wide and low opening. There's also plenty of storage for your personal items in the cabin.
2016 Nissan Altima models
Classified as a midsize sedan, the 2016 Nissan Altima seats five and is available in five main trim levels: base, S, SR, SV and SL. These trims are further differentiated by an engine size prefix: 2.5 for the four-cylinder and 3.5 for the V6, but the 3.5 is only available in SR and SL trims.
The Altima 2.5 in base trim includes 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 front passenger seat), 60/40-split folding rear seats, Bluetooth phone and audio connectivity, a four-speaker stereo with a CD player and Nissan's Easy Fill Tire Alert system that flashes the lights and beeps the horn to signal when the tires reach the correct pressures.
The 2.5 S trim adds automatic headlights, cruise control, keyless ignition and entry, Siri Eyes Free voice recognition for iPhone users, a rearview camera and a six-speaker audio system with a 5-inch display, a USB port and basic NissanConnect smartphone app integration.
The new sporty SR trim upgrades the 2.5 S with 18-inch alloy wheels, daytime running lights, foglights, a rear spoiler, a sport-tuned suspension, simulated manual shift control via shift paddles, sport seats and an eight-way power adjustable driver seat (with two-way power lumbar).
Compared to the 2.5 S, the SV trim has 17-inch alloy wheels, an eight-way power driver seat, remote engine start, a blind-spot monitor, rear cross-traffic alert, dual-zone automatic climate control and satellite radio.
The 2.5 SL adds a heated steering wheel, leather upholstery, heated front seats, air vents for the rear seats, a four-way power front passenger seat, two-way adjustable front headrests, ambient interior lighting and a premium Bose nine-speaker sound system. The 3.5 SL gets 18-inch wheels, LED headlights, shift paddles, front and rear parking sensors, a larger 7-inch color touchscreen, voice commands and a navigation system with Google connectivity.
Some features are available on lower trim models as options. Other add-ons are available either in packages or standalone and include a sunroof, heated mirrors and an auto-dimming rearview mirror. SL trims are eligible for bundled Technology packages that include adaptive cruise control, forward collision warnings with automatic braking and enhanced NissanConnect services with emergency telematics.

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Compare 2016 Nissan Altima trim levels
Helpful trims summary and side-by-side comparison chart
Cost to Drive
Monthly estimates based on costs in Texas
$107/mo for Altima 2.5
Altima 2.5
vs
$144/mo
Avg. Midsize Car
See Edmunds pricing data
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Reliability Ratings by RepairPal
4 out of 5 stars4/5Excellent
#14 out of 28 among Midsize Cars
RepairPal Reliability Ratings are based on the actual cost, frequency, and severity of unscheduled repairs and maintenance on make/model data for select 2008-2022 vehicles. The reliability of a specific vehicle may vary depending on its maintenance and driving history, model year, trim, and features.
Cost
$431/yr
vs. $415/yr
for Average Midsize Car
for Average Midsize Car
Frequency
0.83x/yr
vs. 0.87x/yr
for Average Midsize Car
for Average Midsize Car
Severity
12.8%
vs. 10.2%
for Average Midsize Car
for Average Midsize Car
powered by RepairPal
Nissan Altima Owner Reviews
Most Helpful Owner Reviews
Trending topics
Great car so far
4 out of 5 starsNick A, 09/13/2016
2016 Nissan Altima 2.5 4dr Sedan (2.5L 4cyl CVT)
Love the styling of the altima for 2016. It has great acceleration even with the four cylinder and handles pretty good. Ive been averaging 31mpg with mostly city driving. Road noise is a little much but i think its these cheap tires it comes w from the factory. Engine makes alot of noise but i like to hear my engine most of the time. The A/C in this car will freeze you to a solid block … of ice in no time even on low. Only have 1200 miles so far but will update my review as time goes on. Great car for the money, if you want something that's going to drive like a million bucks then spend a million bucks.
No test drive needed
5 out of 5 starsmanager, 10/10/2016
2016 Nissan Altima 2.5 SR 4dr Sedan (2.5L 4cyl CVT)
Once again Nissan made a car that was so easy to drive and enjoy........But I warn everyone that if you do not spend another $600 for the LED upgrade on the headlights you will not get the boomerang daytime driving lights on your car. Gas … mileage is thru the roof and seating space is ample and comfortable.
Altima 2016 3.5
5 out of 5 starsPaul Boyd, 04/03/2016
2016 Nissan Altima 2.5 4dr Sedan (2.5L 4cyl CVT)
I love this car. Only have one gripe. The headlights suck. One needs to keep the high beams on at night in order to drive safely.now I have 24,000 miles on it. Not one problem. I’ve been using Mobil one synthetic for the last 24,000 miles. Best car I’ve ever owned. Bought it in February 2016
CVT
3 out of 5 starsJerry, 05/25/2018
2016 Nissan Altima 2.5 4dr Sedan (2.5L 4cyl CVT)
CVT stopped pulling at 62095 miles. Factory warranty stops at 60000. Many of these transmissions have gone out. Why after a decade of Nissan CVT's are these not more reliable? overall car is okay. Transmissions make me rethink purchasing another in the future.
2016 Nissan Altima video
2016 Nissan Altima Review
Alistair Weaver takes you on a walk around Nissan's 2016 Altima which received a midcycle styling refresh. He goes over specs, design, the interior and more.
2016 Altima Highlights
2.5
Base MSRP Excludes Destination Fee | $22,500 |
---|---|
Engine Type | Gas |
Combined MPG | 31 MPG |
Cost to Drive | $107/month |
Seating | 5 seats |
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place | 15.4 cu.ft. |
Drivetrain | front wheel drive |
Warranty | 3 years / 36,000 miles |
Safety
Key safety features on the Altima include:
- Back-up camera
- Blind Spot Monitoring
- Alarm
- Stability Control
NHTSA Overall Rating
5 out of 5 starsThe National Highway Transportation Safety Administration offers independent analysis.
- Frontal Barrier Crash RatingOverall5 / 5Driver5 / 5Passenger4 / 5
- Side Crash RatingOverall5 / 5
- Side Barrier RatingOverall4 / 5Driver3 / 5Passenger5 / 5
- Combined Side Barrier & Pole RatingsFront Seat3 / 5Back Seat5 / 5
- RolloverRollover4 / 5Dynamic Test ResultNo TipRisk Of Rollover10.3%
IIHS Rating
The Insurance Institute of Highway Safety uses extensive crash tests to determine car safety.
- Small Overlap Front Driver-Side TestGood
- Small Overlap Front Passenger-Side TestNot Tested
- Moderate Overlap Front Test – OriginalGood
- Moderate Overlap Front Test – UpdatedNot Tested
- Side Impact Test – OriginalGood
- Side Impact Test – UpdatedNot Tested
- Roof Strength TestGood
- Rear Crash Protection / Head RestraintGood
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