2016 Nissan Altima

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Rating8.2

Ranked #7 in 

Midsize Sedan
Write Review
$22,500 - $32,690
Starting Price 
Nathan Dyer's image
Nathan Dyer 

Senior Editor,

Updated on January 31, 2024

ProsConsWhat's New

Impressive performance and acceleration

Interior materials quality feels poor

Changes in exterior and interior styling

Impressive fuel economy

Evident cabin noise

Revised standard safety features

Good balance between ride and handling

Infotainment system feels inferior to the competition

Introduction of all-new SR trim

Specs & Features

$22,500

price

182 hp @ 6000 rpm

horsepower

180 lb.-ft. @ 4000 rpm

torque

1-Speed CVT w/od

transmission

2.5L 4cyl FWD CVT

engine

-

basic warranty

Overview

Nissan Altima has always been a sensible choice in the segment for the value that it offers. The 2016 Nissan Altima has gone through some changes in the fifth generation of the Altima launched in 2012. The first change that you notice is the front and rear fascia which now looks more like the Nissan Maxima or the Nissan Murano. The changes to the exterior are most evident, and the 2016 Nissan Altima matches well with the other offerings in the Nissan lineup.

Buying Advice

The 2016 Nissan Altima offers a good package at an affordable price point. We recommend going for the SR trim as it offers the best value for the money. The suspension is also tuned in a more sporty way for better handling. The SR trim is also available with both engine options, so you can go with any of the engine options based on your budget and requirements. You can go with an optional heated steering wheel and heated front seats for better comfort.

Comparative Analysis against Competition

The 2016 Nissan Altima is available at an MSRP of $22,300 and is available in two different engine options. The base engine on offer is a 2.5-liter inline-4 engine, and there is an optional more powerful 3.5-liter V6 engine with SR and SL trim. The standard safety features are also very generous for the segment. The 2016 Nissan Altima competes against the likes of the 2016 Toyota Camry and the 2016 Hyundai Sonata.

Features
8.0/10

The 2016 Nissan Altima comes in five different trim options and has a good list of standard features even on the base trim. A completely new SR trim is added to the lineup that stands in the middle, and it also features an optional more powerful 3.5-liter V6 engine. The top SL trim is fully loaded and comes with various standard safety tech and driver assistance features. Some basic features like heated front seats and heated steering wheel are optional in the lower trims and only comes standard in the top SL trim.

Trim

Base

S

SR

SV

SL

MSRP(2.5) 

$23,325

$23,725

$25,295

$26,285

$29,395

MSRP(3.5)

N/A

N/A

$28,215

N/A

$32,915

Key Features

Keyless ignition

Addition to the Base trim:

Addition to the S trim:

Addition to the SR trim:

Addition to the SL trim:

 

Auto on/off headlights

Power-adjustable mirrors

Leather-wrapped steering wheel

Intermittent Wipers

Variable Speed Intermittent Wipers

 

Passenger Vanity Mirror

Cruise control

18” alloy wheels

Dual-zone climate control

Heated Steering Wheel (Standard)

 

Central-locking

Back-up camera

Fog lamps

Heated Front Seats (Optional)

Electrochromic rearview mirror

 

Remote trunk release

Remote engine start

Paddle shifters

Heated Steering Wheel (Optional)

Onboard Hands-Free Communications System (Optional)

 

Anti-theft Alarm

Adjustments for steering wheel

Rear spoiler

Universal Garage Door Opener (Optional)

3.5-liter V6 engine (Available)

We recommend

The 2016 Nissan Altima offers a good package at an affordable price point. We recommend going for the SR trim as it offers the best value for the money. The suspension is also tuned in a more sporty way for better handling. The SR trim is also available with both engine options, so you can go with any of the engine options based on your budget and requirements. You can go with an optional heated steering wheel and heated front seats for better comfort.

