The 2026 Nissan Altima is a midsize sedan aimed at daily commuters and families who want a comfortable, practical car without a luxury price tag. Starting at $28,825, it carries over largely unchanged from 2025, but Nissan simplified the lineup to just two trims — SV and SR, and added a Midnight Edition package for the SR. Here at MotoPickers, we dug into every detail so you can decide if it fits your life.
MotoPickers Rating
The Altima’s strongest card is its price. At under $29,000 to start, you get a 12.3-inch touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and a wireless charging pad — features that cost more on plenty of competitors. The cabin is quiet on the highway, and the ride is smooth enough for long commutes.
Where it falls short is driving engagement. The steering is light and numb, and the CVT can feel sluggish when you need to accelerate quickly. If you enjoy the act of driving, this car won’t excite you. But if you want a fuss-free, affordable sedan that handles daily life without complaint, the Altima makes a solid case.
| Category | Score (out of 10) |
|---|---|
| Performance | 6.3 |
| Comfort | 5.4 |
| Technology | 5.5 |
| Value | 7.0 |
| Fuel Efficiency | 6.1 |
What’s New / Updates Over Previous Version
The 2026 Altima is largely a carryover model. The biggest structural change is the simplified trim lineup: Nissan dropped the previous entry-level S trim and the upper-tier SL and Platinum trims, leaving just the SV and SR. That means fewer choices, but also less confusion at the dealership.
The SR gains a new Midnight Edition package, which adds blacked-out exterior trim for buyers who want a sportier look without moving to a different vehicle. The powertrain is unchanged, see Power and Performance below for full details. AWD remains available on both trims, which is worth knowing if you live somewhere that sees winter weather.
If you were cross-shopping the 2025 Altima, the 2026 is not a reason to rush. But if you’re new to the Altima, the trimmed-down lineup actually makes the decision easier. See the Trim Guide below for pricing and feature breakdowns.
Competitors
The Toyota Camry competes directly on space and practicality, but adds a hybrid powertrain option that the Altima doesn’t offer, making it the stronger pick for drivers who prioritize fuel economy above everything else. The Honda Accord offers more rear-seat legroom and a more upscale interior feel, along with a hybrid option, so it’s worth a look if passengers or cargo space are priorities. The Hyundai Sonata matches the Altima closely on price and adds a hybrid variant with a feature-rich trim structure. The Kia K5 is similarly priced, also offers AWD, and leans harder into sporty styling if that matters to you.
Exterior Spotlight
The Altima wears a low, sleek roofline that gives it a more athletic look than most family sedans. The front end uses a V-motion grille with sharp headlight clusters, and the body lines stay clean without feeling anonymous. It reads as a car that takes itself seriously without trying too hard.
Color Options
Six colors are available: Super Black, Gun Metallic, Brilliant Silver Metallic, Pearl White TriCoat, Gray Sky Pearl, and Tactical Green Metallic. The Pearl White TriCoat has a depth to it that looks especially sharp on the Altima’s curved body panels. Tactical Green Metallic is the standout choice if you want something less common in a parking lot. Gun Metallic and Gray Sky Pearl are the safe daily-driver picks that hide dust and minor scratches well.
Wheel Options
The SV rides on 17-inch alloy wheels, which are the practical choice. The slightly taller sidewall absorbs road imperfections better on rough city streets and pothole-heavy roads. The SR steps up to 19-inch alloys, which fill the wheel wells and give the car a noticeably more aggressive stance. The trade-off is a firmer ride on broken pavement. If you drive mostly highways and smooth suburban roads, the 19s look great. If your commute involves rough city streets, the 17s will be more comfortable day to day.
Interior Analysis
The Altima’s cabin is clean and straightforward. Nissan focused on keeping the layout simple, with physical controls for climate still present alongside the large touchscreen. Materials are acceptable for the price range, though they don’t try to pass for anything premium.
Features
The 12.3-inch touchscreen is the centerpiece of the dashboard, and it’s genuinely easy to use while driving. The screen is large enough that you’re not hunting for small icons, and the wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connections are reliable. You drop your phone on the wireless charging pad and your maps and music appear on screen without plugging in anything.
