2017 Nissan Altima

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Rating7.7

Ranked #9 in 

Sedan
Write Review
$22,500 - $32,990
Starting Price 
Nathan Dyer's image
Nathan Dyer 

Senior Editor,

Updated on November 1, 2023

ProsConsWhat's New

Front Seats are comfortable

Less rear-seat headroom

No significant changes

User-friendly and affordable navigation radio

Higher level of noise inside cabin than most counterparts

Good Design and Styling

Specs & Features

$22,500

price

179 hp @ 6000 rpm

horsepower

177 lb.-ft. @ 4000 rpm

torque

Continuously Variable-Speed Automatic

transmission

2.5L 4cyl FWD CVT

engine

-

basic warranty

Overview

The 2017 Nissan Altima offers a better interior and more cutting-edge features, all while keeping its price low and its reputation for quality high. Nissan has already given Altima a major update in 2016  and the 2017 model is carried over from last year with no major changes. It competes against the Subaru Legacy, Ford Fusion, and Toyota Camry.

The 2017 Nissan Altima is priced from about $22,500 for the base 2.5 to $32,690 for the top-of-the-line 3.5 SR. The 2.5-liter inline-4 is standard and produces 179 horsepower and 177 lb-ft of torque. The top two models' 3.5L V6 engine produces 270 hp and 251 pound-feet of torque. Will it, however, function admirably on the road? The Nissan Altima Sedan now appears as a more attractive, suitable, and economical family car, bringing back the driving pleasure experience.

Buying Advice

The 2.5 SR strikes as the ideal balance among all the trims and it comes with added benefits like improved handling, thanks to the included sport suspension. Other than that, it also features a steering wheel with paddle shifters mounted on it, 8-way power adjustable driver's seat and 18-inch wheels with a machine finish. The Special Edition package adds a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system with SiriusXM radio, navigation services and remote engine start.

Comparative Analysis against Competition

"Nissan Altima remains a fine mainstream choice in the midsize category, though some competitors offer considerably more modern technology."  - Auto Blog

The 2017 Nissan Altima is unaltered for the new model year as the 2016 model was updated with a firmer rear suspension and a retuned steering wheel. There were even more safety features available with the previous model. Now, the 2017 Nissan Altima is available for purchase, with improvements over last year's model to put it ahead of competitors like the Subaru Legacy, Ford Fusion, and Toyota Camry. 

The base model of the 2017 Nissan Altima starts at $23,335 MSRP. However, for $400 extra, you can upgrade to the 2.5 S, which comes with a rearview camera, cruise control, and a 5-inch touchscreen. The price of the sportier SR version is about $25,305. A V6 Altima begins at a little more than $28,000 while a fully equipped 3.5 SL Altima may cost upwards of $30,000.

Features
7.0/10

There are seven trim levels available for the 2017 Nissan Altima: 2.5, 2.5 S, 2.5 SR, 2.5 SV, 2.5 SL, 3.5 SR, and 3.5 SL. The 2.5L inline-four engine is standard on the base models trim level. On the SR and SL trims, a 3.5L V6 engine is available.

In base trim, the Altima 2.5 comes with 16-inch steel wheels with plastic covers, keyless remote entry, push-button ignition, full power accessories, air conditioning, cloth upholstery, a six-way manually adjustable driver seat (four-way manually adjustable front passenger seat), 60/40-split folding rear seats, Bluetooth phone and audio connectivity, and a four-speaker sound system with a CD player.

Trims Base 2.5 2.5 S 2.5 SR 2.5 SV 2.5 SL 3.5 SL 3.5 SR
MSRP $22,500 $22,900 $24,470 $25,760 $28,870 $32,990 $32,690
Features Projector-type halogen headlights Projector-type halogen headlights Projector-type halogen headlights Projector-type halogen headlights Projector-type halogen headlights LED headlights with integrated signature LED headlights with integrated signature
  Dual body-color power outside mirrors Dual body-color power outside mirrors Smoked headlights Dual body-color power outside mirrors Dual body-color power outside mirrors Dual body-color power outside mirrors Smoked headlights
  Advanced Drive-Assist Display Advanced Drive-Assist Display Dual body-color power outside mirrors Advanced Drive-Assist Display Advanced Drive-Assist Display Advanced Drive-Assist Display Dual body-color power outside mirrors
  Air conditioning Air conditioning Advanced Drive-Assist Display Dual-Zone Automatic Temperature Control (ATC) Dual-Zone Automatic Temperature Control (ATC) Dual-Zone Automatic Temperature Control (ATC) Advanced Drive-Assist Display
  Remote keyless entry   Air conditioning Remote Engine Start System with Intelligent Climate Control Remote Engine Start System with Intelligent Climate Control   Air conditioning
  Sun visors with vanity mirrors           Remote Engine Start System with Intelligent Climate Control