Engine and Performance
8.0/10

The 2016 Nissan Altima is powered by a standard 2.5-liter inline-4 engine. The engine produces a peak power of 182 horsepower and a peak torque of 180 lb-ft of torque. The power figures are competitive to the other cars in the segment. The engine is mated to a CVT transmission which handles the power very well. The CVT manages the rubber band effect very well, and it is well contained to deliver impressive performance. You also have an option to go for a more powerful V6 engine if you want more power.

Models

2016 Nissan Altima

2016 Toyota Camry

2016 Hyundai Sonata

MSRP

$22,500

$23,070

$21,750

Engine

2.5L I-4

2.5L I-4

2.4L I-4

Drivetrain

FWD

FWD

FWD

Transmission

CVT

CVT

CVT

Power

182hp

178hp

185hp

Torque

180lb-ft

170lb-ft

178lb-ft

0-60 MPH (seconds)

7.7

8.0

8.0

Quarter-Mile (seconds)

15.1

16.2

15.5

Top-Speed (MPH)

130

112

N/A

The 2016 Nissan Altima outperforms the other two sedans in the competition when it comes to acceleration. It takes 7.7 seconds to complete 0 to 60 mph, while the quarter-mile run takes 15.1 seconds. The 2016 Hyundai Sonata is slightly more powerful but stays behind in the acceleration figures as it takes 8 seconds to complete 0 to 60 mph, which is similar to the 2016 Toyota Camry. However, Hyundai Sonata leaves the Camry behind in the quarter-mile run with a slight margin.

Fuel Economy
7.0/10

You expect either good performance or better mpg from an engine. The acceleration on the 2016 Nissan Altima clearly states that it offers good performance, but it also manages to deliver some of the best fuel economy figures for the segment. It manages to deliver 27 mpg in the city, 39 mpg on the highway, and an impressive 31 mpg of combined fuel economy. The 2016 Altima also comes with a bigger 18.0 gallons fuel tank which translates to a mind-boggling range of 702 miles on the highway. 

Models

2016 Nissan Altima

2016 Toyota Camry

2016 Hyundai Sonata

MPG (City)

27

25

25

MPG (Highway)

39

35

38

MPG (Combined)

31

28

30

Fuel Capacity (Gallons)

18.0

17.0

18.5

Range (City/Highway/Combined, in Miles)

486/702/558

425/595/476

463/703/555

The 2016 Nissan Altima comes with the gem of an engine when it comes to fuel economy figures. It delivers the best acceleration and best fuel economy compared to the other two sedans in the segment. The 2016 Hyundai Sonata is not far behind in the fuel economy figures, and it also comes with a slightly bigger 18.5 gallons fuel tank. The 2016 Toyota Camry is the least fuel-efficient of the lot and also comes with the smallest tank.

Interior
8.0/10

The 2016 Nissan Altima comes with a spacious cabin in the front. The room in the front is on a premium, and there is good space between the driver and passenger seat. The controls for the cabin are also very easy to use and fall well within the reach of the driver. The material used inside the cabin does not feel premium at all, and the use of hard plastics is clearly evident. The space in the rear seat feels a bit cramped for the segment, and it is more comfortable for two passengers only.

The legroom for the rear seats at 36.1 inches falls short of the competition. The shoulder room is also compromised in the second row. However, the trunk space is not compromised at all, and it offers a respectable 15.4 cubic feet of trunk capacity. Overall the cabin feels good, but it only lacks in the quality of the material.

