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New technologies make the 2022 Nissan Altima midsize sedan a serious challenger to the long-time sales dominance of the Toyota Camry and Honda Accord. The engineering science includes optional all-bike-drive, an available variable-compression engine that adjusts for performance or high-mpg driving, a suite of driver and safety assists called Safety Shield 360, and Pro Pilot Assist, a slick Level 2 semi-democratic driver assist system.

The new 2022 Altima is a very skillful car and deserves wider availability of its driver and safety assists. Merely half the Altimas on a dealer lot volition have just function of the new condom tech. In comparison, on the newest Honda to ship, virtually every car has the full safety and driver assist packet. Nissan is in a risky position if Altima shoppers rate safety as a key ownership criterion.

The Nissan VC-Turbo changes its compression ratio through a multi-link arrangement, continuously raising or lowering the pistons' reach to alter the pinch ratio from 14:1 to 8:i. A high compression ratio gives greater efficiency (merely you risk premature combustion or engine knock). A low compression ratio allows for more than ability at the expense of fuel economy. (Photo: Nissan; main photograph: Pecker Howard)

A Dazzling Array of Engineering science: Variable Pinch Engine

The newest generation of both the Toyota Camry and Honda Accord debuted in 2022 every bit 2022 models. The Accord won multiple awards, including the North American Car of the Year and ExtremeTech Motorcar of Year. The Camry is the best-selling sedan of any size in recent years. The Altima arrives this calendar month with engineering that's a year newer and better. Nissan says the Altima represents the "most extensive platform change in over 2 decades," the highest investment ever for a powertrain, and the start fourth dimension a model gets ii new engines.

Nissan variable-compression, VC-Turbo, engine. (Photo: Nissan)

Most impressively, the Altima offers a premium 248-hp, 2.five-liter turbo engine with variable pinch. The engine tin change pinch ratios on the fly: loftier-pinch for max fuel economy, low compression for max power. Maximum torque, 280 pound-feet, comes on at a super-depression 1600 rpm. Information technology replaces the Altima's old 270-hp 3.5-liter V6 engine, assuasive for a more than compact engine bay. This is a large stride upward from engines with variable valve timing. Nissan already offers VC engines within its premium Infiniti brand.

The base engine is a 188-hp 2.v-liter liter four with direct (into the cylinders) fuel injection, no turbocharging. Nissan says it's all-new likewise and has 9 more horsepower. Both utilize Nissan's conventional variable transmissions. The haters gonna hate, but for many, this CVT will role just like an automated with fixed gear ratios. [Are you calling me a hater? -Ed.]

Nissan offers all-wheel-drive or forepart-drive on the simpler engine, while the VC-turbo is front-drive only. Nissan says AWD will come to the signature engine if there'southward demand. AWD will be a key selling point in snowfall land. Toyota and Honda are front-drive only, as is the No. 5 midsize sedan, the Chevrolet Malibu. The No. 4 Ford Fusion offers all-wheel bulldoze, but Ford is killing the Fusion circa 2022 to concentrate on crossovers.  Nissan rates the base engine at 28 mpg metropolis, 39 mpg highway, 32 mpg combined, 1 mpg higher than the previous. The AWD engine is rated 26/36/thirty. The VC-turbo is rated at 25/34/29 versus 22/32/26 for the V6. That'south ameliorate than most competitors with V6 engines or turbo fours, just it carries an upcharge of $3,000-$4,500. In a solar day driving the VC-turbo, I couldn't quite match the EPA ratings, but press drive mileage oftentimes comes in below the EPA measurement.

Nissan Safety Shield is on upper trim lines. (Graphic: Nissan)

ProPilot Assist Plus Safety Shield 360

Base condom beyond all trim lines includes automatic emergency braking, a rear door alert that holds the door shut if you lot endeavour to open up it while traffic approaches on the street side, and a commuter-warning monitor that Nissan calls Intelligent Driver Alert. In that location'due south also a rear photographic camera, now required on all cars.

