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2012 Nissan Altima

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Rating8.0

Ranked #4 in 

Midsize Sedan
Write Review
$20,550 - $31,200
Starting Price 

Year

Nathan Dyer's image
Nathan Dyer 

Senior Editor,

Updated on November 3, 2023

ProsConsWhat's New

Good Looking

Sluggish base engine

No significant change

active handling

Sluggish CVT

Simple, comfortable interior

Back seat can seem tight

Strong acceleration

Options list is a bit confusing

Specs & Features

$20,550

price

175 hp @ 5600 rpm

horsepower

180 lb.-ft. @ 3900 rpm

torque

Continuously Variable-Speed Automatic

transmission

2.5L 4cyl FWD CVT

engine

-

basic warranty

Overview

The Nissan Altima has been a very popular family sedan for a very long time and now the 2012 Nissan Altima comes back in the extremely competitive mid-size sedan market with a completely new and updated design. The car impresses in the very first look and is extremely beautiful to look at. With all the added tech and beautiful aesthetics, this car definitely makes an amazing first impression, but is it as beautiful and well-behaved under its hood? 

Buying Advice

We would recommend the SL trim that is pretty affordable and also holds the most number of features,this trim comes with a bigger engine, a Bose nine speaker system,ambient lighting,etc.This might be our choice as it has most of the features that can be offered and is also pretty affordable in terms of price. 

Read More +

Comparative Analysis against Competition

Its new 2.5L engine does provide an amazing response. There is a turbo option available as well for an additional $4000 and an AWD drivetrain for $1350 more. These additions make the car far more powerful than other sedans in the same range and bring it at par with the Honda Accord and the Toyota Camry. The turbo engine offers adequate low-end torque and the CVT gearbox does not disappoint either.

Features
8.0/10

The Altima is offered in 6 trims and is priced pretty affordably across the range,The base trim is 2.5 and the highest trim being named SL.With all trims being different from each other in terms of used wheels,infotainment features and other comfort features.

Model

2.5

2.5S

2.5 SV

3.5S

3.5SV

SL 

Price

$21,760

$22,280

$24,080

$25,760 

$28,260

$30,560 

Key Features

Air-conditioning

Adds to 2.5

Adds to 2.5S

Adds to 2.5SV

Adds to 3.5S

Adds to 3.5SV
 

16-inch steel wheels

17-inch alloy wheels

17-inch alloy wheels

18-inch alloy wheels

Bluetooth phone connectivity

nine-speaker Bose sound system with a 4.3-inch color display
 

Full power accessories

Cruise control

Dual-zone automatic climate control

sport mode with paddle shifters for the CVT

7-inch in-dash monitor

an iPod/USB audio interface
 

Keyless ignition/entry

Automatic headlights

5-inch color LCD screen

 

steering wheel controls for the navigation system

real-time traffic and weather
 

Height-adjustable driver seat

Six-way power driver seat

Rearview camera

 

 

dual-zone automatic climate control
 

4-inch display screen

Six-speaker sound system

Upgraded sound system

  

 

ambient lighting

We Recommend

We would recommend the SL trim that is pretty affordable and also holds the most number of features,this trim comes with a bigger engine, a Bose nine speaker system,ambient lighting,etc.This might be our choice as it has most of the features that can be offered and is also pretty affordable in terms of price. 

Engine and Performance
9.2/10

The Nissan Altima comes with two engine options. The Base 2.5L four-cylinder engine produces 182 hp of power and 180 pound-feet of torque, this is the base engine and is used to power the 2.5, 2.5S, and 2.5 SV trims.

The second engine is a 3.5L V6 that churns out 270 hp of power and 251 lb-ft of torque. The Nissan Altima is fun to drive, both the engines are very capable power mills irrespective of the power difference.

Model

Nissan Altima

Kia Optima

Toyota Corolla

Ford Fusion

MSRP

$21,760

$21,350

$16,230

$20,705

Engine

Gas I4 2.5L

Gas I4 2.4L

Gas I4 1.8L

2.5-liter 4 cylinder

Drivetrain

FWD

FWD

FWD

FWD

Transmission

Continuously Variable Ratio

Automatic w/manual shift

Manual

6-Speed automatic

Power

182 hp @ 6,000 RPM

200 hp @ 6,300 RPM

138 hp @ 6,000 RPM

175@6000

Torque

180 lb-ft @ 4,000 RPM

186 lb-ft @ 4,250 RPM

128 lb-ft @ 4,400 RPM

172@4500

0-60 mph (seconds)

7.4

7.2

10.1

  

Quarter-mile (seconds)

15.7

15.6

17

  

Top Speed (mph)

130

152

115

  

The Kia Optima turns out to be the most powerful car producing 200hp and 186 lb-ft of torque.The Altima comes next with a power output of 182 hp and manages to keep up with the Kia’s acceleration times.The Corolla clearly is the most underpowered car here with 138hp and 128 lb-ft of power and torque output.

