While auto industry observers seem to be fixated on the idea that crossover utility vehicles are taking over the entire market, the reality is that in America, the midsize sedan segment is still huge and vitally important to mainstream brands. For Nissan, Honda, Toyota, Kia and Hyundai, midsize sedans are their top sellers and even at Ford and Fiat Chrysler, they trail only full-size pickup trucks. With so many sales on the line, no one can afford to stand still and Nissan is launching a major refresh of the Altima for 2016 that brings new style, technology and efficiency.
The Altima just got a complete redesign three years ago and now it’s getting its first major update. As it was the Altima was handsome although not as visually exciting as the Ford Fusion that came out the same year. Hot on the heels of the launch of the all-new Maxima, Nissan has replaced all of the sheet metal forward of the A-pillars to adopt what the company calls the “energetic flow” design language.
A bright “V-motion” grille accent similar to the Murano and Maxima now flows into the more sculpted hood. Boomerang-shaped daytime running lamps line the inner edge of the new headlamps. Both front and rear bumpers now have more aggressive sculpting that echoes its big brother and gives the car a more athletic attitude.
In addition to the increased visual excitement the new shape also manages airflow over the body better to provide reduced resistance. Under the body, Nissan has added aero coverings to reduce turbulence and active shutters behind the grille block drag-inducing airflow through engine compartment when cooling air isn’t needed for the engine.
The Altima was already the most fuel efficient non-hybrid in the class but the 2016 model gets an extra mile per gallon on its highway rating, mostly due to the aerodynamic updates. Four-cylinder Altimas are now rated at 27 mpg city, 39 mpg highway and 31 mpg combined. What’s particularly impressive is that Nissan has managed to get these excellent numbers without resorting any exotic powertrain technologies.
There’s no direct injection, turbocharging or even automatic stop start. Instead, they’ve focused on solid fundamental engineering such as weight management, low drag and friction and a very efficient continuously variable transmission (CVT). This year the CVT gets new programming with a third-generation D-step that simulates the behavior of conventional transmissions while keeping the engine near its efficiency sweet spot and reducing engine speeds for reduced noise. Nissan does a better job programming its CVTs than any other automaker.
The 2.5-liter four-cylinder has also been updated with a compression ratio boosted from 10.0 to 10.3:1. Anodized piston coatings reduce internal friction and a variable displacement oil pump cuts parasitic losses.
The cabin has a redesigned dashboard with a more horizontal theme that creates an impression of increased roominess. An acoustic windshield and denser sound insulation pads are new for 2016 to reduce noise transmission into the cabin. The difference was immediately noticeable when running over some very coarse pavement.
The updates to the Altima weren’t just about increasing refinement on the inside. Significant revisions to the parts you don’t normally see have improved the car’s driving dynamics. Recalibrated steering, springs, dampers and bushings give the Altima a degree of precision and control that was missing before. I’m not sure it quites matches the Fusion which still has the balance of ride quality and handling in the segment, but it’s a lot closer and certainly doesn’t feel disconnected from the road.
Recognizing that more sporting trim levels account for anywhere from 25-40 percent sales among the Camry, Accord, Sonata and Fusion, Nissan has added a new SR trim level for 2016. SR models will be available with both the four-cylinder and the optional V6. They are visually set apart by unique 18-inch alloy wheels, dark chrome bezels in the headlamps, and a rear lip spoiler. Inside some unique trim augments the SR-exclusive manual shift paddles and a 10-way power seat for the driver.
What really distinguishes the Altima SR is the thicker anti-roll bars front and rear, further revised damping setup and the Dunlop 235/45R18 tires. The result is 20 percent less body roll and an even more secure grip as the car goes through corners.
When the Altima and Fusion debuted in 2012, Ford heavily touted the full suite of advanced driver assist features that were available while the Nissan only had a backup camera. Nissan still hasn’t caught up to the Fusion, updated Accord or even the Chrysler 200, but the Altima does have some additional ADAS features now, most prominently predictive forward collision warning (PFCW).
Predictive Forward Collision Warning system uses a sensor in the front of the vehicle to analyze the speed and distance to the vehicle directly ahead, as well as a vehicle traveling in front of that one.
The PFCW comes as a byproduct of the radar-based adaptive cruise control that is now also available. In addition to looking directly for a car ahead to track, PFCW bounces radar off the ground under that vehicle looking for the next vehicle up the road. If the reflected radar pulses indicate that second vehicle is suddenly slowing down, the Altima provides a visual and audible alert to the driver so they can slow down or move over to avoid or minimize a potential impact. I didn’t get a chance to actually test this, but it certainly can’t hurt to have that extra awareness of what is happening down the road.
In addition to the front radar sensor, the Altima can also be equipped with rear corner sensors for blindspot warning and cross traffic alert when backing out of a parking space. Nissan is definitely taking a more tentative approach to expanding availability of ADAS than other competitors including Toyota, Honda, Ford and even Chrysler and these features are only available in the tech package on the top SL grade. Nonetheless, progress is good.
For the past several years, the Altima has been a solid number three in the midsize ranks behind the long-time leaders Camry and Accord and the updates for 2016 will probably solidify this ranking for another year. The updates don’t really raise the bar in the class, but they do make the car a bit more enjoyable to drive, more attractive to look at and safer. 2016 Altimas should be a Nissan dealers as you read this and they are worth a look.
