Editors' Page: 2013 Nissan Altima

Now competitive with Accord and Camry in every meaningful measure.

A perennial sales success, the Nissan Altima has never been able to break through the glass ceiling that separates the Honda Accord and Toyota Camry in the hearts and minds of so many shoppers.

But the Altima is all-new for 2013, and it's never been easier to mention Nissan's midsize sedan in the same breath as those two automotive legends. Not only is the car itself more competitive, but Nissan seems to be moving away from the performance messaging that maybe differentiated but also pigeonholed the Altima in the past. The 2013 Nissan Altima is a comfortable, roomy and efficient midsize sedan, and that's just how Nissan is selling it.

Driving It

Even though the Altima is now larger and more comfortable, it's still one of the most fun-to-drive midsize sedans. A few observations from our full review of the 2013 Nissan Altima: "Thanks largely to a new multilink rear suspension and the much-improved CVT, this is a finer-driving Altima than any before it. Around town, on freeways and on twisty back roads, the 2013 Altima feels tight and nimble yet quiet and comfortable on all but the nastiest surfaces, perhaps because its engineers benchmarked the size-smaller BMW 3 Series, Audi A4 and Mercedes-Benz C-Class."

Awards

10 Best Sedans Under $25,000
"One of the great new buys in the midsize sedan class"

10 Best Family Cars Under $25,000
"Tech-savvy features, refined driving characteristics and class-leading fuel economy"

2013 5-Year Cost to Own Awards
Runner-up in the Mid-size Car category

2013 Best Resale Value Awards
3rd place in the Mid-size Car category

The V6 Lives

The 2013 Nissan Altima is one of a shrinking number of midsize sedans to offer optional V6 power. We like the turbocharged 4-cylinder engines offered as upgrades on competitors like the Hyundai Sonata, Kia Optima, Ford Fusion and Chevrolet Malibu — the cars are typically more fuel-efficient than comparably powered V6 models, and more nimble — but there's definitely something appealing about the smooth power and sound of a V6. But at 12,000 miles per year and $4 per gallon it works out to about $30 more in gas every month, and even a 4-cylinder Altima will sprint to 60 mph in an impressive 7.1 seconds, according to Nissan. A V6 is nice, but there's more than one reason 85% of Altima buyers go with the 4-cylinder.

Too Many Doors?

If you like the 2013 Nissan Altima midsize sedan but don't need all those doors, you'll be happy to know Nissan also offers a sportier coupe version. But you should also know that the 2013 Nissan Altima Coupe is a holdover from the previous-generation Altima. We're not big fans of the idea of buying a new car right as it's about to become the "old" one, so if you really want an Altima coupe, at least hold out for a really good deal. Or check out the 2013 Honda Accord Coupe, perhaps, which is as new and good as the all-new Accord Sedan.

From the Video

Our 2013 Nissan Altima video review includes an explanation of the Altima's "zero gravity" seats and analysis like this: "If you like the current, swoopy state of Nissan styling, you'll like the newest Altima. It's a shape that's expressive, without being weird."

Build and Price

The 2013 Nissan Altima Sedan starts at $22,550 and tops out at just more than $32,000 with a V6, leather, moonroof and a host of cool technology upgrades. To find out how much you should really pay, build a 2013 Nissan Altima the way you like it and we'll give you the Fair Purchase Price, which reflects actual transaction prices before applicable incentives.

More Midsize Sedans

Through the first half of 2013, the Nissan Altima was the third best-selling midsize sedan on the market, with the Toyota Camry and Honda Accord comfortably ahead and the hot new Ford Fusion nipping at its heels. But those aren't the only four competitors worth considering. In fact, you're going to have to rule out 11 other midsize sedans before you write your check, and most of them are really darn good.