2020 Nissan Altima

The 2020 Nissan Altima, gets a few changes, in terms of the trims it’s being offered in. A total of 7 trims- S, SR, SR VC-Turbo, SV, SL, Platinum and Platinum VC-Turbo, are being offered in a variety of tunes and a variety of features. For 2020, Nissan is playing the safety card and is offering a plethora of driver aids and its Safety Shield Package as standard across all the trims. All the trims, except for the Powerful Turbocharged SR VC-Turbo and Platinum VC-Turbo, come with standard FWD and can be configured in an AWD version as well.

Trim	S	SR	SR VC-Turbo	SV	SL	Platinum	Platinum VC-Turbo
MSRP (FWD)	$24,100	$25,700	$29,750	$27,880	$30,240	$32,180	$35,180
MSRP (AWD)	$25,450	$27,050	-	$29,230	$31,590	$33,530	-
Key Features	Intelligent Forward Collision Warning	Adds/Upgrades from S	Adds/Upgrades from SR	Adds/Upgrades from SR VC-Turbo	Adds/Upgrades from SV	Adds/Upgrades from SL	Adds/upgrades from Platinum
	Automatic Emergency Braking	LED Headlights	LED Headlights	Power Sliding Glass moonroof	9 Speaker Bose Audio	Interior Accent Lighting	Driver’s Memory Seat
	Rear View Monitor	Dark Chrome V-Motion Grill	2.0L Variable Compression Turbo DOHC 16-Valve 4-Cylinder Engine	Dual Zone Auto Temperature Control	Leather-Appointed Seats	Driver’s Memory Seat	2.0L Variable Compression Turbo DOHC 16-Valve 4-Cylinder Engine
	16” Steel Wheels with Wheel Covers	19” Aluminum Alloys	19” Aluminum Alloys	17” Aluminum Alloys	4 Way power adjustable front seats	19” Aluminum Alloy	19” Aluminum Alloy
	8” Touchscreen Display	Sport Tuned Suspension	Sport Tuned Suspension	Nissan Pro-Pilot Assist	Nissan Door to Door Navigation	Around View Monitor	Around View Monitor
		Paddle Shifters with Manual Shift Mode	Paddle Shifters with Manual Shift Mode	Intelligent Lane Intervention	Nissan Connect Services	ORVM’s with memory	ORVM’s with memory

Which trim to go for?

For all those, who crave for power and performance will certainly enjoy the SR VC-Turbo Trim that offers the fun of the potent turbocharged 4 Cylinder Motor and the premium features of the SR. However, if you aren’t one of those, you will be pretty content with the Platinum trim that bundles a lot of convenience features, at a comparatively small premium over the base trims.

Bear with us on this, but Nissan has a lot of engines and variations on offer with the 2020 Altima. There are basically 2 Engines on offer across the 2020 Altima Range but they have a different state of tunes and have different outputs as per the fuel used and configuration.

The Standard 2.5L DOHC Inline 4 Cylinder Motor, available in all the trims except for the Turbo ones, delivers 188hp and 180lbs.-ft. Of torque in the FWD version and 182hp and 178lbs.-ft. Of torque in the AWD version. The Turbocharged Trims- VC-Turbo SR and Platinum, get power from a Turbocharged 2.0L Inline-4 DOHC Motor that delivers 248hp and 273lbs.ft. Of torque while running on premium fuel and 236hp and 267lb.ft. Torque, while running on standard quality fuel. The Turbocharged Motors come paired to just the FWD configuration only.

The Talking point of this Turbocharged motor comes from the fact that this is the World’s First Variable Compression Turbocharged Engine (VC) and this literally changes shape as it adjusts the compression ratio to maximize output or fuel economy.

Models	Ford Fusion Titanium*	Kia Optima SX*	Hyundai Sonata Limited 2.0T*	Nissan Altima Platinum VC-Turbo
MSRP	$35,335	$32,915	$33,020	$35,180
Engine	2.0L Turbocharged Inline-4	2.0L Turbocharged Inline-4	2.0L Turbocharged Inline-4	2.0L Variable Compression Turbocharged Inline-4
Transmission	6-speed automatic	6-speed automatic	8-Speed Automatic	Continuously Variable Transmission
Horsepower (hp)	245@5500rpm	245@6000rpm	245@6000rpm	248@ 5600rpm
Torque (lbs.-ft.)	275@3000rpm	260@1350rpm	260@1350rpm	273@4000rpm

*2019 Model year Figures used for comparison purposes only

A CVT transmission is the only gearbox available with either of the engines and the good news is that it’s not like other CVTs. It’s refined and smooth and even simulates gear changes under hard acceleration. Nissan says that they have worked on it and hence, the new unit feels better and snappier than the one in the previous iteration of the Altima

The competitors – Ford Fusion, Kia Optima, and the Hyundai Sonata – all have very competitive engines with the Altima’s base engine. They all have relatively the same displacement and have very similar power and torque outputs. Nissan is the only one to use a CVT while others use conventional 6/8-speed automatics.

