2021 Nissan Altima Review

Name: 2021 Nissan Altima Review
Brand: Nissan
Price: 13998 USD

Nissan Altima 2.5 Platinum Sedan Exterior Shown

Nissan Altima VC-T SR Sedan Exterior Shown

+235

The Nissan Altima has been on the fringes of the midsize segment for the better part of a decade. This latest Altima generation is more appealing thanks to solid fuel economy and useful driver safety aids, but it fails to truly match the segment all-stars.

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2021 Nissan Altima Review

byTravis Langness^{Reviews Editor
Travis Langness has worked in the automotive industry since 2011. He has written thousands of car-related articles and tested and reviewed hundreds of vehicles over the course of his career.}

Pros

Offers full suite of semi-automated driving features
Above-average estimated and real-world fuel economy
Easy-to-drive nature

Cons

Poor outward visibility due to thick roof pillars and low-res rear camera
Steering lacks road feel and can be slow to respond
Uninspiring interior materials and disappointing fit and finish
Base S trim offers less equipment than most modern sedans

What's new

Turbocharged engine is now only available on the SR trim
SV trim drops in price and loses some standard features
Part of the sixth Altima generation introduced for 2019

Overview

The 2021 Nissan Altima is a four-door midsize family sedan that was completely overhauled just a couple years ago. As one of the newer choices in the segment, the Altima offers an impressive amount of cutting-edge safety features — several of which are packaged in Nissan's ProPilot Assist system. With driving aids such as lane-centering assist and adaptive cruise control, the ProPilot Assist features are generally more intuitive and accurate than similar systems in competitors. ProPilot Assist is so superior in fact that we think it's the Altima's killer app. The Altima also offers an all-wheel-drive powertrain on most trims, which is uncommon for the class.

Cost to Drive^{Cost to drive estimates for the 2021 Nissan Altima 2.5 S 4dr Sedan (2.5L 4cyl CVT) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $3.01 per gallon for regular unleaded in Virginia.}

Monthly estimates based on costs in Virginia

$114/mo

$158/mo

Avg. Midsize Car

Calculate my fuel costs

But if semi-automated driving or all-weather traction aren't major considerations, the 2021 Altima is fairly average among its competitors. Nissan's midsize is still worth consideration, but rivals including the Honda Accord and Mazda 6 are more refined and fun to drive and cost about the same money.

Edmunds Expert Rating

Our Verdict^{The Edmunds Vehicle Testing Team evaluates a fresh batch of vehicles every week, pairing objective assessments at our test track with real-world driving on city streets, freeways and winding roads. The data we gather results in our Expert Ratings. They’re based on 30-plus scores that cover every aspect of the automotive experience.}

Average

7.6

out of 10

edmunds TESTED

Rated for you by America's best test team.

Performance

7.5/10

How does the Altima drive? The Altima won't win you over with stellar acceleration or braking. Our test all-wheel-drive Altima had the 2.5-liter engine, and it covered 0-60 mph in an unremarkable 8.4 seconds. The CVT automatic is well tuned, however, and helps make the Altima an almost invisible partner during day-to-day driving.

Another bright spot is the stable handling. You'll have confidence guiding the Altima through fast, sweeping curves. But this handling prowess underscores the Altima's overly light and vague steering.

Comfort

7.5/10

How comfortable is the Altima? The Altima is a calm place to sit out daily traffic. The front seats are generally comfortable, but some drivers might wish for more thigh support. Engine noises are commendably well isolated even under hard acceleration.

Less appealing is the constant stream of little impacts you'll feel when driving over rough road surfaces. The Altima's ride seems continuously busy in these instances, and larger impacts can be pretty jarring.

Interior

7.5/10

How’s the interior? The interior lacks style, but it more than makes up for it with straightforward usability. In particular, the climate controls and touchscreen functions are clearly labeled and easy to reach.

Though most of the Altima's sightlines are good, rear visibility is hampered by the high rear decklid. Also problematic are the low-resolution rearview camera and the distracting reflections of the dashboard and rear decklid you'll see in the windows during bright sunlight.

Technology

8/10

How’s the tech? The Altima's base infotainment system is adequate but won't wow you. Android Auto and Apple CarPlay smartphone connectivity is standard, and the audio system is easy to operate. The sound quality is merely OK. Bluetooth operation was a bit finicky in our testing, but the calls were clear.

The Altima's ProPilot Assist system, which includes lane centering and low-speed adaptive cruise control, is quite the bonus. The adaptive cruise control works very well, needing very little correction in traffic.