The wireless charging pad sits in a dedicated spot in the center console, easy to reach from the driver’s seat. Front passengers can also reach it without stretching. Rear passengers get two USB ports (one USB-A, one USB-C) built into the back of the center console, so kids or back-seat passengers can charge devices on longer trips.
The 7.0-inch digital gauge cluster sits directly in the driver’s sightline and displays speed, navigation prompts, and driver assist status clearly. There is no head-up display on any trim. The six-speaker audio system sounds decent at moderate volumes on a highway commute, though it won’t satisfy anyone who cares deeply about audio quality. Bluetooth 5.0 handles hands-free calling cleanly, with no noticeable lag or dropout in typical use.
Comfort
Front seat comfort is one of the Altima’s better qualities. With 43.8 inches of front legroom, taller drivers up to around 6’2” will sit without feeling cramped. The seats offer decent lower back support for a two-hour commute, though they lack the contouring of more expensive options. Heated front seats are available on the SR trim, which makes a real difference on cold mornings.
The rear seat tells a different story. At 35.2 inches of rear legroom, adults under about 5’10” will be comfortable on longer trips, but taller passengers will notice the tighter quarters, especially on rides over an hour. Rear headroom measures 36.9 inches, and the sloping roofline does eat into that slightly for taller riders. The rear hip room measures approximately 54.5 inches, which can fit three adults across, though the center position is really best suited to smaller passengers. That tight center spot, combined with the rear seat’s flat, unsupportive cushioning on drives over an hour, is the main reason comfort scores as low as it does, a 5.4 out of 10 that reflects real fatigue for back-seat riders on longer hauls.
The ride quality is smooth and composed on highways and well-maintained roads. The suspension absorbs most minor imperfections without passing them into the cabin. Climate control keeps the front cabin comfortable, though rear passengers rely on the same system without dedicated rear vents on the base SV trim.
Cargo
The Altima’s trunk holds 15.4 cubic feet behind the rear seats, which is a solid number for a midsize sedan. To put that in practical terms: two large rolling suitcases fit easily, and you’ll still have room for a carry-on or a bag of groceries alongside them. A standard-size stroller fits without folding on most models, though a larger travel system stroller will need to go in with the seat collapsed.
The trunk does not have a flat cargo floor, so there’s a lip at the opening that you’ll notice when loading heavier items. There’s no under-floor storage, and no hands-free liftgate. You’ll need a free hand to open it. The trunk lid opens wide enough that loading isn’t awkward, but if you’re regularly loading groceries with both hands full, that’s something to keep in mind.
The rear seats do fold to extend the cargo area, which is useful for longer items like flat-pack furniture or sports equipment. The fold-down is a 60/40 split, so you can carry a passenger on one side while loading longer cargo on the other. No pass-through opening is cut into the seat back, so very long items like skis or lumber will need to fit within the folded seat dimensions.
Power and Performance
The Altima runs one engine across all trims: a 2.5-liter four-cylinder paired with a continuously variable transmission. FWD and AWD versions differ slightly in output, which is covered below.
Engine Specs
The 2.5-liter naturally aspirated four-cylinder produces 188 hp and 180 lb-ft of torque in FWD configuration. The AWD version pulls those numbers down slightly to 182 hp and 178 lb-ft due to the added mechanical load of driving all four wheels. Both configurations pair with Nissan’s CVT, which sends power to either the front wheels or all four depending on which drivetrain you choose.
The CVT is a belt-driven unit with no fixed gear steps, designed to keep the engine in its most efficient RPM range by varying the ratio continuously as you accelerate or decelerate. Nissan has tuned it to prioritize smoothness and fuel economy over sharp throttle response, and no Altima trim offers a manual shift mode or paddle shifters.
The AWD system automatically distributes torque between the front and rear axles, though it isn’t a performance-oriented setup. It’s designed for traction in rain and light snow rather than spirited cornering.
Performance Data (0-60)
Expect 0–60 times in the 7.6–7.9 second range depending on trim and drivetrain, which puts the Altima squarely in the middle of the midsize sedan pack, not slow, but not quick either. On a highway on-ramp, you’ll have enough power to merge safely, but you’ll want to plan ahead rather than waiting until the last moment to accelerate.