How quickly does it gather pace?

With the Turbocharged Motor, the 2020 Altima fares well, when you compare it to its rivals in the acceleration tests. The 5.9 Second time to do the 60MPH run is quicker than most of its similarly-priced rivals and the base version, with the naturally aspirated motor does the same in 7.7 seconds. This makes overtaking easy on the city and when you have the need to push through traffic on the Interstates, you can do it with ease with the Altima’s responsive motors.

Models	Ford Fusion Titanium*	Kia Optima SX*	Hyundai Sonata Limited 2.0T*	Nissan Altima Platinum VC-Turbo
0-60 MPH(sec)	6.8	6.7	7.4	5.9
Quarter mile(sec)	15.1	15.1	15.3	14.6
Weight(lbs.)	3676	3558	3527	3436
Emission (Tons/yr of CO2 Emissions @ 15K mi/year)	7.1	6.1	6.8	5.6

As far as rivals go, The Nissan reigns at the top when you stack it against them. The Second to the Nissan is the Kia Optima, which is closely followed by the Ford Fusion. Despite the Same Engine and similar weight as the Kia, the Hyundai Sonata is the slowest of the lot, owing to its 8 speed automatic.

How composed is the Ride?

The 2020 Nissan Altima offers a good balance between ride quality and body control. The ride remains comfortable and composed and you could easily spend long hours in the cabin. Also, it maintains is composure quite well even through the corners. There is not much body roll and the car beautifully glides into fast corners and sharp turns perfectly well.

The steering is also very precise and there is a good amount of feeling from the steering wheel. It's direct, there is a good amount of effort required to steer the car at higher speeds which is very appreciable and yet it remains light and easy at lower speeds. The chassis has also been almost completely updated from the last generation and it really shows in the handling of the car. The SR trims get sporty suspension which allows it to handle the corners even better. Overall, it’s a very stable and composed car at most times.

What about the Braking performance?

The 2020 Nissan Altima comes Power Assisted Vented Discs in the Front and Solid Discs in the rear. The Altima fares well in the 60-0MPH braking tests and takes just 116ft, to stop from the same speed. Courtesy of a 4 Wheel 4 Channel ABS, Brake Assist and EBD, you will find plenty of stability on offer under heavy braking. The Noise Dive is pretty well contained and the brake pedals offer a linear feedback and pretty prompt responsiveness on application.

Models	Ford Fusion Titanium*	Kia Optima SX*	Hyundai Sonata Limited 2.0T*	Nissan Altima Platinum VC-Turbo
Brake Front (in.)	11.8	12	12	11.65
Brake Rear (in.)	11.9	11.2	11.2	11.50
60-0 MPH (ft.)	116	117	118	116

Speaking of the rivals, Nissan’s braking performance ranks at the top of the charts and is matched by the Ford Fusion. The Korean Counterparts of the Nissan offer decent braking performance as well but fall short of the Nissan’s figures by the smallest of margins.

With the Variable Compression Turbocharging Technology, the 2020 Nissan Altima has managed to deliver an Overall Combined Segment Topping MPG figure of 29MPG. Nissan has not compromised on the performance of the Altima with its turbocharged engine and well optimized CVT and delivered on the Fuel Economy front as well. Combine that with a 16.2 Fuel Tank and you have a solid driving range of over 400 miles on the City and over 550 miles on the motorways.

Models	Ford Fusion Titanium*	Kia Optima SX*	Hyundai Sonata Limited 2.0T*	Nissan Altima Platinum VC-Turbo
MPG (city)	21	21	23	25
MPG (highway)	31	30	32	34
MPG (combined)	25	24	26	29
Fuel Tank Capacity(Gal.)	16.5	18.5	18.5	16.2
Range City/Hwy (Miles)	347/512	389/555	426/592	405/551

Talking of the rivals, the Hyundai Sonata impresses with its overall 26MPG figure and segment leading range in both the city and the highway. The Ford follows the Nissan in the MPG figures department and the table is rounded off with the Kia coming in last.

