2016 Nissan Altima borrows Maxima style, adds SR sport trim
Nissan has outed the 2016 Altima, its refreshed midsize sedan, borrowing styling from the larger Maxima while adding a new, sportier version. Now more aggressive externally, and promising more intuitive, user-friendly controls internally, the revamped Altima also claims a slight improvement in economy while safety tech has also been upgraded.
Under the hood there's a choice of two engines. Nissan expects a 1mpg bump from the 2.5-liter DOHC inline 4-cylinder, bringing it to 39mpg, and a 3.5-liter DOHC V6 good for 26 mpg. Both use the Xtronic transmission with virtual stepped gearing we already tested on the 2016 Maxima.
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Steering feel has been tweaked and the suspension – independent front strut and multi-link rear – revamped with new shock absorbers, rear springs, and bushings. Active Understeer Control lightly taps the front brakes to improve cornering stability, though Nissan says it's such a light touch you probably won't notice it happening.
Then there's the Altima SR. That's Nissan's new sporting version, with a body kit on the outside – a rear spoiler, smoked lamp glass, 18-inch wheels, and some other changes – along with new suspension settings and tires. It gets paddle-shifters for the transmission's manual mode, too.
Inside the Altima, meanwhile, there's 5-inch display as standard, though higher trim levels get a 7-inch screen. No CarPlay or Android Auto, unfortunately, but Siri Eyes-Free is there along with the automaker's own NissanConnect mobile apps.
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A Bose system is an option, with nine speakers instead of the usual six, while SV and SL grades get remote start or – on 2.5 SL and 3.5 SL Tech Packages – remote start from your smartphone.
For safety, optional is the new Predictive Forward Collision Warning system, using radar sensors to spot hazards up ahead. Blind spot warning and rear cross-traffic alerts appear on higher-level trims, while the SL Tech Package adds Intelligent Cruise Control and Forward Emergency Braking.
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