Redesigned for the 2013 model year, but built on the same Nissan D platform, the fifth-generation 2014-2015 Nissan Altima marked the beginning of a successful era for the Japanese automaker in North America's crowded midsize segment. After lagging far behind both the 2015 Toyota Camry and the 2014 Honda Accord, the Altima a started to gain on its rivals, eventually outselling both of them in the final month of 2014. The fifth-gen car was well received, being praised for its smooth and quiet ride, comfortable seats, well-crafted interior and for being quite entertaining on twisty roads. Its strong fuel economy, a particularly important feat in this segment, also helped it gain a massive amount of followers. As we move into the 2016 model year, Nissan has rolled out a substantial refresh for the fifth-generation Altima.

Although facelifts rarely feature significant changes in terms of design, the 2016 Altima is an exception to the rule. It may have something to do with the extensive update the Toyota Camry received for 2015, but it's also part of Nissan's strategy to give its entire lineup a new look. In this case, the Altima borrows heavily from the new 2016 Nissan Maxima, which is based on the stunning 2014 Nissan Sport Sedan Concept.

In many ways, Nissan kept its promise to do "something significant" for the Altima for the mid-cycle update. Let's see what this new sedan is all about.

Update 09/19/2016 Nissan has announced pricing for 2017 Nissan Altima. It continues to start out at $22,500 for the entry-level Altima 2.5 for 2017, but pricing for the Altima 3.5 models has increased slightly over last year. Check out the Prices section below for details.

Continue reading to learn more about the 2016 Nissan Altima.

Exterior

Although the overall shape and size of the Altima remained relatively unchanged, the front end is worthy of a redesign, as everything but the engine hood has been reshaped.

The previous grille has been replaced by a V-shaped unit that bears a closer resemblance to the Maxima's, while the headlamps are longer and slimmer. Down below, there's a muscular bumper with revised foglamps and a center section that mimics the grille's V-shaped design.

Around back, changes are more subtle, but worthy of a mid-cycle update. The taillights sport new graphics and extend into the trunk lid, which received revised chrome trim and a new spoiler. The rear bumper looks crisper thanks to a couple of new creases below the taillights and above the exhaust pipes.

The car's profile remained unchanged, but that's not a bad thing, as the fifth-gen Altima features a nicely sculpted beltline and a somewhat sporty roofline.

The revised appearance also makes the Altima a lot more aerodynamic, as Nissan managed to drop the sedan's drag coefficient from 0.29 to 0.26 Cd. The new active grille shutter and the revised underfloor cover are responsible for six of the ten percent improvement.

Other novelties include 17- and 18-inch alloy wheels sporting a machined finish and a new Deep Blue Pearl exterior.

For 2016, the Altima also gained an SR version, which features smoked headlamps, different foglamps, new wheels, and black window trim.

Exterior Dimensions

Interior

There are very few things customers have complained about in regards to the Altima's interior, but there's always room for improvement in a crowded segment such as this. And Nissan added plenty of new features, including a redesigned center stack, new cup holders in the center console, and a refined steering wheel. The Zero Gravity seats, which remain standard, have been updated and received softer materials.

More extra goodies are available with the SR trim, which adds blue accents on the steering wheel, door panels, and seats, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, and a leather-wrapped gear shifter.

The sedan continues to offer either a five- or seven-inch display for the NissanConnect SM with Mobile Apps and available NissanConnect Navigation with Mobile Apps.

Interior Dimensions

Drivetrain

The Altima's engines remained unchanged for 2016, meaning you'll be able to select between the same 2.5-liter four-cylinder and 3.5-liter V-6. As a reminder, the four-banger cranks out 182 horsepower and 180 pound-feet of torque, while the V-6 generates 270 horses and 251 pound-feet of twist. Both units mate to an Xtronic CVT transmission that has new shift logic that creates a more responsive acceleration feel. However, this doesn't improve the sedan's performance.

