The mid-size sedan segment has historically always been one of the strongest-performing segments. This is simply due to the fact that they offer features that are similar to full-size sedans at a price that’s only a bit higher than the entry-level models. The Nissan Altima and its resounding success over the last three decades is a perfect example.
Manufactured since 1992, the Nissan Altima is one of the most popular sedans from the Japanese brand. It is basically a continuation of the Nissan Bluebird classic car that was first launched in 1955. Over the last three decades, the Nissan Altima has come a long way and in its current form, is a thoroughly modern, comfortable, and practical sedan.
In this edition of the DubiCars Car Spotlight, we take a closer look at the Nissan Altima, its generations, and its immense growth over the last few years. Read on to know more.
Nissan Altima History & Heritage — Models Over The Years
Roots Of The Nissan Altima
In 1955, Nissan started producing a compact sedan called the Bluebird. It was a sedan that became very popular really quickly. It was a sturdy little car and its owners loved it. Over the next few decades, the Nissan Bluebird came to be known by different names including the Datsun Bluebird.
By 1992, in the North American, European, and Middle-Eastern markets, the Nissan Bluebird was discontinued and replaced by the Nissan Altima. The Altima was exclusive only to these markets. Other markets received a similar but slightly larger sedan called the Nissan Teana.
In the UAE and other GCC nations, the Nissan Altima slots exactly between the Nissan Sunny and Nissan Maxima, and this makes it ideal for those who want more comfort, space, and features than the Sunny at a slightly higher price.
First Generation | 1992 – 1997
In 1977, Nissan introduced a car called the Stanza. The Stanza was just another name given to the aforementioned Nissan Bluebird and it remained on sale until 1992. Until 1992, ‘Altima’ was just a variant name and badge given to the top-spec variant of the Nissan Stanza. However, this changed in 1992 when the Stanza was discontinued and Nissan officially launched the Altima as a standalone model.
It carried forward the clean, straight design and styling characteristics and was one of the best-looking sedans of the period. It was available with just one engine option — a 2.4-litre inline-4 petrol unit that produced 150hp. Produced in the US, Japan & Taiwan, it was one of the most feature-packed cars of its time.
Second Generation | 1997 – 2001
The second generation of the Nissan Altima was introduced in 1997. It received a refreshed design with subtle changes in styling. The interior too was redesigned and more features were added. Some of the more practical features also received a new redesign. This included the repositioning of the glovebox and the cupholders.
It was powered by the same 150hp 2.4-litre inline-4 petrol engine as the previous generation. However, it received a new suspension system and strut braces that made the ride more comfortable while also improving handling.
Third Generation | 2001 – 2006
For the first time since the introduction of the Nissan Altima, it was now based on a brand-new platform. Nissan had recently launched the FF-L platform and the Nissan Altima was the first mass-produced car to be based on it. The third-gen Nissan Altima was significantly longer, wider, and even taller than the second generation.
With the arrival of the third-generation, Nissan Altima also came new engine options. The old 2.4-litre inline-44 was replaced by a more modern 2.5-litre unit. The top-spec variants were available with a large 3.5-litre V6 engine for the very first time. When it was first introduced, this engine produced 240hp. However, by the time the production of the third-gen ended in 2006, the V6 was producing up to 260hp.
Fourth Generation | 2006 – 2013
At the 2006 New York International Auto Show, the fourth-generation Nissan Altima was revealed. It was surprisingly based on the smaller Nissan-D platform. However, it wasn’t significantly smaller in size. It was with this generation that Nissan introduced its signature sweptback headlamp design.
It was assembled only at the two Nissan manufacturing sites in the US. The 3.5-litre V6 engine now produced 270hp while the 2.5-litre inline-4 produced 175hp. For the first time ever, the Nissan Altima was available with a CVT (Continuously Variable Transmission) gearbox as the CVT had replaced the conventional automatic gearbox. The standard variants still got the 6-speed manual gearbox.
Fifth Generation | 2012 – 2020
Six years after the fourth-gen debuted at the New York International Auto Show, the same prestigious auto show also saw the debut of the fifth generation in 2012. Needless to say, it was completely redesigned, and it looked thoroughly modern. The list of features on offer was longer too.
It was still powered by the same 2.5-litre inline-4 and 3.5-litre V6. However, Nissan upped the power output to 182hp on the 2.5-litre model. Nissan also introduced two new engine options for select markets — a 1.6-litre inline-4 and a 2.0-litre inline-4.
Sixth Generation | 2018 – Present
At the 2018 New York International Auto Show, Nissan introduced the sixth-generation Altima. It features Nissan’s latest design & styling philosophy. Apart from the modern and stylish looks, the new Nissan Altima gets a lengthier list of features.
Some of the noteworthy features of the sixth-generation Nissan Altima include:
- Pro Pilot Assist
- Nissan Intelligent Around View Monitor
- Pedestrian Detection System
- Automatic Emergency Braking
- Intelligent Lane Intervention
In terms of the powertrain, the new Nissan Altima features several new changes. This includes the discontinuation of the V6 engine. The sixth-gen Nissan Altima is only available with either a 2.0-litre inline-4 turbo-petrol or a 2.5-litre inline-4 naturally-aspirated petrol engine. Nissan has also discontinued the manual gearbox and this generation is only available with a CVT gearbox across all variants.
In June 2023, a facelifted version of the Nissan Altima was unveiled. In the UAE, this new Nissan Altima retails at a starting price of AED 119,500.
Most Popular Nissan Altima Generations In The UAE
It was around 2005 that the Nissan Altima started gaining popularity in the UAE and other GCC nations. Back then, the third-generation Altima was in production. However, the Fourth, Fifth & Sixth generations of the Nissan Altima are the most popular generations in the UAE.
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