2015 Nissan Altima

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Rating7.8

Ranked #9 in 

Midsize Sedan
Write Review
$22,300 - $32,350
Starting Price 
Nathan Dyer's image
Nathan Dyer 

Senior Editor,

Updated on August 14, 2024

ProsConsWhat's New

Powertrain variations

Underwhelming look

No major updates this year

Exhilarating Power

Dimensional figures

Adaptive Suspension

Specs & Features

$22,300

price

182 hp @ 6000 rpm

horsepower

180 lb.-ft. @ 4000 rpm

torque

Continuously Variable-Speed Automatic

transmission

2.5L 4cyl FWD CVT

engine

-

basic warranty

Overview

It is simply a huge challenge to champion the American’s ever-changing taste and the time depth of the Altima is a sort of testament of Nissan’s resilience in this demographic. It has been through many ups and downs and has undergone many upgrades to stay refreshing for the customer base. 

Buying Advice

The price tag for each trim is under the limits only so there should be no hassle but as it does seem to be less appealing on some fronts which make our conscience gets activated. It, in the end, becomes much more logical to go with the SV trim as it offers quite a comfort with its power-assisted setting within the cabin with a parallel performance curve in comparison to others. The other added benefits include the NissanConnect Smartphone Apps and other intuitive interior techs at its disposal.

Comparative Analysis against Competition

Though, unlike history, it does not have any major update for 2015 yet the variations on the trim level along with powertrain shuffling would be enough for you to land on a desirable one as per your need. The 2015 Altima goes straight against the likes of the Honda Civic, Toyota Camry, and the Mazda 3 with a starting price of $23,135 for the base and onwards. Thus, it would be interesting to see how it performs against the old-age performers.

Features
8.0/10

The Nissan Altima comes in 4 variants and all of them can be coupled with either a 2.5L I-4 or 3.5 L V6 except the Base which is available in the smaller format only. The trims do have some level of variation in their offers like interior tech-ends and wheels. The Base trim gets the 16" x 7.0" Steel Wheels which upgrades to the 17" X 7" Silver Painted Aluminum Wheels for the SV trims. Further adding to the same narration, the Base has been loaded with the 6-Speakers Audio Set which again mutates to 9-Speakers including Woofers in the SL trim. The price band has been kept within the limits for all the trims of the Altima.

Trim

Base

S

SV

SL

MSRP

$23,135

$23,395

$25,555

$28,985

Key Features

2.5L I4 Powertrain unit 

Bluetooth Wireless Technology

SiriusXM

Adaptive Suspension

 

P215/60TR16

EPAS

Voice Recognition Commands

AM/FM/CD/MP3 Audio System

 

Xtronic CVT

Hill Hold Control

Engine Immobilizer

Speed-Sensitive Volume

 

6-Speakers Audio Set

Brake Assist

NissanConnect Smartphone Apps

5" Display Unit

 

16" x 7.0" Steel Wheels

Chrome-Accented Grille

17" X 7" Silver-Painted Aluminum Wheels

9-Speakers including Woofers

The Altima in general has Xtronic CVT across all the trims. An EPAS for light steering and proper feedback to assist the handling dynamics has been integrated into it as well. Moreover, one also gets Voice Recognition Commands and NissanConnect Smartphone Apps depending on the trims. The 5" Display Unit does not have any glare and is pretty responsive too. The Hill Hold Control and Brake Assist are some of the important assets that can be handy to amateur drivers. Therefore, the Altima may seem to be a decent package overall.

We Recommend

The price tag for each trim is under the limits only so there should be no hassle but as it does seem to be less appealing on some fronts which make our conscience gets activated. It, in the end, becomes much more logical to go with the SV trim as it offers quite a comfort with its power-assisted setting within the cabin with a parallel performance curve in comparison to others. The other added benefits include the NissanConnect Smartphone Apps and other intuitive interior techs at its disposal.

Fuel Economy
7.0/10

After the performance, cometh the fuel economy of the 2015 Nissan Altima which might make up for the initial choosing of any customer. Well, Altima is decent here with respect to its underappreciated performance as it is inclined to give you 27 mpg in the city, 38 mpg on the highways, and 31 mpg overall. The range even exceeds the 550 miles scale making it the segment leader in terms of refueling status. This is by far a benchmark for others to follow and the 18 gallons of the fuel tank is a matter to be thanked here. If the Civic gets such an increment in its tank then the story might flip to the other side. 