We recommend

The 2.5 SR finds the perfect mix between all of the trims, with extra perks such as better handling owing to the sport suspension. Aside from that, it has a steering wheel with paddle shifters installed on it, an 8-way power-adjustable driver's seat, and machine-finish 18-inch wheels. A 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system is included in the Special Edition package along with additional features like SiriusXM radio, navigation services, and remote engine start.

Fuel Economy
8.0/10

The 2017 Altima's 2.5-liter inline 4-cylinder engine gets 27 mpg in the city, 38 mpg on the highway, and 31 mpg combined, while the 3.5-liter V6 engine gets 22 mpg in the city, 32 mpg on the highway, and 26 mpg combined. This characteristic is mostly due to the constantly variable transmission.

Model 2017 Nissan Altima 2017 Subaru Legacy  2017 Ford Fusion 2017 Toyota Camry
MPG (city) 27 25 21 24
MPG (highway) 38 34 32 33
MPG (combined) 31 29 25 27
Fuel Capacity (Gallons) 18.0 18.5 16.5 17.0
Range (City/Highway/Combined; Miles) 486/702/558 463/629/537 347/528/413 408/561/459

The Altima has the highest fuel economy ratings followed by the Subaru with 25 mpg in cities, 34 mpg on highways, and 29 mpg combined. Camry isn't far behind, with a city fuel economy of 24 mpg, highway fuel economy of 33 mpg, and combined fuel economy of 27 mpg. Last but not least, at 21 mpg in cities, 32 mpg on highways, and 25 mpg combined, the Ford is the least fuel-efficient of the four.

Interior
8.0/10

" the Altima is comfortable place for four adults, and its interior is both stylish and sophisticated"- Kelley Blue Book

Nissan Altima Seating and comfort

The 2017 Nissan Altima provides seating for five people and plenty of legroom in the back, while headroom is limited. All Altimas have Nissan's zero-gravity seats in the front. The seating, which is said to have been inspired by NASA, is quite comfortable for a range of body types, whether they are fabric or leather.

The passenger capacity of all four vehicles is the same: five. The Altima and the Subaru have the most headroom in the front seats, while the Camry has the least. The Altima also offers the highest legroom, but the Camry continues to be lacking in this department.

Model

2017 Nissan Altima 2017 Subaru Legacy 2017 Ford Fusion 2017 Toyota Camry
Passenger capacity 5 5 5 5
Passenger Volume (ft cube) 101.9 104.6 102.8 102.7
Front (Head/Shoulder/Leg)

Exterior
7.0/10

"Thoroughly inconspicuous, the Nissan Altima does little to stand out from the crowd." - The Car Connection

2017 Nissan Altima Dimensions and Weight

With Nissan's iconic V-shaped grille design and slim headlamp housing, the new Altima has a strong familial resemblance to the rest of the company's automobile range. The Altima's rear end has an expressive bumper and horizontally extending taillight housings into the trunk door.

It has the smallest ground clearance, is the shortest, and has the heaviest body weight. The Subaru is the tallest and has the shortest wheelbase of the four. The Ford boasts the most width, ground clearance, and wheelbase. Finally, with the exception of being the shortest, the Camry is a dimensionally well-balanced automobile.