The interior design is simplistic, yet it’s very pleasing to the eye. All controls have been very neatly laid out. The 8-inch floating infotainment system sits atop the AC vents and it looks sleek and smart. The climate controls have a dedicated panel to them which also looks very neat. In between, there’s a wraparound plastic trim on the dashboard that has been simulated to look like wood and it looks rather good.

The quality of materials used is good but fit and finish at all places are not so good as some panels feel flimsy in terms of fit. The steering is thin with a flat bottom and houses several control for various things. There’s a 7-inch information display in between the analog dials in the instrument cluster which is also very attractive. The gear shifter is normal lever – thankfully so, instead of buttons and dials – and there are cup holders beside it. It’s a very pleasing cabin to be in which has been designed very aesthetically.

Also, the light colors used in the cabin along with the good glass area make the cabin feel big and airy. The rear seats are comfortable too and can easily seat three people. If there are no three passengers, you have a central armrest with cup holders as well.

Models	Ford Fusion Titanium*	Kia Optima SX*	Hyundai Sonata Limited 2.0T*	Nissan Altima Platinum VC-Turbo
Passenger capacity	5	5	5	5
Front (Head/Shoulder/Leg) (In.)	39.2/57.8/44.3	39.8/58.1/45.5	40.4/ 57.9/ 45.5	38.0/58.2/43.8
Second (Head/Shoulder/Leg) (In.)	37.8/56.9/38.3	37.8/56.4/35.6	38.0/56.5/ 35.6	36.7/57.1/35.2

The Altima has very roomy interiors, although its dimensions are not the best in class. The seats particularly are very comfortable. They provide great cushioning and good bolstering on the sides as well. They are heated and offer multi-way power adjustments and are quite easily the best seats in the entire class.

How good is the Infotainment system?

The 8-inch infotainment screen is a touch unit and is pretty good. It’s easy to use and quite responsive to commands. The graphics are quite good as well. There are a few short cut physical buttons below the screen for essential functions which make it very handy. There’s also Android Auto and Apple CarPlay as standard. However, the touch screen is quite prone to fingerprint marks. Some of the other highlights of the system includes

• 8" touchscreen infotainment system
• Apple carplay, Android Auto, and Siri Eyes Free
• 9 speaker Bose audio system with BlueTooth
• Aux inputs, 2 standard USB, and 2 USB Type-C ports
• SiriusXM and HD radio

Features to expect on the inside?

Nissan has updated the Altima for 2020 and has bundled a ton load of features on the inside. Some of the most notable features on the inside includes the following features

• Dual-zone automatic temperature control
• Rear passenger air conditioning vents
• Rear door alert
• Nissan intelligent key with push-button ignition
• Remote engine start system
• Tilt and telescoping steering column
• Variable intermittent speed-sensitive windshield wipers
• Sun visors with illuminated vanity mirrors and extensions
• Auto-dimming inside rearview mirror
• Interior accent lighting
• Illuminated kick plates
• 4-way power-adjustable front-passenger seat
• Driver's memory seat
• Leather-appointed seats
• Heated front seats
• Heated and Leather-wrapped steering wheel

Is the Boot spacious?

In short, Yes. When you compare the Altima with its adversaries, you will be happy to note that the space on offer is on par with the others. There are plenty of cubby holes on the inside and you won't find the shortage of storage spaces on the inside.

Models	Ford Fusion Titanium*	Kia Optima SX*	Hyundai Sonata Limited 2.0T*	Nissan Altima Platinum VC-Turbo
Cargo Capacity (lb.)	16	15.9	16.3	15.4

The Hyundai Sonata has the best cargo space at 16.3 cu-ft while the Altima has 15.4 cu-ft of space. Still, that’s plenty of space of fit at least four large bags and probably a little more. The load lip is a little high though which may be some inconvenience.

The new generation of the Altima looks handsome and bold. The design is more of an evolution than a revolution but tastefully so. The V shaped chrome grille now comes down the entire length of the bumper which is further surrounded by a dark chrome V-grille. The head lamps have been completely redesigned and are now sleeker with arrow-like details inside them. The bumper housing the fog lamps have sharp angular cuts and creases to make a very bold front fascia.

Move over to the side and you will see a character line from the headlamps running along the window line to the rear door and another from the tail lamps to the front door – both beautifully contouring the side profile. There’s a chrome band along the window line and the sloping roofline has a black-accented panel on the C-pillar which gives it a sporty look. The 19-inch wheels look great too.

