The updated 2016 Nissan Altima has been revealed in US-spec form, showcasing a facelifted design and improved aerodynamics, and an updated interior.
The upside of the aerodynamic improvements is fuel economy is expected to increase to 27/39/31 mpg city/highway/combined for the four-cylinder, making it the most fuel-efficient base sedan in the class. The larger V-6 is estimated to get 22/32/26 mpg, according to Nissan. In addition, highway fuel economy has been increased to a best-in-class** 39 miles-per-gallon for Altima 2.5-liter engine models (except 2.5 SR).
The 2016 Altima offers a wide-ranging list of enhancements, including a refreshed exterior following the new Nissan “Energetic Flow” design language introduced on the all-new 2015 Murano and 2016 Maxima. Now the Altima wears that same flowing look, with significant updates to the front and rear ends, as well as new fenders and wheels. The Altima has fought an intense sales battle recently with the venerable Accord and Camry, but stalwart reliability and unbeatable value have seen Nissan’s midsize sedan reach over 30,000 units per month in recent months. The front and rear fascias are totally new, with the front bumper now sporting Nissan’s V-shaped grille and LED headlights with the signature boomerang shape. The sedan’s weight has also been reduced and the car gets better sound isolation for a quieter cabin.
No powertrain upgrades have been made, so the Altima is still available with a 2.5-liter four-cylinder (183 hp and 180 lb-ft of torque) and a 3.5-liter V6 (270 ho and 251 lb-ft).
Speaking of cabin tweaks, interior refinement is up across the range for 2016, and not just because of a revised center stack with a 5-inch display with standard rearview camera (7-inch screens accompany navigation-equipped models).
“The new Altima SR is a real sporting vehicle, not just a marketing package”, said Muñoz. “We’re determined to keep our sales growth alive with this vibrant new Altima for 2016”.
Step inside and you’ll find a new retrimmed centre console and transmission tunnel, although the switchgear itself appears to have been mostly carried over.
For photography and additional information about the 2016 Nissan Altima, along with the complete lineup of Nissan vehicles, please visit NissanNews.com.
The new safety features include a predictive forward collision warning system and a radar-based blind spot warning system, Nissan said. Though pricing has yet to be announced, expect a similar starting price as the 2015 Altima 2.5 that costs $23,125 with destination. Tacking on paddle shifters, 18-inch wheels, a rear decklid spoiler, and contrast blue stitching in the interior, Nissan is aiming directly for the sport trim market share, which they claim accounts for up to 40-percent of total sales among their competitors. Altima SR adds smoked headlight bezels.
The Japanese automaker unveiled Tuesday the restyled-for-2016 Altima, a mid-size sedan supposed to compete with the likes of the Ford Fusion, Chevrolet Malibu and Chrysler 200 in the US.