Nissan's all-new, sixth-generation Altima has been extensively redesigned with greater refinement and efficiency, along with a more aerodynamic body boasting an impressive 0.26 drag coefficient. Distinctive styling cues include a more aggressive front facia with a V-motion grille and streamlined boomerang lights.
Inside there is a standard 7-inch driver display and a NASA-inspired zero gravity seat that enhances comfort and fights fatigue. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto come standard. Every 2019 Altima also comes equipped with a standard 8-inch multi-touch color display, Bluetooth hands-free phone system, streaming audio via Bluetooth, hands-free text messaging assistant, and Siri eyes free voice recognition. Some remote features are also accessible through NissanConnect Services’ Amazon Alexa Skill and Google Assistant Action.
Power is provided by a naturally aspirated, 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine producing 188 horsepower. There’s also an all-new, 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine with 248 horsepower on tap. The world’s first production variable compression engine, this 2.0-liter powerplant enables compression ratio to adjust from 8:1 to 14:1 by continuously raising or lowering piston reach for performance or greater efficiency. Both engines connect to an Xtronic continuously variable transmission. Paddle shifters are available with the SR grade.
Every 2.5-liter Altima is now available with Intelligent All-Wheel Drive with a 50:50 torque split in most situations, a first for a Nissan sedan and something that remains a relative rarity in this segment. Front-wheel drive 2.5-liter models are rated at 28 city/39 highway mpg.
Unique in the class, Nissan’s ProPILOT Assist helps drivers stay centered in the lane, navigate stop-and-go traffic, maintain a set vehicle speed, and maintain a set distance to the vehicle ahead. To activate the system, a driver simply pushes the blue ProPILOT Assist ON button, then sets the Intelligent Cruise Control when the desired speed is reached, similar to a conventional advanced cruise control system. It uses a forward-facing camera, forward-facing radar, sensors, and an electronic control module.
Along with ProPILOT Assist, also new for 2019 is Rear Automatic Braking that helps a driver by detecting and warning of objects while backing up, and if necessary applying brakes to help avoid a collision. Other safety and convenience features include standard Automatic Emergency Braking, Intelligent Forward Collision Warning, and Intelligent Driver Alertness 3 on all grades.
Intelligent Around View Monitor is standard on the Altima Platinum. Safety Shield 360 includes Automatic Emergency Braking with Pedestrian Detection, Rear Automatic Braking, Lane Departure Warning, radar-based Blind Spot Warning, Rear Cross Traffic Alert, and High Beam Assist (HBA). A new Traffic Sign Recognition system provides the most recent speed limit information.
The 2019 Nissan Altima offers a base cost of $23,900, a point of entry approachable for a great many buyers seeking a fun-do-drive, stylish vehicle offering laudable fuel efficiency and some of the most advanced technology available in its class.
Green Car Journal has made a strategic expansion of its annual Green Car of the Year® program at the LA Auto Show’s AutoMobility LA this year, now including complementary awards for 2019 Luxury Green Car of the Year™ and 2019 Green SUV of the Year™. The magazine has also just announced finalists for the three high-profile awards.
Finalists for 2019 Green Car of the Year® include the Honda Insight, Lexus ES 300h, Nissan Altima, Toyota Avalon Hybrid, and Volkswagen Jetta. Competing for 2019 Luxury Green Car of the Year™ are finalists Audi e-tron, Jaguar I-PACE, Porsche Cayenne E-Hybrid, Range Rover P400e, and Tesla Model 3. The field of 2019 Green SUV of the Year™ finalists includes the Cadillac XT4, Hyundai Kona, Lexus UX, Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV, and the Volvo XC40.
Finalists for the 2019 Green Car of the Year® illustrate that 'green' comes in many forms, with efficient internal combustion and hybrid vehicles taking center stage. Gasoline models continue to achieve notable levels of efficiency and lower carbon emissions. At the same time, it's evident how important electrification has become in today's models, with two 2019 Green SUV of the Year™ finalists and all five finalists for the 2019 Luxury Green Car of the Year™ featuring battery electric or plug-in hybrid power. Green Car Journal has been recognizing leadership in the automotive field through its Green Car Awards program over the past 14 years.
