Nissan Altima: A Value-Focused Midsize Sedan with Available All-Wheel Drive

The Nissan Altima competes in the crowded United States midsize sedan segment, going head to head with the Toyota Camry and the Honda Accord. What separates the Altima from those two volume leaders is a lower starting MSRP of $27,790 and the availability of Intelligent All-Wheel Drive in a traditional sedan body, a combination few direct rivals match. With a standard list of driver assistance features under the Nissan Safety Shield 360 banner, the Altima positions itself as a practical, all-weather capable alternative for buyers who want a conventional sedan without stepping up to a crossover. Source: https://www.nissanusa.com/vehicles/cars/altima/specs-trims.html

Why consider Nissan Altima

The Altima undercuts both the Camry and the Accord on base price by roughly a thousand dollars, which matters to buyers who watch the total transaction price. Standard equipment on every 2026 model includes Automatic Emergency Braking with Pedestrian Detection, Blind Spot Warning, Rear Cross Traffic Alert and Lane Departure Warning, a suite that even the base trim carries without an option package fee.

Available Intelligent All-Wheel Drive is a genuine differentiator in a segment where most rivals reserve AWD for top trims or omit it entirely. The optional ProPILOT Assist brings adaptive cruise with lane centering, and the available 12.3-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto arrives on upper trims.

• Available Intelligent All-Wheel Drive, rare in this segment at this price point
• Standard Safety Shield 360 driver assistance suite on every trim
• EPA-estimated 26 city / 36 highway mpg on FWD models, 25 / 33 on AWD
• Lower starting MSRP than the Toyota Camry and the Honda Accord
• Large 15.4 cubic foot trunk and a 100.6 cubic foot passenger cabin

Specifications and powertrains

Gasoline engine. Every 2026 Altima uses a 2.5-liter four-cylinder with direct injection, rated at 188 horsepower and 180 lb-ft of torque on front-wheel drive models. AWD models produce 182 horsepower and 178 lb-ft. A continuously variable transmission (Xtronic CVT) is the only gearbox offered.

All-wheel drive. The available Intelligent All-Wheel Drive system continuously monitors grip and routes torque to the rear wheels when front slip is detected. EPA estimates are 25 city / 33 highway / 28 combined mpg for AWD models.

Fuel economy. Front-wheel drive Altima models achieve an EPA-estimated 26 city / 36 highway / 30 combined mpg. A 16.0 gallon tank on FWD models, or 16.2 gallons on AWD, gives a realistic range of roughly 450 miles between fill-ups. Source: https://www.nissanusa.com/content/dam/Nissan/us/vehicle-brochures/2026/2026-nissan-altima-brochure-en.pdf

Payment reality

With a starting MSRP of $27,790 for the 2026 base model and trims ranging up to roughly $30,790 for the SV Premium package, the Altima sits at the affordable end of the midsize sedan class. Monthly payments depend on the negotiated price, the loan term, and the down payment. Depreciation is a real factor here: the Altima historically loses value faster than the Toyota Camry and the Honda Accord, so buyers who plan to trade in within three to five years should weigh that residual gap when comparing lease offers against purchase financing.

Warranty and maintenance

Nissan backs the Altima with a 3-year / 36,000-mile basic warranty and a 5-year / 60,000-mile powertrain warranty, which is standard coverage for the segment. Scheduled maintenance is recommended every 5,000 miles for oil changes and tire rotations. Parts availability is strong across the United States because the Altima sells in high volume, keeping both dealer and independent repair costs predictable. Independent shops handle routine service comfortably, while dealer service during the warranty period keeps records clean for future trade-in.

Who Nissan Altima suits

The Altima fits buyers who want a sedan with all-weather capability without moving up to a crossover, and who prioritize a low entry price plus standard safety technology. It also suits anyone whose daily commute mixes highway miles with stop-and-go traffic, given the EPA fuel figures and the CVT tuning. Buyers who value resale value or sharper handling should also test the Toyota Camry and the Honda Accord, while the Hyundai Sonata matches the Altima on price with a longer warranty term.