2019 Nissan Altima vs Competitors
Overview
Gone are the days when sedans were designed merely to get drivers from point A to point B. Now, it is more common for them to be fully loaded with the latest technology and luxurious comfort at a reasonable price. While the Honda Accord and Toyota Camry are two of the more popular four-doors, Nissan is right there with them. And the all-new 2019 Altima is getting people to rethink what brands have previously dominated, especially now that it’s available with all-wheel drive (while the Accord and Camry are not).
Aside from the Accord and Camry, other notable rivals include the Hyundai Sonata, Kia Optima, Ford Fusion, Volkswagen Passat, Chevrolet Malibu, and Subaru Legacy. While all of these midsized sedans are popular in their own right, the Altima has come a long way this year by adding a healthy dose of segment-dominating equipment. The industry has taken notice, too, with this ’19 Altima earning accolades galore, such as being named one of Autotrader’s Best New Cars of 2019 and earning an IIHS Top Safety Pick for 2019.
VIEW 2019 AWD ALTIMA INVENTORY
Performance and Fuel Economy
As one of the leading sedans in terms of power output, the 2019 Altima will please those who like their car to pack a bit of punch, thanks to its available (on the SR and Platinum trims) turbo powerplant. Nissan’s revolutionary variable compression turbo (VC-Turbo) engine is the first of its kind. It varies the compression ratio continuously to maximize power or fuel economy, as the immediate situation dictates. It also delivers a whopping 248 horsepower and 280 pound-feet of torque. The standard 2.5-liter inline four-cylinder engine configuration is no slouch, though, as it generates a decent 188 hp and 180 pound-feet of torque – higher than many of its rivals’ base engines. For instance, although the two Korean sedans, the Optima and Sonata, are both quite close at 185 hp and 178 lb.-ft. of torque, they still fall short. The Fusion, though, produces an even lower 173 hp and 174 lb.-ft. of torque, followed by the Legacy, with 175 hp and 144 lb.-ft. of torque. In regards to fuel economy, the Altima was voted as having the best-in-class combined rating with its AWD configurations. With 28 mpg city and 39 mpg highway, it beats out all of the sedans previously mentioned, the lowest of which is the Fusion at 21 mpg city and 32 mpg highway.
Technology, Comfort, and Convenience
The latest Altima really wants to show off its impressive technology, with plenty of desirable features coming standard on its base S trim. That list includes remote engine start, an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment display, Bluetooth with audio streaming, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration (each of which is available for the Accord and Fusion, but at an additional cost), satellite radio, and a six-speaker audio system. The Altima also boasts some of the most impressive active safety features as part of its award-winning Nissan Intelligent Mobility, which provides a variety of aids that are unavailable as standard with the other sedans mentioned here. For example, the Camry, Accord, Optima, and Sonata all lack intelligent forward collision warning, rear automatic braking, and intelligent all-wheel drive in their model lineups.
If you care about comfort, note that Nissan’s implementation of NASA-designed Zero Gravity seats provides the Altima with undeniable luxury rivalling that of the other cars in its class. Taller drivers and passengers will also likely find the front row to be pleasing with its total 43.8 inches of legroom, which beats out the 42.3 inches of the Accord and 42.1 inches of the Camry.