Model 2017 Nissan Altima 2017 Subaru Legacy  2017 Ford Fusion 2017 Toyota Camry
curb weight(lbs) 3212 3514 3472 3300
Length(in) 191.9 188.8 191.7 190.9
Width(in) 72.0 72.4 72.9 71.7
Height(in) 57.8 59.0 58.1 57.9
Ground clearance(in) 5.4 5.9 6.4 6.1
Wheelbase(in) 109.3 108.3 112.2 109.2
Track width(in) F/R 62.4/62.3 62.2/62.8 62.7/62.4 62.4/62.0

Some notable interior features of the 2017 Nissan Altima are:

  • Rear defogger
  • Variable intermittent wipers
  • All-season tires and alloy wheels
  • Daytime running lights
  • Dusk sensing headlamps
  • Front fog and driving lights
  • Turn signal mirrors
  • Ventilated front and solid rear disc brakes.

Safety
7.0/10

The 2017 Nissan Altima received a perfect five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA. In addition, it received five stars in the frontal and side crash tests, as well as four stars in the rollover test. The 2017 Altima earned a top score of Good in each of the six crash tests conducted by the IIHS, resulting in a Top Safety Pick+ award.

The impressive safety bundle of the Altima includes rear-cross traffic alert and blind-spot warning, a forward-collision warning system, adaptive cruise control, a rearview camera, and automated emergency braking.

  • Nissan Advanced Air Bag System with dual-stage supplemental front airbags with seat belt and occupant classification sensors
  • Driver and front passenger seat-mounted side-impact supplemental airbags
  • Roof-mounted curtain supplemental airbags for side-impact and rollover head protection for front and rear-seat outboard occupants
  • Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC) with Traction Control System (TCS)
  • Predictive Forward Collision Warning (PFCW)
  • Forward Emergency Braking (FEB)
  • Blind Spot Warning (BSW)
  • Rear Cross-Traffic Alert (RCTA)
  • 3-point ALR/ELR passenger seat belt system (ELR for the driver)
  • LATCH system (Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children)
  • Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) with Easy-Fill Tire Alert
  • Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) with individual tire pressure display and Easy-Fill Tire Alert
  • Vehicle Security System

Competition
8.0/10

2017 Subaru Legacy vs 2017 Nissan Altima

The Subaru Legacy 2.5i is a good value for sedan fans, with a slew of safety features and all-wheel drive as standard. It has two engine options: a 2.5-liter flat 4-cylinder and a 3.6-liter flat 6-cylinder, both of which are coupled with a continuously variable gearbox. The entertainment system, which is compatible with smartphones, adds to the pleasant interior experience. The Subaru has somewhat less engine power and significantly slower acceleration than the Nissan. It has strong braking abilities, although its fuel-efficiency suffers slightly.

2017 Ford Fusion vs 2017 Nissan Altima

The Ford Fusion provides something for everyone, from luxury aesthetics to everyday usefulness. The Fusion provides a wide range of customization options, including a handful of engine options, a 6-speed gearbox, and basic front-wheel and optional all-wheel-drive systems. Its sporty handling and strong posture are credited to the stiffer suspension. When comparing the Fusion to the Altima, we can observe that it has a little lesser engine power and lags behind in acceleration. Its brakes and fuel efficiency are also underwhelming.

2017 Toyota Camry vs 2017 Nissan Altima

The Toyota Camry has managed to live up to its reputation once again, thanks to a more responsive chassis and an eye-catching new appearance. The 8-speed automatic transmission is compatible with both the inline 4cylinder and V6 engines. With a slew of new active safety features, the Camry becomes even more attractive. When compared to the Nissan Altima, the Camry has a similar engine power and far superior acceleration.

Final Verdict

As a family car, the 2017 Nissan Altima Sedan impresses us in many ways. Aside from its bland appearance, there isn't much to criticize about this midsize automobile. Improvements in technology would make it even more enticing than it is now. The adoption of higher-quality materials would also help the cause.  Finally, we can conclude that, being the mid-priced car among its competitors, the Nissan Altima Sedan is a fantastic value and a win-win situation for us.

