Dec 10, 2019, 13:44 PM by Mike Blake

Currently the 6th best-selling sedan in America, Nissan’s Altima entered its 26th year with a redesign that Nissan execs say will “re-energize the sedan segment – in terms of design, driving feel and in making advanced technologies available and affordable for everyone." 

Launched in 1993 as a compact, Altima evolved into a mid-size that steadily gained in stature in handling, fuel economy and style. That translated into solid sales of more than 5.6 million vehicles, and a following that Nissan hopes to excite with 2019’s alterations. Altima completed its last full redesign in 2013, and the all-new Altima brings expressive styling, an uplifting interior, two new powerplants -- including the company’s world-first variable compression turbo engine. Among new features are Nissan’s first available Intelligent All-Wheel Drive in a U.S. sedan, and advanced Nissan Intelligent Mobility system, including ProPILOT Assist and Rear Automatic Braking, which helps the driver detect stationary objects when backing up, and if necessary, applies the brakes to help avoid a collision. 

Additionally, the 2019 Altima is available with all-wheel drive for the first time, and even base trims now come standard with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Bluetooth support for its 8-inch infotainment system. The driver gets an eight-way power adjustable seat. 

The new design is lower, longer and wider, with the hood and cowl pushed downward for a more athletic stance. Adding larger available 19-inch wheels and tires helps deliver a more linear, tailored feel that is emphasized by the sharp horizontal lines and signature Nissan design cues such as the V-motion grille and streamlined boomerang lights. Available exterior elements include the grille with dark chrome finish, LED projector headlights with signature Daytime Running Lights, LED fog lights, floating roof with slim pillars and single panel moonroof.

Compared with the previous generation, the new Altima is 1.1 inches lower in height, at 56.9 inches; 1.0 inches longer, at 192.9 inches; and 0.9 inches wider, at 72.9 inches – while also featuring a smaller front overhang thanks a 1.9-inch longer wheelbase (111.2 inches) and rear wheels pushed farther to the corners. The result is a dramatically sleeker yet more sophisticated look. The coefficient of drag is just 0.26, and my test Altima weighed in with a curb weight of 3462 lbs., a pound less than my text Altima last year.

From a power perspective, Nissan updates its 2.5-liter inline four-cylinder to produce 188 horsepower and 180 lb-ft of torque, up 9 hp and 3 lb-ft from the previous generation. The 2.5 is EPA rated at 27mph/city, 37mpg/highway and 31mpg/overall for FWD and 25/35/29 for AWD. Replacing the previous-generation Altima's 3.5-liter V6 engine is the world's first production-ready variable compression turbo inline 4-cylinder – which generates the performance of some V6 gasoline engines but with 4-cylinder level fuel economy. The 2.0-liter turbo is an inline 4-cylinder plant that delivers 248hp and 280 lb-ft off torque and is EPA rated at 25/34/29, and my test turbo averaged 30.2 mpg in mixed-use driving and some long interstate runs.

Last year, my 3.5-liter-powered Altima accelerated well in all ranges, and a track run from zero-to-60mph was completed in an energetic 6.1 seconds during a 14.6-second quarter-mile. This year, my turbo-powered ride was nearly identical at 6.0 and 14.6 (hand-timed).

Steering showed some understeer that was fun on the autocross, and the independent strut front suspension with coil springs and stabilizer bar and a multi-link independent rear suspension with stabilizer bar were smooth on the road.

Altima’s cabin is refined, luxurious, tech-filled, quiet and comfortable, but it has lost some size comfort, with 39.2 inches of front headroom (down 0.8 inches) and 38.0 inches ion row two (down 0.9). Front legroom is 1.2 inches tighter at 43.8 inches, and a snug 35.2 inches in the second row (down 1.1 inches); with surprisingly wider shoulder room of 58.2 in front (up 1.8 inches) and 57.1 inches in row two (wider by 0.7 inches).

Altima’s range of safety and convenience features includes standard Automatic Emergency Braking, Intelligent Forward Collision Warning and Intelligent Driver Alertness on all grades. Intelligent Around View Monitor is standard on the Altima Platinum. The addition of Rear Automatic Braking creates Safety Shield 360, which provides front, side and rear safety monitoring and intervention technologies, under the umbrella of the Nissan Intelligent Mobility strategy.

The base 2019 Nissan Altima 2.5 S starts at $24,000 and 10 variations run up to $33,380 for the 2.5 Platinum. The more powerful Altima SR VC-Turbo bases at $29,400 and moves up to $35,750 for the Edition ONE VC-Turbo. I tested that one with a rear spoiler, 19-inch dark gray aluminum alloy wheels, external ground lighting, Nissan Concierge™ Service and Edition ONE floormats. Pearl White exterior paint added $395 and was matched to a Charcoal leather interior. This version comes loaded, so there were no packages available, but accessory add-ons included four splash guards for $205, Chrome body-side moldings for $265, Chrome rear bumper protector for $165, Interior accent lighting for $455, and a safety impact sensor for $210. Destination and handling added $895 for an MSRP as tested of $37,720, but late-season incentives may be available from your local dealer.

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Mike Blake, former editor of KIT CAR magazine, joined Carlisle Events as senior automotive journalist in 2004. He's been a "car guy" since the 1960s and has been writing professionally for about 30 years. </I>