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    2019 Nissan Altima first drive review: More compelling than ever

    We have seen 5 generations of the Nissan Altima come and go for the reason that sedan launched within the US in 1992. The inexpensive, midsize sedan has seen steady enchancment technology over technology, whereas by no means actually shaking up the components an excessive amount of. And whereas this sixth-gen, 2019 mannequin does not stray from the Altima’s tried and true type issue both, it is arguably the mannequin’s greatest step ahead but.

    Optionally available AWD

    For starters, the 2019 Altima is the primary to supply non-obligatory all-wheel drive. Patrons can add AWD to any Altima outfitted with the bottom, 2.5-liter engine for a $1,350 premium. At the moment, the one different midsize sedans to supply all-wheel drive are the Subaru Legacy and Ford Fusion. Not each AWD purchaser desires a crossover, in spite of everything.

    Talking of the two.5, it might be the bottom engine, but it surely’s been considerably reworked for the 2019 mannequin 12 months. Nissan says over 80 p.c of the engine’s components are new, and each energy and gas effectivity are improved because of this. Engine output is rated at 188 horsepower and 180 pound-feet of torque, and Nissan estimates a mixed gas financial system score of 32 miles per gallon (or 30 mpg with AWD).

    Sadly, I wasn’t capable of pattern the two.5-liter Altima on my take a look at drive close to Santa Barbara, California. Managing Editor Steven Ewing had a go in a prototype earlier this year, nevertheless, and he had good issues to say in regards to the Altima’s base engine.

    Turbo magic

    As an alternative, I frolicked with the Altima’s range-topping engine: the two.Zero-liter VC-Turbo I4 additionally discovered within the Infiniti QX50 crossover. The “VC” stands for “variable compression,” a magical little bit of engineering that may alter the attain of a piston with each stroke. The result’s a compression ratio that extends from Eight:1 for max efficiency to 14:1 for higher effectivity.

    One of the best half is, you do not really feel any of it working — the VC-Turbo engine behaves identical to some other 2.0T powerplant. The compression modifications are imperceptible, and the engine produces a wholesome 248 horsepower and 280 pound-feet of torque, the latter of which totally comes alive at 1,600 rpm. With this a lot low-end grunt, it is easy to dart out and in of visitors on crowded metropolis streets, and midrange punch is ample.

    Nissan will solely provide three,900 models of the Version One trim line of the Altima.


    Emme Corridor/Roadshow

    Nissan estimates the VC-Turbo will assist the Altima return 29 mpg mixed. That is not a considerable penalty over the bottom 2.5-liter engine, and bests the mixed gas financial system scores of the two.Zero-liter-equipped Honda Accord and Chevrolet Malibu, to not point out the two.5-liter turbocharged Mazda6 and V6-powered Toyota Camry.

    Sadly, you’ll be able to solely get the VC-Turbo engine as a $four,Zero50 improve on the SR mannequin, or as a $three,000 improve on the top-level Platinum. And once more, all-wheel drive cannot be had with VC-Turbo energy. For now, anyway.

    No matter engine selection, each Altima comes with a constantly variable transmission. Nissan’s CVTs are a number of the greatest, and that is no completely different within the new Altima. The transmission is nice at mimicking the motion of a conventional automated gearbox, with simulated gear modifications and none of that annoying, buzzy drone.

    ProPilot tech

    Nissan’s ProPilot Help semiautomated tech is customary on SV grades and above. This method combines adaptive cruise management and lane-keeping expertise, activated abruptly by urgent the blue button on the steering wheel. It’s a must to preserve your palms on the wheel always, however ProPilot primarily lets the automobile deal with freeway cruising for you, bringing the Altima to a whole cease in visitors jams and holding the automobile in place till the automobile in entrance of you begins to maneuver.

    Automated rear braking, emergency braking with pedestrian detection and visitors signal recognition are new options, customary on higher-trim Altimas. Native velocity limits might be displayed on the gauge cluster, however observe that this tech doesn’t but alter your cruise management settings to adjust to altering limits. We’re simply now beginning to see that type of tech on higher-end luxurious automobiles, but it surely’s not fairly prepared for mainstream prime time simply but.

    Nissan’s ProPilot semiautomated expertise can take a lot of the stress out of freeway driving.


    Emme Corridor/Roadshow

    A driver alert system is customary on all trims, which screens your steering inputs and, if it thinks you is perhaps drowsy or distracted, will counsel that you just take a break. Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert are customary on all however the very base Altima, and midlevel fashions and above get customary lane departure warning.

    Nice customary infotainment

    Irrespective of which Altima you select, you may get an Eight-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto included. Navigation is non-obligatory on greater trims, and contains a point-of-interest search perform that’ll take you proper to the closest sandwich store in the event you so need. (Lastly, a POI perform for people like me.)

    Nissan does not provide a Wi-Fi hotspot within the new Altima, however two fashionable USB Sort-C ports are on provide, in addition to two regular USB Sort-A connectors, for these of us who do not have super-newfangled cables.

    What’s cookin’, good lookin’?

    The 2019 Altima is decrease, longer and wider than its predecessor, with two further inches of size discovered within the wheelbase. Nissan says the design was closely influenced by the corporate’s VMotion 2.0 concept we noticed on the 2017 Detroit Auto Show. It has been toned down for manufacturing, in fact, however the Altima’s entrance fascia and LED lighting present a transparent resemblance to this idea automobile.

    Inside, the longer wheelbase means there’s room for passengers, and the cabin is open and ethereal. Nissan’s “Zero Gravity” seats are discovered inside, and whereas they do not really throw Newton’s theories to the wind, they’re simply a number of the most comfy and supportive within the phase.

    The Altima’s 15.four cubic toes of trunk area is midpack, however nonetheless ample. It is a greater boot than what you may discover within the Mazda6, Subaru Legacy and Toyota Camry, however the Altima’s cargo-carrying functionality is bested by the Chevy Malibu, Honda Accord and Hyundai Sonata.

    Fiercely aggressive

    The 2019 Altima rolls into Nissan showrooms in October, priced from $23,750 for a base S, not together with $895 for vacation spot. A completely loaded VC-Turbo tester is available in at $34,780. And if you would like one that appears just like the automobile pictured right here, one of many three,900 Version One fashions, that’ll be about $36,000.

    With its more healthy providing of tech, and the good thing about obtainable all-wheel drive, the Altima goes from merely aggressive to being one of many extra well-rounded choices within the midsize sedan class.


    Editors’ observe: Roadshow accepts multiday car loans from producers in an effort to present scored editorial critiques. All scored car critiques are accomplished on our turf and on our phrases. Nevertheless, for this characteristic, the producer coated journey prices. That is widespread within the auto trade, as it is extra economical to ship journalists to automobiles than to ship automobiles to journalists.

    The judgments and opinions of Roadshow’s editorial group are our personal and we don’t settle for paid editorial content material. 

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