2012 New York Auto Show Debut: 2013 Nissan Altima

• All-new design with wider, sportier look
• Improved cabin styling and materials

• Improved fuel economy expected to be best in class
• Positioned in one of the most competitive segments on the market

Why It Matters:

• Improved fuel economy expected to be best in class
• Positioned in one of the most competitive segments on the market

2013 Nissan Altima Debut: Notable Features

• NissanConnect infotainment and connectivity system
• Updated XTronic Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT)

2013 Nissan Altima Debut: Styling

The Nissan Altima has always taken a back seat to the sportier Maxima in terms of styling and luxury, but the redesigned 2013 Altima finally puts this mid-size sedan in the spot light. With its new design, the new Nissan Altima takes some styling cues from models like the Maxima and 370Z with its boomerang headlights and taillights and sporty body proportions. Riding on the same wheelbase as the current Altima, the 2013 model is slightly longer and considerably wider. There is no word as to whether the Altima Coupe as the mid-size coupe competition has dropped off significantly, but this sleeker body style could easily lend itself to a sexy two-door model. Nissan also gave its new Altima seats that not only offer better comfort for passengers, but they’ve also been designed to reduce fatigue with NASA-inspired, “zero-gravity” seats that give occupants a neutral posture.

Not much is new directly under the hood of the 2013 Nissan Altima, but digging a little deeper, the car’s XTronic CVT has been retuned to help give the car its expected best-in-class highway fuel economy estimate of 38 miles per gallon. The new Nissan Altima continues to come standard with a 2.5-liter inline-four with a 3.5-liter V-6 offered as the optional power plant.

2013 Nissan Altima Debut: Competition

The 2013 Nissan Altima couldn’t come at a better time for Nissan since nearly all of the car’s competition have been (or are about to be) completely redesigned including the Ford Fusion, Chevrolet Malibu, Kia Optima, Hyundai Sonata, Volkswagen Passat and Toyota Camry.

Not only does the redesigned Nissan Altima help to create a sportier attitude in Nissan’s entry-level car line-up, it also helps spice up the entire mid-size sedan segment with a refreshing new look, more luxurious interior and new cabin technology. Styling, luxury and technology are great, but possibly the best part of the new 2013 Nissan Altima is that it will still be competitive in pricing with a starting MSRP of $21,500 when it goes on sale this summer.

Original photos by Jeffrey N. Ross