New 2016 Nissan Altima shakes up mid-size sedan segment with revised styling, enhanced performance, best-in-class standard highway fuel economy and new safety features.
• Nissan follows five consecutive years of Altima sales growth (an expected sixth, counting 2015) – the only mid-size sedan to do so – with an extensive redesign for the 2016 model
• Major facelift embraces the new Nissan “Energetic Flow” design language launched with all-new Murano SUV and Maxima “4-Door Sports Car”
• New Altima SR grade offers affordable sports model with enhanced handling, unique exterior and interior accents
• Expanded Altima “Safety Shield Technologies” includes Predictive Forward Collision Warning (PFCW), along with Forward Emergency Braking (FEB), Intelligent Cruise Control (ICC) and Rear Cross Traffic Alert
(RCTA)
In one of the most extensive mid-cycle makeovers in Nissan history, the 2016 Nissan Altima stands ready to build on its segment-leading growth over the past five years with a new design, new driving feel, improved fuel economy, a new sport Altima SR grade and a wide array of enhanced technology, connectivity and safety features.
The Altima transformation for the new model year includes a new look for the exterior, a refined personal space interior, enhanced connectivity, more available safety and security features and an expanded model lineup – all designed to make Altima a better value and better choice for mid-size sedan buyers than ever before.
“The enhancements were made with input from our customers – a quieter ride, so we added extensive noise isolation features such as an acoustic-glass windshield,” said Pierre Loing, Vice President, Product Planning, Nissan North America. “They wanted more standard features, a more responsive driving feel and more personal style – check, check and check. This new Altima is the most dynamic, comfortable and best-equipped mid-size sedan we’ve ever built.”
A New Altima, a New Look
Though totally redesigned just three years ago, Nissan has since developed a bold new design language. Known by designers as “energetic flow,” the new look was introduced on the 2015 Murano and 2016 Maxima.
In order to bring the new Altima into the new look, the front and rear sections feature totally new designs and sheet metal. In front, that means adding a new lowered muscular front fascia with distinctive “V-motion” grille and new bumper. Also new are the Altima hood and fenders, with new tailored character lines. The headlights are also redesigned – with available signature LED boomerang headlights, fog lights and Daytime Running Lights creating a more contemporary “face.”
“Along with the desire for a more distinctive look to the exterior, Altima customers asked us for a more premium feel in everyday driving,” said Loing. “You feel the new level of quietness and tightness the moment you drive the new vehicle, no matter which grade level. Simply put, this is the quietest Altima ever.”
The 2016 Altima is available in nine colors: a new Deep Blue Pearl, along with Java Metallic, Brilliant Silver, Gun Metallic, Super Black, Cayenne Red, Pearl White, Glacier White and Storm Blue.
A New, Information-Centric Interior
Inside the new 2016 Altima’s refined, personal space interior, the most noticeable change is in the center of the vehicle, where a new C-stack and center console offer easier use. The new interior appearance shares the “gliding wing” design language established with the new Murano and Maxima.
The NissanConnect with Mobile Apps system allows Altima owners to stay connected to their digital lives, even when in the vehicle. Apps include Online Search powered by Google™ (navigation equipped vehicles only), Facebook and others, along with the flexibility to introduce new apps throughout the ownership experience.
Of course, there is much more to the 2016 Altima interior than just advanced connectivity. The interior defies mid-size sedan convention, rivaling upscale luxury sedans in ambience and sophistication. The advanced Zero Gravity front seats utilize an articulated seat shape with continuous support from the pelvis to the chest and distribution of localized deformation characteristics.
Available audio systems include a Bose® Premium Audio System with nine speakers (including woofers), designed in conjunction with Bose® engineers during vehicle development to deliver rich sound and acoustics.
With the available Hands-Free Text Messaging Assistant (part of NissanConnect with Mobile Apps), drivers can manage incoming text messages via voice control without taking their hands from the wheel or eyes off the road. Drivers are alerted to an incoming text and, after initiating the system, can hear the text read out loud and respond via voice recognition.
