Nissan Altima virtual test drive

Over the last decade, the Nissan Altima has experienced exponential growth in popularity, placing it among the ranks of the Toyota Camry and Honda Accord as one of the most popular cars in North America. What triggered this ascent? By combining elite performance, elegant design, an accommodating interior and modest price tag, Nissan has built a car that can be anything (and everything) to anyone.

Once available as both a coupe and sedan, the Nissan Altima underwent a complete facelift for the 2013 model year. The 2014 line of Nissan Altimas eliminated the coupe and stuck with the sedan. It also came out with a few tweaks (most notably to power and performance) and yet its base price stayed near the $20,000 mark (an unbelievable bargain considering its quick acceleration and generous interior features are comparable to entry-level luxury sedans from BMW and Lexus.)

Whether you're a young professional looking for a sleek ride to impress or you're a new parent in need of top-rated safety features and a vehicle with consistently low cost-of-ownership, the Nissan Altima may be the answer to your desires. Wrap up your research on the purchase of a new Altima by finding the lowest local Nissan Altima price quotes and setting up a test drive.

Nissan Altima overview

The Nissan Altima has become one of best-selling cars on the road on the back of its comfortable rideand leading safety features.

The 2013 Altima was streamlined with a new body style more aerodynamic than previous model years. (Some might even call it sexy.) The 2014 sedan-only line of options appears to have maintained that pose. The 2014 Altima is available with your choice of two engines:

• 2.5-liter four-cylinder delivering 182 horsepower
• 3.5-liter V-6 delivering 270 horsepower

Both engines feature a 2-speed, continuously variable transmission (CVT) automatic offering strong, responsive acceleration and delivering best-in-class fuel economy> In these two specs it does the unthinkable – it beats out the Honda Accord. 

Fuel Economy

The Nissan Altima's outstanding gas mileage will keep more money in your pocket when filling up at the pump. Its fuel efficiency compares favorably to top competition including the Ford Fusion, Kia Optima and Hyundai Sonata. The Altima has the following mpg ratings:

• Nissan Altima coupe: 23 mpg in the city, 32 mpg on the highway
• Nissan Altima sedan: 23 mpg in the city, 38 mpg on the highway
• Nissan Altima Hybrid: 32 mpg in the city, 44 mpg on the highway

Cost of ownership

While Nissan has certainly placed an emphasis on style and aesthetics with multiple lineup redesigns over the last decade, affordable cost-of-ownership remains as its strongest selling point. If you're looking at overall costs to decide if the Nissan Altima price is right, the cost to own a one for the first five years is just over $38,000. This cost includes:

• Gas consumption: Over 30 mpg on the highway is elite for midsize sedans
• Insurance rates: Comprehensive safety features keep your insurance bills low
• Depreciation of value: Nissan models maintain terrific resale value, on par with Toyota an Honda
• Maintenance costs: Dependable set-it-and-forget-it performance. Change the oil and you're good
• Typical repair costs: Nissan keeps replacement parts available and affordable

If you plan to hold on to your new car for a while, the five-year cost of ownership is just under $23,000, or slightly more than $4,000 per year.

Nissan Altima features and options

Cost of ownership is important, but it means nothing if the ride is unpleasant and boring. The Altima is packed with award-winning features that will make your daily commute more enjoyable and keep your safe from harm. After taking a test drive at Beaverton Nissan, the Altima interior felt roomy enough for tall drivers, with technology features that are intuitive and easy to use. If you're looking for perks other than costs, consider some of the features included on every Nissan Altima model:

• Exterior mirrors heated to help keep them ice-free
• Antilock brakes for safer stopping
• Automatic headlights that keep you visible on the road
• Keyless entry and a universal garage door opener
• Power locks and windows
• 36 inches of backseat leg space

Color options

Stand out in traffic by choosing one of the Altima's vibrant and creatively named color choices. And yes, the Cayenne Red is as hot as it sounds. 