The Altima gets really interesting starting with Altima SV, the third trim line up. There you become semi-democratic driving, ProPilot Assist, and Nissan'southward Safety Shield 360 (graphic above). ProPilot Assistance combines adaptive cruise control and lane centering aid to guide your driving on the highway. With well-marked lanes and no heavy rain (0r snowfall) that forces you lot to raise the wipers beyond the low setting, information technology drives for you lot equally long equally you keep your easily lightly on the wheel; if your hands are off for more than than 5-10 seconds, you'll become an alert and and then ProPilot Assist easily control back to you. When I first drove ProPilot Assist two years ago, it had a trend to follow highway exits unless you overrode the steering. That's no longer the case. If you have reasonable expectations, PPA is astonishing. And a great tool for long-distance driving.

Nissan's Zero Gravity seats are as comfortable as it gets in the midsize class. The interior has been dressed upward, especially on higher trim lines. (Photo: Nissan)

Nissan Altima on the Road

The turbo-four in the Altima Platinum was powerful plenty for a family sedan, with lots of torque (ability) at low rpm. It shares one common trait with the now-departed V6: That'southward a lot of power for just the front wheels to handle if you tromp the throttle. Practice so and you'll become to sixty mph in just over half-dozen seconds.  It drives quieter and more smoothly than the first generations of Altima.

A brief drive in the Altima SR at the press intro in Santa Barbara gave a ride that was definitely sporty. With its stiffer springs and shocks, the ride is firmer than other Altima, then make certain your partner or spouse rides in or drives the car, as well, especially over bumpy pavement.

The Nada Gravity seats are especially comfortable. Nissan says the side bolsters are raised and more than supportive but information technology'south not that noticeable, and certainly not so people of girth will feel squeezed.

Compared with the outgoing model, Nissan fabricated the new Altima an inch longer (now 193 inches) and wider, with a wheelbase two inches longer, and an inch lower. The engines were designed with acme in mind then the hood and cowl could exist lowered for improve visibility and for a swoopier manner.

The Altima middle stack display moves to the acme of the dash and increases from 7 to 8 inches diagonal. (Photo: Nissan)

Bigger Display, More USB Jacks

The center stack brandish is now 8.0 inches diagonal and Nissan includes knobs and buttons to brand infotainment easier to dispense. You get 3 years of gratis map updates. Bluetooth works amend, Nissan says, and audio and navigation kick faster. The homes screen can be customized. Both the front and rear have both a traditional Type-A USB and a USB-C jack, 4 total in the car.

The Bose audio on upper trims is very good without weighing down the final cost. Onboard telematics, Nissan Connect, is as well offered. Amazon and Google worked deals and then NissanConnect services can have Amazon Alexa Skill and Google Assistant Action commands. Compatible phones and watches, through Nissan Connect, tin can issue commands such every bit remote get-go/stop, door lock/unlock, and valet alert.

Nissan Altima has been a solid 3rd in recent years amid midsize sedans. From their meridian, 2022 Altima sales were down 24% in 2022, Accord down 17%, Camry down 18%. Nissan says sedan sales will bounciness dorsum because Gen Z, born mid-1990s to early 2000s, won't buy their parents' rides: SUVs.

Nissan Says Sedans Volition Be Hot With Youthful Buyers

Nissan moved its US headquarters California to Tennessee in 2006 because it'south concern-friendly. Y'all might think Tennessee is cannabis-friendly, too, when yous hear Nissan execs say sedan sales are due to move upward. Conventional wisdom and sales stats say sedan sales are tanking. They're down to 35 percent of The states sales (the rest SUVs, pickups and the occasional minivan), and you can see a clear trend in the chart to a higher place.

Gen Z, those built-in since the mid-1990s and now entering adulthood or college, have a significant preference for sedans, Nissan says.

But hear Nissan out: Children often abound upward with interests the contrary of what mom and dad appreciated. The final of Generation 10, those born in the late 1960s through early on 1980s, plus Generation Y, built-in mid-1980s to mid-1990s, were branded for life by the experience of growing up in minivans and (less embarrassingly) SUVs. Thus Generation Z, those now in their 20s or in college — this year's college freshmen constitute the starting time form generally born after i/one/2000 — prove a 44 percent intention rate to buy a sedan versus 29 percent to buy a two- or 3-row SUV. Gen Y in comparison shows a 30 pct intention charge per unit to buy a sedan versus 45 percent to buy an SUV.

