2017 Nissan Altima
Pros
- Engines and transmissions deliver strong acceleration and quick responses
- Excellent fuel economy for a sedan of its size
- Front seats are some of the most comfortable in the class
Cons
- Interior design and materials lack the high-quality look and feel of some competitors
- Technology interface is beginning to show it age
- More road and engine noise than is typical for the class
2017 Nissan Altima pricing
in Ashburn, VA
Edmunds' Expert Review
Overall rating
Quality standards and features evolve quickly in the family-sedan segment. A feature that was limited or exclusive just a few years ago — adaptive cruise control, for example — might now be essential for most shoppers looking for a midsize family sedan, and each new entry or fresh overhaul raises the bar.
It's been four years since the Altima got a full redesign, and it shows when it comes to the look and feel of its interior and technology interface. Just a few years ago, the Altima's cabin and entertainment features seemed fresh and hip. But in the wake of updates from Mazda, Honda and Kia, the Nissan is already a step behind.
For 2017, the Altima carries over unchanged from last year's minor update, which included enhancements to the grille and headlight and taillight designs and new safety features such as forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking and adaptive cruise control. The Altima's engine lineup remains the same, and that's a good thing as the Altima offers some of the highest mileage figures in the class. And although the Altima's overall interior feels stale, its uniquely designed front seats remain as sublimely comfortable today as when they debuted on the Altima back in 2013.
Overall, today's Altima isn't quite the contender it once was. It's still adequate on its own, but there's not enough to lift it above some of the top vehicles in the class such as the Honda Accord, Mazda 6, Hyundai Sonata and Kia Optima.
The 2017 Nissan Altima's standard safety features 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 blind-spot and rear cross-traffic alert systems. Forward collision warning and crash mitigation systems with automatic emergency braking are available only on SL trims. The available NissanConnect Services system includes automatic collision notification, emergency assistance and stolen-vehicle location services.
In government crash testing, the Altima earned a top five-star rating for overall crash protection, with five stars for both front- and side-impact crash protection and four stars for rollover protection. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety awarded the Altima its top rating of Good in tests for small- and moderate-overlap front-impact, side-impact, roof strength and whiplash mitigation (seats and head restraints). It also received a Superior grade for its forward collision prevention system but only a score of Marginal (second-worst) for ease of use of its child seat anchors.
In Edmunds brake testing, the Altima 2.5 SV stopped from 60 mph in 122 feet, a slightly below average distance for the class.
2017 Nissan Altima configurations
The 2017 Nissan Altima is a midsize sedan that seats five passengers. It's available in five main trim levels: base, S, SR, SV and SL. These trims are further distinguished by an engine size prefix: 2.5 for the four-cylinder and 3.5 for the V6. The 3.5 is available only in SR and SL trims. In the second half of the model year (also referred to as 2017.5 by Nissan), the base and 3.5 SR trims were discontinued and some extra safety features were added to the remaining trims (detailed below).
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-adjustable front passenger seat), 60/40-split folding rear seats, Bluetooth phone and audio connectivity, a four-speaker sound system with a CD player, and Nissan's Easy-Fill Tire Alert system that flashes the lights and beeps the horn to indicate when the tires reach the correct pressure.
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 sound system with a 5-inch display, a USB port and basic NissanConnect smartphone app integration.
The sporty SR trim upgrades the 2.5 S with 18-inch alloy wheels, daytime running lights, foglights, a rear spoiler, a sport-tuned suspension, paddle shifters, sport seats and an eight-way power-adjustable driver seat (with two-way power lumbar adjustment).
Compared to the 2.5 S, the SV trim has 17-inch alloy wheels, an eight-way power-adjustable driver seat, remote engine start, blind-spot monitoring, 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, paddle shifters, 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 trims as options, either in packages or as stand-alone items, and include a sunroof, heated mirrors and an auto-dimming rearview mirror. SL trims can add bundled Technology packages that include adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning with automatic braking, and enhanced NissanConnect services with emergency telematics.
As mentioned, the trim levels for the Altima are broken up into two halves of the year: 2017 and 2017.5. They're mostly the same, but for 2017.5 models (Altimas built after June 2017), trims SV and above get forward collision warning and automatic emergency braking as standard.
The 2017 Nissan Altima is available with either a 2.5-liter four-cylinder or a 3.5-liter six-cylinder engine. The four-cylinder produces 179 horsepower and 177 pound-feet of torque, sent to the front wheels through a continuously variable transmission (CVT) with simulated gears to feel more like a conventional automatic transmission.
EPA-estimated fuel economy is 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 an Altima 2.5 SV, we recorded a zero-to-60-mph acceleration time of 8.1 seconds, an average time for the class.
The 3.5-liter V6 engine is rated at 270 hp and 251 lb-ft of torque, enough to propel the Altima to 60 mph in 6.2 seconds. Fuel economy is estimated at 26 mpg combined (22 city/32 highway). These estimates, as well as those for the 2.5, are very good for a midsize sedan.
