For better or worse, the Nissan Altima is a fixture on American roads. Even if you aren’t a car person, you probably know about the Altima and the aura around it. No need to say more. However, it sure seems that the Altima won’t be here forever. Recent comments from high-ranking Nissan brass suggest it will be riding into the sunset, but despite recent reports, the Nissan Altima isn’t dead yet.
In an interview with Wards Auto, Nissan’s head of North American product Ponz Pandikuthira stated that “The entry-level Versa and premium Maxima sedan are gone, and the midsize Altima will soon depart, since the new, more ‘grown-up’ Sentra is intended to satisfy Nissan’s remaining sedan demand.” Naturally, this resulted in speculation over when Nissan would discontinue the Altima. The answer, it seems, isn’t now.
In fact, Nissan is gearing up the Altima for the 2027 model year, the ninth for the current-generation car. Details are scarce, but given how the two-liter turbocharged engine option has already bowed out, expect it to soldier on with a 188-horsepower 2.5-liter naturally aspirated inline-four. Still, if the Altima were to end production after the 2027 model year, it would be putting an end to a long and complex 34-year legacy.
When the Altima first launched, it wasn’t even officially just called “Altima”, instead going by “Stanza Altima” because “Stanza” was the name of its predecessor, and the Datsun-by-Nissan thing roughly a decade earlier smoothed out that transition nicely. With the soap-bar look of the ’90s and power from Nissan’s venerable KA24DE 2.4-liter inline-four, the original Altima was perfectly fine family transportation. The second-generation model was more of the same, but the Altima really made a splash for 2002.
If you want a flashpoint for the midsize sedan wars of the 2000s, the third-generation Altima was it. Larger in every dimension than its predecessor, its bold styling hinted at what might lie under the hood. The 2002 model year Altima received its first-ever V6 engine, and it was a big deal. We’re talking about the VQ35DE. At 3.5 liters of displacement, it tipped the scales a half-liter bigger than the overhead cam V6 engines in the Camry, Accord, and Taurus. What’s more, it made serious output: 240 horsepower and 246 lb.-ft. of torque. That might not sound like much now, but not only did the 2002 Camry V6 only make 192 horsepower, the 2002 Mustang GT was only 20 ponies ahead at 260 horsepower. With a standard manual gearbox, the V6 Altima was the rocketship of the family sedan class, an instant sensation that seemed to set Nissan up for success. Then some strange things happened.
Firstly, Nissan started targeting subprime customers who either couldn’t get financing from many other automakers’ captive finance arms or would face much higher rates. This had the effect of selling Altimas to buyers who couldn’t necessarily afford all of the upkeep of a car on top of new-car payments – maintenance, full insurance coverage, that sort of stuff. Secondly, the fourth-generation Altima swapped out a range of traditional automatics for continuously variable transmissions. This didn’t go particularly well, as earlier examples became known for poor longevity. That sort of Achilles’ heel can sour a car to the Consumer Reports set of customers who would typically gravitate towards Japanese midsize sedans.
As a result, the Altima gained a reputation for being a bit of a rogue missile on the roads, spinning across highways on bald tires that some owners can’t afford to replace and often being spotted with body damage that some owners can’t afford to fix. It’s seen high fleet volumes and depressed resale values that made used Altimas an appealing choice for buy-here-pay-here dealers who finance customers who wouldn’t normally qualify, and you’ve probably heard all the resulting Altima jokes by now.
This all means that when the Altima bows out, it won’t be exiting on the most glamorous of terms. However, this all raises a bigger question: What’s going to replace the Altima on American roads? The Rogue? The Kia K5? Possibly the Sentra that’s set to effectively replace it in showrooms? Only time will tell. For now, we’ll just have to wait for the Altima’s demise to finally arrive.
Top graphic image: Nissan
They will migrate to Teslas sold on buy here pay here lots.
No matter what state I’m driving in, it’s always a Tesla that’s wrecking havoc on the road.
The white Tesla 3 and Y were in a league of their own for a while. I’ve seen it calm down a bit. Still could be a contender. But I don’t think the buy her pay here lots can move them. But I have seen a few with some pretty horrible examples that sit there while they lower the price.
Already happening. I have a couple young work colleagues who chose used Tesla 3s purely because of the in-house insurance was a lot lower vs. 3rd party insurance (based on age and driving record). One has also had not 1 but 2 random outlets they were trying to charge on in public garages have lock boxes put on them as they didn’t plan on how they had to change their lives around charging them.
When an Altima looks so much like a Sentra that you can only tell the difference by the size and number of missing body panels – it’s probably something that nobody will miss when it’s finally gone.
Had a great time at this: https://tickets.thefoat.com/FreedomFactory/Freedom+Factory+Danger+Ranger+9000+++Altima+600/tickets/id-OyXMIKUCiMLC/clear_cart-1 a few years back, the first time they held it. Amazing, terrifying, exhilarating experience. If you have an Altima you don’t mind wrecking (or access to one) DO IT
That also describes a large percentage of individual Altimas you see on the road. If the nameplate is like the car, it may surprise us with a few more years of service.
