Nissan has redefined the mid-size sedan with the global debut of the 2019 Altima Nissan. This sixth-generation model isn’t just a car; it’s a statement, injecting excitement back into a segment often perceived as conventional. The 2019 Altima Nissan arrives packed with groundbreaking technology, enhanced performance, and a design that commands attention, setting a new benchmark for sedans.
The 2019 Altima Nissan is built upon the pillars of Nissan Intelligent Mobility, aiming to transform the driving experience. Denis Le Vot, Senior Vice President of Nissan North America, emphasizes this, stating, “The new Altima follows the new Nissan LEAF in embodying the vision of Nissan Intelligent Mobility, making our cars more desirable by re-defining how they’re driven, powered and integrated into society.” This vision translates into a vehicle that’s not only technologically advanced but also intuitively designed to enhance the lives of its drivers and passengers.
Set to hit dealerships in the United States in the fall of 2018, the 2019 Altima Nissan will be available in five distinct grade levels, alongside a limited-production launch edition. Nissan’s ambition is clear: to revitalize the sedan market. As Le Vot further explains, “Our goal with the all-new Altima is to re-energize the sedan segment – in terms of design, driving feel and in making advanced technologies available and affordable for everyone. We want to energize drivers, helping make their lives safer, less stressful and more exciting.” Let’s delve into the features that make the 2019 Altima Nissan a game-changer.
Nissan Intelligent Mobility: ProPILOT Assist and Safety Shield 360
The 2019 Altima Nissan pioneers driving assistance technologies with Nissan Intelligent Mobility, headlined by ProPILOT Assist and the introduction of Safety Shield 360. ProPILOT Assist, a standout feature in its class, takes the stress out of driving by providing support with acceleration, steering, and braking in single-lane highway conditions. This isn’t just cruise control; it’s a step towards future autonomous driving, designed to keep the 2019 Altima Nissan centered in its lane, manage stop-and-go traffic, and maintain a consistent speed and distance from the vehicle ahead. Activated with just two buttons, ProPILOT Assist is designed for ease of use and to reduce driver fatigue, especially during daily commutes in heavy traffic.
Alt text: Activating ProPILOT Assist feature in the 2019 Nissan Altima dashboard, showcasing the intuitive technology for driver assistance.
Standard on the SV, SL, and Platinum grades of the 2019 Altima Nissan, ProPILOT Assist embodies Nissan’s commitment to democratizing advanced technology, making premium features accessible to a broader audience. Le Vot emphasizes this point: “Adding ProPILOT Assist to the 2019 Altima continues our approach of making the most advanced technologies available to the widest number of potential buyers, rather than saving the best for the most exclusive models.”
Complementing ProPILOT Assist is the new Rear Automatic Braking (RAB), a crucial addition to the 2019 Altima Nissan‘s safety suite. RAB detects stationary objects when reversing and can automatically apply the brakes to help prevent collisions. This system provides both visual and audible warnings, escalating to stronger braking if necessary, ensuring enhanced safety when maneuvering in reverse. Rear Automatic Braking is also standard on the SV, SL, and Platinum trims.
Alt text: Display of the Rear Automatic Braking system in the 2019 Altima Nissan, illustrating its function in detecting obstacles while reversing.
The 2019 Altima Nissan doesn’t stop there in prioritizing safety. Standard Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB), Intelligent Forward Collision Warning (I-FCW), and Intelligent Driver Alertness (I-DA) are included across all grades. For top-tier visibility, the Intelligent Around View Monitor (I-AVM) comes standard on the Platinum grade.
The integration of Rear Automatic Braking completes Safety Shield 360, offering comprehensive front, side, and rear safety monitoring and intervention technologies. This suite includes Automatic Emergency Braking with Pedestrian Detection, Lane Departure Warning (LDW), Blind Spot Warning (BSW), Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA), and High Beam Assist (HBA), solidifying the 2019 Altima Nissan as a leader in safety within its segment.
