Used Nissan Altima

The Nissan Altima is a fan-favorite sedan from Nissan’s lineup of automobiles with a history that dates back to the early 1990s. The industry has gone through significant changes since the first Altima was released to the public in 1992 under the moniker of “Stanza Altima.” Over the years, Nissan has continually innovated upon its foundation, making a new or used Nissan Altima a desirable car to own.

The first wave of Altima vehicles was met with a favorable reception, namely due to its value-orientated spot in the market coupled with an engine that produced 150 hp, which was fantastic for that time. Throughout the mid-1990s, the Altima would receive a plethora of additions until Nissan launched the second-generation Altima in 1998. This generation of Altima was rather short-lived as Nissan would go on to release the third-generation Altima a few years later in 2002.

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A white 2014 Used Nissan Altima is shown from the front on a city street.

The Engine Power Behind the Altima

Altima drivers were now given the choice of two potent engines to power their vehicle, one of which was a 2.5L 4-cylinder, while the other was a powerful 3.5L V6. Fans and critics alike praised the direction Nissan was heading in with their latest Altima lineup. As the market had fully adjusted to the new millennium, lineups from the 1990s, such as the Altima, saw a substantial increase in power.

Along with the introduction of the fourth-generation Altima, much of what powers the vehicle went unchanged as its engines were derivative of generations prior. However, these engines saw an increase in performance as the 4-cylinder from the previous generation could now produce 175 hp, and the V6 would produce 270 hp. This generation saw the introduction of a hybrid model along with tech-centric features still in use today, such as Bluetooth and the inclusion of a rear-view camera.

The fifth-generation Altima was released in 2013, and with it came a fresh overhaul. Like the generation prior, the engines got another increase in performance, and the vehicle would see annual upgrades. In the current year, the Nissan Altima is in the midst of its sixth generation. Nissan has made numerous enhancements to the lineup this time around. No longer does the lineup sport a V6 engine as a turbocharged 2.0L 4-cylinder has taken its spot with an ability to produce 248 hp. In addition to this, the latest safety and connectivity features have been taken into consideration, ultimately making the new Altima a prime choice for many drivers.

A grey 2013 Used Nissan Altima is shown from the rear driving around a corner in bright sun.

Does the Nissan Altima Have Apple CarPlay or Android Auto?

Staying connected plays a crucial role in today’s world. Manufacturers are embracing this trend, and because of this, their vehicles are developed with the latest technology to achieve on-the-road connectivity. With the rise of smartphones, drivers want to be able to stay connected. As drivers are not encouraged to use their phones while driving, advancements have been made to keep you both connected and safe at all times. That's why vehicles like the Nissan Altima now have Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility.

Billions of people around the world use smartphones, with a vast majority being Apple and Android devices. Centered around infotainment systems found in a wide range of vehicles, Apple developed CarPlay back in 2014, and this was followed by Google’s Android Auto a year later. Vehicle manufacturers took notice over time and began implementing these software suites into their lineups. The Altima received Apple CarPlay and Android Auto in the 2018 model year, and it remains an available option in each Altima since.

Apple CarPlay and Android Auto have revolutionized the traditional infotainment center experience. Owners of the Nissan Altima from 2018 onwards will have the ability to connect their iPhone or compatible Android device directly to the infotainment center for seamless access to the software. After loading up CarPlay or Auto, Altima owners will instantly access their device’s functions, including phone calls and text messages, without taking their hands off the wheel. These functions are performed through voice commands and access to digital assistants such as Siri and Google Assistant.

Digital assistants can also help drivers by offering live news and weather updates. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto also provide drivers access to their music libraries for media playback along with turn-by-turn navigation. In addition to this, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto allow Altima owners to customize their experience by setting custom wallpapers and provide an app-store full of useful applications.

What Safety Awards Has the Nissan Altima Won?

A blue 2014 Used Nissan Altima is shown from the side in front of a blue sky.

Historically, the Nissan Altima has always been a vehicle built with a heavy emphasis on safety, which makes this used sedan a great one. Throughout the past few decades, safer driving has been a goal mutually shared between manufacturers, and Nissan has always been at the forefront. As more advancements were discovered and adopted into the modern safety suite, the Nissan Altima adopted these new features. With an extensive history of reliable automobiles, shopping for a used Nissan Altima doesn’t deter from its safety abilities, even if the model is a decade old.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) awarded the 2011 Altima an overall rating of four out of five stars. Three scores are given to each vehicle the NHTSA tests, including a front, side, and rollover star rating to fully cover the scope of how safe a car is in a crash. The 2011 Altima received four stars for a frontal crash rating, five stars for its side crash rating, and four stars for its rollover resistance rating.

Later models of the Altima would continue to improve upon its established safety features. The NHTSA would perform the same three tests on future lineup models, including the 2014 Altima. Unlike the 2011 model, the 2014 Altima received an overall safety rating of five stars, with front and side crash tests receiving five stars and rollover resistance scoring four.

More recent iterations of the lineup, such as the 2019 Altima, saw a plethora of awards, including a top-safety pick by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). Additionally, the NHTSA gave the 2019 Altima yet another overall five-star rating with both rollovers and side crash tests scoring a full five, and the front crash test getting a rating of four stars. These ratings signify that purchasing a pre-owned Nissan Altima will still grant drivers a reliable and durable ride, much like the newer models.

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