2017 Nissan Altima Review

The Nissan Altima, a regional favorite, has been a part of the Japanese automaker’s line-up since 1992 and has held its ground against the likes of the Toyota Camry and the Honda Accord for years. Currently in its fifth generation of production, the mid-size sedan has earned its reputation by garnering endurance race titles and entering the world of motorsports.

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Exterior

The Nissan Altima 2017 is often described as an artistic disaster, born from a unique blend of the petite Sentra and the burly Maxima. The soft creases along the bodywork starkly contrast the jagged edges, diminishing the overall aesthetic value while attempting to portray sportiness.

Equipped with 17-inch alloy wheels wrapped in 215/55 Michelin rubber, the Altima’s atypical outer design does not measure up to the Accord’s elegant exterior. Although the 2017 Altima is 38mm longer and 29mm wider, it ironically has a wheelbase that is 1mm shorter than its predecessor.

Interior

Inside the cabin, Nissan has opted to stick with a tried-and-tested design, keeping changes to a minimum. The interior features a combination of hard plastics and leatherette, finished in beige and black hues, complemented by argent trim bits.

Driver comfort is enhanced by multiple adjustments, including a steering wheel that can be adjusted for rake and reach. The broad mirrors and large windows provide excellent visibility, creating the impression of a larger cabin.

Safety & Technology

The 2017 Altima is a top-class contender with a 5-star rating in all categories, except rollover resistance, according to safety ratings from the Insurance Institute of Highway Safety (IIHS) and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Key safety features include:

• Adaptive Cruise Control
• Blind Spot Monitoring
• Forward Collision Alert
• ABS and traction control

The Nissan Altima also offers an intuitive multimedia experience, featuring a great infotainment system that enables Bluetooth audio streaming. However, the 9-speaker Bose sound system lacks clarity and punch, often emitting rattles due to the hard plastic door panel housings.

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Drive

Under the sculpted hood of the Nissan Altima 2017 resides a 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine, delivering 182 horsepower and 244 Nm of torque through a CVT transmission to the front wheels. While the CVT transmission provides smoother acceleration and lower RPMs at highway speeds, it also has its drawbacks.

Responding to customer feedback, Nissan has modified its CVT transmission to mimic an automatic, but the results have led to sudden drops in RPM to imitate gear shifts, creating unexpected lulls in power delivery.

Within city limits, the Altima performs admirably, featuring steering with the right heft, a supple suspension setup, and moderately strong brakes, achieving just 7.1 liters / 100 km. However, spirited driving is clearly not the Altima’s forte, despite the presence of a Sport mode and Active Understeer Control.

Verdict

The Nissan Altima is a phenomenal D-segment offering, arguably one of the best. With a bulletproof reputation, an affordable price tag, and a plethora of features, it’s undoubtedly a strong contender—if one can overlook its questionable exterior design and CVT transmission issues.

Pros:

• Abundance of features
• Great visibility all around
• Neat, uncluttered design of the cabin

Cons:

• Revolting styling
• CVT transmission drawbacks

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• Nissan Juke 2018 could turn hybrid