If Nissan's data is right, the Altima has Nissan well-positioned. If non, there'southward program B.  Nissan Rogue compact SUV, whose sales were dwarfed by Altima a decade ago, final yr outsold the Altima by almost 60 percent: 403,465 to 254,996. Simply where Altima is the 3rd-best-selling midsize sedan, Rogue is the 2d-best-selling SUV of any size, behind but Toyota RAV4, and the fifth-best-selling vehicle of whatsoever kind.

The 2022 Nissan Altima is an bonny machine and the only major midsize sedan offering all-wheel drive other than Ford Fusion (soon to dice) and Subaru Legacy (a brand more skillful at selling SUVs). But it won't be easy to outsell the reigning motorcar of the year (Accord) or a brand known for reliability and marketing funds earmarked to match or beat competing deals (Camry). (Photo: Bill Howard)

Should Y'all Buy an Altima?

If y'all're interested, there are six 2022 Altima trim lines (model variants). The base Altima South gives Nissan a list price under $24,000, really $24,645 with the $895 shipping accuse you tin can't turn down. Information technology includes both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto equally well as Bluetooth, drowsy driver alert, and a 7-inch multi-information LCD within the instrument panel; Nissan calls it the Advanced Drive Help Display.

The Altima SR is the sporty model and Nissan says it may be the best-selling trim line at $25,995 for the base of operations four, $ane,350 more ($27,345) for all-cycle-bulldoze, or $four,050 more ($30,045) for the VC-Turbo and front drive. It has bullheaded spot alert and rear cross-traffic alert (but not rear braking), and LED headlamps. These two are most half of sales, Nissan says.

The Altima SV, $28,825, is where you go ProPilot Aid, rear automatic braking, automated loftier beams, rear HVAC vents, heated front seats and steering wheel, and 17-inch alloys. The Altima SL, $32,085, adds leather, Bose premium audio, navigation with extra services, iii years of map updates complimentary, and traffic sign recognition. The Platinum jumps upwards to the nineteen-inch alloys and adds the surround view cameras (Intelligent Around View Monitor), and cockpit emphasis lighting. It's $32,675 with the non-turbo engine and front drive, $34,045 with AWD, and $36,675 with VC-Turbo and front bulldoze. At this betoken, you're at the same price level every bit Nissan's upscale midsize sedan, the Nissan Maxima.

19-inch alloy wheel on Altima Edition 1. (Photo: Nissan)

There'southward a limited-run, iii,900-auto Altima Edition One, $36,645, finer VC-Turbo Platinums with three paint choices, extra badging, a spoiler, ground lighting, and three years of concierge services.

Nissan has congenital almost six million Altimas and still, it's chasing Toyota and Honda. If you live in snow land, the all-wheel-bulldoze Altima is your best pick among these three. Period. AWD plus winter tires are fabulous. Comparison forepart-drive models, Honda Accord has a lot going for it. There are good reasons why the Accord is Auto of the Year. The Toyota Camry is also highly competent.

The sugariness spot of the Altima line is the SV, where you go the full force of Nissan'southward safety skills. The sporty SR should sell well only brand certain everyone in the family old plenty to comment on ride quality one time you ain a car goes to the examination drive. The ride is not Nissan GT-R potent, just information technology is notably firmer than other Altimas.

Nissan's biggest challenge, in our stance, can be repaired with the stroke of a marketer's pen: Brand the core of bulldoze/rubber assists standard across the board to match and heighten Honda. If you go to a Nissan dealer, you take a l-50 chance the Altima you settle on does not have Nissan's fullest array of assists. The S has nothing special beyond the drowsy commuter alert. The SR has blind-spot alarm and rear cross-traffic alert. The Altima SV then bypasses good and goes straight to fabulous with ProPilot Assist, which finer incorporates adaptive cruise control and lane centering assist. You lot even so must get one step higher to get surround view cameras, which are partly safe and partly cost saving (never scrape your car again while parking).