Models

2016 Nissan Altima

2016 Toyota Camry

2016 Hyundai Sonata

Seating Capacity

5

5

5

Front Row (Headroom/Shoulder Room/Leg Room, in inches)

40.0/56.4/45.0

38.8/58.0/41.6

40.4/57.9/45.5

Rear Row (Headroom/Shoulder Room/Leg Room, in inches)

37.1/56.4/36.1

38.1/56.6/38.9

38.0/56.5/35.6

Trunk Capacity (cubic feet)

15.4

15.4

16.3

The Toyota Camry offers the best space in the cabin. The Nissan Altima is not far behind the Camry in the space for the front row but lacks significantly in the rear seat space. The Toyota Camry offers 40.0/56.4/45.0 inches of headroom/shoulder room/legroom, respectively for the front rows, while the 2016 Nissan Altima offers 40.0/56.4/45.0 inches of headroom/shoulder room/legroom, respectively. The Altima can easily accommodate four passengers without any issue, but it becomes a bit tight for five passengers. Standout interior features of the 2016 Nissan Altima include:

  • Electric Power Steering
  • Overhead Console With Storage
  • Tilt And Telescopic Steering Wheel
  • Dual Illuminating Vanity Mirrors
  • Interior Air Filtration
  • Dual-zone automatic climate control
  • Leather Steering Wheel

How intuitive is the 2016 Nissan Altima’s infotainment unit?

The 2016 Nissan Altima features a 5-inch touchscreen infotainment system. The infotainment screen feels responsive and intuitive to touch response. However, the graphics may be better and the competition offers a better infotainment experience. It comes with Bluetooth connectivity and Apple CarPlay for seamless connectivity. The infotainment also supports Pandora streaming and AM/FM Stereo. The audio is managed by a 6-speaker audio system for a better music experience. Standout infotainment features of the 2016 Nissan Altima include:

  • 5-inch touchscreen display
  • 6-speaker audio system
  • Bluetooth connectivity 
  • AM/FM Stereo
  • Pandora streaming
  • 6-speaker audio system 

Exterior
8.0/10

The 2016 Nissan Altima has gone through some exterior style changes to look more like the other cars like the Nissan Maxima and Murano from the Nissan’s lineup. The overall appearance remains the same as the previous year’s model. The evident changes are in the front and rear fascia of the 2016 Altima. It gets an all-new chrome-cladded V-Motion grille which looks very subtle from the front. The overall exterior styling is also very subtle and it does not look overdone from the outside.

The 2016 Nissan Altima is a long and wide car with a length of 191.9 inches and the width measures 72 inches. The length and width all are on par with the competition, and the overall dimensions are neither too long nor too short. The wheelbase is also on par with the rivals at 109.3 inches. The sedan weighs 3,197 lbs, which is the least in the competition.

Models

2016 Nissan Altima

2016 Toyota Camry

2016 Hyundai Sonata

Curb Weight (lb)

3197

3300

3252

Length (inches)

191.9

190.9

191.1

Width (inches)

72.0

71.7

73.4

Height (inches)

57.8

57.9

58.1

Ground Clearance (inches)

N/A

6.1

5.3

Wheelbase (inches)

109.3

109.3

110.4

The 2016 Nissan Altima is the longest car in the comparison, whereas the 2016 Toyota Camry is the shortest sedan. Still, the wheelbase remains the same for both these vehicles. However, the Toyota Camry manages the space well and provides better interior space than the Altima. The 2016 Hyundai Sonata has the longest wheelbase compared to its rivals, and it is also the widest sedan in the comparison. Standout exterior features include:

  • 18” alloy wheels
  • Rear spoiler
  • Auto on/off headlamps
  • Smoked-out lights (SR trim)
  • Matches well with other Nissan cars

Safety
9.0/10

The 2016 Nissan Altima offers a pretty good list of standard safety tech and driver assistance features. The safety of the Nissan Altima is also proven by its crash test ratings. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration gave it a safety rating of 5 out of 5 stars and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety has given it their Top Safety Pick+ award. The build quality of the car doesn’t disappoint at all, and the active safety features offered as standard also make it a great pick for safety. Safety features of the 2016 Nissan Altima include:

  • Ventilated Front Disc
  • Emergency Braking Assist
  • Electronic Stability Control
  • Child Safety Locks
  • Hill control assists

Final Verdict

The 2016 Nissan Altima remains a sensible choice in the segment for the value it offers at an affordable price. It impresses with the performance, and the fuel economy is also one of the best in the segment. The handling is also not an issue, and the stiff suspension is not too uncomfortable for daily driving. The option for a bigger 3.5-liter V6 engine is also available for those who want extra performance. The 2016 Nissan Altima is one of the better sedans in the segment that you can consider for all these reasons.