Fuel Economy
7.0/10

The Altima manages to hold its ground in terms of fuel efficiency even with its good performance,The Nissan manages to return a mileage of 27mpg in the city and 38mpg on the highway.I also has a sizable 18 gallon fuel tank too.

Model

Nissan Altima

Kia Optima

Toyota Corolla

Ford Fusion

MPG (City) 

27

24

27

  

MPG (Highway) 

38

35

34

  

MPG (Combined) 

32

29

30

  

Fuel Capacity (gallon)

18.0

18.5

13.2

  

Range (City/Hwy/Combined)

486/684/576

444/647.5/536.5

356.4/448.8/396

  

The Nissan is the car that returns the best mileage and gives back a good performance too. With a massive tank of 18 gallons, it also gets the most range of all the cars here - surpassing that of the Kia Optima as well. The Kia is comparatively less fuel-efficient, but it still does good for the segment. 

Interior
9.2/10

The interior of the Altima feel great,even though it has not received too much updates from the previous model.It has a lot of high quality materials used inside and the attention to detail is seen in how good the fit and finish in the interior is,the interior of the car in the rear is not too great although. 

Model

Nissan Altima

Kia Optima

Toyota Corolla

Ford Fusion

Seating Capacity

5

5

5

  

Front Row (Head/Shoulder/Leg) (in)

40/56.4/45

39.96/57.28/45.47

38.8/54.8/41.7

  

Rear Row (Head/Shoulder/Leg) (in)

37.1/56.4/36.1

39.6/55.71/34.65

37.2/54.7/36.3

  

Cargo Capacity (cu-ft)

15.4

15.43

12.3

  

All the cars here are capable of seating 5 people and are almost similar in terms of inside space. The Optima and the Altima have a better interior and features on offer than the Corolla, while also bringing in a very similar cargo capacity. That said, the Optima has a better cabin with plenty of amenities for the segment, like:

  • Keyless Start
  • Front Reading Lamps
  • Rear Reading Lamps
  • Adjustable Steering Wheel
  • Steering Wheel Controls
  • Remote Trunk Release

How intuitive is the 2012 Nissan Altima’s infotainment unit?

The 2012 Nissan Altima does not come with an infotainment system included in the base models, but whatever is available does make sure it is easy to use. The 7” infotainment system on the higher trims too are easy to use and have multiple connectivity options.The Altima at one point was really ahead in the race with the infotainment tech it offered.Now most of the competition have caught up but still the Altima has its own set of impressive features like the bluetooth connectivity and the hardware based navigation system,etc.

 Some of the infotainment features are:

  •  7-inch touch-screen
  •  upgraded sound system
  •  iPod/USB audio interface
  • satellite radio
  • Pandora radio
  • voice controls
  • real-time traffic and weather

Exterior
9.2/10

The 2012 Nissan Altima, though not too modern, still manages to look fresh with the use of chrome and alloys that make the car look fresh. The car can stand out even among its much modernly styled rivals. The elements used for aesthetic purposes have a functional side too. 

Model

Nissan Altima

Kia Optima

Toyota Corolla

Ford Fusion

Curb Weight (lbs)

3108

3223

2734

  

Length (in.)

191.5

190.7

180

  

Width (in.)

72

72.05

69.4

  

Height (in.)

57.9

57.28

57.7

  

Ground Clearance (in.)

5.4

5.3

5.8

  

Wheelbase (in.)

109.3

110.04

102.4

  

All the cars here are similar in terms of exterior dimensions too but the difference can be seen in the curb weight, with the Corolla being the lightest car while the Optima being the heaviest. All the cars have a really good ground clearance but the Altima manages to strike the perfect balance in all the aspects, while also maintaining its proportions well. Some of the highlighting exterior features are:

  • Rear Defrost
  • Compact Spare Tire
  • Tire Pressure Monitoring System
  • Steel Wheels
  • Wheel Covers

Safety
8.8/10

The 2012 Nissan Altima comes into the market with a strong reputation for its safety and comes with a number of safety features as standard. The car comes equipped with airbags, brake assist, ABS, traction control etc. The car has a very strong build quality and that is felt when we sit inside but it appears nothing like it.

