Nissan Altima: the American mid-size Nissan

The Nissan Altima is a mid-size car built since 1992. It descends from the Bluebird line, larger and more expensive than the Sentra but below the Maxima. The first four generations were built only in the United States and sold mainly in the Americas, the Middle East and Australia.

Nissan Altima at a glance

based on one source: the English Wikipedia article on the Nissan Altima.

History of the Nissan Altima

U13 (1992)

The first Altima was the export version of the Bluebird SSS, styled by Nissan’s California design group under Allan Flowers in 1989. It was originally called the Stanza Altima, and early owner’s manuals use that name; 1993 cars even carry a small “Stanza” sticker. Production began in June 1992 for the 1993 model year, and all North American cars were built at Smyrna, Tennessee until June 2004, when Canton, Mississippi joined.

Equipment and versions

All cars used the 150 hp KA24DE four-cylinder with a five-speed manual or four-speed automatic, good for 0–60 mph in 8.2 and 9.4 seconds respectively. Suspension was by struts with anti-roll bars at both ends, on 15-inch wheels. With four trim lines — XE, GXE, SE and GLE — the range covered everything from manual windows to a head-up display in the GLE, a feature shared with the Maxima and 240SX of the time. The SE had stiffer suspension, fog lights, a rear spoiler and four-wheel disc brakes. In 1994 the car gained a passenger airbag and regular seat belts, and 1995 brought a new grille, tail lights and interior changes.

A wider family

For markets outside the Americas, Nissan sold the related Teana instead, positioned between the Altima and the Maxima. In 2013 the Teana became a rebadged version of the fifth-generation Altima, which brought the two lines together under one car. The Altima has remained larger, more powerful and more luxurious than the Sentra and less so than the Maxima.

Design and features

• KA24DE engine: 150 hp from 2.4 litres in the first generation.
• US production: built at Smyrna, later also at Canton.
• Head-up display: a rare option in the 1993–1994 GLE.
• Teana link: from 2013 the Teana was a rebadged Altima.

Nissan Altima versions

• Altima XE (1993–1997): the stripped base model with manual windows.
• Altima GXE: the mid-line car with power windows and a power aerial.
• Altima SE: stiffer suspension, spoiler and four-wheel disc brakes.
• Altima GLE: the luxury trim with head-up display in 1993–1994.

The Altima sits between the Sentra and the Maxima in the range, and shares its role abroad with the Teana. More cars are in the Nissan collection.

Video: 2013 Nissan Altima 2.5SL Review, Walkaround, Exhaust & Test Drive

Video by YouTube on YouTube.

Sources

• Nissan Altima, English Wikipedia: history, U13 details, trims, plants, Teana link