Is the 2023 Nissan Altima a Good Mid-Size Sedan? 5 Pros and 3 Cons

Mid-size sedans were once the go-to choice for family transportation, but in recent years, they’ve been disregarded by most buyers in favor of the greater utility and versatility of an SUV. However, sedans like the Nissan Altima still have their own appeal, offering sharper handling and cornering than most SUVs, along with an added dash of style.

Related: 2023 Nissan Altima 2.0 SR Review: A Sensible, Somewhat Sporty Sedan

For 2023, Nissan has freshened the Altima with new front-end styling, some updated wheel designs, additional standard safety features and more tech, including optional wireless device charging, wireless Apple CarPlay and a larger, newly available 12.3-inch touchscreen.

The updates are all worthwhile and help keep the already capable Altima competitive against other remaining mid-size sedans, such as the Honda Accord, Hyundai Sonata and Toyota Camry. But if you’re looking for a hybrid, you might want to keep those others on your list, as Nissan does not offer a hybrid version of the Altima.

Cars.com’s Damon Bell recently spent some time road-tripping in a 2023 Nissan Altima 2.0 SR and had plenty of time and miles to get to know the updated version. While he had mostly positive things to say, Bell found a few nits to pick. Here are five things we like about the 2023 Nissan Altima and three things we don’t.

Things We Like

1. Go Big or Go Home

The only way to get the more powerful 2.0-liter engine in the Altima is by opting for the 2.0 SR trim, which has replaced the discontinued Platinum as the top trim choice. With the aid of turbocharging and a variable compression ratio, the 2.0-liter four-cylinder is good for 248 horsepower on premium fuel and 236 hp with regular. Performance is a notable step up from the base 188-hp, 2.5-liter four-cylinder, and there’s plenty of passing power once you get rolling. The exhaust note is quiet while cruising, but it can get loud under acceleration.

2. Infrequent Fueler

One big advantage most sedans have over similarly sized SUVs is improved fuel economy, and the redesigned Altima is no exception. The 2.0 SR is EPA-rated at 25/34/29 mpg city/highway/combined, which beats out not only the typical mid-size SUV but also direct sedan rivals from Hyundai, Kia and Toyota. Bell averaged 31.6 mpg over 760 miles of mostly highway driving.

3. Semi-Sporty

Opting for the SR trim gets you a sport-tuned suspension and larger 19-inch wheels with low-profile all-season tires, resulting in balanced and competent handling. While carving corners in the Altima SR is easily more rewarding than the typical SUV, a lack of steering feel or selectable drive modes keep the Altima from being confused with a true sports sedan. The upgraded wheels and tires can make for a stiffer ride around town, but things smooth out at highway speeds.

4. Tech Marches On

The 2023 mild refresh brings improvements to the SR trim’s interior, including upgraded upholstery and added available tech features. Controls are refreshingly simple and straightforward, and the new 12.3-inch touchscreen is a welcome upgrade to an already good infotainment system. Phone pairing is quick and painless, and the navigation system’s bonus features include area restaurants and gas stations, the latter with real-time fuel prices. The newly available wireless charging pad is another well-thought-out touch, with a grippy surface and a charging indicator light that’s easy to see.

5. Pleasantly Priced

Our top-trim Altima 2.0 SR came to $36,835 (all prices include destination), making it something of a deal. A similarly equipped Hyundai Sonata N-Line undercuts it slightly at $35,815, but the Altima 2.0 SR checks in at nearly $500 less than a Kia K5 GT and thousands less than the slightly better-equipped Toyota Camry XSE V-6, which starts at about $39,500. It’s also considerably less than the price of most mid-size SUVs.  

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Things We Don’t Like

1. No AWD for the Sporty Trim

Like the competing K5 and Camry, the Altima is only available with all-wheel-drive if you stick with the base 188-hp four-cylinder engine. That means you also don’t get the SR’s upgraded suspension and larger wheels and tires. Mid-size sedan fans looking for lively acceleration to go with the added traction of AWD have only one choice in the category: the Subaru Legacy with its optional 260-hp, turbocharged 2.4-liter.

2. Continuously Droning Transmission

Nissan has long been a believer in continuously variable automatic transmissions for their increased smoothness and fuel economy, if often at the expense of a sporty driving experience. The updated Altima is no exception. The downsides of a CVT include a sort of mushy feel rather than positive gear changes, as well as a certain amount of droning as the engine  rpm rises when the vehicle accelerates. As part of its mission to be the sporty Altima, the SR gets paddle shifters to help mimic the feel of a conventional automatic, but it just ain’t the same.

3. Technical Difficulties

The larger touchscreen enhances what was already one of the better infotainment systems on the market, but it’s odd that Nissan didn’t upgrade the rearview camera at the same time. The camera is a disappointment, with lower resolution than most other new vehicles. Also, the Altima’s lane departure warning system includes an intervention feature that is a little more vigilant than we’d like, lightly applying the brakes for a moment whenever a wheel crosses a lane marker.

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