Logo
No matching results

Recent Articles

Popular Makes

Body Types

2016 Nissan Altima Road Test and Review

Ryan ZumMallen
by Ryan ZumMallen
June 6, 2016
4 min. Reading Time
2016 Nissan Altima side view ・  Photo by Ryan ZumMallen

2016 Nissan Altima side view ・ Photo by Ryan ZumMallen

The midsized sedan segment is perhaps not the most exciting in the automotive market; you may be hard pressed to find anyone who developed a lifelong automotive passion fueled by a big sedan. And with sales across the country ballooning to estimates of nearly 17 million this year, led largely by these 4-door family cars, there is more incentive than ever for automakers to play it safe. So praise to the product planners who dare to crack their knuckles, stretch their legs, and really go for it—for better or worse. Nissan rolled just those dice with the new 2016 Altima. The question is whether they came up lucky seven, or snake eyes.

New & Improved

The 2016 Nissan Altima took to its redesign with a fresh perspective. Quite a lot has changed since the previous iteration, which ran from 2013-2015, and the result is a more advanced and more sophisticated sedan equipped to tangle with heavyweights from Toyota, Honda, Ford and many others. New sheet metal is more striking than in the past, the multi-link rear suspension highlights an evolved approach to ride and handling, and fuel economy is up across the board—as high as 39 mpg highway in some trims. Nissan has also added a more performance-oriented option in the Altima SR. The very DNA of the Altima has been altered with the 2016 model, and the prognosis is good.

 Photo by Ryan ZumMallen

Photo by Ryan ZumMallen

Exterior Design

Though the 2016 Altima shares a familiar silhouette with its predecessor, Nissan designers made sure to distinguish the two with additional swoops, creases, and angles in the new version. Drawing upon their “Energetic Flow” philosophy that debuted with the Murano and Maxima, the 2016 Altima projects a more lithe and athletic attitude than many of its competitors—the V-Motion front fascia certainly adds an interesting element missing from others, too. Still, the best parts about the 2016 Altima’s design may be the things you don’t see. The new body has caused an improvement in drag coefficient, from 0.29 Cd to 0.26, while active grille shutters and underfloor aero covers help boost that fuel economy figure. Nissan also increased their use of high-strength steel, producing noticeable improvements in rigidity and cabin noise.

 Photo by Ryan ZumMallen

Photo by Ryan ZumMallen

Interior Design

With all the updates and improvements that Nissan made to the 2016 Altima, concessions had to be made in order to keep costs down. It would appear that the interior drew the short stick. I can say that the supportive Zero Gravity seats are a handsome cloth material, nicely suited to the soothing quiet provided by an acoustic laminated windshield. Likewise, the leather-wrapped steering wheel is a pleasure, controls are simple and intuitive, and both the Convenience Package ($1,350) with power moonroof and rear A/C vents, as well as the Navigation Package ($580) with a 7-inch touchscreen, are excellent values. In the age of the affordable quasi-luxury sedan, however, its hard plastic materials don’t meet today’s standards.

 Photo by Ryan ZumMallen

Photo by Ryan ZumMallen

Engines & Performance

An optional 3.5-liter V6 engine with 270 horsepower is available in the 2016 Nissan Altima, though my experience with the 2.5-liter 4-cylinder sporting 182 hp renders that point nearly moot. The 4-cylinder is smooth, gutsy, and more than willing to dash when you step on the right pedal. There is more bark in the exhaust note than there really has any right to be, and it pairs wonderfully with the stiffened chassis—changing direction with just minor body roll. An upgraded front and rear suspension, new shock absorbers and springs, plus improved brakes and tires are a joy on curvy roads. The only aspect lagging behind is the steering, which is improved but still better suited for comfort.

 Photo by Ryan ZumMallen

Photo by Ryan ZumMallen

Fuel Efficiency

Trips to the gas station will not be a problem with the 2016 Nissan Altima, to say the least. The 4-cylinder versions are rated at 27 mpg city, and a range-topping 39 mpg highway. Suspension changes, plus bigger wheels and tires, mean the sportier Altima SR version dips to 26/37 mpg. V6 versions clock in at 22 mpg city and 32 mpg highway. The excellent fuel economy is partly due to variable valve timing, a flat torque curve, and also the continuously variable transmission (CVT). Nissan calls it Xtronic, and included “D-step Shift Logic” from the Murano and Maxima, in order to better mimic a more responsive automatic—but it’s a CVT.

 Photo by Ryan ZumMallen

Photo by Ryan ZumMallen

Technology & Infotainment

Connectivity is inherent in the 2016 Nissan Altima, with once-coveted features like Bluetooth, a 5-inch color display with rearview camera, and Siri Eyes Free counted as standard equipment. Upgrade to the Navigation Package previously mentioned and you get the 7-inch screen, plus NissanConnect—a veritable buffet of mobile apps that includes Pandora, Facebook, SiriusXM, and text messaging with both Apple and Android smartphones. Bose audio and even 4G WiFi are also available as dealer installations. Technology abounds outside of the cabin, too. Nissan employs Active Understeer Control (AUC), which brakes the inner front tire under hard cornering, in order to aid handling. It’s less thrilling than torque vectoring, which accelerates the outside tire instead, but only slightly.

 Photo by Ryan ZumMallen

Photo by Ryan ZumMallen

Safety Measures

Improved handling, braking, and chassis construction are the built-in features that make the 2016 Altima a leap forward over its predecessor when it comes to safety. Of course, when those aren’t enough, there are other systems to the rescue. Standard equipment is again impressive: all Altimas come with six airbags, as well as the rearview camera, Blind Spot Warning (BSW), and Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA) when you’re backing out. Even better, the inclusion of Predictive Forward Collision Warning and Forward Emergency Braking earned the 2016 Altima the highest honor of Top Safety Pick+ in IIHS testing. These are available only with the Tech Package, however, which can only be added to the Altima SL trim.

 Photo by Ryan ZumMallen

Photo by Ryan ZumMallen

Trims & Pricing

Thanks to all of the standard equipment in the 2016 Nissan Altima, the “bare-bones” 2.5 base model is actually quite a steal at $22,500. From there, the 2.5 S adds extra comforts and the SR trim adds performance bits. The model I tested was a 2.5 SV, which started at $25,460 and came to $28,935 with options and destination. The top 2.5 SL weighs in at $28,570. Models with the larger V6 engine start with the 3.5 SR at $27,990, and the 3.5 SL tops the line from $32,690.

 Photo by Ryan ZumMallen

Photo by Ryan ZumMallen

Competition

This is an ultra-competitive class, topped by true classics in the Toyota Camry and Honda Accord—and those aren’t even the highest rated models currently on the market. Those honors go to the value-packed Hyundai Sonata, the comfortable Chevrolet Malibu, and the driving sensation Mazda6. All of those models (except the Mazda) also offer a hybrid version, while Nissan has yet to announce plans for an Altima Hybrid. Oh, and then there’s the striking Ford Fusion and friendly Kia Optima, for good measure. Where does the Altima fit in? As an affordable, economical sedan with impressive rear legroom and trunk space, too. That may be selling it short, but in a loaded field, those are its greatest strengths.

 Photo by Ryan ZumMallen

Photo by Ryan ZumMallen


`

Interested in Getting a New Car?

Used Cars Near You

No Data Available

Powered by Usedcars.com
©2024 AutoWeb, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Some content provided by and under copyright by Autodata, Inc. dba Chrome Data. © 1986-2024.