2020 Nissan Altima Review, Pricing, and Specs (2024)

Overview

The 2020 Nissan Altima is a stylish mid-size sedan with the comfort and features that families want as well as exclusive content they can't get elsewhere. Along with a spacious cabin and contemporary tech, the Altima is the only sedan in its class with optional all-wheel drive. Nissan also provides a cutting-edge engine called VC-Turbo that attempts to maximize fuel efficiency and performance. Despite these game-changing options, the Altima faces stiff competition from several highly regarded competitors. While alternatives from Honda and Mazda are handsomer and handle better, the Altima still offers surprising athleticism along with Nissan's loyal following.

What's New for 2020?

After being completely redesigned for 2019, the Altima only receives a handful of small updates for 2020. Nissan now offers more available driver-assistance technology on the entry-level S and SR models, which previously only had standard forward-collision warning and automated emergency braking. The 2020 versions can be equipped with blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-departure warning, and high-beam assist. Other enhancements include a memory function for the sideview mirrors on the top-of-the-line Platinum model and glossy-black interior accents on the SV model and up.

Pricing and Which One to Buy

Unlike rivals such as the Honda Accord and Toyota Camry, the Altima offers features those two don't: all-wheel drive and a unique VC-Turbo engine. While the benefits of the latter are hard to quantify, the $1350 all-wheel-drive system might attract sedan shoppers who live in the snow belt. We'd skip that option and choose the SR trim level. Along with a sport-tuned suspension and 19-inch wheels that make this family sedan more fun to drive, the SR model has a host of desirable features that include an eight-way power driver's seat, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, an upgraded digital gauge cluster, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, and more. We'd also spring for the Premium package that adds heated mirrors, heated front seats, and a sunroof.

Engine, Transmission, and Performance

Likes: Turbo engine has adequate low-end torque, CVT is mostly competent and smooth, available all-wheel drive, impressive cornering grip.
Dislikes: CVT reacts slower than rival automatics, no paddle shifters in Platinum models.

The Altima has a standard 188-hp 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine that pairs with a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT). The optional turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder makes 248 horsepower and also uses the CVT. While Nissan touts the innovative variable-compression technology, only the 2.5-liter engine can be had with all-wheel drive. The standard four-cylinder engine and all-wheel drive had predictable, albeit unremarkable, acceleration. The engine grew noisier the harder we pressed the gas pedal, but the four-cylinder Camry we tested was equally loud at times. The VC-Turbo engine makes the Altima significantly quicker. Despite the unconventional turbocharged engine and uncommon all-wheel drive, the Nissan is nowhere near as fun to drive as the Mazda 6 or pretty much any Accord. The Altima SR receives a sport-tuned suspension and 19-inch wheels that make it more entertaining on twisty sections of road. However, these upgrades also reduce the ride quality found on regular Altima models. Surprisingly, the top-of-the-line Platinum model we drove had more cornering grip than the all-new 2019 BMW 330i xDrive we tested. The Nissan also had a comfortable ride that prevented any shudders over undulating pavement. Its steering system was precise by family-sedan standards and doesn't add effort to emulate steering feel. The Altima's brake pedal had linear feedback and prompt responses to our input.

Fuel Economy and Real-World MPG

The Altima doesn't offer a fuel-saving hybrid or eco-friendly plug-in-hybrid model as do many of its rivals, but its two gasoline engines have lofty EPA fuel-economy ratings and even better real-world results. The 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine has estimates up to 28 mpg city and 39 highway. However, more expensive models are rated as low as 25 mpg city and 34 highway. The EPA estimates that all-wheel-drive models can earn up to 26 mpg city and 36 highway. The VC-Turbo engine is rated at 25 mpg city and 35 highway. On our 75-mph highway fuel-economy route, which is part of our extensive testing regimen, the all-wheel-drive Altima achieved an eye-popping 41 mpg, while the VC-Turbo version recorded an impressive 37 mpg. The most fuel-efficient (nonhybrid) Accord and Camry earned 38 mpg and 45 mpg, respectively.

Interior, Comfort, and Cargo

Likes: Finally an attractive interior design, standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto capability, back seat is comfortable for adults.
Dislikes: Some tacky trim pieces, road noise makes the back seat loud, folding rear seats could work better.

Inside, the Altima's cabin provides a straightforward dashboard with user-friendly switchgear. Interior materials vary among trim levels, but everything is a significant improvement compared with the previous-generation Altima. Our mid-level SV test vehicle had attractive appointments and hard plastics that drew little attention. Desirable options include ambient interior lighting, memory settings for the driver's seat, heated front seats, and a power sunroof. The flat-bottomed steering wheel and faux carbon fiber were a bit much here, especially since there are no paddle shifters or selectable drive modes on the SV. Still, the soft armrests made cruising and sitting in traffic more tolerable. The front seats can accommodate a wide variety of body types, but we felt that the lumbar support was too aggressive. The back seat was very comfortable, with large seats and ample legroom. We fit six carry-on bags in the Altima's trunk and 17 bags total with the rear seats folded. These numbers matched those of the Toyota Camry we tested, but both fell short of the Honda Accord's 19 bags. Unfortunately, the Nissan's rear seats don't fold completely flat and they must be released using handles in the trunk, which is inconvenient. The Altima has decent storage in the front seat, with narrow albeit deep door pockets and a useful tray at the front of the center console.

Infotainment and Connectivity

Every Altima—except for the base model—has a standard 8.0-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto capability. The infotainment interface has a customizable main menu but otherwise few personalization options. While the sound system has useful knobs for volume and tuning, the touchscreen we tested responded slowly to inputs. Along with optional built-in navigation, the Altima's infotainment system can be upgraded with a Wi-Fi hotspot.

Safety and Driver-Assistance Features

The 2020 Altima earned a five-star crash-test rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), and it was named a Top Safety Pick by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). While every Altima has forward-collision warning and automated emergency braking, the SR versions and up have standard blind-spot monitoring, high-beam assist, rear cross-traffic alert, and more. All but the S and SR trims levels are also available with a semi-autonomous drive mode that Nissan calls ProPilot Assist. Other safety features include:

• Available lane-departure warning and lane-keeping assist
• Available rear automated emergency braking
• Available adaptive cruise control

Warranty and Maintenance Coverage

The Altima has a competitive warranty coverage that aligns with rivals such as the Accord and Camry. Unfortunately, Nissan doesn't offer any complimentary scheduled maintenance—Toyota provides two years or 25,000 miles.

• Limited warranty covers three years or 36,000 miles
• Powertrain warranty covers five years or 60,000 miles
• No complimentary scheduled maintenance