2019 GREEN CAR OF THE YEAR FINALISTS
HONDA INSIGHT
Honda's third-generation Insight sedan features an appealing and sophisticated design, loads of tech, and an advanced two-motor hybrid system that delivers an EPA estimated 55 highway mpg.
LEXUS ES 300h
The all-new Lexus ES 300h offers an eye-catching appearance and pleasing driving experience, with a fourth-generation hybrid system delivering a class-leading 44 combined mpg.
NISSAN ALTIMA
The new-generation Nissan Altima has a more aggressive stance, advanced ProPILOT Assist, and greater efficiency with its turbocharged, variable compression four-cylinder engine.
TOYOTA AVALON HYBRID
Toyota's new Avalon Hybrid is longer, lower, and more stylish, with high mpg and spirited driving delivered by a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine and all-new Toyota Hybrid System II powertrain.
VOLKSWAGEN JETTA
Built on VW's MQB platform, the seventh-generation Jetta offers a bolder design, greater interior space, lots of tech, and a 1.4-liter turbocharged TSI engine netting up to 40 highway mpg.
Since its inception in 2006, the Green Car of the Year® has been selected by Green Car Journal editors and invited jurors from highly-respected efficiency and environmental organizations. This year's invited Green Car of the Year® jurors include celebrity auto enthusiast Jay Leno; Jean-Michel Cousteau, President of Ocean Futures Society; Matt Petersen, President and CEO of Los Angeles Cleantech Incubator and Board Member of Global Green USA; Dr. Alan Lloyd, President Emeritus of the International Council on Clean Transportation and Senior Research Fellow at the Energy Institute, University of Texas at Austin; Mindy Lubber, President of CERES; and Jason Hartke, President of the Alliance to Save Energy.
2019 LUXURY GREEN CAR OF THE YEAR FINALISTS
AUDI e-tron
The new Audi e-tron crossover SUV is this automaker's first all-electric production model, combining a handsome design, all-wheel drive performance, and a range of well over 200 miles.
JAGUAR I-PACE
Jaguar's first electric vehicle, the new I-PACE offers a pleasing and aggressive design, luxury appointments, exceptional driving characteristics, and a 240-mile all-electric driving range.
PORSCHE CAYENNE E-HYBRID
The Cayenne E-Hybrid is an all-new generation of Porsche's plug-in Cayenne model, featuring a 3.0-liter gas engine and 136 hp electric motor for exceptional performance and greater efficiency.
RANGE ROVER P400e
A new plug-in hybrid variant of the Range Rover SUV, the P400e combines the luxury of the standard model with efficiency achieved with a 2.0-liter gas engine and 114 hp electric motor.
TESLA MODEL 3
Tesla's latest offering, the Model 3, is a stylish and high-tech sedan offering a signature Tesla look, lots of advanced technology, and an EPA estimated electric range of 210 to 310 miles.
2019 GREEN SUV OF THE YEAR FINALISTS
CADILLAC XT4
The Cadillac XT4 blends the functionality of a compact SUV, the sophistication of a Cadillac sedan, and the efficiency of turbocharged four-cylinder power in a stylish new model.
HYUNDAI KONA
Hyundai's stylish Kona crossover SUV comes in two variations, one powered by efficient internal combustion power and the other an all-electric model that delivers 258 miles of electric range.
LEXUS UX
Offered in conventionally-powered UX 200 and hybrid UX 250h hybrid versions, Lexus' entry-level luxury model offers admirable efficiency in a functional, efficient, and compact form.
MITSUBISHI OUTLANDER PHEV
The Outlander PHEV is Mitsubishi's new plug-in hybrid addition to its full-size SUV model, providing greater efficiency and AWD using a 2.0-liter gasoline engine and two electric motors.
VOLVO XC40
The all-new XC40 compact SUV, the first model built on Volvo's Compact Modular Architecture (CMA), features a bold exterior, refined interior, and efficient four-cylinder Drive-E powertrain.