Model

2015 Nissan Altima

2015 Honda Civic

2015 Mazda 3

2015 Toyota Camry

MPG (city)

27

30

29

25

MPG (Highway)

38

39

41

35

MPG (Combined)

31

33

33

28

Fuel Capacity

18

13.2

13.2

17

Range (City/highway)

486/684/558

396/514.8/435.6

382.8/541.2/435.6

425/595/476

The Mazda 3, despite having a smaller tank, is a fuel economy monster as it gets 41 mpg on the highways and 33 mpg on average. This allows it to have a reach of at max 541 miles. Even the Honda has a comparable offering but the tank size confines its success on the whole. On the other hand, the performance curve makes the Camry struggle with its mileage figures. But one should not overlook, in the midst of comparison, the lackluster in the Altima.

Interior
8.0/10

The Interior has been kept consistent throughout 2015 but Altima still manages to give you some extra which can be soothing and comforting. This includes the power-assisted height and position adjustment in the seats which is replicated in the SV and SL trims. The comfort zone is even more intensified by the power-heating availability in the same trim levels. The Manual Air Conditioning in the lower trims is ousted by the Dual Zone Front Automatic Air Conditioning. Even the cabin tastes the leather-trimming on the gear shifter and steering wheel which lacks in lower trims.

Model

2015 Nissan Altima

2015 Honda Civic

2015 Mazda 3

2015 Toyota Camry

Seating Capacity

5

5

5

5

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

40/56.4/45

39.0/56.6/42.0

38.6/57.2/42.2

38.8/58/41.6

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

37.1/56.4/36.1

37.1/53.3/36.2

37.6/54.4/35.8

38.1/56.6/38.9

Cargo Capacity (cu-ft)

15.4

12.5

12.4

15.4

If the self-centering is saturated then one can see the difference in its abilities with respect to other rivals. It has a segment-leading cargo volume along with a roomy first row. One may experience a little bit of squeezing in the rear row but that is manageable to a large extent. The others are also very much on par with the former in their space management. Thus, all offer a decent room for one to be easily settled. Some of the features are:

  • Power-Heated Seats
  • Power-Assisted Height Adjustments
  • Leather trimming on steering wheel
  • Dual Zone Front Automatic Air Conditioning

How intuitive is the 2015 Nissan Altima’s infotainment unit?

The Nissan Altima is quite humble in its entertainment package. The lower trims lack some of the premium touches which have been bestowed in the higher trims like the NissanConnect Smartphone Apps and 9-Speaker with Amplifier Audio set. Apart from these variations, there are a couple of features that are standard across all the trims and the list goes on to count the 6-Speaker unit, AM/FM/CD/MP3 player, Voice Recognition Commands, and Speed-Sensitive Volume. Some of the features are:

  • AM/FM/CD/MP3 player
  • NissanConnect Smartphone Apps
  • Voice Recognition Commands
  • Speed-Sensitive Volume
  • 6-Speaker unit

Exterior
8.0/10

What can you expect from a $23,000 machinery? If it includes a bunch of expression characteristics then you might not be disappointed with your expectation. The Altima is definitely one of those very expressive sedans in the market. The chrome-accented grille has trapezium curvature on the front which merges with the stark and flashy headlights. 

The side view is enhanced by the complimentary 17" X 7" Silver Painted Aluminum Wheels in the higher trims or 16" x 7.0" Steel Wheels in the Base trim. The rear is simpler and does not hold any worthy asset which can make an impact. Thus, if you are going to own one, you must have at least a presence that is parallel to the Mazda 3

Model

2015 Nissan Altima

2015 Honda Civic

2015 Mazda 3

2015 Toyota Camry

Curb Weight (lbs)

3108

2786

2781

3240

Length (in.)

191.5

179.4

180.3

190.9

Width (in.)

72

69

70.7

71.7

Height (in.)

57.9

56.5

57.3

57.9

Ground Clearance (in.)

5.4

N/A

6.1

6.1

Wheelbase (in.)