Storage

8/10

How’s the storage? The Altima's trunk isn't the biggest in the class, but it can still accept a few full-size suitcases. Its squared-off shape also makes it easy to load to the maximum capacity. The folding rear seats are standard fare but can only be released through a pull tab in the trunk. They must be lowered by physically pulling on the seatback from the inside — they don't automatically fold when released. Front passengers have ample storage for small items. However, the cupholders are a bit shallow for taller bottles.

Fuel Economy

8.5/10

How’s the fuel economy? We tested the all-wheel-drive Altima, which the EPA estimates gets 30 mpg combined (26 city/36 highway). It posted an impressive 34 mpg on our 115-mile evaluation route. Odds are you can expect to get pretty good fuel economy from the Altima.

Value

7/10

Is the Altima a good value? Roomy and comfortable with the option of all-wheel drive, the Altima proves it has some distinctive value in the midsize sedan class. Warranties are middle-of-the-road, as is the roadside assistance offering. A strong showing with highway fuel economy could tip the scales for long-distance drivers as could the all-wheel drive for those who live with inclement weather.

But some spots of poor build quality and a lack of attention to detail set the Altima back where it can least afford it. Gaps where the dashboard meets the windshield, and a hood design that makes it look out of alignment, stand out when compared to better-built competitors.

Wildcard

7.5/10

It's nice to see just how normal the new Altima really is. That's not exactly a ringing endorsement, but the experience of driving and living with the Altima is generally more than the sum of its parts. Even though sedans seem to be on the way out, the class is still fiercely competitive and it takes a pretty good car just to be midpack.

The Nissan goes about tackling daily driving without much effort from the driver and provides passengers ample comfort and a fair amount of convenience.

Which Altima does Edmunds recommend?

The optional turbocharged engine is our choice for the Altima, thanks to its better response and a significant increase in power. Unfortunately, it can only be had on the SR trim and with front-wheel drive. If you're OK with those restrictions, we say go for it. Otherwise, the SV offers a long list of standard features, including smartphone connectivity and a larger touchscreen, along with some added safety equipment.

2021 Nissan Altima models

The 2021 Nissan Altima is a midsize sedan available in five trim levels: S, SV, SR, SL and Platinum. The Altima's standard engine is a 2.5-liter four-cylinder (188 horsepower, 180 lb-ft of torque) that drives the front wheels via a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT). Optional for the SV, SR and SL, and standard on the Platinum, is an all-wheel-drive powertrain that reduces engine output to 182 hp and 178 lb-ft.

Looking for more a little more oomph under the hood? The SR offers a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder with 236 hp and 267 lb-ft on tap (248 hp and 273 lb-ft on 93 octane gas). This engine is paired exclusively with front-wheel drive.

S
The S base trim is indeed pretty basic, but it offers:

16-inch steel wheels
Remote engine start
Keyless entry and ignition
Height-adjustable driver's seat
60/40-split folding rear seat
7-inch touchscreen
Six-speaker audio system
Bluetooth phone and audio streaming
Single USB port

Safety features on the base S include:

Forward collision warning (alerts you of a possible collision with the car in front)
Automatic emergency braking (warns if a front impact is imminent and applies the brakes if you don't respond in time)
Lane departure warning (alerts you if the vehicle begins to drift out of its lane)
Driver attention warning (issues an alert if sensors determine you are becoming fatigued)

A number of features are available via the Driver Assist package. It adds:

Power-adjustable driver's seat
Blind-spot monitor (alerts you if a vehicle in the next lane over is in your blind spot)
Rear cross-traffic alert (warns you if a vehicle behind you is about to cross your vehicle's path while you're in reverse)
Rear automatic braking (brakes if sensors detect an imminent collision with an object behind the vehicle)
Rear parking sensors (alert you to obstacles that may not be visible behind the vehicle when parking)

SV
The SV builds on the base S equipment by adding:

Driver Assist package
17-inch alloy wheels
LED headlights
8-inch touchscreen
Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility
Satellite radio
An additional USB-C port up front and two rear USB ports

The SV also has an optional SV Premium package. It consists of:

Heated mirrors
Sunroof
Heated front seats
Adjustable lumbar support for the driver's seat
Leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob
Nissan's ProPilot Assist system

Adaptive cruise control (adjusts speed to maintain a constant distance between the vehicle and the car in front)
Lane keeping assist (steers the Altima back into its lane if it begins to drift over the lane marker)

SR
The SR is the Altima's sport-themed trim. On top of the SV features, it adds:

19-inch wheels
Sport-tuned suspension (front-wheel-drive models only)
Transmission paddle shifters
Unique exterior and cabin styling elements
Leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob

The optional SR Premium package consists of everything from the SV's Premium package, with the exception of ProPilot Assist. Selecting the 2.0-liter turbocharged engine automatically adds this package.

