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2025 Car Mileage with the Best Gas MileageNew vs Used: Nissan Altima
New isn’t always better, but it can be. While considering a used Nissan Altima, take a look at our comparison of specs, trims, features, and more.
From One Generation to the Next
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The 2018 Nissan Altima was the last of the fifth generation. Starting with the sixth generation 2019 model year, the Altima received a complete redesign that includes easy-to-use features, a larger touch screen, and all-wheel-drive availability. Two years later, the 2021 Nissan Altima had just a few minor additions. There were also some subtractions. For example, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were added in 2019 and then taken away from the 2021 Nissan Altima as a standard feature. So, if you’re getting a new 2021 or a used 2018 Nissan Altima, you’ll have to pay extra for Apple or Android connectivity.
Let’s take an in-depth look at some of the other features and differences.
New vs. Used Nissan Altima Specs
A 2.5-liter, four-cylinder engine is standard in a 2018 Nissan Altima, but a 3.5-liter V6 is available in the SL trim. Depending on the engine, you’ll get between 179 and 270 horsepower. Fast forward to 2021 and you’ll get a 2.5-liter, four-cylinder that pairs with a CVT while a 2.0-liter turbo engine is available in the SR trim.
2018 trims include the S, SR, SV, and SL. 2021 will get you the S, SV, SR, SR VC-Turbo, SL, and Platinum. You may notice that the SR is now one trim higher than the SV in the 2021 Altima lineup. All-wheel drive wasn’t an option in 2018, but it is in 2021’s SV, Sr, SL, or Platinum.
When it comes to safety, the 2018 Altima was lacking a little bit of standard features. Sure, you could go up higher for adaptive cruise control or blind spot monitoring, but a rearview camera, automatic emergency braking, and forward collision warning isn’t that impressive when some other makes are offering more features for less in their lower trims.
That being said, the 2021 didn’t really improve upon that. Still standard are the automated emergency braking and forward collision warning. You have to go up to the SV to get blind spot monitoring, high-beam assist, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-keeping assist, and lane-departure warnings.
Driving & Performance
The 2.5-liter in the 2018 doesn’t produce much power. It’s not that responsive, either. If you’re trying to reach 60 mph quickly, it’ll take 8.2 seconds to get there. It’s not a speedster, by any means, but will it get you around town as much as an Accord or a Camry will? Yep!
The same goes for the 2021.
Both cars handle well enough. The 2021 Nissan Altima SR, with a sport-tuned suspension, is geared for twists and turns, but you’re going to be trading in the ride quality for the handling on the turns. All other 2021 trims give a stable ride, whether on flat or bumpy roads.
When it comes to the 2018, it holds its own. Again, it’s a stable ride with good steering and decent braking.
If you’re looking for good mileage, either Nissan Altima is a contender. That’s where they really excel. The 2021 base engine got an EPA-estimated 28 mpg in the city and 39 mpg on the highway. Meanwhile, 2018 isn’t bad either. That 2.5-liter four-cylinder got 27 mpg in the city and 38 mpg on the highway.
Interior & Comfort
Seats in the 2018 Nissan Altima are supportive enough and reasonably comfortable, especially on long drives. It’s obviously not the same level of luxury you’ll find in a Lexus ES or a Cadillac CT5, but the seats get the job done. You can work your way up the trims to heated seats and a heated steering wheel, dual-zone climate control, and power front seats.
Bluetooth is standard in the 2018, as well as a six-speaker stereo.
The 2021 cabin includes high-quality materials with some hard-plastic surfaces. When it comes to materials, however, every 2021 trim made improvements from the 2018 model. Just like with the 2018 trims, you’ll need to get into the higher trims if you want dual-zone automatic climate control in a 2021 Altima.
The 2021 Nissan Altima has optional built-in navigation, a Wi-Fi hotspot, and a Bose stereo that includes nine speakers.
New vs. Used Nissan Altima Warranty
The 2021 Nissan Altima has warranty coverage that is mostly consistent with rivals. Toyota or Hyundai will likely get you a more comprehensive warranty, but a limited warranty covers three years or 36,000 miles, and a powertrain warranty covers five years or 60,000 miles
A Nissan warranty can be transferred to a vehicle’s second owner without the previous owner having to take any kind of action. There are two exceptions to that: if the vehicle is transferred during the first six months of original ownership or if the vehicle is registered outside of the country.
In both of those cases, the warranty is considered void.
Trims & Features
A seven-inch screen is now standard in the base trim, but you can upgrade to an eight-inch touch screen if preferred. As mentioned earlier, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay are only available in higher trims of the 2018 or the 2021 Altima.
A 2018 Altima gets you a five-inch touchscreen at the entry-level trim. If you get to the 2021 SL, then you’ll get a bigger seven-inch touchscreen. Low placement makes the touchscreen a little inconvenient, but it’s still easy enough to use.
Higher Trims Is Where the Good Stuff’s At
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Other midsize competition may be better, regardless of which Nissan Altima you choose, but it does have a lot of quality features and is still a good choice for budget-minded shoppers.
2021 has the appeal of a redesign, but the 2018 wasn’t lacking. It is comfortable, with enough leg room to keep you and your passengers satisfied. There’s no glaring benefit to jump into the new Altima. New or used, you’ll probably want to go higher than the base trim so you can take full advantage of the bonus features.
If you’re going for the used 2018, upgrade to the SL. That way you’ve got a bunch of additional driver assists and better infotainment. It may cost a little more for the higher trim level than you’d like to spend on a used vehicle, but it’ll be worth it. Compared to the cost of a higher trim on a new Nissan Altima, you’ll still be saving some money.
