Photo: Nissan
Nissan just offered its highly popular Altima sedan a well-deserved facelift after the model posted five consecutive years of sales growth. As a matter of fact, the Japanese’s car is so popular that it regularly sees sales of 30,000 units per month, a figure hard to achieve with the Camry around.
The update brings a new front end as well as improved styling cues throughout the cabin and for the rear. A deep-v goes on the front fascia now with chrome on both sides of the letter while new taillights, bumpers, and trunk lid make it a lively appearance on the road. Of course, only a trained eye will be able to spot the differences quickly but once you focus, you’ll be able to tell too.
Inside the cabin, you’ll notice a new center stack, a fresh shape for the cup holders on the right side of the gearshift lever and the new Zero Gravity seats that are now standard on all trims.
Speaking of standard equipment, the 2016 Altima can be had now in a new trim, the SR version bringing smoked lenses, DRL, and revised fog lights. Furthermore, the SR will have a new suspension, revised dampers, stiffer front and rear stabilizers as well as bigger wheels.
Even though the cars use a CVT transmission, you can add paddle shifters to your steering wheel. The SR trim level can be had on all Altima engine versions which are now limited to two choices: the 2.5-liter 4-cylinder and 3.5-liter V6.
The cheaper model has 182 HP at its disposal as well as 180 lb-ft (244 Nm) of torque hooked up to the 7-speed gearbox dubbed ‘manumatic’ by Nissan’s marketing geniuses.
On the other hand, you can go with the V6 that makes 270 HP and 251 lb-ft (340 Nm) of torque which can be had with the same transmission and wheels.
The 3.5-liter DOHC engine is not exactly a fuel consumption champion, the EPA rating it at 22/32/26 mpg (10.7/7.3/9 l/100 km) which is a bit off compared to the champ here, the 2.5-liter 4-cylinder.
Thanks to a couple of neat tricks such as active grille shutters, lowered engine friction, and a higher compression ratio, the Altima can go up to 39 mpg on the highway (6 l/100 km). That’s close to the champion in this segment at the moment, the Mazda 6 with its 40 mpg (5.8 l/100 km) rating. Prices are still unknown, but an announcement in this regard is to be made soon.
Inside the cabin, you’ll notice a new center stack, a fresh shape for the cup holders on the right side of the gearshift lever and the new Zero Gravity seats that are now standard on all trims.
Speaking of standard equipment, the 2016 Altima can be had now in a new trim, the SR version bringing smoked lenses, DRL, and revised fog lights. Furthermore, the SR will have a new suspension, revised dampers, stiffer front and rear stabilizers as well as bigger wheels.
Even though the cars use a CVT transmission, you can add paddle shifters to your steering wheel. The SR trim level can be had on all Altima engine versions which are now limited to two choices: the 2.5-liter 4-cylinder and 3.5-liter V6.
The cheaper model has 182 HP at its disposal as well as 180 lb-ft (244 Nm) of torque hooked up to the 7-speed gearbox dubbed ‘manumatic’ by Nissan’s marketing geniuses.
On the other hand, you can go with the V6 that makes 270 HP and 251 lb-ft (340 Nm) of torque which can be had with the same transmission and wheels.
The 3.5-liter DOHC engine is not exactly a fuel consumption champion, the EPA rating it at 22/32/26 mpg (10.7/7.3/9 l/100 km) which is a bit off compared to the champ here, the 2.5-liter 4-cylinder.
Thanks to a couple of neat tricks such as active grille shutters, lowered engine friction, and a higher compression ratio, the Altima can go up to 39 mpg on the highway (6 l/100 km). That’s close to the champion in this segment at the moment, the Mazda 6 with its 40 mpg (5.8 l/100 km) rating. Prices are still unknown, but an announcement in this regard is to be made soon.
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