Best-in-Class Standard Highway Fuel Economy
Once again in 2016, Altima is offered with a choice of two refined powerplants – a 2.5-liter DOHC inline 4-cylinder and a 3.5-liter DOHC V6.
The 2.5-liter engine features an expected 1-mpg increase for highway fuel economy rating, bringing it to 39 mpg and giving Altima the best-in-class standard highway fuel economy of any vehicle in the mid-size segment (not including optional engine packages).
“The Nissan Altima has experienced a remarkable 35 percent increase in combined fuel economy since the 2002 model year. Today’s city mpg is the same as highway mpg was in 2002, while driving enjoyment has also increased exponentially,” said Loing. “Altima is also the mid-size sedan with the greatest improvement in fuel economy over the last decade, going from 29 mpg highway to 39 mpg.”
Altima 3.5 SR and 3.5 SL models are powered by an advanced, award-winning VQ35DE 3.5-liter V6 rated at 270 horsepower and 251 lb-ft of torque. Fuel economy for the 3.5-liter V6 is rated at 22 mpg city, 32 mpg highway and 26 mpg combined.
The New Altima SR
In another example of responding to input from the legions of current Altima owners, a new Altima SR grade has been added for 2016. It is available with both 2.5-liter and 3.5-liter engine-equipped models.
“The idea with the new Altima SR is to offer a sporty, yet affordable, mid-size sedan for buyers looking for a little more performance and personal style,” said Loing. “The Altima SR slots just above the Altima S grade, rather than being an over-the-top equipment package. We’ve given it plenty of punch, but with a careful consideration to making it accessible to a wide range of buyers, especially younger buyers just
moving into the mid-size sedan segment.”
While affordable, the Altima SR is a true performance package with unique suspension components and wheels and tires. This is the first time that 18-inch wheels and tires are offered on a 2.5-liter 4-cylinder Altima.
Class-Exclusive Predictive Forward Collision Warning (PFCW)
The 2016 Altima also offers an expanded suite of available safety and security features, including Predictive Forward Collision Warning (PFCW), radar-based Blind Spot Warning (BSW), Forward Emergency Braking (FEB), Intelligent Cruise Control (ICC) and Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA).
The available class-exclusive Predictive Forward Collision Warning (PFCW) system can warn the driver of risks that lie beyond the driver’s forward field of view. It not only can sense the relative velocity and distance of a vehicle directly ahead, but also of a vehicle traveling in front of the preceding one and can help alert the driver to a potential forward collision. Although that vehicle may be obscured from view, PFCW’s sensors can detect if it suddenly and unexpectedly slows, giving the driver additional time to react.
For 2016, radar-based Blind Spot Warning (BSW) is standard on SV and SL grades. In addition, the SV and SL grades add Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA), which helps warn of approaching vehicles from either the right or left side of the rear of the Altima when it is in reverse.
Also available as part of the optional SL Tech Package is Intelligent Cruise Control (ICC) and Forward Emergency Braking (FEB). ICC uses radar to maintain a set distance between the Altima and the vehicle ahead, even braking to maintain that distance. FEB provides audio and visual display warnings to help alert the driver of a potential collision and help reduce speed if necessary. If a collision is unavoidable,
The feature will engage the brakes to help reduce both the speed of the impact and the severity of the collision.
“The new Altima brings a number of safety and security features that are usually reserved for more expensive luxury segment vehicles,” said Loing. “It’s one more area where Altima adds value to owners’ everyday driving experience.”
Seven Well-Equipped Models
The 2016 Nissan Altima is offered in five 2.5-liter engine equipped models (2.5, 2.5 S, 2.5 SR, 2.5 SV and 2.5 SL), along with two 3.5-liter V6 equipped models (3.5 SR and 3.5 SL). ‘)}