Driving
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. 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 eroded that advantage. It remains composed and predictable on a winding road, but the overall ride quality is slightly less refined over rough pavement. Like many things about the 2017 Nissan Altima, it neither excels nor fails.
Interior
The Altima's interior design and quality of materials are average, but its infotainment system falls short of the class leaders. The standard 5-inch display is small and difficult to read at a glance; the 7-inch upgrade is easier to read but less intuitive than competitive systems. The low positioning of the screen also makes it hard to see.
One bright spot in the cabin is the design of the front seats that makes them some of the best in the class when it comes to long-distance comfort. 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 with last year's model, road and engine noise can still 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.
Consumer reviews
Read what other owners think about the 2017 Nissan Altima.
Most helpful consumer reviews
2017 Nissan Altima video
MARK TAKAHASHI: I'm Edmunds editor Mark Takahashi. And here's an Expert Rundown of the 2017 Nissan Altima. The Nissan Altima presents a bit of a mixed bag among the other midsize sedans. You get a lot of power from the base four-cylinder and V6 engines. And on top of that, they're also really fuel efficient. The Altima also gets high marks for its comfortable front seats. But it's a little noisy compared to other cars in the class. Trunk space is about average among other sedans. But the low and wide opening makes loading a whole lot easier. The rear seats have enough space for the average adult. And the elevated seat cushion gives passengers a much better forward view. On the whole, however, the interior isn't as nice as rivals. The materials used are merely average. And the infotainment system is out of date compared to what's currently out there. Bottom line for the Nissan Altima is, you'd be better served by other sedans. The Honda Accord and Mazda 6 remain some of our top picks. The new Toyota Camry will probably be a better choice too.
2017 Nissan Altima Expert Rundown Review
Looking for a sedan with powerful engines, great fuel economy and distinctive styling? The 2017 Nissan Altima might be a good match. Here's a quick rundown of what we like, what we don't and the bottom line from the Edmunds editors.
Features & Specs
Safety
2017 Nissan Altima for Sale
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See your car's valueThe Nissan Altima drives into 2017 with few changes from last year — and that might not be such a good thing. The midsize sedan segment is changing rapidly, and features that were once considered the exclusive domain of luxury cars — such as adaptive cruise control — are not only becoming commonly available, but are must-haves for many midsize-sedan shoppers. The Altima was last redesigned four years ago, and what was new and hip then is now looking dated when compared to the more recently redesigned competition.
The Altima did get a minor update last year. Many of the changes were cosmetic: New grille, headlight and taillight designs. Nissan did add advanced safety features like forward collision warning with automatic braking and adaptive cruise control, but these are only offered in the top-of-the-line model. Other manufacturers are offering these potentially life-saving options on mid-level and even low-end models. We still love the Altima's "zero gravity" seats and find them much more comfortable than the competition, but overall the interior décor feels dated and a bit stale.
The Altima's ace in the hole is fuel economy, at least in four-cylinder form. Nissan offers a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine that sends 182 horsepower and 180 pound-feet of torque to the front wheels through a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT). Nissan has programmed its CVT to operate in steps, making it feel more like a conventional automatic transmission. EPA estimated fuel economy is 31 mpg combined (27 city/39 highway), which is very good for the class, though if you opt for the SR model you'll see that combined figure drop by 1 mpg. The engine is noisy under acceleration, and the ride is less refined than the competition — more signs of the Altima's age.
While many automakers are now offering turbocharged engines as more powerful alternatives, Nissan is sticking with a traditional V6 — the brilliant 3.5-liter VQ-Series found in several Nissan and Infiniti vehicles. With 270 hp and 251 lb-ft of torque on tap, it can get the Altima to 60 mph in 6.2 seconds — nearly 2 seconds faster than the four-cylinder — but EPA estimated fuel economy drops to 26 mpg combined (22 city/32 highway).
Nissan offers five versions of the Altima. The nameless base trim level includes the basics, but most buyers will probably want the additional creature comforts found in the Altima S. The SR is the sporty version, while the SV features more comfort-oriented features. The top-of-the-line SL trim is the leather-lined luxury liner of the Altima range, and it's the one you'll have to buy if you want those latest and greatest safety features. Which one will suit you best? Edmunds can help find the perfect 2017 Nissan Altima for you.
2017 Nissan Altima Overview
The 2017 Nissan Altima is offered in the following submodels: Altima Sedan. Available styles include 2.5 S 4dr Sedan (2.5L 4cyl CVT), 2.5 SR 4dr Sedan (2.5L 4cyl CVT), 2.5 SV 4dr Sedan (2.5L 4cyl CVT), 2.5 SL 4dr Sedan (2.5L 4cyl CVT), 2.5 SR w/Prod. End 06/17 4dr Sedan (2.5L 4cyl CVT), 2.5 w/Prod. End 06/17 4dr Sedan (2.5L 4cyl CVT), 3.5 SL w/Prod. End 06/17 4dr Sedan (3.5L 6cyl CVT), 2.5 SV w/Prod. End 06/17 4dr Sedan (2.5L 4cyl CVT), 3.5 SR w/Prod. End 06/17 4dr Sedan (3.5L 6cyl CVT), 2.5 S w/Prod. End 06/17 4dr Sedan (2.5L 4cyl CVT), 2.5 SL w/Prod. End 06/17 4dr Sedan (2.5L 4cyl CVT), and 3.5 SL 4dr Sedan (3.5L 6cyl CVT).