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- $32,990

Engine

Gasoline

Rating

7.65

Horsepower

270 hp @ 6400 rpm

Torque

251 lb.-ft. @ 4400 rpm

Capacity

5

Read Review

$54,450- $60,450

Gasoline

7.23

310 hp @ 6500 rpm

272 lb.-ft. @ 4500 rpm

5

Read Review

$32,000- $44,900

Gasoline

6.72

206 hp @ 6800 rpm

182 lb.-ft. @ 4500 rpm

5

Read Review

$32,065- $43,265

Gasoline

7.05

310 hp @ 6800 rpm

282 lb.-ft. @ 5200 rpm

5

Read Review

$21,065- $26,555

Gasoline

6.65

180 hp @ 6700 rpm

171 lb.-ft. @ 4900 rpm

5

Read Review

$16,975- $25,395

Gasoline

7.17

153 hp @ 5600 rpm

177 lb.-ft. @ 2000 rpm

5

Read Review

$27,500- $40,915

Gasoline

6.75

197 hp @ 6300 rpm

186 lb.-ft. @ 4400 rpm

5

Read Review

$21,680- $30,975

Gasoline

7.8

160 hp @ 5700 rpm

184 lb.-ft. @ 2500 rpm

5

Read Review

$22,115- $31,785

Gasoline

7.37

184 hp @ 6250 rpm

173 lb.-ft. @ 4600 rpm

5

Read Review

$22,610- $38,750

Gasoline

8.39

175 hp @ 6000 rpm

175 lb.-ft. @ 4500 rpm

5

Read Review

2017 Nissan Altima vs competitor's 0-60

    Car Name
    0-60 MPH
    Quarter Mile
    Top Speed
    SourceCompare
    8.4 sec16.5 sec122 mph
    5.7 sec14.2 sec141 mph
    6.1 sec14.5 sec-
    6.1 sec12.7 sec116 mph
    6.3 sec--
    6.5 sec15.1 sec-

    2017 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.
      42 mpg38 mpg40 mpg17 gal.714/646 mi.
      28 mpg39 mpg32 mpg13.7 gal.383.6/534.3 mi.
      28 mpg36 mpg32 mpg13.2 gal.369.6/475.2 mi.
      2017 Mazda 3

      Ranked #3

      27 mpg37 mpg31 mpg13.2 gal.356.4/488.4 mi.
      27 mpg35 mpg30 mpg13.2 gal.356.4/462 mi.

      2017 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.
        202.9 in.76.2 in.60.7 in.5.1 in.112.9 in.
        201.3 in.73 in.58.9 in.7 in.111.7 in.
        197.5 in.73.5 in.57.5 in.7 in.114.4 in.
        196.1 in.74.4 in.57.7 in.3.8 in.112.2 in.
        195.7 in.73.6 in.57.9 in.6 in.112.4 in.

        2017 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.15.4 cu.ft.
          15.8 cu.ft.103.2 cu.ft.256.5 cu.ft.
          14.4 cu.ft.95.8 cu.ft.148.9 cu.ft.
          16 cu.ft.101.4 cu.ft.122.7 cu.ft.
          2017 Mazda 6

          Ranked #4

          14.8 cu.ft.99.7 cu.ft.120.1 cu.ft.
          16.3 cu.ft.106.1 cu.ft.104.6 cu.ft.

          2017 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.15.4 cu.ft.-
            83.1 cu.ft.20.1 cu.ft.55.4 cu.ft.67 ft.
            83.2 cu.ft.15 cu.ft.83.2 cu.ft.-
            2017 Mazda 3

            Ranked #4

            47.1 cu.ft.12.4 cu.ft.47.1 cu.ft.-
            104.6 cu.ft.16.3 cu.ft.104.6 cu.ft.-
            13.8 cu.ft.14.8 cu.ft.13.8 cu.ft.244 ft.

            2017 Nissan Altima vs competitor's towing capacity

              Car Name
              Towing Capacity
              Payload Capacity
              Weight
              SourceCompare
              -1029 lbs.3197 lbs.
              1000 lbs.-3300 lbs.
              1000 lbs.1280 lbs.3917 lbs.
              1000 lbs.1091 lbs.3263 lbs.
              1000 lbs.-3662 lbs.
              1000 lbs.-3431 lbs.

              2017 Nissan Altima Sedan Problems, Issues, Complaints, Recalls, and which year to avoid?

              3

              Recalls

              3

              Investigations

              367

              Complaints
              Overall Safety Rating
              Read More

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              2017 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

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

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