Important safety features are:

  • Brake Assist
  • Electronic Stability Control
  • Child Safety Locks
  • Traction Control
  • Emergency Trunk Release
  • Blind-spot monitoring(optional)
  • Cross-traffic alert (optional)
  • Lane-departure warning system(optional)

Final Verdict

The 2012 Nissan Altima manages to still look modern and fresh. The capable engine, excellent handling, performance, space and the styling make this car a lucrative buy. The car is pretty safe and that makes this car a sweet deal to own. 

Trims

    Base
    $20,550 onwards
    • 16-inch steel Wheels
    • A-Spec Sport Seats
    • Cloth Seat trim
    • Front manual air conditioning
    • Radio prep Radio
    • Remote keyless entry
    S
    $22,710 onwards
    • AM/FM stereo
    • Seek-Scan Radio
    SL
    $22,710 onwards
    • Auto dimming rearview mirrors
    • Heated Front Seats
    • Rear air vents
    • Xenon headlights
    SR
    $25,570 onwards
    • 17-inch silver aluminum Wheels
    • Driver Lumbar support
    • Heated mirrors

Compare to similar cars

8.0
2012 Nissan Altima

Price

$20,550- $31,200

Engine

Gasoline

Rating

8.01

Horsepower

270 hp @ 6000 rpm

Torque

258 lb.-ft. @ 4400 rpm

Capacity

5

Read Review

8.1
2012 Buick LaCrosse

$34,865- $38,820

Gasoline

8.09

303 hp @ 6800 rpm

264 lb.-ft. @ 5300 rpm

5

Read Review

7.7
2012 Chevrolet Malibu

$22,085- $30,200

Gasoline

7.68

170 hp @ 6200 rpm

158 lb.-ft. @ 5200 rpm

5

Read Review

8.0
2012 Chevrolet Cruze

$16,800- $23,190

Gasoline

7.95

138 hp @ 6300 rpm

123 lb.-ft. @ 3800 rpm

5

Read Review

8.1
2012 Chrysler 200

$18,995- $32,450

Gasoline

8.14

173 hp @ 6000 rpm

166 lb.-ft. @ 4400 rpm

5

Read Review

7.3
2012 Dodge Avenger

$18,995- $25,995

Gasoline

7.28

173 hp @ 6000 rpm

166 lb.-ft. @ 4400 rpm

5

Read Review

8.2
2012 Ford Fusion

$20,705- $29,175

Gasoline

8.15

175 hp @ 6000 rpm

172 lb.-ft. @ 4500 rpm

5

Read Review

8.0
2012 Honda Civic

$15,755- $27,805

Gasoline

7.97

140 hp @ 6500 rpm

128 lb.-ft. @ 4300 rpm

5

Read Review

8.1
2012 Honda Accord

$21,480- $32,030

Gasoline

8.07

177 hp @ 6500 rpm

161 lb.-ft. @ 4300 rpm

5

Read Review

8.0
2012 Hyundai Sonata

$19,795- $28,195

Gasoline

8.04

198 hp @ 6300 rpm

184 lb.-ft. @ 4250 rpm

5

Read Review

2012 Nissan Altima vs competitor's 0-60

    Car Name
    0-60 MPH
    Quarter Mile
    Top Speed
    		SourceCompare
    		8.6 sec16.2 sec114 mph
    		5.5 sec--
    		6.2 sec--
    		6.3 sec14.8 sec-
    		6.4 sec14.8 sec-
    		6.8 sec15.3 sec-
    Read More

    2012 Nissan Altima vs competitor's MPG

      Car Name
      MPG City
      MPG Highway
      MPG Combined
      Fuel Tank Capacity
      Range (C/H)
      		SourceCompare
      		23 mpg32 mpg27 mpg20 gal.460/640 mi.
      		28 mpg36 mpg31 mpg13.2 gal.369.6/475.2 mi.
      		27 mpg34 mpg30 mpg13.2 gal.356.4/448.8 mi.
      		22 mpg36 mpg29 mpg15.6 gal.390/561.6 mi.
      		25 mpg35 mpg28 mpg17 gal.425/595 mi.
      		24 mpg35 mpg28 mpg18.5 gal.444/647.5 mi.

