Auto review by Veeno Dewan
The Altima is Nissan’s mid-size family sedan that has been a popular seller over the last two decades or so. For 2024 it comes off a 2023 revamp with bolder front-end styling, standard LED lighting, new wheel designs, expanded standard safety features and available 12.3-inch display. The facelifted Altima looks sharper, inside, and out, and updated technology. One extremely attractive feature is that All-wheel drive is standard with the Altima, perfect for wintry weather provinces. The Altima is powered by a 2.5L four-cylinder engine rated at 182 hp and 178 lb-ft of torque. This unit is teamed with Nissans proprietary Xtronic continuously variable transmission while paddle shifters are standard on the SR sports model.
The 2024 lineup includes four models: S AWD, SR AWD, SR Premium, and Platinum. The Altima starts from $31,598 to $37,998 MSRP. The entry S is $30,098. The SR Midnight Edition is $32,698. The price for the mid-range SR trim (As tested) is $34,498 plus options and freight/PDE. The fully loaded Platinum version is priced at $37,998. Freight and PDI is $2,030. One of the biggest changes to the Altima is the arrival of a new 12.3-inch touchscreen with navigation and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity. Also standard for all models is Safety Shield 360 that includes emergency braking with pedestrian detection, rear automatic braking, lane departure warning, radar-based blind spot warning, rear cross traffic alert and high beam assist. The list of standard features is well suited to Canadian winters with heated front seats and heated outside mirrors as well as AWD.
We tested the sporty SR version which adds additional slight suspension tuning an exclusive version of the updated V-Motion grille with “black chrome” accents exclusive to the SR model. The nice 19-inch wheels are also new. On the SR trim, it also includes wireless phone charging and a Wi-Fi hotspot. The upsized display has a hugely improved interface with a cleaner home screen and artfully arranged apps,
The Altima’s cabin looks neat, with controls logical and human friendly, and the front seats are comfy. The Altima’s interior is a mix of hard plastics and nicer soft-touch points with dual-stitched accents on the door armrests and seats. It feels on par for the segment in terms of quality and overall look.
The inside of the Altima is roomy and offers excellent visibility the leather trimmed “Zero Gravity” front seats are excellent. They have eight-way power adjustability with lumbar support and heating functionality. Altima interiors offers a luxury feel in both design and materials – including revised instrument panel finishings and a new dual-stitch interior fabric design for SR models. It also delivers an elevated level of convenience and connectivity features – including an available 7.0-inch Advanced Drive-AssistTM Display, NASA-inspired Zero Gravity seat design with dual-density foam and bolstering, available leather-appointed seating, and available 8-way power driver’s seat.
Altima’s AWD system automatically redistributes torque to the wheels (from 100 per cent up front up to a 50/50 split front-to-rear) according to road and driving conditions.
On the road, the standard 2.5-litre engine puts the emphasis on economy (an impressive 6.5 litres/100 kilometres on the highway) with its 182 horsepower and 180 lb.-ft. of torque. Response to throttle inputs is instantaneous; the transmission enables passing power and acceleration as needed, but also reverts to miserly fuel-saving mode for highways cruising. You can thank the CVT transmission’s revised mapping for that. The impressive AWD system is calibrated for three driving conditions with a 50/50 split on power front to rear for hard starts; a fuel-efficient front-wheel-drive mode when cruising; and a 70/30 split for slippery surfaces. The 19-inch wheel and tire combo, plus the tuned suspension, both affect the ride quality.
Handling is good thanks to the implementation of a stiff , light platform combined with monotube rear shocks and suspension reinforcements. Meanwhile electric power steering makes the Altima feels defter with an easy progressive steering feel on the twisties. It’s a wonderfully fast, light quick reflexed car that’s fun to drive. Not a lot to complain about. Fuel economy is rated at 6.7L – 9.3L fuel / 100 km, highway/city/combined.
To sum up, the Altima’s well priced model range is a bargain-priced, especially with as availability of AWD as standard, which sets it above the crowd. Highly recommended.
2024 Nissan Altima SR priced from $34,998. Price as tested with options, Freight and PDE: $39,028.
Website www.nissan.ca
