Nissan Altima

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.

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.