Trims

    Base
    $22,500 onwards
    • 60/40-Split folding rear seats
    • Air-Conditioning
    • Cloth upholstery
    • Four-Speaker sound system w/ CD player
    • Keyless remote entry
    • Six-Way manually adjustable driver seat
    S
    $22,900 onwards
    • 5-Inch display
    • Automatic headlights
    • Cruise control
    • Keyless ignition and entry
    • Rearview camera
    • Siri Eyes Free voice recognition
    • Six-Speaker sound system
    • Usb port
    SR
    $24,470 onwards
    • Daytime running lights
    • Eight-Way power-adjustable driver seat
    • Foglights
    • Rear spoiler
    • Sport-Tuned suspension
    • Two-Way power lumbar adjustment
    SV
    $25,460 onwards
    • 17-Inch alloy wheels
    • Blind-Spot monitoring
    • Dual-Zone automatic climate control
    • Rear cross-traffic alert
    • Satellite radio
    SL
    $28,570 onwards
    • Ambient interior lighting
    • Heated Front Seats
    • Heated steering wheel
    • Leather upholstery
    • Premium Bose nine-speaker sound system
    • Rear air vents

Compare to similar cars

Price

$22,500- $32,690

Engine

Gasoline

Rating

8.15

Horsepower

270 hp @ 6400 rpm

Torque

251 lb.-ft. @ 4400 rpm

Capacity

5

Read Review

$31,695- $44,800

Gasoline

8

206 hp @ 6800 rpm

182 lb.-ft. @ 4500 rpm

5

Read Review

$50,950- $60,450

Gasoline

8.19

310 hp @ 6500 rpm

272 lb.-ft. @ 4500 rpm

5

Read Review

$31,065- $40,675

Gasoline

7.75

304 hp @ 6800 rpm

264 lb.-ft. @ 5300 rpm

5

Read Review

$21,625- $30,920

Gasoline

8.43

160 hp @ 5700 rpm

184 lb.-ft. @ 2500 rpm

5

Read Review

$21,995- $31,785

Gasoline

7.85

184 hp @ 6250 rpm

173 lb.-ft. @ 4600 rpm

5

Read Review

$22,750- $33,270

Gasoline

8.64

175 hp @ 6000 rpm

175 lb.-ft. @ 4500 rpm

5

Read Review

$18,640- $26,500

Gasoline

8.77

158 hp @ 6500 rpm

138 lb.-ft. @ 4200 rpm

5

Read Review

$22,205- $34,680

Gasoline

8.49

185 hp @ 6400 rpm

181 lb.-ft. @ 3900 rpm

5

Read Review

$21,300- $34,075

Gasoline

8.12

185 hp @ 6000 rpm

178 lb.-ft. @ 4000 rpm

5

Read Review

2016 Nissan Altima vs competitor's 0-60

    Car Name
    0-60 MPH
    Quarter Mile
    Top Speed
    SourceCompare
    8.6 sec16.2 sec110 mph
    5.9 sec--
    6.1 sec14.5 sec-
    6.2 sec14.7 sec154 mph
    6.2 sec14.7 sec-
    6.3 sec--

    2016 Nissan Altima vs competitor's MPG

      Car Name
      MPG City
      MPG Highway
      MPG Combined
      Fuel Tank Capacity
      Range (C/H)
      SourceCompare
      27 mpg39 mpg31 mpg18 gal.486/702 mi.
      2016 Mazda 3

      Ranked #1

      29 mpg41 mpg33 mpg13.2 gal.382.8/541.2 mi.
      27 mpg40 mpg31 mpg12.4 gal.334.8/496 mi.
      27 mpg37 mpg31 mpg13 gal.351/481 mi.
      25 mpg38 mpg30 mpg18.5 gal.462.50/703 mi.
      26 mpg36 mpg30 mpg18.5 gal.481/666 mi.