It had a bad reputation that was well-earned, as noted. I’ve been saddened by the general death of sedans, but this is one I can’t really muster up any sympathy for.
I wonder what Hyundai will replace it.
I think in many regions mazdas will replace the Altima and may have already. Over the last few years I’ve seen absolutely horrific behavior from cx-5 that’s not historically indicative of Mazda drivers in most regions. Cx-50 and Mazda 3 join in but not at the same rates as Cx-5. I’ve seen many flipped over in ditches. Many fly by and crash into someone stopped or slowed as well as throwing things as people.
Hyundai Kia buyers have changed and going more upmarket. 10 to 15 years ago I think it could have been the optima but I don’t think any of the current Kia Hyundai are in Altima territory. Kia soul has a reputation with truckers but definitely not the same as Altima typically not super scary just what are you doing.
Rouge is a terrible car but you don’t really see terrible driving from them. Kicks are cheap and ugly but typically not terrible drivers. Sentra is cheap but you don’t see too many being terrible drivers.
Around here Kicks are either driven very very nervously and carefully or being absolutely hooned. Same thing with the Corolla Cross.
We had an Altima with the first gen of Jatco Xtronic CVT (where are you, you bastard?), because it drove nearly as well as the late aughts Accord but rode better and didn’t sound like a tin can on the highway like the Honda did. The interior materials were also nicer than either it or the Camry…which isn’t saying much. Excellent family sedan until the CVT began to fail before 100K.
That CVT, incidentally, posted good reliability marks until about 5 or 6 years in when the failures accumulated enough to move the needle. Too late by then.
The first Altima was a great car. It handled well and the engine was punchy. I like the looks of the current one, seems perfectly decent. If Nissan hadn’t ruined the nameplate’s reputation 15 years ago I think we might be sadder to see it on life support now. I want to say the CVT is probably OK now, but the failure prone VC Turbo shows Nissan hasn’t learned their lesson.
Bring back the V6 and make it a proper sedan again. Also, get a transmission that isn’t a giant ball of rubber bands.
MORTICIAN: Bring out your dead!
NISSAN: Here’s one — nine pence.
ALTIMA: I’m not dead!
MORTICIAN: What?
NISSAN: Nothing — here’s your nine pence.
ALTIMA: I’m not dead!
MORTICIAN: Here — he says he’s not dead!
NISSAN: Yes, he is.
ALTIMA: I’m not!
MORTICIAN: He isn’t.
NISSAN: Well, he will be soon, he’s very ill.
ALTIMA: I’m getting better!
NISSAN: No, you’re not — you’ll be stone dead in a moment.
MORTICIAN: Oh, I can’t take him like that — it’s against regulations.
ALTIMA: I don’t want to go in the cart!
NISSAN: Oh, don’t be such a baby.
MORTICIAN: I can’t take him…
ALTIMA: I feel fine!
NISSAN: Oh, do us a favor…
I hope this makes it to QOTD. I would make it into a meme, but it’s too long!
My first car was a 1995 Altima I bought off my mom in 2004. Couple of enjoyable years driving it from my home in the GTA to work sites all across Northern Ontario. The third gen was when it went from an also ran to joining the big leagues. Then CVT issues pushed it back down. I’ll always have a soft spot for them.
Plus around here they don’t seem to be driven by maniacs, it all seems to be young guys driving elantras that are the wild ones.
The Rogue mentions, both in the piece and the comments, make me wonder: is there a different owner profile between the two?
You’d think perhaps not given their similar relative price points, but I rarely see Rogues driven in crazy the way Altimas tend to be. I even remember Mercedes being somewhat surprised by her appreciation of the Rogue.
The earlier-gen ones that still move under their own power are menaces in the Philly area
1). Rogues are perfectly decent cars. Pretty good, even. I had one as a rental and really the only thing that would give me pause in recommending one is the CVT that has a well documented history of kerploding. I understand why people buy them.
2). There is some overlap but here in DC I wouldn’t say they’re the same caliber of menace to society as the Altima is. I see Infinitis being piloted with Big Altima Energy way more frequently than Rogues.
3). The upcoming hybrid Rogue legitimately looks like it may challenge the segment leaders.
Will the Rogue hybrid have the same drivetrain as the Qashqai e-Power?
https://www.consumerreports.org/cars/car-recalls-defects/more-nissan-rogue-suvs-recalled-to-fix-faulty-engines-a8724204377/
I’d be equally if not more worried about the engines.
Out of the CVT frying pan and into the Variable-Compression fire.
The dc rouge drivers tend to be your typical confused person not really dangerous just what are you doing. English is often not their first language.
I was working on a car with a buddy in the dc area when a guy stopped and asked if we would look at his car because reving up a lot and not moving and the dealer already looked at it 3 times. My first instinct was to ask if it was a rouge. He went yes how did you know. My advice was have to dealer put in a new transmission and dump it.
The Altima is dead. It died when they gave up on having a fun-to-drive version. After that, it was just a droning zombie fit only for rental fleets and sub-prime buyers.
no comment from Jatco Xtronic CVT yet 😛
The Altima is a good car but without the higher prices of an Accord or Camry “Toyota/Honda Tax” but can still survive tough driving conditions.
