Soon, the Nissan Altima will be one of the last midsize sedans you can buy in America. Half of the Altima’s competitors will vanish by 2025. While I cannot predict the future, by mid-decade, only the Honda Accord, Nissan Altima, and Toyota Camry will likely remain on sale. Oh, and maybe the Subaru Legacy (but I wouldn’t bet on it).
Considering how popular sedans were just a few years ago, this shift in consumer preferences and market dynamics is stunning. However, the refreshed 2023 Nissan Altima receives several updates to help keep it competitive as rivals drop out of contention.
The highlights of the changes to the 2023 Altima include the following:
For 2023, Nissan drops the upscale Platinum trim. That move leaves the S, SV, SR, SL, and SR VC-Turbo trim levels.
All but the SR VC-Turbo have a 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine making 188 horsepower and 180 pound-feet of torque (180 hp/178 pound-feet with all-wheel drive). The SR VC-Turbo employs Nissan’s unique variable-compression turbocharged (VC-Turbo) 2.0-liter engine, which generates 236 hp and 267 pound-feet of torque (248 hp/273 pound-feet using premium gas).
Both engines use a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT), the SR variants adding paddle shifters to increase driver involvement. Altimas are front-wheel drive (FWD), but you can opt for all-wheel drive (AWD) if you choose SV, SR, or SL trim. Driving enthusiasts will be disappointed to learn that the AWD system is not available with the VC-Turbo engine.
Previously, JD Power reviewed the 2020 Nissan Altima Platinum with the VC-Turbo engine. This review focuses on the Altima’s updates for 2023 and how they potentially impact its overall appeal to consumers.
Photo: Christian Wardlaw
The Nissan Altima competes in the Midsize Car market segment. According to data collected from verified new-vehicle buyers for the JD Power 2022 Automotive Performance, Execution and Layout (APEAL) Study, 55 percent of new Nissan Altima buyers are male (vs. 59 percent for the segment), and the median age of a new Altima buyer is 53 years (vs. 51).
As part of the APEAL Study, owners rated the Altima in 10 primary categories. Listed below in descending order, you’ll find their preferences, from their most favorite thing about the vehicle to their least favorite:
In the 2022 APEAL Study, the Altima ranks third out of eight Midsize Car models. Notably, the Honda Accord and Toyota Camry rank lower in the study. Only the Hyundai Sonata and Kia K5 rank higher.
In the following sections, our independent expert analyzes an Altima SL equipped with AWD and a set of carpeted floor mats. The test vehicle’s price was $34,755, including the $1,095 destination charge.
Photo: Christian Wardlaw
It might not be evident at a glance, but the 2023 Nissan Altima has a new front end with a revised “V-Motion” grille design wearing the automaker’s new logo. In addition, with SR and SR VC-Turbo trim, it gets a black chrome finish and unique texture to convey the sporting nature of those cars.
Standard LED headlights with turn signal indicators built into the running lights are new, and two fresh colors debut. They include the Garnet Pearl Metallic seen on the test car in the accompanying photos and a Gray Sky Pearl hue.
Inside, the 2023 Altima’s changes are barely noticeable. However, the dashboard trim is different, and the SR gains double-stitched fabric.
Otherwise, the Altima continues to offer a simple and logical control layout with clearly marked switchgear. Unfortunately, there is plenty of hard, glossy plastic in the cabin, so I advise choosing the Gray interior color instead of Charcoal to bring a more upscale two-tone, high-contrast appearance to the environment.
While these exterior and interior updates are welcome, the 2023 Altima’s new wheel selections modernize the car’s appearance. The SR, SL, and SR VC-Turbo have unique 19-inch wheel designs this year, and Nissan lets you upgrade the SR and SL to the SR VC-Turbo’s great-looking thin-spoke design for $1,100.
My test car did not have them. Instead, it rolled on the standard machined-finish design, dramatically improving the SL’s visual presence compared to last year. However, because the wheels are flush with the tire sidewalls, they are susceptible to curb damage.
Now that Nissan includes its Safety Shield 360 collection of advanced driver assistance systems on the base Altima S, every version of this family-sized 4-door sedan has it.
Nissan Safety Shield 360 includes:
In addition, every 2023 Altima has a rear-seat reminder system (Rear Door Alert) that reminds you to check the back seat before locking and leaving the vehicle. Safety-related upgrades include automatic rear braking (SV and higher), automatic high-beam headlights (SR and higher), and a surround-view camera (SL and higher).
The Altima SL and SR VC-Turbo also have a standard ProPilot Assist system (optional with SV trim). ProPilot Assist combines adaptive cruise control with lane-keeping and lane-centering assistance to provide a Level 2 semi-autonomous driving aid. For it to work, you must keep your hands on the steering wheel.
During the evaluation, ProPilot Assist proved accurate but irritating. It isn’t smooth or refined, so you’re continually aware that the technology is trying to correct what it perceives to be errors on the driver’s part. In addition, ProPilot Assist continually chimes on highways with curves to alert the driver that it is suspending and re-activating operations.
