Editor’s Note: also see our 2019 Altima First Drive Review here (non-AWD model)
Escaping from the world of mainstream crossovers is tough these days. Fortunately, for sedan fans who still appreciate the low-slung driving feel with the ample cargo, expansive interior space, and stylish looks they offer these days, are still in luck. Automakers sticking it out with lowly 4-door haulers aren’t holding back, pouring in more love and features like never before – and for the new, redesigned 2019 Nissan Altima, this couldn’t be more true.
Nissan’s Mid-Size 4-Door Finally Regains Some of its Lost Identity
Entering its 6th generation in 2019, the Altima had had a somewhat confusing ride since first arriving in 1993, when crossovers were nonexistent. Nissan’s mid-size sedan started strong with great looks and an upscale feel, then lost its way with ambiguous design and watered-down identity. We’ll blame it on the emergence of the compact crossover.
Fast forward to 2019, the new Altima realized it needs to step it up to compete. Adding all-wheel drive (now a standard in Canada), lighter and stronger body, more tech part of the Nissan Intelligent Mobility program, updated design with more colour choices, and improved driving dynamics are a good start. As Nissan puts it, “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.”
Here are seven major changes to the 2019 Altima:
Altima all-wheel drive a Nissan sedan first in North America
The Japanese car builder knows it needs to invest in the Altima to make a strong case for the sedan. Adding AWD is definitely a game-changer – now a standard in Canada. The 2019 Altima is the first all-wheel drive 4-door the brand has ever released in North America, looking to provide drivers more confidence, especially for winter driving. Nissan took things a little too far with the 2019 Altima-te AWD snow beast we got a chance to rip around in.
Lighter, stronger, faster
Two decades later, the new Altima gets the most significant investment yet, including an entirely new platform that’s now lighter and stronger. It is faster with a chassis developed to offer a more comfortable, controlled, and confident driving experience in all trim levels.
Improved driving dynamics
In addition to the all-wheel drive traction control benefits, Nissan enhanced the Altima’s suspension with added reinforcements for better response and the first Altima application of monotube rear shocks. The new Altima also has improved steering, including a new dual-pinion electric power steering design to reduce noise while improving performance. As Nissan says, “Between the engine improvements, isolation of noise and vibrations, tighter suspension and increased seat support, Altima absolutely feels like a class above.”
2019 Altima interior gets a more premium feel
During the Altima’s more forgettable years, the once-premium interior took a major hit with bland design and subpar materials. That’s all changed with the next-generation redesign. Inside, expect more high-contrast colours and trim for what Nissan states offers a more “a near-luxury feel in both design and materials.” We wouldn’t say it’s a luxury interior, but Altima’s new cabin is up there and certainly ahead of the competition in the volume of the mid-size sedan segment.
A new horizontal “gliding wing” instrument panel looks sharp and has a clean layout that’s now more lightweight and layered than the outgoing variant. The seats are improved with optional perforated leather-appointed seat inserts.
Exterior stance: lower and sportier (Altima Platinum shown)
Thanks to a new platform design with a lower profile engine layout, the 2019 Altima is now wider while hugging the road, adding a huge dose of athleticism missing all these years. The Nissan Vmotion 2.0 concept inspires the entire look first revealed at the 2017 Detroit Auto Show. As Nissan explains, “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.”
Compared to the previous generation Altima, the new model grows all around, sitting 1.1 inches lower, 1 inch higher, and just under an inch wider. Styling-wise, Nissans these days typically take on a more concept-esque look with spacey design cues. It’s a unique look not for all tastes but the design certainly separates it from the pack.
For 2019, the V-motion front grille is redesigned, adding LED projector headlights with signature Daytime Running Lights, LED fog lights, a floating roof with slim pillars, and a panel moonroof. All are available in 7 colours.
ProPILOT Assist “hands-on” driver assistance system
Nissan is putting a lot of emphasis these days on their Nissan Intelligent Mobility program, with technology leading to a future of more autonomous vehicles. ProPILOT Assist is one of them and now integrated into the Altima. Essentially, this tech eases driver workload by reducing the amount of driver acceleration, steering and braking input under certain driving conditions, such as single-lane highway driving.