What do people think of the 2017 Nissan Altima?
Consumer ratings and reviews are also available for the 2017 Nissan Altima and all its trim types. Overall, Edmunds users rate the 2017 Altima 4 on a scale of 1 to 5 stars. Edmunds consumer reviews allow users to sift through aggregated consumer reviews to understand what other drivers are saying about any vehicle in our database. Detailed rating breakdowns (including performance, comfort, value, interior, exterior design, build quality, and reliability) are available as well to provide shoppers with a comprehensive understanding of why customers like the 2017 Altima.
Edmunds Expert Reviews
Edmunds experts have compiled a robust series of ratings and reviews for the 2017 Nissan Altima and all model years in our database. Our rich content includes expert reviews and recommendations for the 2017 Altima featuring deep dives into trim levels and features, performance, mpg, safety, interior, and driving. Edmunds also offers expert ratings, road test and performance data, long-term road tests, first-drive reviews, video reviews and more.
Our Review Process
This review was written by a member of Edmunds' editorial team of expert car reviewers. Our team drives every car you can buy. We put the vehicles through rigorous testing, evaluating how they drive and comparing them in detail to their competitors.
We're also regular people like you, so we pay attention to all the different ways people use their cars every day. We want to know if there's enough room for our families and our weekend gear and whether or not our favorite drink fits in the cupholder. Our editors want to help you make the best decision on a car that fits your life.
What's a good price for a New 2017 Nissan Altima?
2017 Nissan Altima 2.5 SV w/Prod. End 06/17 4dr Sedan (2.5L 4cyl CVT)
The 2017 Nissan Altima 2.5 SV w/Prod. End 06/17 4dr Sedan (2.5L 4cyl CVT) can be purchased for less than the Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price (aka MSRP) of $27,155. The average price paid for a new 2017 Nissan Altima 2.5 SV w/Prod. End 06/17 4dr Sedan (2.5L 4cyl CVT) is trending $7,879 below the manufacturer’s MSRP.
Edmunds members save an average of $7,879 by getting upfront special offers. The estimated special offer price in your area is$19,276.
The average savings for the 2017 Nissan Altima 2.5 SV w/Prod. End 06/17 4dr Sedan (2.5L 4cyl CVT) is29% below the MSRP.
Available Inventory:We are showing 2 2017 Nissan Altima 2.5 SV w/Prod. End 06/17 4dr Sedan (2.5L 4cyl CVT) vehicle(s) available in the in the Ashburnarea.
2017 Nissan Altima 2.5 S w/Prod. End 06/17 4dr Sedan (2.5L 4cyl CVT)
The 2017 Nissan Altima 2.5 S w/Prod. End 06/17 4dr Sedan (2.5L 4cyl CVT) can be purchased for less than the Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price (aka MSRP) of $24,855. The average price paid for a new 2017 Nissan Altima 2.5 S w/Prod. End 06/17 4dr Sedan (2.5L 4cyl CVT) is trending $6,718 below the manufacturer’s MSRP.
Edmunds members save an average of $6,718 by getting upfront special offers. The estimated special offer price in your area is$18,137.
The average savings for the 2017 Nissan Altima 2.5 S w/Prod. End 06/17 4dr Sedan (2.5L 4cyl CVT) is27% below the MSRP.
Available Inventory:We are showing 1 2017 Nissan Altima 2.5 S w/Prod. End 06/17 4dr Sedan (2.5L 4cyl CVT) vehicle(s) available in the in the Ashburnarea.
Which 2017 Nissan Altimas are available in my area?
Shop Edmunds' car, SUV, and truck listings of over 6 million vehicles to find a cheap new, used, or certified pre-owned (CPO) 2017 Nissan Altima for sale near. There are currently 3 new 2017 Altimas listed for sale in your area, with list prices as low as $24,855 and mileage as low as 0 miles. Simply research the type of car you're interested in and then select a car from our massive database to find cheap 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 2017 Nissan Altima. Then select Edmunds special offers, perks, deals, and incentives to contact the dealer of your choice and save up to $8,004 on a used or CPO 2017 Altima available from a dealership near you.
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Should I lease or buy a 2017 Nissan Altima?
Is it better to lease or buy a car? Ask most people and they'll probably tell you that car buying is the way to go. And from a financial perspective, it's true, provided you're willing to make higher monthly payments, pay off the loan in full and keep the car for a few years. Leasing, on the other hand, can be a less expensive option on a month-to-month basis. It's also good if you're someone who likes to drive a new car every three years or so.
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