Based on crash-test ratings from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), the 2023 Altima is a safe car. The NHTSA gives it a maximum 5-star overall rating, while the IIHS named the 2023 Altima a Top Safety Pick+ for the 2022 calendar year. (Be sure to check the IIHS website for updates.)
Unfortunately, the Altima earns a Poor rating in the new IIHS side-impact crash test, which measures protection against larger and heavier vehicles like SUVs and pickup trucks. So, unless Nissan improves in this assessment, future versions of the Altima may be ineligible for the highest IIHS rating.
Photo: Christian Wardlaw
Of the 2023 Nissan Altima changes, the new 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system is the best. It is standard with SL and SR VC-Turbo trim and available on the SV and SR.
In addition to the larger display, this infotainment system has NissanConnect Services powered by SiriusXM (SXM), the satellite radio company. Among the many highlights are Amazon Alexa Skill and Google Assistant Action, which help to explain why the new tech worked well for me.
With an active subscription, the NissanConnect Services voice-recognition system is excellent, quickly and accurately responding to every one of my test commands. Also, because the satellite radio service includes SXM’s expanded 360L programming, when I told the Altima I wanted to listen to reggae music, it had no trouble directing me to “The Joint.”
This new infotainment system still requires a wired connection to use Android Auto. However, my iPhone 13 effortlessly paired to the Altima and wirelessly ran Apple CarPlay. In addition, the new 12.3-inch NissanConnect system offers impressive graphics, logical on-screen menu organization, and more.
The new infotainment system might be my favorite thing about the 2023 Altima, aside from the 10-way power-adjustable Zero Gravity driver’s seat design. But, unfortunately, it pairs with a mediocre Bose premium sound system.
On my previous outing with the current-generation Altima, the VC-Turbo engine impressed me with its sound and acceleration. Still, the CVT demonstrated odd behavior, and the car didn’t meet fuel economy expectations, averaging 26.2 mpg during testing. The EPA expects 29 mpg in combined driving from the VC-Turbo engine.
This time, the standard 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine failed to impress me with its sound and acceleration, and while the CVT behaved better, the SL AWD averaged 27.4 mpg (the EPA says it should get 30 mpg with AWD).
Based on these two test drives of the Altima, it is somewhat surprising that owners of this car tell JD Power that fuel economy is their fourth favorite thing about the Nissan. In my experience, the Altima falls well short of its official EPA fuel-economy ratings.
Foul weather and wet, slippery roads meant I could not assess the Altima SL AWD’s handling to the usual extent. Unfortunately, I also could not discern much difference in traction thanks to the AWD system, which adds $1,500 to the car’s price tag. Nissan says it can put up to 50 percent of the engine’s power to the rear wheels, but except for when accelerating out of curves and corners, I couldn’t feel much of a benefit from behind the wheel. Snowy conditions likely would reveal more about the AWD system’s efficacy.
The standard powertrain is relatively responsive and quiet when driving in urban environments and on traffic-clogged highways. However, take speed bumps too fast and the impact shimmies up through the Altima’s structure. In addition, the suspension can easily top out when going over speed humps at more than the posted speed limit. Rough road surfaces also elicit more suspension noise than you might prefer.
Accelerate hard on a freeway on-ramp or to beat traffic for some reason and the Altima is loud and feels sluggish. Steady-state cruising on Interstates is fine, though wind and road noise are constant companions. Also, rear visibility is terrible, whether you’re reversing from slant parking or trying to see the vehicles directly behind you. Unfortunately, the Altima’s low-resolution reversing camera doesn’t help in this regard, especially after dark.
Generally, I don’t find the 2023 Altima SL AWD engaging to drive, partly due to its displeasing steering. It’s more of an appliance made for people who need to get from Point A to Point B with a little extra luxury and style.
However, what concerned me was the test car’s brakes. Despite the chilly weather, partly cloudy skies, and testing near sunset, they began to heat up while driving with just a little enthusiasm on a canyon road, rumbling with each application of the brake pedal. Fade wasn’t a problem, but it could prove to be an issue under different conditions, such as higher speeds on a hot and sunny day.
Photo: Christian Wardlaw
While Nissan Altima owners appear happy with their purchase, it is worth noting a few things.
First, the Altima’s base price is higher than most of its rivals, and in some cases, the car offers less equipment. For example, you’ll need the Altima SV trim to get a touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone connectivity.
Second, this Nissan’s competitors offer perks like longer warranty coverage, more generous trial subscriptions to connected services, complimentary scheduled maintenance, and fuel-efficient hybrid powertrains. In the case of the Hyundai Sonata, you can get all four of these ownership benefits.
Third, there are more enjoyable midsize cars to drive. While satisfying driving dynamics might not rank high on a family sedan shopper’s list, you might as well get something that helps you enjoy the journey in addition to the destination.
In fairness to the Altima, owners do rate driving feel as their second favorite attribute of the car. My advice is to go with the VC-Turbo if you want to add a smile to your travels.
Christian Wardlaw is a veteran digital automotive journalist with over 25 years of experience in test-driving vehicles. In addition to JDPower.com, his work has appeared in numerous new- and used-car buying guides, newspapers, and automotive industry trade journals. Google him to learn more.
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