109.3

105.1

106.3

 

109.3

The Altima is relatively a bigger and lengthier one among the rivals. But sedans generally have such dimensions due to their extended trunk. This helps the Altima to have a streamlined airflow in aerodynamics stability as it lacks lip spoilers in the rear. The one in the closest proximity to the aforementioned is the Toyota Camry. It shares the same platform of dimensional limit boundaries. The other two, apart from these, are lighter and more compact which improves their cornering prowess. Some of the features are:

  • 17" X 7" Silver-Painted Aluminum Wheels
  • Chrome-Accented Grille
  • P215/55VR17 AS Tires
  • Galvanized Steel/Aluminum Panels

Safety
9.0/10

The Nissan Altima comes with standard features like the ABS, Traction control which are sort of bare minimum as per the safety norms. Then, it starts to get a bit more complicated with its Adaptive Suspension and Electronic Stability Control. The Airbags system encompasses the occupants and thus the cabin is made ready for any vicissitudes. 

Not just that, it has a sound structure as well which is concreted by the 5-star ratings in almost all parameters and the IIHS has a similar saying here. Thus one can be confident of their safe commuting on a daily basis at such an affordable price. But it could have been given a bit more extensions. Some of the features are:

  • Adaptive Suspension
  • Electronic Stability Control
  • Traction control
  • ABS
  • Airbags

Final Verdict

The Nissan Altima can be one of the decent picks but Mazda 3 is a more capable and better-looking option in hand at a relatively lower price tag. So, there are very slim chances which makes it a desirable sedan to own. Even Corolla seems to outclass in some important segments. Therefore, it is advised not to go for it in the first place. 

Trims

    Base
    $22,300 onwards
    • 16-inch steel Wheels
    • 1St row LCD monitor
    • A-Spec Sport Seats
    • AM/FM stereo
    • Cloth Seat trim
    • Front manual air conditioning
    • Remote keyless entry
    • Seek-Scan Radio
    S
    $22,560 onwards
    • 18-inch silver aluminum Wheels
    • Front manual air conditioning
    SV
    $24,720 onwards
    • 17-inch silver aluminum Wheels
    • 2 - 1st row LCD monitor
    • Driver Lumbar support
    • Dual zone automatic front air conditioning
    • Front Fog/driving lights
    • Seek-Scan Radio
    • Siriusxm AM/FM/Satellite
    SL
    $28,150 onwards
    • Front passengers heated-cushion
    • Heated mirrors
    • Leather Seat trim

Compare to similar cars

Price

$22,300- $32,350

Engine

Gasoline

Rating

7.79

Horsepower

270 hp @ 6400 rpm

Torque

251 lb.-ft. @ 4400 rpm

Capacity

5

Read Review

$31,445- $44,800

Gasoline

8

206 hp @ 6800 rpm

182 lb.-ft. @ 4500 rpm

5

Read Review

$48,450- $60,450

Gasoline

7.74

310 hp @ 6500 rpm

272 lb.-ft. @ 4500 rpm

5

Read Review

$31,065- $40,500

Gasoline

8.47

304 hp @ 6800 rpm

264 lb.-ft. @ 5300 rpm

5

Read Review

$22,340- $30,480

Gasoline

7.94

196 hp @ 6300 rpm

191 lb.-ft. @ 4400 rpm

5

Read Review

$21,995- $30,825

Gasoline

7.62

184 hp @ 6250 rpm

173 lb.-ft. @ 4600 rpm

5

Read Review

$22,500- $32,780

Gasoline

8.2

175 hp @ 6000 rpm

175 lb.-ft. @ 4500 rpm

5

Read Review

$18,290- $29,390

Gasoline

8.25

143 hp @ 6500 rpm

129 lb.-ft. @ 4300 rpm

5

Read Review

$22,105- $33,630

Gasoline

8.06

185 hp @ 6400 rpm

181 lb.-ft. @ 3900 rpm

5

Read Review

$21,150- $33,525

Gasoline

8.17

185 hp @ 6000 rpm

178 lb.-ft. @ 4000 rpm

5

Read Review

2015 Nissan Altima vs competitor's 0-60

    Car Name
    0-60 MPH
    Quarter Mile
    Top Speed
    SourceCompare
    8.4 sec16.0 sec110 mph
    4.9 sec13.6 sec152 mph
    5.9 sec--
    6.2 sec14.7 sec-
    6.2 sec14.7 sec154 mph
    6.3 sec--

    2015 Nissan Altima vs competitor's MPG

      Car Name
      MPG City
      MPG Highway
      MPG Combined
      Fuel Tank Capacity
      Range (C/H)
      SourceCompare
      27 mpg38 mpg31 mpg18 gal.486/684 mi.
      2015 Mazda 3

      Ranked #1

      29 mpg41 mpg33 mpg13.2 gal.382.8/541.2 mi.
      30 mpg36 mpg31 mpg13.2 gal.369.6/475.2 mi.
      26 mpg36 mpg30 mpg18.5 gal.481/666 mi.
      25 mpg36 mpg29 mpg15.8 gal.395/568.8 mi.
      25 mpg37 mpg29 mpg18.5 gal.462.5/684.5 mi.