Another innovative feature in the 2019 Altima Nissan is Traffic Sign Recognition. Using a windshield-mounted camera, this system displays the latest detected speed limit information in the Advanced Drive Assist Display, helping drivers stay informed and compliant with road regulations. Navigation-equipped models further enhance this feature by combining navigation data with camera recognition for even more accurate speed limit information.
First-Ever Altima All-Wheel Drive
Addressing the demands of drivers in northern US regions, the 2019 Altima Nissan introduces Intelligent All-Wheel Drive (AWD) for the first time. This addition is expected to significantly impact sales, particularly in areas where AWD is highly valued due to weather conditions. Le Vot notes, “When we look at how Altima is going to shake up the segment, all-wheel drive is a key element. Altima will be the only one to offer it of the top three best-selling midsize sedans.” The availability of AWD in the 2019 Altima Nissan directly targets buyers who might have previously considered switching to SUVs for all-weather capability.
Alt text: Demonstration of the Intelligent All-Wheel Drive system in the 2019 Nissan Altima, highlighting its capability for enhanced traction and control.
Available on all trim levels equipped with the 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine, the AWD system in the 2019 Altima Nissan intelligently distributes torque between the front and rear wheels based on driving conditions. This system can send anywhere from 100% of torque to the front wheels to an even 50:50 split between front and rear. Combined with brake limited slip differential and Hill Start Assist, the AWD system enhances performance and confidence across various driving scenarios, including hill starts and rough terrains.
Revolutionary Engine Options: VC-Turbo and Enhanced 2.5-Liter
Under the hood, the 2019 Altima Nissan showcases Nissan’s engineering prowess with two new engine options, including the world’s first production-ready Variable Compression Turbo (VC-Turbo) engine. Replacing the previous V6, the 2.0-liter VC-Turbo offers V6-level performance with the fuel efficiency of a 4-cylinder. This engine, a result of 20 years of development, adjusts its compression ratio continuously between 8:1 for high performance and 14:1 for high efficiency.
Alt text: Close-up view of Nissan’s innovative Variable Compression Turbo engine featured in the 2019 Altima, showcasing its advanced engineering.
The VC-Turbo in the 2019 Altima Nissan delivers 248 horsepower and 280 lb-ft of torque (on premium fuel), offering a dynamic driving experience. It uses both multi-point and direct injection to optimize efficiency and power, and contributes to reduced noise, vibration, and harshness (NVH) and improved emissions compared to the previous V6. The VC-Turbo engine is available in the SR VC-Turbo and Platinum VC-Turbo grades, and includes a display in the Advanced Drive Assist Display allowing drivers to monitor the engine’s state in real-time.
Fuel economy for the VC-Turbo is rated at 25 mpg city, 34 mpg highway, and 29 mpg combined, a 15% improvement in combined fuel economy over the previous 3.5-liter V6 while maintaining comparable performance. Le Vot highlights the unique nature of this engine, stating, “With the VC-Turbo, the driver balances the engine character through acceleration pedal operation alone. This ‘two engines in one’ is another way Altima stands far apart from all other vehicles in the segment.”
The standard engine for the 2019 Altima Nissan is also completely new: a 2.5-liter DOHC inline 4-cylinder direct injection engine. This engine produces 188 horsepower and 180 lb-ft of torque, an increase over the previous 2.5-liter engine, with 80% of its parts being new or redesigned. Beyond the power increase, this engine offers improved NVH, enhanced fuel economy, and cleaner emissions. Design features like a “reverse” cylinder head and low engine mounting contribute to a lower profile, benefiting both styling and handling.
Alt text: Illustration of the redesigned 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine powering the 2019 Nissan Altima, emphasizing its improvements in power and efficiency.
Fuel economy for the 2.5-liter engine in the front-wheel-drive 2019 Altima Nissan is rated up to 28 mpg city, 39 mpg highway, and 32 mpg combined, further enhancing its appeal as a practical yet enjoyable sedan. All 2019 Altima Nissan models come standard with an Xtronic transmission, which has been enhanced for 2019 with an expanded lock-up area for improved efficiency. Paddle shifters are available on the SR grade for a more engaging driving experience.
