2014 Nissan Altima Review

2014 Nissan Altima is the latest model which comes to us from the company Nissan. This car is the latest version of NissanConnect addition, the infotainment system-based applications for the iPhone and Android smartphones. This system enables connectivity to applications such as Facebook, iHeartRadio, Pandora and Online Search powered by Google. Hands-free text messages are also included.

2014 Nissan Altima Interior and Exterior

Interior

The 2014 Nissan Altima sedan's cabin is finely crafted with soft-touch materials, but its prime attraction is NASA-inspired "zero gravity" front bucket seats, which approach the relaxed "neutral posture" that the human body assumes in a weightless environment. We can't test them in space, but we appreciate the research, development and attention to detail that have gone into making them as fatigue-reducing as possible by lessening muscular and spinal loads and improving blood flow. Cloth seats and piano-black trim with chrome accents are standard, leather and metallic or faux wood are available, the former with a charcoal interior, the latter with blond.

Exterior

The 2014 Altima rests on the same wheelbase as the 4th-generation car last produced in 2012, but with 1.4-inches-wider tracks and 0.8-inch-deeper fenders to accommodate larger wheels and tires giving the sedan a strong, athletic stance. Its drag coefficient is a slick 0.299. And while the new Altima's nicely sculpted new body is less expressive than the Sonata's and maybe a bit less pretty than the Malibu's or Fusion's, it's easily more distinctive than the Camry's or Passat's.

2014 Nissan Altima Engine and Performance

Running counter-trend, Nissan continues to offer a V6 as its "up" engine. The 2.5-liter four is designed for lighter weight and higher efficiency, while the 3.5-liter V6 is improved to reduce its fuel consumption. Both drive the Altima's front wheels through the only gearbox offered, Nissan's next-generation Xtronic continuously-variable automatic transmission (CVT). Not everyone loves a CVT, which drives engine revs ahead of vehicle speed during strong acceleration, but this one accounts for both the 4-cylinder and the V6's impressive fuel economy, and it comes with fixed-ratio-simulating manual shift paddles on uplevel models.

2.5-liter inline-4 (2.5, 2.5 S, 2.5 SL and 2.5 SV)
182 horsepower @ 6,000 rpm
180 lb-ft of torque @ 4,000 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 27/38 mpg

3.5-liter V6 (3.5 S, 3.5 SV and 3.5 SL)
270 horsepower @ 6,000 rpm
258 lb-ft of torque @ 4,400 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 22/31 mpg

2014 Nissan Altima Pricing Notes

The 2014 Nissan Altima starts just under $23,000 MSRP (including destination), a bit more than the comparable VW Passat and Hyundai Sonata, but on par with the Toyota Camry, Ford Fusion and Chevy Malibu. A loaded 3.5 SL V6 stickers for about $31,000. To make your best deal on a 2014 Nissan Altima, be sure to check the Kelley Blue Book Fair Purchase Price which shows what others in your area are paying for their cars. The Altima's resale value should also be mid-pack, a little less than perennial favorites Camry and Honda Accord, but better than the rest in this highly competitive class.