Quite a bit has occurred within the midsize sedan phase over the previous decade. Class stalwarts just like the Honda Accord and Toyota Camry now boast a wholesome serving to of styling aptitude. Back-of-the-pack entries just like the Hyundai Sonata and Kia Optima are actually legit front-runners. Even as firms like Ford and Fiat-Chrysler have left or are planning to tug away from this area, midsize sedans are nonetheless massively vital. As far as Nissan’s involved, after promoting almost 255,000 Altimas in 2017, strolling away from the midsize sedan phase would not make an entire lot of sense. In reality, Nissan goes all-in, reupping with the brand-new 2019 Altima that represents the nameplate’s largest step ahead but when it comes to seems to be, tech and efficiency. Sharp-dressed sedan The outgoing Nissan Altima was just like the manila folder of midsize four-doors. Happily, the sixth-generation, 2019 Altima ditches its predecessors’ uninteresting threads for a extra impressed look, getting decrease, longer and wider, with almost 2 further inches constructed into the wheelbase. Like its huge brother Maxima, it has a extra in-your-face V-Motion grille, aggressive LED lights, a shorter entrance overhang and the love-it-or-hate-it floating roof design.
Heading inside, issues are additionally visually extra stimulating with a layered sprint and contrasting two-tone panels, in addition to stitched, soft-touch areas and silver trim. Mixing issues up additional are fake wood-pattern bits that do not look horrible, however do seem like one thing that you’d see on higher-quality particle board furnishings. The Altima’s new V-Motion grille makes a much bigger assertion.
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In a nod to consolation, Nissan’s Zero Gravity seats achieve extra bolstering to carry entrance occupants snugly in place contained in the spacious cabin. The seat’s pleasing mixture of cushiness and help from the dual-density foam was wonderful throughout a 4-hour round-trip journey from Detroit to Coldwater, Michigan. At the tip of the journey, I felt recent and ache-free. Up-to-date cabin tech On my range-topping Platinum take a look at automotive, a NissanJoin infotainment system with an 8-inch touchscreen comes commonplace with navigation, nine-speaker Bose audio setup, satellite tv for pc radio and each Apple CarPlay and Android Auto capabilities. Punching in my vacation spot in Coldwater was fast and intuitive with the responsive touchscreen and easy format. Thankfully, NissanJoin nonetheless employs a good variety of laborious buttons so you possibly can simply get to the commonest menus like audio, navi and residential, whereas adjusting quantity and altering radio stations is a cinch with old-fashion rotary knobs. There’s no scarcity of energy factors, with a USB Type-A, USB Type-C and 12-volt outlet up entrance. For people within the rear, there’s one other commonplace USB and USB Type-C outlet inside simple attain on the again of the middle console. The layered sprint with two-tone panels and silver trim up the cabin’s type sport.
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On the security entrance, the loaded Altima Platinum comes commonplace with a ProPilot Assist suite of options that provides adaptive cruise management, lane departure warning, lane-keep help, ahead collision warning with automated emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert, in addition to a 360-degree digital camera. However, I discovered the digital camera picture high quality disappointingly grainy. Like different ProPilot Assist-equipped automobiles, the Altima can use its adaptive cruise management and lane-keeping help concurrently, letting the automotive make fast work of stop-and-go freeway visitors. It was excellent for the lengthy freeway cruise to western Michigan. Turbocharged efficiency tech The Altima’s tech story does not finish within the cabin. Under the hood of my take a look at automotive was the brand new 2.0-liter VC-Turbo four-cylinder engine that replaces the outgoing 3.5-liter V6. New engineering tech provides the powerplant the flexibility to change the size of the piston stroke for variable compression from 8:1 for max efficiency to 14:1 when chasing gasoline effectivity. The outdated 3.5-liter V6 will get changed by a 2.0-liter VC-Turbo engine with 248 horsepower and 280 pound-feet of torque.
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Output is serviceable, with 248 horsepower on faucet, however the secret is the 280 pound-feet of torque accessible from simply 1,600 rpm, giving the Altima a punchy really feel off the road and all through the higher a part of the rev vary. Things do taper off barely whenever you method the 6,000-rpm redline. Impressively, the engine hums alongside easily with nary an indication of the advanced compression modifications even going down as you roll down the highway. A constantly variable transmission works with the engine to return 25 miles per gallon within the metropolis and 34 mpg on the freeway. And I’ve to say, I do not hate the CVT with its simulated gear modifications underneath regular throttle hundreds. Of course, mashing the gasoline will make the engine scream annoyingly like with all CVTs. Slightly sharper reflexes While nonetheless nowhere close to as sharp because the Honda Accord or Mazda6, the Altima has tighter efficiency than earlier than. Its new underpinnings embody reworked rear shocks in addition to beefier suspension reinforcements in an effort to enhance steering response and suggestions. To Nissan’s credit score, the Altima does really feel extra keen to show in, physique roll is best saved in verify via corners and steering suggestions is up a contact.
The Altima’s dynamics have improved, however nonetheless path the Accord and Mazda6.
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Sadly, journey high quality on the 19-inch Hankook Kinergy GT 235/40 tires is harsher over the medium-to-big bumps generally discovered on Michigan roads. There’s nonetheless sufficient give within the suspension to melt the blow from small impacts, although. Lower-trim Altimas journey on smaller wheels with much less aggressive tires, which little doubt assist journey high quality, too. How I would spec it Building my supreme Altima is kind of troublesome. As a Midwest resident, the newly accessible all-wheel drive system is attractive, nevertheless it’s solely accessible with the bottom 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine. Since I for certain need the VC-Turbo engine, I am going to go for a SR mannequin that begins at $30,045, together with $895 for vacation spot. A Deep Blue Pearl paint job is a no-cost choice and $310 flooring mats deliver the worth of my automotive to $30,355. My SR is not going to be fairly as nicely outfitted as my $36,370 Platinum VC-Turbo tester, nevertheless it nonetheless has the actually vital options resembling blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert. The sport-tuned suspension will seemingly hamper journey high quality a bit, however I am prepared to surrender some consolation for snappier dealing with reflexes. My Altima shall be outfitted with the VC-Turbo engine.
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A extra attention-grabbing Altima Without a doubt, you will wish to take a look at the brand new Altima (video) if you happen to’re purchasing for a midsize sedan. More interesting seems to be in and out, significantly better expertise choices and efficiency enhancements are all robust promoting factors. Not to say non-obligatory all-wheel drive and a strong and environment friendly variable compression turbo engine. A $24,645 base worth places the Altima proper within the coronary heart of this extraordinarily aggressive class. Now, nonetheless, the Altima actually deserves your consideration.