Enhanced Dynamics and Chassis Control
The 2019 Altima Nissan benefits from significant enhancements in suspension, steering, and chassis control. All models, including AWD versions, feature monotube rear shocks for the first time in an Altima, along with suspension reinforcements and geometry adjustments to improve steering feedback and overall vehicle response. The steering system is upgraded to a dual-pinion electric power steering (DP-EPS) design, which enhances steering feel and reduces noise, providing both ease of maneuverability at low speeds and improved control at higher speeds.
The 2019 Altima Nissan also incorporates a new Integrated Dynamics Module (IDM), featuring Intelligent Ride Control, Intelligent Trace Control, and Vehicle Dynamics Control, technologies shared with the flagship Nissan Maxima. These systems work together to provide a more comfortable, controlled, and confident driving experience. Wheel sizes range from 16-inch to 19-inch, with the SR grade featuring unique sport-tuned suspension and chassis settings for a sportier driving dynamic.
Sporty Exterior and Premium Interior Design
Drawing inspiration from the Nissan Vmotion 2.0 concept, the 2019 Altima Nissan boasts a striking and athletic exterior design. Lower, wider, and more dynamic than previous generations, the 2019 Altima Nissan makes a bold visual statement. Alfonso Albaisa, Senior Vice President of Global Design at Nissan, explains, “Altima has been the face of Nissan in the United States, its largest market, for many years. We knew we had to elevate the appearance of the new-generation Altima, so the Vmotion 2.0 gave us the blueprint moving forward with the production model.”
Alt text: Angular front view of the 2019 Nissan Altima highlighting its redesigned sporty exterior and V-motion grille.
Compared to its predecessor, the 2019 Altima Nissan is lower, longer, and wider, with a longer wheelbase and reduced front overhang, resulting in a sleeker and more sophisticated profile. The coefficient of drag is an impressive 0.26. Design elements include the signature V-motion grille with dark chrome finish, LED projector headlights with Daytime Running Lights, LED fog lights, a floating roof, and an available single-panel moonroof. Nine exterior colors, including Scarlet Ember and Sunset Drift ChromaFlair®, enhance the vehicle’s sculpted design.
Alt text: Luxurious interior of the 2019 Nissan Altima, emphasizing the “gliding wing” instrument panel, premium materials, and spacious cabin.
Inside, the 2019 Altima Nissan offers a near-luxury experience with a “gliding wing” instrument panel, high-contrast colors, and premium materials. Comfort and convenience are paramount, with NASA-inspired Zero Gravity seats, available perforated leather-appointed seat inserts, remote engine start, and an available 8-way power driver’s seat with memory. Connectivity is also a focus, with a standard 7.0-inch Advanced Drive Assist Display, available 8-inch multi-touch color display with Apple CarPlay™ and Android Auto™, and NissanConnect Services powered by SiriusXM®. Audio options include a Bose® Premium Audio system with nine speakers and Active Noise Cancellation.
Trim Levels and Edition ONE
The 2019 Altima Nissan is available in S, SR, SV, SL, and Platinum trim levels, all offering the standard 2.5-liter engine and optional Intelligent All-Wheel Drive. Each trim level builds upon the features of the last, offering a range of options to meet different driver needs and preferences. For example, the SR grade adds sporty styling cues and performance enhancements, while the SV grade includes ProPILOT Assist and other advanced safety features. The SL and Platinum grades offer increasing levels of luxury and technology, culminating in the fully-equipped Platinum trim with Intelligent Around View Monitor and premium interior features.
For a limited time, the exclusive Altima Edition ONE, based on the Platinum grade VC-Turbo, offers unique wheels, floor mats, badging, a rear lip spoiler, illuminated kick plates, external ground lighting, and Edition ONE Nissan Concierge service. This edition is available in Super Black, Scarlet Ember Tintcoat, and White Pearl Tricoat, offering a truly exclusive ownership experience.
The 2019 Altima Nissan is not just an update; it’s a complete reimagining of the sedan, designed to excite drivers and set new standards in its class. With its blend of advanced technology, performance, safety, and style, the 2019 Altima Nissan is poised to re-energize the sedan segment and capture the hearts of drivers seeking a vehicle that truly stands out.