• Pearl White
• Brilliant Silver
• Metallic Slate
• Super Black
• Sahara Stone
• Java Metallic
• Cayenne Red
• Storm Blue

You can also customize the Nissan Altima interior with one of four upholstery options:

• Beige Cloth
• Charcoal Cloth
• Beige Leather
• Charcoal Leather

Safety Features

Safety, of course, is a key component to the success of the Nissan Altima. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) rated the Altima as a Top Safety pick and the U.S. News ranked the Altima number seven for affordable midsize cars in its annual car rankings, citing admirable crash test performance and advanced safety features including:

• Four-wheel ABS brakes
• Child seat anchors
• Emergency braking assist
• Passenger airbag occupant sensing deactivation
• Electronic brake force distribution
• Engine immobilizer
• Interior emergency trunk release
• Rear center three-point seatbelt
• Passenger head restraint whiplash protection system
• Tire pressure monitoring

Nissan Altima packages and prices

The new Nissan Altima is available in eight models that range in price from $21,700 to $25,200, depending on the options you choose for your ride. The Nissan Altima specs for each model, with a 2.5-liter four-cylinder or 3.5-liter V6 engine, stability control and traction control and a continuously variable transmissions.

Nissan Altima 2.5

The 2.5 is the base model of the Nissan Altima. The 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine saves on gas while still packing a punch with 175 horsepower accelerating through corners. Even for a base model, The Altima 2.5 has ample standard features to improve driver comfort and convenience, including:

• 6-speed manual transmission
• Streaming audio and Bluetooth connection
• Keyless remote entry and remote start
• Four-inch display on the dash and a basic stereo system

Nissan Altima 2.5 S

By adding an extra $1,000 to the price of the base model, you can upgrade to the 2.5 S. The 2.5-liter engine goes from zero to 60 in 8.5 seconds with an X-Tronic continuous variable transmission. Additional interior features include:

• Radio controls mounted on the steering wheel
• Power seats adjustable to six positions
• Headlights that turn on automatically
• Two additional speakers to the stereo system

Nissan Altima 2.5 SV

For $24,880, you can bring home the Altima 2.5 SV special addition. This baby is all about style, with 16-inch alloy wheels, rear spoiler and fog lights. Interior features get an upgrade too, including a proprietary Nissan infotainment system:

• Climate controls that let you and the front passenger adjust the temperature
• Five-inch display on the center console to access the NissanConnect infotainment system
• A port that works with any USB device.

There are a few noticeable differences between this model and the 2.5 SL, which retails for $28,830. The SL model includes:

• Leather seats
• Heated front seats
• Power moonroof
• Side mirrors with LED lights that are heated to remove ice and snow

Nissan Altima 3.5

If speed is what you need, get ready to step up to the Nissan Altima 3.5. The 270 horsepower engine is comparable to most luxury cars, as well as the premium Nissan Maxima. It accelerates quickly and smoothly so you can merge on the highway like a champ.

The new Nissan Altima also comes in a 3.5 S, 3.5 SV and 3.5 SL models. These vehicles get similar fuel economy when compared to each other, but you'll want to look beyond the mpg ratings and performance. With a starting price of $26,140, the 3.5 S includes:  

• V6 engine
• Cruise control
• Automatic headlights
• Audio controls on the steering wheel.

The 3.5 SV adds the NissanConnect feature, which lets you listen to music and watch videos in your car. You can also opt for the 3.5 SL that retails for $30,860. It includes:

• Leather seats
• Automatically adjustable rearview mirror
• Bose stereo system
• Heated side mirror
• Heated steering wheel and heated seats

Additional resources

Learn more about the Nissan Altima by comparing it to competing models, as well as similar models available from Nissan:

• Nissan Altima vs. Nissan Sentra
• vs. Nissan Maxima
• vs. Honda Accord
• vs. Kia Optima
• vs. Ford Fusion
• vs. Toyota Camry
• vs. Chevy Malibu

Get the lowest Nissan Altima price quotes in your area!

If you still haven't decided if this is the right car for you, turn to Reply! for more information to help you do your research. You can arrange a test drive to get a feel for the car before you purchase it. Whether you choose the two-door coupe or the four-door family sedan, the Nissan Altima price makes it attractive enough for anyone looking to purchase a reliable-yet-sporty new car.