Nissan Altima 2024: the often forgotten alternative – Road test

In a market flooded with ever-increasing SUV offerings, the mid-size sedan category is often forgotten or overlooked by consumers. However, these cars are a good alternative to SUVs, according to our needs. It was with this idea in mind that I decided to try Nissan Altima 2024 to see if it still has some relevance in the market. I’ll let you find out what I thought about it.

A design that is always on point

Nissan Altima 6^e generation has been on our market since the 2019 model year Since its inception, the last minor refresh was last year. The version I tried was the SR Privilège. This one has the sportiest look in the range, mainly due to its unique grille and 19-inch wheels adorning the car. I must admit that, despite its age, the general design of the version I had in my hands is still modern. In addition, I personally find that aesthetically, the Nissan Altima has nothing to envy others in its category.

In terms of price, the Nissan Altima is positioned at an advantage against the competition. For 2024, the Japanese mid-size sedan is available in 4 versions: S, SR, SR Privilege and Platinum. Range prices will vary between $34,374 and $41,074, including freight and PDI. As for my test version, the latter was priced at $39,774. With the disappearance of the Kia K5 in Canada as well as the virtual demise of the Subaru Legacy now offering just one version, the Altima with its standard all-wheel drive is doing well.

Space for everyone

To take a seat inside the 2024 Nissan Altima, access is easy. The seats are comfortable, but could, in my opinion, provide a little more support, considering the fact that Nissan mentions in the description that they are sports seats. Being the SR Privilege version, the mid-size sedan I had in my hands was well equipped. Leather-trimmed seats, a sunroof and a large 12-inch screen for the infotainment system are part of the standard equipment of the tested version. In addition, this system benefits from the latest Nissan interface, which is more friendly and modern, in my opinion. However, one thing that I continue to hate about Nissan is the quality of the reversing camera. Despite the screen displaying poor image quality, the quality of the camera does not seem to be the same, delivering a picture that seems more blurry, compared to other manufacturers.

In terms of assembly quality in the cabinet, the only criticism I could make is the quality of certain items in the plastic finish. For example, the 2024 Nissan Altima SR Privilege dashboard I tested had a fake carbon fiber dash on the dashboard that was very disappointing for its cheap appearance.

On a more positive note, I really liked the steering wheel which feels good in the hand and all the controls are within easy reach. In addition, the latter has a flat bottom, which is a continuation of the sporty look that the manufacturer wanted to give to the outside.

As for the rear seats, I found that there was plenty of room and good clearance. Even with a rear-facing infant seat in the back seat, I was able to fit in the front passenger seat and be comfortable there. As for the trunk, it has a capacity of 437 liters. In terms of dimensions, it sits between that of the Toyota Camry and the Honda Accord.

The pleasure is not there, but the economy is there

At the end of my test, I was split between two camps. Fuel economy or driving pleasure. Initially, the 2024 Nissan Altima disappointed me on the road in terms of driving feel. For someone looking for a car to get from point A to B, the Altima will get the job done. However, for driving, you will have to continue on another phone. The CVT is boring, and we feel that the marriage with the engine optimizes fuel economy, at the expense of driving pleasure. In addition, I felt the power delivery was very timid. The only engine offered develops 182 horsepower and produces 178 pound-feet of torque. Sound insulation on board is good during daily commuting, but during hard acceleration, you can hear the mechanics working hard along with the elasticity of the CVT.

To see if this mid-size sedan is still a good alternative to SUVs, it’s important to note that the car’s low center of gravity also contributes to handling. I noted during my test that the steering and suspension performed well in daily commuting.

Although I found driving less exciting largely because of the CVT, in the end it nevertheless allows the Altima to perform well in terms of fuel consumption. Despite the fact that it is supplied with standard all-wheel drive, the 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine, connected to this variable transmission (CVT), provides very satisfactory fuel consumption. During my week behind the wheel in an outside temperature of -10 degrees Celsius, I maintained a consumption of 6.8 liters per 100 km. As usual, my weekly trip is 70% highway and 30% city.

Good choice?

In my opinion, mid-size sedans still have their place in the market and are an attractive alternative for those who do not need a large SUV. In the case of Nissan Altima 2024, this sedan will work for a large number of users thanks to its good comfort, the space it offers and reasonable fuel consumption. However, know that there are better things elsewhere. Toyota Camry, Honda Accord or Hyundai Sonata are more modern in their approach, and some of them offer the possibility of a hybrid engine, which is not the case with Nissan. In addition, the sales value of the two Japanese companies, Toyota and Honda, will be higher.

Overall, the 2024 Nissan Altima still has its own buying recommendation from the RPM team.

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