Buyers looking for a four-door midsize family sedan that provides lots of interior space, comfortable seating, and a long list of standard features should take a good look at the 2021 Nissan Altima. Customers of the Salinas Nissan dealership report they find the Altima very easy to drive, and they appreciate the Altima’s above-average fuel economy.
The 2021 Altima seats five passengers and comes in five trim levels: S, SV, SR, SL and Platinum. Under the hood is a standard 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine that puts out 188 horses and 180 lb-ft of torque, joined to a continuously variable transmission (CVT). According to the Nissan dealer near Salinas, front-wheel drive is standard across the lineup, and all-wheel drive is available.
Drivers looking for more power can select the SR trim and opt for the available turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine good for 236 hp and 267 lb-ft with premium gas and 248 hp and 280 lb-ft with regular. This engine is also mated to the CVT and is only offered with front-wheel drive.
The 2021 Altima gets excellent fuel economy. The base engine gets up to an EPA-estimated 28 mpg city/39 mpg highway with front-wheel drive.*
The 2021 Nissan Altima gets high marks from the automotive media. Kelley Blue Book wrote: “The U.S.-built Altima is in its third year, and it’s blessed with particularly comfortable front seats, excellent safety features, and precise-yet-pliant dynamics. The exterior styling of this 5-seat Nissan sedan still looks fresh, and four adults can ride comfortably to dinner in the Altima (remember when we used to do that?). What’s more, the efficiency of the 2.5-liter Altima is excellent...”
Standard features for the base S trim include 16-inch steel wheels, pushbutton start, a tilt/telescoping steering wheel, a 7-inch touchscreen, cruise control, and automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection.
The SV trim gets 17-inch alloy wheels, LED headlamps, an eight-way power driver’s seat, an 8-inch color display, and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Standard safety features include automatic rear braking, rear cross-traffic alert and a blind-spot warning system.
Step up to the SR trim, and you’ll get 19-inch alloy wheels, a sport-tuned suspension, paddle shifters, a leather-covered steering wheel and sport seats. The SR with the turbo-four adds heated front seats, a moonroof, and heated outside mirrors with LED turn signals.
The SL trim comes with leather upholstery, a heated steering wheel, heated seats, acoustic front door glass and dual-zone climate control. Also standard are a nine-speaker Bose audio system, a navigation system, and Pro Pilot Assist with steering assistance and active cruise control.
The Platinum trim gets 19-inch alloy wheels, driver-seat memory settings, interior accent lighting, an auto-dimming rearview mirror and a 360-degree camera system.
The NHTSA gave the 2021 Nissan Altima it’s highest overall safety rating of five stars. The IIHS gave the 2021 Altima it’s highest award of Top Safety Pick+, with the best rating of Good for all crash tests.
* All vehicle mileage based on 2021 EPA mileage estimates. Use for comparison purposes only. Do not compare to models before 2008. Your actual mileage will vary, depending on how you drive and maintain your vehicle.