Operated by a two-button function, once ProPILOT Assist is activated, and Intelligent Cruise Control is set to the right speed, the tech kicks in, keeping drivers centered in the lane, navigating stop-and-go traffic, maintaining a set vehicle speed and maintaining a set distance to the vehicle ahead. The goal is to help with fatigue in annoying stop-and-go traffic while overall offering a more pleasant driving experience.
Interior Tech and Features
All Altimas will get Apple CarPlay and Android Auto paired to the standard NissanConnectSM, and the 8-inch touchscreen display is also standard. The seats are updated for comfort and support with an optional 8-way driver’s seat with memory.
- NissanConnect Navigation and Services: Optional, this system adds a bunch of new features for 2019, including over-the-air updates, door-to-door navigation, real-time Premium Traffic updates, and a Bluetooth Device Manager with customization features.
- Remote start, heated seats, and heated steering wheel are standard features in Canada: Canadians rejoice. These three features are standard with the 2019 Altima and worth singling out.
2019 Altima AWD: How It Performs on the Road
On the road, the new Altima’s low-profile design really shines, especially when taking corners at higher speeds. The suspension’s new dampers and added reinforcements feel tighter than ever without compromising comfort. My journey took me from the Montreal airport up to the beautiful, mountainous Tremblay region a couple hours north, where a mix of city, highway, and windy roads were in play. The torque distribution system feels good on the highway, kicking in when needed in different driver situations, whether quickly merging in city traffic or making a pass on the highway.
The suspension’s new dampers and added reinforcements feel tighter than ever without compromising comfort.
Powered by a new 2.5L DOHC inline 4-cylinder direct injection engine, Nissan worked hard to improve the Altima’s powertrain, employing a whopping 80% of new or redesigned parts versus the outgoing model.
“The development of the new 2.5L engine started with reviewing the basic specifications one by one, such as the combustion chamber design. The result is an enhanced combination of high output and low fuel consumption versus the previous engine – with the bonus of improved NVH and front-end styling flexibility,”
The 182-hp is adequate, along with the Altima’s 178 lb-ft of torque. Everything works with Nissan’s new Xtronic transmission with an updated expanded lock-up area for improved efficiency.
Takeaway: Should you Buy a 2019 Altima AWD?
This may come as a shocker to most but not everyone out there desires or necessarily needs a crossover. Sedans are offer terrific cargo space especially with rear seats down, loads of interior cabin space, and unrivalled performance you won’t find with small utility vehicles (yes, fun driving is still a thing).
The 2019 Altima has gotten a lot of long overdue love and attention, and we’re happy to see that. Adding all-wheel drive – their first North American sedan to do so and making it a standard in Canada – is a major change to help elevate the 4-door status it deserves. An improved chassis with reduced noise, more tech in the cabin including ProPILOT assist, light and faster platform complete reworked, and new sportier styling
2019 Nissan Altima Price and Trims
In the US, the Altima options are plentiful with front-wheel and all-wheel drive varieties, starting at about $24k for the entry-level FWD model, topping out at the late availability Edition ONE VC-Turbo at nearly $36k, which adds a bunch of sportier features, including 19″ Dark gray aluminum-alloy wheels. All four trim grades in Canada are AWD only, starting at $28k for the S and topping out with the Edition ONE at $36k.
All prices below are MSRP and exclude any fees/charges – check your local area for exact prices.
US Pricing and Trims
- Altima S [FWD] – $23,900
- Altima S [AWD] – $25,250
- Altima SR [FWD] – $25,250
- Altima SR [AWD] – $26,600
- Altima SR VC-Turbo [FWD] – $29,300
- Altima SV [FWD] – $28,080
- Altima SV [AWD] – $29,430
- Altima SL [FWD] – $29,990
- Altima SL [AWD] – $31,340
- Altima Platinum [FWD] – $31,930
- Altima Platinum [AWD] – $33,280
- Altima Platinum VC-Turbo [FWD] – $34,930
- Altima Edition ONE VC-Turbo [FWD] – $35,750
Canada Pricing and Trims
- Altima S [AWD] – $27,998
- Altima SV [AWD] – $31,498
- Altima Platinum [AWD] – $34,998
- Altima Edition ONE [AWD] – $35,998
