Nissan Altima

Name: 2002 Nissan Altima
Brand: Nissan

EPA MPG: 25 mpg

Owner Reported MPG:

EPA MPG: 25 mpg

Owner Reported MPG:

RECALL ALERT: There are 12 recalls on this vehicle. Learn More.

There are 12 recalls on this vehicle. Learn More.

RECALL ALERT: There are 12 recalls on this vehicle. Learn More.

There are 12 recalls on this vehicle. Learn More.

Reliability Details

Owner Satisfaction Details

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Road Test

With this first major redesign, the Altima was transformed from a bland and uninteresting also-ran into a car that competed with the best in the class. It boasts generous accommodations, a punchy and refined powertrain, fairly nimble and secure handling, a pleasant ride and a quiet cabin. Compared with some of its competitors however, some of the interior plastics look and feel cheap. Overall, the Altima is a good choice that scored well among the class leaders.

2002 Sedans & Hatchbacks Reliability

This Car

100

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Nissan Altima

vs. Similar Cars

Honda Accord

Toyota Camry

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Crash Tests

IIHS Front Moderate Overlap

Good

IIHS Front Small Overlap, Driver

IIHS Side Crash

NHTSA Overall Crash

NHTSA Overall Frontal-Crash

NHTSA Overall Side-Crash

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Owner Reports

Owner Satisfaction

2000

2001

2002

2003

2004

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

2010

2011

2012

2013

2014

2015

2016

2017

2018

2019

2020

2021

2022

2023

2024

2025

Driving Experience

Comfort

Value

Nissan vs. Other New Car Brands

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Crash Tests

IIHS Front Moderate Overlap

Good

IIHS Front Small Overlap, Driver

IIHS Side Crash

NHTSA Overall Crash

NHTSA Overall Frontal-Crash

NHTSA Overall Side-Crash

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Nissan vs. Other New Car Brands

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Crash Tests

IIHS Front Moderate Overlap

Good

IIHS Front Small Overlap, Driver

IIHS Side Crash

NHTSA Overall Crash

NHTSA Overall Frontal-Crash

NHTSA Overall Side-Crash

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Nissan vs. Other New Car Brands

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2002 Midsized cars Ratings

2002 Nissan Altima

$2,900 - $3,050

EPA MPG 25 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2002 Chevrolet Malibu

$2,850

EPA MPG NA

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2002 Chrysler Sebring

$2,900 - $2,950

EPA MPG NA

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2002 Honda Accord

$2,900 - $3,800

EPA MPG 26 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2002 Hyundai Sonata

$2,900

EPA MPG NA

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2002 Kia Optima

$2,900

EPA MPG NA

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2002 Mitsubishi Galant

$2,850

EPA MPG 23 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2002 Pontiac Grand Prix

$2,900 - $3,400

EPA MPG 22 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2002 Saab 9-5

$2,975

EPA MPG NA

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2002 Subaru Legacy

$2,975 - $3,125

EPA MPG 24 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2002 Toyota Camry

$4,025 - $4,325

EPA MPG 26 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2002 Volkswagen Passat

$3,000 - $4,125

EPA MPG 24 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

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Features & Specs

sedan

2 front, 3 rear

Front

2.5-liter 4 (175 hp)
3.5-liter V6 (230 hp)

5-speed manual
4-speed automatic

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In most cases, automotive warranties are based on the vehicle identification number (VIN), and the warranty will be valid regardless of ownership. The dealership can tell you exactly how much warranty is left.

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Model History

2019-Present

Current Generation

The sixth-generation Altima offers all-wheel drive and a turbo engine. It is a rather unremarkable midsized sedan. That said, it's a competitive car that gets the job done. It delivers on room, fuel economy, and user friendliness. However, the driving experience is bland, lacking in handling agility, and the seemingly pliant ride isn't adept at absorbing all types of bumps. The standard 2.5-liter engine provides decent acceleration, and the car gets a commendable 31 mpg overall. With that engine, buyers can opt for all-wheel drive, but not with the uplevel, more powerful 2.0-liter turbo engine. The car is relatively quiet. The cabin is roomy, if a bit too low for easy access. Controls are very easy to use, and both Android Auto and Apple CarPlay are compatible. To its credit, standard safety systems include automatic emergency braking. For 2021, pedestrian detection with automatic emergency braking is standard. For the 2025 model year, the turbo engine is dropped, and a new Special Edition package becomes available on the SV trim. 2026 brings a simplified lineup, with the base S and top SL trims discontinued, leaving shoppers with the choice between SV and SR trims, as well as FWD and AWD.

2013-2018

2013 Redesign Year

This version of the Altima was considerably less lustrous than its forebears. In a segment brimming with better cars, the 2013 Altima is a lackluster choice, ranking below virtually all of its competitors with a humdrum driving experience. If you do buy one, we suggest going with the 2.5SV to get a power driver's seat and blind spot monitoring. Advanced safety equipment, including forward-collision warning with automatic emergency braking, is only available on the 2.5SL and 3.5SL trims; in both cases as part of a Technology package. Said succinctly, we'd skip this version of the Altima. There are many better choices within the crowded midsized sedan field.

2007-2012

2007 Redesign Year

The well-rounded 2007 redesign was even better, with an improved ride, especially with the powerful -- yet economical -- four-cylinder engine. The sportier 3.5 SE handles more sharply, but rides stiffly. Interior fit and finish are improved over the previous model, but the rear seat is less roomy. All Altimas have pushbutton keyless start. The 2010 freshening brought the previously optional stability control as a standard feature. Antilock brakes and brake assist are also standard equipment for this generation. A hybrid version was offered as well, but was dropped after 2011; its powertrain returned 32 mpg.

2002-2006

2002 Redesign Year

The third-generation Altima was much roomier than its predecessors. It was also quick, fairly comfortable, and generally competitive. Among its attributes are generous accommodations, a punchy and refined powertrain, nimble and secure handling, as well as a pleasant ride and a quiet cabin. Rear-seat passengers get large-car legroom and can easily stretch, or cross their legs. Though the roomy interior is stylish, fit and finish could be better, as some of the interior plastics look and feel cheap. Be apprised, IIHS side-crash-test results were poor without the optional curtain airbags. Anti-lock brakes were optional as well. For this reason, you'll want to look for a car equipped with the ABS/airbag Package.

1998-2001

1998 Redesign Year

The Altima aimed to compete with the four-cylinder Honda Accord and Toyota Camry, but never stacked up to them. Handling was less than nimble and the ride was busy. The noisy engine delivered strong acceleration. The front seats were too low and rear seating was fairly cramped. The rear seatback didn't fold down. The Altima was redesigned for 1998, evolving the same basic formula. It was slightly freshened for 2000. It remained a not very rewarding family sedan.