While the electric LEAF is clearly Nissan’s highest-profile environmental statement worldwide, mainstream cars like this automaker’s Altima – which sells in hundreds of thousands of units annually – are the ones that carry the day. That may change in time as advanced and alternative powertrains seek to displace more conventional motivation, but this is today’s reality.
Our recent time with Nissan’s mid-size Altima 2.5 SV sedan proved this mainstream model a solid performer that not only delivers a pleasing driving experience at affordable cost, but pretty admirable fuel economy as well. Emerging two model years ago as an all-new iteration, the Altima remains a stylish choice with loads of functionality and new levels of connectivity and integration of on-board electronics.
The Altima is pleasing to the eye with a dramatic front end and sculpted fenders, a long sloping roofline, curvaceous taillights that flow into the body, and a fluid silhouette that helps achieve an efficient 0.29 coefficient of drag. While featuring an eye-catching and distinctive chrome-rimmed grille and projector headlight design, it’s otherwise devoid of gimmicky angles and lines that would diminish its appeal to mainstream buyers. Our 2.5 SV rolled on 17-inch aluminum alloy wheels and Michelin 215/55R17 tires.
Inside is a comfortable and accommodating interior designed with pleasing materials, logical controls, and pushbutton start. Remote engine start is also possible with the vehicle’s Nissan Intelligent Key, plus the ability to precondition the interior to desired temps via the key’s Intelligent Climate Control function. Both driver and front passenger are treated to what Nissan describes as Zero Gravity front seats. These fatigue-reducing seats have been designed with long commutes and road trips in mind, providing support in as close as possible to the ‘neutral posture’ position that NASA research shows a human body takes in a weightless environment. Rear seat passengers are provided comfortable seating and adequate legroom for long trips. The Altima also carries more than its share of gear for those trips with a truly spacious trunk.
Standard on all Altima models is Nissan’s customizable Advanced Drive-Assist display, which features a 4-inch color screen with 3D graphics located in the center of the instrument panel, flanked by a speedometer and tach. Here, key information can be selectively displayed including instant mpg, tire pressure readouts, audio system information, and turn-by-turn navigation instructions (in nav-equipped models).
Our Altima 2.5 SV included a Convenience Package as standard fare, adding in such niceties as a power sliding/tilt moonroof, SiriusXM Traffic and Travel Link, and folding mirrors with integrated turn signals. The SV model’s Technology Package brings an additional array of desired features including a 7-inch color touch-screen display and NissanConnect with navigation, mobile apps, and available hands-free text messaging.
Aimed at keeping driver and passengers connected while on the road, NissanConnect apps include Facebook, iHeart Radio, Google online search, and Pandora. The system is designed to allow introducing additional travel, social networking, and entertainment apps. In addition to connectivity, the Technology Package provides important safety technology including Blind Sport Warning, Lane Departure Warning, and Moving Object Detection systems.
During our 700-plus mile drive through California's gold country, we found the Altima 2.5 SV to be sure-footed, responsive, and comfortable to drive. Its 182 horsepower, 2.5-liter four-cylinder provides all the power needed on the road while delivering an impressive EPA-estimated 27 city and 38 highway mpg. An optionally available 3.5-liter V-6 provides 270 horsepower while achieving EPA-estimated 22 city and 32 highway fuel economy, a 1 mpg improvement over last year. Both versions move power to the road through an efficient Xtronic continuously variable transmission (CVT).
Higher fuel efficiency is an imperative these days and Nissan clearly gets it, especially with its 2.5-liter engine. The Altima achieves its efficiencies in myriad ways including the integration of lightweighting techniques like a thermoplastic resin intake manifold, lower rolling resistance tires, 40 percent friction reduction in the transmission, and a regenerative alternator that operates only while coasting to reduce parasitic load on the engine.
Nissan’s Altima is one of the best selling cars in the country and this automaker’s top selling model, period. Staying ahead of the curve in the crowded mid-size market is no easy thing, with the competition continually raising the bar in efficiency, safety, value, and performance. The 2015 Nissan Altima keeps its winning personality and adds in the right mix of new features and advanced electronics to keep its stride in this hot market segment.