Rumors of the demise of the sedan are often exaggerated. During our week with the 2024 Nissan Altima, my teens subtly informed me that “Mom mobiles” aka SUVs are no longer hip. According to them, cars like the Altima are more appealing than larger people haulers. Bigger is no longer better; teens prefer the sleek and sporty profile of the Altima to the big, boxy SUVs.
The 2024 Altima boasts a refined design that commands attention wherever it goes. From its bold grille to its sculpted lines, this sedan exudes confidence and sophistication.The Altima SR is powered by the 2-liter VC Turbo 4-cylinder engine, producing 238-horse power and an impressive 287-pound feet of torque. Nissan has stuck it with a continuously variable transmission, my least favorite transmission. However, Nissan did well with the simulated shifts, making the CVT more tolerable. Altima SR VC-Turbo is rated for EPA fuel economy of up to 34 mpg highway.
It offers a smooth and comfortable ride, whether you’re navigating the congested city streets of downtown Dallas or cruising down the highway to escape Austin. The Altima’s ProPilot Assist system, with lane centering and low-speed adaptive cruise control, is great for stop and go traffic on long road trips.
Of course, it’s equipped with all the necessities, like the 12.3-inch touchscreen. Nissan doesn’t have the smoothest infotainment system, but it is easy to operate. You can easily access the navigation system, Wi-Fi, both wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Alexa, SiriusXM, and the Nissan Connected suite of apps.
My biggest complaint with Nissan was the analog instrument cluster, but they’ve now added a digital speedometer. While I appreciate the addition, if Nissan wants to remain competitive, I’d like to see them update their instrument panel to all digital.
Safety is a top priority, thanks to Nissan’s Safety Shield 360 with features like Automatic Emergency Braking with Pedestrian Detection, Rear Automatic Braking, Lane Departure Warning, Blind Spot Warning, Rear Cross Traffic Alert and High Beam Assist. Also standard on all grades is Intelligent Forward Collision Warning and Intelligent Driver Alertness . These technologies give you peace of mind as you navigate the road with your precious cargo and make it a solid choice for your teen’s first car.
The 2024 Nissan Altima is a great choice for anyone looking for a stylish, practical, and fun-to-drive sedan. Its sleek design, ample interior space, and impressive performance make it practical, and its appeal to teenagers makes it a hit with the whole family. It is available in S, SV, SR, SL and SR VC-Turbo trim levels.