      2015 Nissan Altima vs competitor's dimensions

        Car Name
        Length
        Width
        Height
        Ground Clearance
        Wheelbase
        SourceCompare
        191.5 in.72 in.57.9 in.5.4 in.109.3 in.
        196.9 in.73.1 in.59.2 in.7 in.111.7 in.
        196.5 in.74.4 in.58.3 in.5.3 in.118.5 in.
        196.1 in.74.4 in.57.7 in.3.8 in.112.2 in.
        195.5 in.72.8 in.58.1 in.5.4 in.112 in.
        193.7 in.73.2 in.57.9 in.5.4 in.112 in.

        2015 Nissan Altima vs competitor's trunk space

          Car Name
          Trunk Capacity
          Passenger Volume
          Max Trunk Volume
          SourceCompare
          15.4 cu.ft.101.9 cu.ft.15.6 cu.ft.
          16 cu.ft.101.4 cu.ft.234.1 cu.ft.
          2015 Mazda 6

          Ranked #2

          14.8 cu.ft.99.7 cu.ft.128.1 cu.ft.
          13.3 cu.ft.100 cu.ft.95.4 cu.ft.
          16 cu.ft.102.8 cu.ft.11.5 cu.ft.
          2015 Mazda 3

          Ranked #5

          12.4 cu.ft.96.3 cu.ft.75.1 cu.ft.

          2015 Nissan Altima vs competitor's cargo space

            Car Name
            Cargo Volume
            Cargo Volume w/ Seat Area
            Max Cargo Volume
            Bed Length
            SourceCompare
            15.6 cu.ft.15.4 cu.ft.15.6 cu.ft.-
            69 cu.ft.15.4 cu.ft.69 cu.ft.-
            72 cu.ft.15.4 cu.ft.72 cu.ft.-
            14.1 cu.ft.16.3 cu.ft.14.1 cu.ft.-
            -15.8 cu.ft.-98 ft.
            234.1 cu.ft.16 cu.ft.234.1 cu.ft.-

            2015 Nissan Altima vs competitor's towing capacity

              Car Name
              Towing Capacity
              Payload Capacity
              Weight
              SourceCompare
              -1034 lbs.3108 lbs.
              2000 lbs.-3468 lbs.
              1000 lbs.-3895 lbs.
              1000 lbs.-3431 lbs.
              --3483 lbs.
              -925 lbs.3240 lbs.

              2015 Nissan Altima Sedan Problems, Issues, Complaints, Recalls, and which year to avoid?

              10

              Recalls

              3

              Investigations

              927

              Complaints
              Overall Safety Rating
              Read More

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              Horsepower : 182 hp @ 6000 rpm

              MPG Combined : 31 mpg

              0-60 : 8.4 sec

              #10

              2015 Nissan Altima User Reviews

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              POPULAR TAGS

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              Catrice owens

              2016 Nissan Altima

              4dr Sedan (2.5L 4cyl CVT)

              Not Rated

              User Overall Rating

              Posted On: June 20, 2024

              Nissan Altima

              Pros - ["The blue tooth", "Push start"]

              Cons - ["No sun roof", "Nothing else"]

              It runs great leather interior very safe vehicle has Bluetooth and I would definitely recommend this vehicle too anyone who has kids I personally think it is te best vehicle I have owned i love this car

              Not Rated
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              Ashlyn marchbanks

              2016 Nissan Altima

              4dr Sedan (2.5L 4cyl CVT)

              Not Rated

              User Overall Rating

              Posted On: June 18, 2024

              Gas saver and fast

              Pros - ["Gas mileage", "fast acceleration"]

              Cons - ["Dull headlights", "Transmisson worries"]

              This is my second '16 Altima that I have owned. My first got in a wreck and I loved it so much I got a second one, exact same trim package and everything. The only negative things I have heard about altimas is the transmissons tend to have problems but I'm an aggressive driver and drive 60 miles a day and have never had a problem. I stated above that I love the fast acceleration because I cannot ...

              Not Rated
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