The CVT’s biggest quirk shows up under hard acceleration. Step on the gas quickly and the engine revs up with a noticeable surge in noise before the car actually picks up speed, creating a sensation of the engine working harder than the car is moving. Once you’re up to speed, however, the CVT settles into a smooth cruise and becomes nearly invisible.
Sport mode sharpens the throttle response and holds the CVT at higher RPMs longer, making passing on two-lane roads feel more immediate. While it doesn’t transform the car, it does make a noticeable difference when you need a burst of speed to get around a slow truck, though for everyday commuting, Normal mode is perfectly adequate.
Fuel Economy
FWD models return around 26 MPG city and 36 MPG highway, with a combined figure near 30 MPG. On the Altima’s 16.2-gallon tank, that works out to roughly 485 miles between fill-ups on a mixed driving cycle, or closer to 580 miles if you’re doing mostly highway miles. AWD models drop to around 25 city and 33 highway, bringing the highway range down to about 535 miles per tank.
Aggressive driving, frequent short trips, and cold weather will all pull those numbers down, and in typical suburban commuting, expect real-world figures closer to 28–29 MPG combined on the FWD. The Altima’s fuel economy is decent for a non-hybrid midsize sedan, though the Camry Hybrid and Sonata Hybrid both do significantly better if fuel costs are your main concern.
Suspension, Braking, and Handling
The Altima uses struts up front and a multi-link setup at the rear, which allows each rear wheel to move more independently and helps the car stay composed when one wheel hits a pothole while the other doesn’t. On highway expansion joints and moderate road imperfections, the suspension absorbs bumps quietly and keeps the cabin settled, without sending a sharp jolt through the seat.
Around corners, the Altima stays flat and predictable, not a car that rewards pushing into turns, but one that handles everyday curves and lane changes without any unsettling behavior. The steering is effortless and disconnected, which makes it easy to manage during a tight parking maneuver or on a long highway stretch, though it offers very little feedback about what the front tires are doing, something drivers who enjoy a more connected feel behind the wheel will find frustrating.
Braking uses ventilated discs up front and solid discs at the rear, with a progressive pedal that’s easy to modulate in normal driving. In a hard stop, the car slows in a straight line without fuss, with ABS and electronic stability control engaging automatically without any input from you, neither of which is driver-configurable.
Tech Overview
The Altima’s tech package is straightforward and well-executed for the price. The 12.3-inch touchscreen and wireless phone integration are the highlights, and Nissan kept the layout simple enough that you won’t need the manual to figure out where things are.
Infotainment and Connectivity
The 12.3-inch touchscreen dominates the center stack and responds quickly to touch inputs. The interface is clean, with large menu tiles that are easy to tap while driving. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connect reliably. In most cases, the phone connects within a few seconds of getting in the car. The wireless charging pad handles the connection without any cables needed.
The 7.0-inch digital gauge cluster sits ahead of the driver and displays navigation turn-by-turn prompts, speed, and driver assist status. There is no head-up display. The six-speaker audio system covers the basics well for podcasts and casual music listening, but it won’t satisfy anyone who listens critically. Bluetooth 5.0 handles phone calls clearly, and the two front charging ports, one USB-A and one USB-C, are tucked into the lower console where they’re easy to reach.
Features / Drive Modes
The Altima offers two drive modes: Normal and Sport. Normal mode is calibrated for smooth, efficient daily driving. Sport mode adjusts the throttle mapping to feel more responsive and holds the CVT at higher RPMs during acceleration, which is useful for passing or merging situations where you need the engine to respond quickly.
Nissan’s proPILOT Assist is the headline driver aid. It combines adaptive cruise control with lane centering, so the car maintains a set following distance and steers to stay centered in the lane on the highway. It’s designed for highway use and works best on clearly marked roads. The system requires you to keep your hands on the wheel and will alert you if it detects inattention. Automatic emergency braking, lane keeping assist, and lane departure warning are also part of the package and operate in the background during normal driving.