At the rear, the tail lamps have been made sleeker and sharper with LED units and the dual exhaust with a mild diffuser in the bumper looks rather cool. There’s also a subtle boot lid spoiler to finish things off. Overall, it looks smart, contemporary and is sure to turn some heads.

Models	Ford Fusion Titanium*	Kia Optima SX*	Hyundai Sonata Limited 2.0T*	Nissan Altima Platinum VC-Turbo
Curb weight (lb.)	3676	3558	3527	3436
Length(in)	191.7	191.1	191.1	192.9
Width(in)	75.6	73.2	73.4	72.9
Height(in)	58.1	57.7	58.1	57.1
Ground clearance (in)	N/A	5.3	5.3	5.4
Wheelbase (in)	112.1	110.4	110.4	111.2

The Altima has grown in dimensions. It’s longer, wider and sits lower than before. It is the longest in the competition here but the Ford Fusion is the widest. It is also the shortest one as it has been lowered. It’s however not the lightest. It comes second with its wheelbase. It’s still a pretty large car for a mid-sized sedan.

What are the exterior highlights?

Like the interiors, Nissan has focused a lot on tweaking the design and styling of the 2020 Altima. To make the 2020 Altima stand out from its previous generations, Nissan has kitted the new Altima with a plethora of features on the outside. Some of the most notable features include

• Active grille shutters
• Intelligent auto headlights
• Led headlights with signature
• Led fog lights
• External ground lighting
• Heated outside mirrors with led turn signal indicators
• Power sliding glass moonroof
• Acoustic laminated glass
• Chrome v-motion grille
• Dark chrome v-motion grille
• Rear spoiler
• Charcoal rear diffuser
• Dual chrome exhaust finishers

The Altima is pretty well loaded with safety features. Not only does it have the normal safety features we see in almost every car these days, but it also has an array of semi-automatic driving features which is really commendable in this segment. The Altima comes with ProPilot Assist which is essentially level 2 automation, making it semi-autonomous. It can manage its distance from other cars, keep itself within a lane properly and also provide the steering, braking, and acceleration assistance.

Safety Features

•    10 standard Airbags
•    Vehicle Dynamic Control
•    Traction Control System
•    Anti-lock Braking System
•    Advanced Autonomous Braking
•    Blind Spot Monitoring
•    Forward Collision Warning
•    Surround-View Camera
•    ProPilot Assist 

Nissan Altima vs Ford Fusion

The Ford Fusion is a very bold looking car that combines sharp handling with a composed ride. Its interior design is quite boring though and acceleration is not the most spirited. The Nissan Altima, on the other hand, looks great inside out, has better performance than the Ford Fusion, has a very good ride quality but isn’t as good a handler as the Fusion.

Fuel economy is poor for the Fusion and really great for the Altima. The technology in the Altima is far better than the ones in the Fusion. The Fusion is a little cheaper than the Altima but that said, the refreshed Altima makes for a better package and offers really great value for just a little premium

Nissan Altima vs Kia Optima

The Kia Optima is a stylish looking car with very well-appointed interiors having lots of standard technology. However, when it comes to driving, the Optima isn’t all that great. Its handling is average and the base engine is quite sluggish. It has a comfortable ride but the Altima does it better, particularly with those seats.

However, the 2.5L engine in the Optima is the best performer in the competition. Talking about the Altima now, it may not be as good a performer as the Optima but it scores better in a lot of other things – better fuel economy, better handling, comfortable ride, and very nice interiors. With a very small difference in price, the Altima being just a little more expensive also is the better among the two.

Nissan Altima vs Hyundai Sonata

Here’s one car that challenges the Altima Really well. A very smart looking car with good interiors that are loaded with features as standard. What’s good about the Hyundai is that it drives really well too. It has a strong and potent engine and has the right balance between a comfortable ride and enthusiastic handling.

While the numbers on paper do not quite suggest the performance of the Hyundai, it’s quite good and is also a better handler on twisty roads. It does not have quite as good fuel economy as the Altima but is pretty competent. In the end, it’s quite difficult to choose between either of these cars but the Hyundai is a little cheaper than the Nissan which probably makes the deal for the Sonata.

 

While SUV’s and Crossovers seem to be the talk of the town, Nissan has done its bit in re-igniting the fire in the sedan space with its Altima. Coming loaded with premium features and break through tech like Variable Compression Turbocharging Motors that offers great performance and MPG figures, the 2020 Nissan Altima surely seems like a great proposition. Add to all that, a ton load of offers from Nissan and the Reliability of the Japanese and you may once again wanna re-kindle your love with the Sedans and park a brand New 2020 Altima in your garage sooner than ever.