SL
The SL builds on the SV features, adding:

SV Premium package
Heated steering wheel
Dual-zone automatic climate control
Power-adjustable passenger seat
Leather upholstery
Rear air vents
Navigation system
Nine-speaker Bose premium audio system

Platinum
Springing for the Platinum adds all-wheel drive, plus:

19-inch wheels
Driver-seat memory settings
Auto-dimming rearview mirror
Ambient interior lighting
360-degree camera system (gives you a top-down view of the Altima and its surroundings for tight parking situations)

Build Your Altima®

At a Glance:

5 Colors
5 Trims

Build & Price NissanUSA.com

Reliability Ratings by RepairPal

4/5Excellent

#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

^{The average total annual cost for unscheduled repairs and maintenance across all model years of the Nissan Altima from 2008-2022.}

$431/yr

vs. $415/yr
for Average Midsize Car

Frequency

^{The average number of times this model is brought into the shop for unscheduled repairs and maintenance in a single year. RepairPal calculates this metric by tracking millions of unique vehicles over multiple years to determine an average number of visits per year (omitting small routine visits, e.g., oil changes).}

0.83x/yr

vs. 0.87x/yr
for Average Midsize Car

Severity

^{The probability that a repair will be a major issue, meaning the repair costs 3x the average annual repair cost for all models. This threshold will be higher for vehicles that have higher labor rates and parts costs (such as a premium brand).}

12.8%

vs. 10.2%
for Average Midsize Car

powered by RepairPal ^{Based on RepairPal reliability data as of 8/23/2023. Ratings are provided by RepairPal and Edmunds is not responsible for their accuracy.}

Consumer reviews

Read what other owners think about the Used 2021 Nissan Altima.

5 (63%)

4 (14%)

3 (6%)

2 (9%)

1 (8%)

4.2

43 reviews

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Most helpful consumer reviews

2020 Nissan Altima SV AWD

StPeteBeach4Winter55 , 02/02/2020

2020 Nissan Altima 2.5 SV 4dr Sedan AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT)

This is our 3rd Altima & 6th Nissan. We never buy the 1st model year following a complete new generation. We traded our ' 14 Altima SV with 47Kmi for the new Altima. Love the updates both tech and body style. We opted for the optional wheel upgrade and the convenience pkg. The AWD was a easy decision as our other daily driver is our '19 Rogue SV AWD with the mnrf & wheel pkg. Its our 1st … Rogue so we leased it but purchased our Altima as its our 3rd in a row. Had 2 Maximas before the Altimas. I must say the new Altima w/ AWD is Nissan's best sedan option. We considered the SR AWD trim pkg but the SV AWD has the best features with the convenience pkg. Best ride, very spirited acceleration and great handling. The Altima is under-rated as its the most comfortable car we have owned and we've had Infiniti's, Saab's, Volvo's, Honda's and a Toyota Tacoma. Plus a few GM products. We leased for years but after our 1st Altima lease in 2011 we've purchased the last 2 as they're the best sedan available. AWD may be new to the Altima but Nissan's premium brand Infiniti has been selling AWD sedans for years with zero issues, so we have no concerns with the Altima's drivetrain. Once you get use to the new exterior styling that allows the Maxima, Altima, new 2020 Sentra, & Versa sedan all share similar attributes. Nissan enlarged the 2020 Sentra much like Honda did with their Civic, but Toyota didn't enlarge the new Corolla which will hurt it. The 2020 Sentra is similar in size to the 2011 Altima and especially the 1st & 2nd generation Altima. I expect now that we are both retired and spending our winters in FL, we will keep our Altima in FL, but the drive down last month allows me to also share the new Altima is a GREAT road trip car just like the last generation '13-18 Altima having the most comfortable front seats. I know your thinking why buy the AWD version if you're keeping your Altima in FL? Have you ever driven on the interstate during a FL down pour, well we have many times and it provides added piece of mind knowing that all 4 tires with stability control turned on will help keep our Altima headed safely in the correct direction when experiencing hydroplaning. Plus I ordered AWD just in case we decide to drive back to NY in mid-December for the holidays rather than flying. Go for a test drive if you're in the market for a family sedan. Other than the Subaru Legacy, the Accord, Camry, Sonata & Optima don't offer AWD. Plus both our previous '14 & new '20 Altima get better mpg than our neighbors '12 Civic & '17 Elantra including AWD. Make sure to test drive the SV trim pkg Altima as its the volume leading pkg but the 2.5S trim, now the base model is every bit as comfortable as the other trim levels. We always get the middle trim pkg on all our vehicles as we appreciate the extra features but we don't need the SL Platinum pkg besides the SV pkg provides heated seats and you can add a heated steering wheel if desired. We didn't opt for the heated steering wheel but the heated seats are a must have and standard remote start with standard climate control allows me to set the temperature at 70 year around. In the winter it warms up & summer it cools down, all standard with the SV trim. Add the convenience pkg if you want the extras w/o having to put up with leather seats in the summer. Never again. Our 2011 Altima had the SL trim as it was a dealer demo and we got it for less than the SV trim w/convenience pkg. Our Maximas each had cloth. Hoping that AWD will be an option on the Maxima as it would be nice to have another one someday, and maybe a 2.0T will replace the 6cyl as the Altima no longer has the optional 6cyl, but rather a turbo 4cyl. Enjoy your test drive and remember the only other AWD sedan that's not in the $35K+ starting MSRP is the Subaru Legacy and although its a new generation for 22020,the Altima has much more updated styling inside and out. The only complaint I have which may be age related is our Altima doesn't have a CD player but our '19 Rogue does and so does the 2020 Rogue. Check out the next generation Rogue via google. You may want to grab a leftover ' 19 or a '20. It may be like the new Altima was for me, it took about a year to grow on me and now I love the Altima. The new Honda Accord did the opposite. At 1st it was attention grabbing but after a few months I grew to really not care for it. The '93-'97 generation Accord is why we became Nissan customers buying a ' 95 Maxima our 1st Nissan.