Safety Capabilities
The 2026 Altima comes with a full suite of active safety systems across all trims. Crash test ratings from IIHS and NHTSA are not yet available for the 2026 model year, so buyers should check for updated results before purchasing.
Safety Ratings
As of this writing, neither the IIHS nor NHTSA has published crash test results for the 2026 Altima. The 2025 Altima did not earn a Top Safety Pick award from the IIHS, which is worth keeping in mind as a reference point even though the 2026 is a carryover model with no structural changes. That said, ratings can change year to year, and buyers who prioritize crash test scores should verify current results directly with IIHS and NHTSA before making a final decision.
Safety Features
The Altima comes with eight airbags covering front, side, curtain, and knee positions, with the knee airbags specifically protecting the driver’s lower legs in a frontal impact, a feature not all vehicles in this price range include. ABS, electronic stability control, and traction control are all standard, though the ESC is not driver-configurable; it stays on and cannot be fully disabled.
For families with car seats, the Altima provides three LATCH anchor positions across the rear seat. The outboard positions are accessible without excessive effort, making installation straightforward for most convertible and infant car seats, while the center position is available if needed, though center installations are always tighter regardless of vehicle.
Driver Assists
proPILOT Assist is the Altima’s most capable active driving aid. It pairs adaptive cruise control with lane centering to maintain speed, following distance, and lane position on the highway simultaneously. The adaptive cruise control adjusts speed automatically when traffic slows ahead, and the lane centering steers gently to keep the car in the middle of the lane.
Forward collision warning and automatic emergency braking are also included, with the AEB system covering both front and rear scenarios. Pedestrian detection adds another layer of protection in urban environments. Lane departure warning alerts you if the car drifts toward a lane line without a turn signal active, and lane keeping assist applies a gentle steering correction to bring the car back. Automatic high beams switch between high and low beams based on oncoming traffic.
Additional Safety Features
Blind-spot monitoring watches the lanes beside and behind the car and alerts you with a light in the mirror when a vehicle is in your blind spot. Rear cross-traffic alert activates when you’re reversing and warns you of vehicles approaching from either side. It is useful in parking lots where sightlines are blocked.
A standard rearview camera activates when you shift into reverse. There is no surround-view camera system on any Altima trim, and no parking sensors are available. If you rely heavily on parking aids in tight spaces, the rearview camera and rear cross-traffic alert are your primary tools here.
Trim Guide
For 2026, Nissan simplified the Altima to four configurations built around two trim levels, SV and SR, each available in FWD or AWD. That makes the decision more straightforward than in previous years.
Trim and Price
The 2.5 SV FWD starts at $28,825 and serves as the Altima’s entry point. It includes the 12.3-inch touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a wireless charging pad, and the full proPILOT Assist safety suite, a strong standard equipment list for under $29,000. This is the right choice for anyone who wants a reliable, well-equipped daily driver without paying for sport styling.
The 2.5 SV AWD adds all-wheel drive for $1,400 more at $30,225. Output drops slightly to 182 hp and fuel economy falls to around 25 city and 33 highway, but for drivers in snowy or wet climates, that trade-off is worth it.
The 2.5 SR FWD is priced at $30,325, just $100 more than the SV AWD. It adds sportier exterior styling, 19-inch alloy wheels, and SR-specific body trim, with the optional Midnight Edition package offering blacked-out accents for a more aggressive look. The powertrain and infotainment package mirrors the SV FWD exactly. Those who want the best-looking Altima without needing AWD will find the $1,500 premium over the base SV buys noticeable curb appeal.
The 2.5 SR AWD tops the lineup at $31,725, combining the SR’s sport styling with the AWD system. Output and fuel economy match the SV AWD at 182 hp and 25/33 MPG. For snow-belt drivers who also want the SR’s looks, this is the only option, and it still comes in under $32,000.
Warranty and Maintenance Information
The 2026 Altima comes with a 3-year/36,000-mile basic warranty and a 5-year/60,000-mile powertrain warranty. Roadside assistance is included for 3 years or 36,000 miles. Nissan does not include complimentary scheduled maintenance with the Altima, so oil changes and routine service are out of pocket from day one. Budget accordingly if you’re comparing to brands that bundle maintenance into the purchase.