      2012 Nissan Altima vs competitor's dimensions

        Car Name
        Length
        Width
        Height
        Ground Clearance
        Wheelbase
        		SourceCompare
        		190.7 in.70.7 in.58 in.5.4 in.109.3 in.
        		196.9 in.73.1 in.59.2 in.7 in.111.7 in.
        		196.3 in.74.4 in.58.1 in.5.2 in.115.6 in.
        		194.9 in.72.7 in.58.1 in.6 in.110.2 in.
        2012 Mazda 6

        Ranked #4

        		193.7 in.72.4 in.57.9 in.5.1 in.109.8 in.
        		193.3 in.73.2 in.57.9 in.5.4 in.112 in.

        2012 Nissan Altima vs competitor's trunk space

          Car Name
          Trunk Capacity
          Passenger Volume
          Max Trunk Volume
          		SourceCompare
          		15.3 cu.ft.100.7 cu.ft.79.5 cu.ft.
          		14.7 cu.ft.106 cu.ft.85.5 cu.ft.
          		15.4 cu.ft.94.6 cu.ft.85.1 cu.ft.
          		13.3 cu.ft.100 cu.ft.83.2 cu.ft.
          		13.5 cu.ft.100.2 cu.ft.57.5 cu.ft.
          		16.5 cu.ft.100.3 cu.ft.18.7 cu.ft.

          2012 Nissan Altima vs competitor's cargo space

            Car Name
            Cargo Volume
            Cargo Volume w/ Seat Area
            Max Cargo Volume
            Bed Length
            		SourceCompare
            		79.5 cu.ft.15.3 cu.ft.79.5 cu.ft.-
            		13.4 cu.ft.14.2 cu.ft.13.4 cu.ft.-
            		62.51 cu.ft.16.3 cu.ft.62.51 cu.ft.-
            		23 cu.ft.14.7 cu.ft.23 cu.ft.-
            		-15.4 cu.ft.--
            2012 Mazda 3

            Ranked #6

            		59.5 cu.ft.11.8 cu.ft.59.5 cu.ft.-

            2012 Nissan Altima vs competitor's towing capacity

              Car Name
              Towing Capacity
              Payload Capacity
              Weight
              		SourceCompare
              		-1099 lbs.3180 lbs.
              		1500 lbs.-2734 lbs.
              		1000 lbs.1200 lbs.3400 lbs.
              		1000 lbs.1211 lbs.3403 lbs.
              		1000 lbs.1158 lbs.3540 lbs.
              		1000 lbs.-4026 lbs.

              2012 Nissan Altima Sedan Problems, Issues, Complaints, Recalls, and which year to avoid?

              4

              Recalls

              1

              Investigations

              421

              Complaints
              Overall Safety Rating
              Read More

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              #10

              2012 Nissan Altima User Reviews

              2.0

              [2 Reviews]

              1

              [0.0%] [0 Reviews]

              2

              [50.0%] [1 Reviews]

              3

              [0.0%] [0 Reviews]

              4

              [0.0%] [0 Reviews]

              5

              [0.0%] [0 Reviews]

              POPULAR TAGS

              mountain
              mileage
              sporty
              source
              transportation
              altima
              TA

              Tracey Aldrich

              2012 Nissan Altima

              4dr Sedan (2.5L 4cyl CVT)

              4

              User Overall Rating

              Posted On: May 10, 2024

              2012 nissian altima

              Pros - Great gas mileage, Very dependable

              Cons - The push start ignition, The cigarette lighter plugs don't stay on unless car is on

              The 2012 nissian altima is a great car it looks sporty and is a reliable source of transportation it gets great gas mileage and handles mountain roads and curves very well the interior is very comfortable and also looks great and is worth the price it's a very dependable form of transportation

              Not Rated
              Features
              Not Rated
              Interior
              Not Rated
              Design
              Not Rated
              Safety
              Not Rated
              Reliability
              Not Rated
              Deal Value
              Not Rated
              Dealer Review
              JS

              Jennifer Shirley

              2013 Nissan Altima

              4dr Sedan (2.5L 4cyl CVT)

              Not Rated

              User Overall Rating

              Posted On: June 30, 2024

              Best car I have ever had

              Pros - ["Gas mileage", "The leg room"]

              Cons - ["I'm good I have nothing complain about", "Color I do wish I had got a different color it's not bad it's just not the gray I wanted"]

              I can drive from Bardstown Kentucky to Dayton Ohio and start out with a full tank and get there and still have a half a tank left so I get great gas mileage with it I love that. I love how roomy it is inside the features on the dash they're great I love it

              Not Rated
              Features
              Not Rated
              Interior
              Not Rated
              Design
              Not Rated
              Safety
              Not Rated
              Reliability
              Not Rated
              Deal Value
              Not Rated
              Dealer Review

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