      2016 Nissan Altima vs competitor's dimensions

        Car Name
        Length
        Width
        Height
        Ground Clearance
        Wheelbase
        SourceCompare
        191.9 in.72 in.57.8 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.
        195.7 in.72.8 in.58.1 in.5.4 in.112 in.
        193.8 in.73 in.57.6 in.7 in.111.4 in.

        2016 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.6.8 cu.ft.
          16 cu.ft.101.4 cu.ft.323.1 cu.ft.
          27.4 cu.ft.106.1 cu.ft.135.7 cu.ft.
          2016 Mazda 6

          Ranked #3

          14.8 cu.ft.99.7 cu.ft.120.8 cu.ft.
          13.3 cu.ft.142.7 cu.ft.83.2 cu.ft.
          16 cu.ft.102.8 cu.ft.10.4 cu.ft.

          2016 Nissan Altima vs competitor's cargo space

            Car Name
            Cargo Volume
            Cargo Volume w/ Seat Area
            Max Cargo Volume
            Bed Length
            SourceCompare
            6.8 cu.ft.15.4 cu.ft.6.8 cu.ft.-
            9.9 cu.ft.15.8 cu.ft.10 cu.ft.121 ft.
            2016 Mazda 6

            Ranked #3

            120.8 cu.ft.14.8 cu.ft.120.8 cu.ft.-
            -15.8 cu.ft.-98 ft.
            135.7 cu.ft.27.4 cu.ft.135.7 cu.ft.72 ft.
            83.2 cu.ft.13.3 cu.ft.83.2 cu.ft.-

            2016 Nissan Altima vs competitor's towing capacity

              Car Name
              Towing Capacity
              Payload Capacity
              Weight
              SourceCompare
              -1116 lbs.3197 lbs.
              1000 lbs.-3431 lbs.
              1000 lbs.-3895 lbs.
              --3086 lbs.
              --3219 lbs.
              --3473 lbs.

              2016 Nissan Altima Sedan Problems, Issues, Complaints, Recalls, and which year to avoid?

              4

              Recalls

              3

              Investigations

              530

              Complaints
              Overall Safety Rating
              Read More

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              Horsepower : 182 hp @ 6000 rpm

              MPG Combined : 31 mpg

              0-60 : 8.6 sec

              #10

              2016 Nissan Altima User Reviews

              1.3

              [3 Reviews]

              1

              [0.0%] [0 Reviews]

              2

              [33.0%] [1 Reviews]

              3

              [0.0%] [0 Reviews]

              4

              [0.0%] [0 Reviews]

              5

              [0.0%] [0 Reviews]

              POPULAR TAGS

              Co

              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
              Features
              Not Rated
              Interior
              Not Rated
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              Not Rated
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              Not Rated
              Reliability
              Not Rated
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              Not Rated
              Dealer Review

              Am

              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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              Not Rated
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              Not Rated
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              Not Rated
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              Not Rated
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              Not Rated
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              Not Rated
              Dealer Review

              Km

              Kimberly murphy

              2017 Nissan Altima

              4dr Sedan (2.5L 4cyl CVT) w/Prod. End 06/17

              4

              User Overall Rating

              Posted On: July 23, 2024

              Love Nissan!

              Pros - ["It rides so smooth", "Great on gas!"]

              Cons - ["I actually love everything", "Huge fan of Nissan"]

              Absolutely love my vehicle. Handles awesome. Maintenance is inexpensive. This is my third Nissan and I have loved them all. I would absolutely recommend purchasing a Nissan. The other two lasted at least ten years and hundreds of thousands of miles

              Not Rated
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              Not Rated
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              Not Rated
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              Not Rated
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              Not Rated
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              Not Rated
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              Not Rated
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