Subarus would never survive that shit.
Subarus be like “help I have mismatched tires so I shredded my differential”
The cockroach-like nature of Altimas is indeed a testament to them being well put together
I might have overheated poor Jatco in Ohio. lol
Before the demise of the Chevy Malibu I summed up the choice between it and the Altima as “Do you want to look like a state employee on official business, or like you get surprise visits from one?”
If there’s an Altima and a Malibu parked in front of the same place, someone’s peeing in a cup while someone else watches.
COTD please
seconded!
Thirded!
Fourthded!
Funnily enough, in my neck of the woods, it seems like the last-gen Malibus have been slowly taking the speeding, swerving through traffic, generally unhinged mantle from the Altimas.
I got stuck with one as a rental last week. A steaming pile of meh, but ultimately inoffensive. But I like it better than the horrificness that is the Rogue.
I don’t mind renting Altimas. The seats are all-day comfy, they get good gas mileage, and they’re easier to just get into and drive than the Hyundai/Kia sedans you’d otherwise get that are trying to be trendy with flashy tech (and obnoxious nannies and dead steering, also areas where the Altima’s bar is at least a little further off the floor).
Thing is, pre-bankruptcy, Hertz would have given me an Audi or a Mercedes. But I am using up Hertz points before they expire.
I do find the Altima to be a rather better drive than a Rogue. But rather worse than a Camry or Accord. I hate the seats, but seats are highly individual. Thankfully I didn’t have to drive the thing more than about 50 miles.
Yes, Hertz was such a downgrade when my employer switched the corporate account over to them.
National: Thank you for being in our highest loyally level. Please select any car you like: BMW 4 series, Camaro SS, Audi S5, GMC Denali
Hertz: Thank you for being in our highest loyally level. Please select any car you like: Hyundai Elantra, Nissan Sentry, Kia Niro, Jeep Compass
Just recently I had an Altima and then a Camry as rentals back-to-back. Overall, I liked the Camry more than the Altima, but the Altima seats were vastly superior to the seats in the Camry. I put roughly the same amount of miles on both, but climbing out of the Camry at the end of each day had my body thinking I’d been in the car twice as long as the Altima. Nissan does a lot of things wrong, but seats is (generally) not one of them.
Second-owner Camries in that 3-4 year old range are starting to accumulate that Big Altima Energy around here. The step below that would be a late-model Optima with peeling white paint and Monster Energy slashes. I’m sure the K5 will step up as well.
The Rogue is just the Talltima already, it’s the natural successor.
Altima Goonies never say, “die”
They just cut you off in traffic while going approximately 35 mph over the speed limit while nearly wrecking into multiple cars
What would be the European equivalent (in spirit) to an Altima? A C5 Aircross perhaps?
A KIa Ceed
Wow. To think the Altima will live on only in legend… as stories told to scared campers around campfires during the summer.
A spooky counselor holds a flashlight to his face.
“The wife pleaded to her husband. She knew she had seen an Altima with a hook instead of a tire. She knew it was behind the phone calls. He looked at her with terror on his face. ‘The call… from the Altima with the hook… WAS FROM INSIDE THE HOUSE!”
Campers scream.
Who will survive and what will be left of them?
“The C’Altima”
Crashing into a theater near you this Halloween.
I like to think that “campers” refers to living, personified camper trailers.
In parking space, no one can hear you scream.
I will always be grateful to Stef Schrader for introducing the term “Failtima” to my lexicon.
At the Autopian meet at Lime Rock there was a brownish/beige thrid gen Altima at the tail end of the parade lap of cars…I think I made a joke to someone there that “it’s a good thing the Altima is last, no one would want to be behind it…”
I feel safer when they are well in front, in plain view, where they can’t hit me.
But, but, how will Houstonians tell each other that they have terrible credit, no liability coverage, and no idea how to properly register a vehicle?
I’m sure it will be replaced by a 4-door CUV with a three-cyl. and a CVT
The could even call it the Talltima!
That’s COTD material right here.
The Rogue is the new Altima. Just needs to lose a cylinder and you are there.
you can get rogues with 3 cylinders in other markets
I believe Qashqais are only available with four cylinder engines.
The only way to get a Rogue without a 3-cyl is to get the PHEV. They’ve been 3-cyl only for a few years now.
Yep. It’s a variable-compression 1.5 turbo 3 with a Jatco CVT strapped to it.
Who feels lucky?
That is super weird.
The Qashqai is available with a 1.3 litre Renault turbo four. Manual or CVT.
The e-Power has a 1.5 litre turbo three. Is it the same engine?
Probably the same engine. They’re finally giving the US a Rogue e-Power, with that same drivetrain.
And evidently now in the US. Which explains a lot about them. Blech.
And Nissan makes that about impossible to find out from the US website. Hmmm.
The Altima shall ride eternal, shiny and chrome…with bumpers held on by duct tape, a headlight out, and temporary tags that expired 2 years ago as it terrorizes the roads of hell