A slight improvement is expected in the fuel economy department. Due to the new active grille shutters and a higher compression ratio, the 2.5-liter four-cylinder will return 39 mpg on the highway, up from the current car's 38-mpg rating.

The new SR model can be had with either engine option.

Drivetrain Specifications

Safety

Safety features are carried over from the previous model, meaning the 2016 Altima employs front and rear head airbags, dual front, side-mounted airbags, child seat anchors, rear door child safety locks, and various driving aids. Highlights include Blind Spot Warning, Moving Object Detection, Lane Departure Warning, Tire Pressure Monitoring, Smart Auto Headlights, and RearView Monitor.

For 2015, the Altima received a Top Safety Pick rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS).

Prices

For the 2017 model year, the pricing of most trim levels carry on unchanged. The entry-level Altima 2.5 starts out at $22,500 while the 2.5 S comes in at $22,900, the 2.5 SR at $24,470, the 2.5 SV at $25,460, and the 2.5 SL at $28,570. The Altima 3.5 SR now commands $27,990 while the 2.5 SL commands $32,690. Both 3.5 models see a price increase of $600 for 2017.

2017 Nissan Altima Prices

2016 Nissan Altima Prices

Competition

2015 Toyota Camry

With 428,606 units sold in 2014, the Toyota Camry is the indisputable leader of the midsize segment and with a redesigned model already in showrooms for the 2015 model year, the Japanese sedan is off to rule this side of the automotive realm for a few more years. Although the Camry remained pretty much identical underneath, the visual side of the update was rather extensive, with the body being reshaped front to rear.

The interior is also new, featuring more upscale materials, better fit and finish and bits and pieces borrowed from the 2014 Toyota Highlander SUV. Engine-wise, the sedan is motivated by the same 2.5-liter four-pot and 3.5-liter V-6. The entry-level unit delivers 178 ponies and 170 pound-feet, while the trusty V-6 cranks out a heftier 268 horsepower and 248 pound-feet of twist. Naturally, the four-banger fares better in the fuel economy department with up to 35 mpg on the highway, while the V-6 returns 31 mpg. Not bad, but still significantly lower than the Altima's 38 mpg highway rating. Pricing for the 2015 Camry starts from $22,970.

You can read our full review here.

2016 Honda Accord

Although it didn’t break the 400,000-unit mark in 2014, the Honda Accord ended the year with 388,374 examples delivered, nearly 16-percent more compared with the Altima. The Accord has been a popular choice among customers in the midsize segment for a decade now, and although the Japanese automaker made no enhancements for the 2015 model year, it brought a redesign model to the market for 2016.

The new styling is much more angular and aggressive, while the interior, although not a massive improvement over the previous unit, features loads of new tech. Power comes from the traditional 2.4-liter inline-four and 3.5-liter V-6, rated at 185 and 278 horsepower, respectively. The 2016 Accord retails from $22,105.

You can read our full review here.

Conclusion

Things are looking rather good for the Altima following last year's sales success, which saw deliveries jump by five percent to 335,644 units, and Nissan is obviously looking to build on the momentum with a significant facelift. Sportier than ever by design and with a new SR trim on offer, the Nissan Altima has a great shot at climbing above the Honda Accord in the U.S. Granted, it's not as spectacular as the Maxima, but it's fresh enough to give its rivals a run for their money.

Update History

Updated 10/27/2015: Nissan announced prices for the 2016 Altima which will be put on sale on November 11. Prices will start from $22,500 for the 2.5 version and will go up to $32,090 for the 3.5 SL version.

Updated 10/26/2015: The redesigned 2016 Altima went into production at Nissan's Smyrna, Tennessee assembly plant, where the company is also producing its Rogue crossover. The 2016 Altima will be put on sale in November.

Updated 09/22/2015: Nissan dropped the official details for the 2016 Altima - a model that adds a new exterior look and a new, SR trim.