There's a particularly gratifying sensation that comes with zipping up a snug pair of jeans after a period of dietary sobriety and a commitment to abdominal crunches. The front button fastens without a fight, the waistband stretches neatly across your hips without squashing up any fleshy detritus. One can move about with confidence – maybe even a little smugness – in a muffin-top world.
A drive in Nissan's 2016 Altima can also yield that feeling, albeit without the advanced deprivation or perspiration required by a pair of low-stretch slimmies. The Japanese auto maker has refined its mid-sized sedan in both body and soul for the coming auto season; on a recent Sunday-like drive through the winding, farm-hemmed roads that snake through suburban Detroit, it was clear that the Altima has been zipped up for 2016.
Its steering is recalibrated to feel tighter and more responsive; tires have more grip; cabin noise has been reduced and dashboard clutter has been streamlined with the help of small design tweaks. Borrowing design cues from big brothers Murano and Maxima, the Altima looks sportier and more road-ready than it has in nearly a decade. Compared against a 2015 model, the retooled Altima was better in every way.
Its looks belie Altima's ability to eat up highway pavement, though. Run on Nissan's Xtronic transmission, the Altima is powered by a continuously variable transmission, a commonly used fuel-efficient system once described by a New York Times reviewer as a "prophylactic against fun." The charge still fits. Mashing the Altima's gas petal to the floor – including in the new SR sport version – doesn't take the body anywhere fast and does little for the heart. That said, if you're sharing your ride with teen drivers or small grandkids – perhaps that's actually a good thing.
The Altima's class of lower-priced mid-sized sedans is one of the most cutthroat in auto sales. Nissan knows this well and has stuffed the new Altima full of fancy technology buyers once had to go upmarket to enjoy. The result is a democratic vehicle that feels technologically luxurious inside, complete with a touch screen interface (on most models) and Siri Eyes-Free technology that enables the driver to interact eyes and hands-free, with iPhone's Siri via one push of a steering wheel button. Non-iPhone users will have a justified gripe with this – the Altima isn't compatible with Android Auto.
On the safety front, the 2016 Altima SV becomes the only vehicle in its class to offer predictive forward collision warning. Using a radar scanning system, this Altima evaluates speeds of the two cars ahead; if one suddenly brakes, the car offers a warning. Also available is a forward emergency braking system (wherein the car doesn't just warn the driver to avoid a forward collision, but it intervenes and brakes), intelligent cruise control, radar blind spot warning, rear cross-traffic alert and a backup camera.
Also available in most models is a monthly subscription to Nissan Connect, which ranges from $14.99 to $29.99. The app-based service (compatible with iPhone, Android and Blackberry in Canada) allows users to perform such simple tasks as starting, stopping or locking the car from a smart phone. More fun than that, though, is the suite of Big Brother services on offer – users can set speed, curfew and boundary alerts. Even if you aren't joyriding in this Altima, you'll know if someone else is.
You'll like this car if ... You're in the market for a mid-sized sedan but don't want to be reminded that you're driving one.
TECH SPECS
- Base price: TBD
- Engine: 2.5-litre four-cylinder
- Drive: Front-wheel drive
- Fuel economy (litres/100 km): 8.7 city; 6.0 highway
- Alternatives: Toyota Camry, Honda Accord, Ford Fusion, Chrysler 200, Hyundai Sonata, Kia Optima
RATINGS
- Looks: The v-motion grille is in line with the company’s new offerings in other models: sportier, road-ready and more aerodynamic and attitudinal than previous generations have displayed.
- Interior: Streamlined and simplified. Nissan has tweaked Altima’s centre console to appear less cluttered; it has also taken hulk and bulk out of the dash.
- Technology: The Altima is the only car in its class to offer forward predictive collision warning for up to two cars; it’s crammed with other active safety features.
- Performance: Boasting the best highway fuel economy in its class, the Altima is designed for a quiet, smoothness and efficiency. Steering adjustments add a responsive feel that trumps Toyota’s Camry.
- Cargo: If you were really concerned about cargo, you’d buy a Rogue not an Altima. But for the days where you need more than back seat storage, Altima gets the job done with split fold-flat (or nearly flat) rear seats.
The Verdict
8.5
The Altima's sporty design feeds even a seed of need for sass. Drivers looking for punch may want to ante up for the 3.5SL, which packs a V-6 and undoubtedly more oomph on the highway.
The writer was a guest of the auto maker. Content was not subject to approval.
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Jessica Leeder