2026 Nissan Altima

The Nissan Altima is a stalwart in midsize sedans. It’s long been famous for its blend of affordability and practicality, and those virtues remain strong for the Altima. However, its aging design and lack of a hybrid option make it less competitive with more modern, fuel-efficient rivals. That said, the Altima still gets the basics right, with modern infotainment and driver-assistance features, comfortable front seats, and good interior space. For 2026, its model range is reduced to two trims, each offering a special appearance package that can spice things up.

We’ve logged hundreds of hours driving and evaluating this generation of midsize cars, including the Nissan Altima.

The Nissan Altima has one of the lowest starting prices of any midsize sedan, just barely undercut by the Hyundai Sonata. Other rivals that start under $30k include the Kia K5 and the non-hybrid version of the Honda Accord, while the hybrid-only Toyota Camry starts a little above the $30k mark.

Before buying an Altima, check the Kelley Blue Book Fair Purchase Price to know what you should really pay. Nissan Altima resale value is a little below average for the segment. Recouping more money when selling a vehicle can mean a bigger down payment and lower monthly payments on the next one.

We encounter no surprises when we get behind the wheel of the Nissan Altima, and that’s not a bad thing. The sole engine option, a 188-horsepower 4-cylinder, moves the Altima around just fine with little fuss. It can get a little noisy under hard acceleration, but in everyday driving, we found this engine to be a suitable match for the Altima. Notably, the Altima and the Kia K4 are the only sedans in this class that don’t offer a hybrid option.

Handling, steering, and braking are equally predictable, but the SR trim adds extra driving engagement. In addition to a sport-tuned suspension system, it gains Nissan’s Active Ride Control, which makes the suspension and brakes work in concert to improve ride comfort and feel a little more planted in quick cornering situations. We wouldn’t call it a sports sedan, but it makes driving the Altima a better experience, overall.

Powertrain

Nissan’s Zero Gravity front seats are excellent places to be for long road trips, making it a good choice for road warriors with long commutes. The Altima is a bargain for drivers looking for fantastic seat comfort without springing for a luxury sedan. Once we’re in that comfy driver’s seat, we find the Altima’s controls straightforward, with no learning curve; knobs and buttons are clearly labeled, and there’s not too much reliance on screen-based controls.

Speaking of the screen, the standard infotainment system has a seven-inch screen that feels a little small by today’s standards. A larger 12.3-inch display is optional on the SV trim and standard on the SR model, with nicer graphics and more space for displaying info like maps and music. The bigger screen also brings wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay functionality.

The Altima’s rear legroom and cargo volume are about the middle of the pack for a midsize sedan. With 35.2 inches of rear legroom, we found the back seats reasonably accommodating for average-sized adults, but we’d rather ride in the back of a roomier Toyota Camry or Honda Accord. The Altima’s 15.4 cubic feet of trunk space is larger than the Camry’s, but the Honda Accord, Kia K5, and Hyundai Sonata all have larger trunks.

Zero Gravity Seats
Nissan’s famous Zero Gravity seats are some of our favorites this side of luxury brands. These carefully engineered seats are crafted to simulate weightlessness, and we can confirm that they reduce fatigue and make long road trips feel a little shorter.

SR trim
The SR trim livens up the Nissan Altima with a sporty appearance package, a more athletic suspension, a larger infotainment display, and more. The best part is that it doesn’t cost much more than the base SV model, so it’s easy to recommend if your budget allows it.

ProPILOT Assist
Nissan’s ProPILOT Assist suite of driver-assistance technologies makes highway driving more relaxed without compromising safety. When you turn it on, it helps keep the Altima centered in its lane while maintaining a safe distance from the car ahead. We’ve found it to work well in all kinds of traffic.