Underrated car

Michael, 10/16/2019

2020 Nissan Altima 2.5 SL 4dr Sedan (2.5L 4cyl CVT)

Our 2020 Altima SL is simply a fantastic car. Most comfortable seats I've experienced ever. Built well, with no squeaks and rattles. Quiet and composed ride over smooth and rough surfaces. Amazing tech (especially the semi-auto on the highway) with big screen and super easy to use interface. And a smooth, refined engine even when accelerating spiritedly that is getting me 35mpg on my …

My 2020 Altima

Mrs Thomas, 12/08/2019

2020 Nissan Altima 2.5 S 4dr Sedan (2.5L 4cyl CVT)

I recently purchased my 2020 Nissan Altima, November 22, 2019. I have to say i am in love with my car. I love how push button start is a standard feature. The CVT transmission gives me great fuel economy & i gives me an exceptional smoothing ride. I literally do not feel the gears shift because it’s continuously variable. Also, i love the redesign V shape grille starting in 2019. That is …

Altima SR terrific car!

Mike , 03/21/2020

2020 Nissan Altima 2.5 SR 4dr Sedan (2.5L 4cyl CVT)

As a lifetime buyer if used cars I decided to look for a new car and I read and looked at many in this same category of cars. I’ve owned 2 BMW 7 series, a Jag XJ6 and several Cadi’s, all great cars but costly to maintain in the long run. I then bought a primo condition Low mileage Maxima, loved it for the 10 years and 130000+ miles I drove it. So deciding to go with a more ‘traditional’ …

We have a limited number of reviews for the 2021 Nissan Altima, so we've included reviews for other years of the Altima since its last redesign.

See all 43 reviews of the Nissan Altima

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2021 Altima Highlights

Trim:

2.5 S

Base MSRP Excludes Destination Fee	$24,550
Engine Type	Gas
Combined MPG	32 MPG
Cost to Drive	$114/month
Seating	5 seats
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place	15.4 cu.ft.
Drivetrain	front wheel drive
Warranty	3 years / 36,000 miles

See all features & specs

Safety

Our experts like the Altima models:

Around-View Monitor: Helps you see what’s in your blind spot with a bird's-eye view of the car and its surroundings.
Forward Emergency Braking: Helps to ensure that a momentary lapse of driver attention won't result in a collision.
ProPilot Assist: This combination of driver aids works together to offer semi-automated, nearly self-driving operation.

NHTSA Overall Rating

The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration offers independent analysis.

Frontal Barrier Crash Rating
Overall4 / 5
Driver5 / 5
Passenger4 / 5
Side Crash Rating
Overall5 / 5
Side Barrier Rating
Overall5 / 5
Driver4 / 5
Passenger5 / 5
Combined Side Barrier & Pole Ratings
Front Seat4 / 5
Back Seat5 / 5
Rollover
Rollover5 / 5
Dynamic Test ResultNo Tip
Risk Of Rollover9.2%

IIHS Rating

The Insurance Institute of Highway Safety uses extensive crash tests to determine car safety.

Small Overlap Front Driver-Side Test
Good
Small Overlap Front Passenger-Side Test
Good
Moderate Overlap Front Test – Original
Good
Moderate Overlap Front Test – Updated
Not Tested
Side Impact Test – Original
Good
Side Impact Test – Updated
Not Tested
Roof Strength Test
Good
Rear Crash Protection / Head Restraint
Good

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2021 Nissan Altima Review

2021 Nissan Altima Review

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