I spent a few days behind the wheel of a 2025 Nissan Altima 2.5 SR recently.
It’s not the updated version for 2025 — that would be the SV with the Special Edition Package that includes wireless phone charging, wireless Apple CarPlay, wireless Android Auto, exterior upgrades/updates, and a 12.3-inch color HD infotainment screen.
No, this SR with all-wheel drive was one step up in the lineup, though without some of the Special Edition features. I had to plug my phone in to use CarPlay, for example.
With a 2.5-liter four-cylinder underhood that makes 182 horsepower and 178 lb-ft of torque paired to the familiar continously-variable automatic transmission, the Altima isn’t an unknown quantity. The design is still sharp but aging, although there are good things here.
Let’s dig in.
Pros
- The Altima remains relatively fun to drive with a decent amount of handling verve. It’s no sport sedan, and enthusiasts should still look in Honda’s direction, but there’s at least some engagement here.
- To that point, the steering is accurate and weighted well.
- The ride strikes a nice balance between stiff, sport, and comfort.
- The trunk is huge.
- You have physical knobs and buttons to work with.
- CVTs can annoy, but this one was well-behaved for the most part.
- Interior room up front is good.
Cons
- The infotainment is hopelessly outdate and the small center screen made CarPlay look squished.
- There are too many empty spots for features this car didn’t have.
- Too many hard plastics.
- A sloping roof cuts into rear headroom.
- The engine’s soundtrack can be a tad rough — though it’s usually muted.
The Altima, when properly equipped, can be a decent alternative to the Toyota Camry and Honda Accord. But this not-quite-loaded SR trim felt a bit downmarket and updated. With Nissan having redone the Kicks and a new Armada and Murano coming soon (keep an eye on these pages next week, by the way), one hopes that if Nissan plans to stay in the sedan business, an updated Altima will be next.
[Images © 2024 Tim Healey/TTAC.com]
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Source: The Truth About Cars
