Incremental Changes Add up for 2014 Nissan Altima Sedan

The 2014 Nissan Altima joins a growing list of vehicles that—despite already being fairly new on the market—will see a fairly extensive range of enhancements for the next model year. Now, it’s true that the Altima hasn’t been refreshed to the extent of cars like the Chevy Malibu or Honda Civic, but it will see quite a few lineup adjustments, including the debut of three new upgrade packages:

• For the 2014 Nissan Altima SV, with both 4-cylinder and V6 powerplants, a Technology Package will bundle NissanConnect technology with enhanced nav functionalities, NissanConnect Apps (for smartphone integration), SiriusXM Travel Link, and three driver-assistance features (Blind Spot Warning, Moving Object Detection and Lane Departure Warning).
• The 2014 Nissan Altima 2.5 S, representing the first step up from the base model, will be available with a Sport Value Package containing 16-inch aluminum-alloy wheels, remote engine start and a trunk-lid spoiler.
• Both the 2.5 S and the 3.5 S models, the latter being the starting point for the V6 family, will offer a Display Audio Package including a 5-inch color display, rearview camera system, USB port, NissanConnect Apps, and a wireless antenna.

Beyond these changes, the 2014 Nissan Altima also sprinkles some exterior enhancements across the portfolio, ranging from a new design for its available 16-inch aluminum-alloy wheels to the addition of chrome exhaust finishers to the Altima 2.5 entry model.

The 2014 Nissan Altima Sedan is expected to go on sale in August at a price to be determined; the Nissan Altima Coupe, however, is a different story—and it’s now in its final chapter.

2013 Nissan Altima Coupe Farewell Tour

The Nissan Altima Coupe bows out of the brand’s lineup after six years of service, having first launched in 2007 and never gaining the same attention as the Honda Accord Coupe, its only real mainstream rival. Still riding on the same hardware as the previous-generation sedan, the 2013 Altima Coupe does provide drivers with a certain amount of exclusivity, along with sharp styling and features like:

• A nine-speaker premium sound system from Bose
• Bluetooth technology for audio streaming and hands-free calling
• Nissan’s hard-drive-based navigation system with 6.5-inch color display
• Heated and leather-appointed seating
• Standard front and rear stabilizers bars as part of an exclusively tuned suspension

On the other hand, the only powertrain offered in the 2013 Nissan Altima Coupe pairs a 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine—capable of 175 hp and 180 lb.-ft. of torque—with an Xtronic continuously variable transmission. That’s not exactly earth-shaking power, but drivers will benefit from EPA marks of 23 mpg city/32 mpg highway/26 mpg combined.

The 2013 Nissan Altima Coupe is on sale now, stickered at $25,230 (while supplies last).