Used 2018 Nissan Altima SL for sale 

This year, Nissan has offered the Altima mid-size sedan in four trims by dropping the base 2.5 model. The trims in the new Nissan Altima lineup include 2.5 S, 2.5 SR, 2.5 SV, 2.5 SL, and 3.5 SL. The prices go from $24,155 to $34,525. The new base model is the 2018 Altima 2.5 S which now comes with an array of safety features in comparison to the 2017 Nissan Altima 2.5 S model.

All the Altima models have Nissan's Intelligent Key, automatic headlights, illuminated vanity mirrors, and a rearview camera. Every model also comes standard with the 2.5L four-cylinder engine but the SL trim comes with the option of the 3.5-liter V6 engine. Earlier, this engine could also be had with the SR trim but that is no longer an option. The carmaker has, however, added safety features like Adaptive Cruise Control and Automatic Emergency Braking as standard across the board.

Nissan has also added two special editions with the SR trim- the SR Special Edition and the SR Midnight Edition. Both the models feature larger wheels and a NissanConnect infotainment system that comes with Android Auto/Apple CarPlay, although these features have been made standard on the 3.5 SL trim. The SR Midnight Edition gets an all-black exterior accent along with a black rear spoiler.

See Full 2021 Nissan Altima Trims and Configurations >>

Compare the 2021 Nissan Altima Specs and Features side by side >>

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The 2018 Nissan Altima 2.5 SR is the most value for money among all trims. It features 8-way power-adjustable driver's seat, 18-inch wheels with a machine finish, and a rear spoiler as well. The Nissan Altima SR also gets improved suspension setup, retuned damper calibration, and thicker anti-roll bars. These features make the 2018 Nissan Altima SR the sportiest variant of this family sedan.

Read Our Full Review Of The 2021 Nissan Altima >>

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"Being an affordable, family-oriented sedan, the Nissan Altima offers a level of performance that is actually pretty good considering its age and the rise of far more capable competitors." - Carbuzz.Com

The 2018 Altima gets a 2.5-liter 4-cylinder powertrain paired with an Xtronic CVT (Continuously Variable Transmission). The 2.5 SR adds paddle shifters and manual mode that helps drivers to encounter direct gear control. Meanwhile, the Altima 3.5 SL model comes powered with a 3.5-liter V6 powertrain churning out a maximum power of 270-hp and 251 lb-ft of peak torque. But irrespective of the motor, power is delivered to the front wheels as standard, with no option to opt for an all-wheel-drive system.

In the competition set, the Toyota Camry offers the most power, i.e., 203-hp and 184 ft-lbs torque. It is followed by the Honda Accord at 192 hp. But the Accord does that with a smaller 1.5-liter engine and manages to produce more power than the Nissan Altima and Ford Fusion. Accordingly, the Honda Accord is the fastest accelerating car. It sprints from 0-60 mph in just 7.3 seconds while the quarter-mile is reached in 15.5 seconds.

The 2018 Nissan Altima offers decent acceleration with the 2.5-liter powertrain as well. It manages to sprint from 0-60 mph in 8.2 seconds. This is much better than most of the vehicles in comparison, but could definitely be improved. The most powerful Toyota Camry is relatively slower and reaches the quarter-mile mark quicker in 15.9 seconds. The Ford Fusion is the slowest of the lot with its almost 9-second 0-60 mph run.

When it comes to driving, the sport suspension on the SR trim is stiff and helps the vehicle tackle the corners without much body roll. But what is beneficial in the corners proves to be a drawback on straight roads, as the sport suspension leads to harsh ride quality. There is a lot of effort required to steer the vehicle at low speeds and adding to that, the steering does not retract to the center once released and requires more effort from the driver.

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Altima's 2.5-liter 4-cylinder gas engine returns 27 miles per gallon in the city and 38 mpg on the highway. Thus combined together, the Altima provides a fuel economy of 31 mpg. On the other hand, the SR trim returns get 26 mpg in the city and 37 mpg on the highway.

That is still not as uneconomical as the bigger 3.5L V6 engine. That 270 hp V6 of the 2018 Altima SL gets 22 mpg in the city and 32 mpg on the highway. The puny 1.5L motor of the Honda Accord offers class-leading fuel economy of 30 mpg in the city and 38 mpg on the highway.

But it has the smallest fuel tank capacity of 14.8-gallons, which limits the range of the vehicle to a maximum of 562 miles. Even though the Altima is not the most fuel-efficient vehicle here, its 18-gallon fuel tank is the biggest here and allows the Altima to give a maximum range of 684 miles.

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"Cabin space is ample for up to passengers, with trunk space to spare for their belongings." - CNet.Com

The interior of the 2018 Altima may not be as sporty as the prominent rivals but offers a nicely textured dash panel with a soft metallic finish. The symmetric space within the center console offers lots of usable storage. Altima's zero gravity front seats are something to talk about. These seats are meant to offer optimum comfort to the driver and the front passenger.

The front and rear seats also offer better legroom than most of the rivals. The rear seats are big enough to accommodate average-size adults. But the roofline almost cuts into the headroom for tall passengers. The Honda Accord offers the most legroom in the second row with 40.4 inches. But the most shoulder room is offered by the Camry in both its rows.

The standard infotainment system fitted in the 2018 Altima is easy to use. It comprises a 5-inch display, Bluetooth, a USB port, six speakers, hands-free text messaging and Siri Eyes Free. The only drawback with the infotainment is its size. The screen seems undersized and comes mounted too low on the center console.

However, you may also upgrade to the 7-inch touch screen which is standard on the 3.5 SL and available on mid-level trims. The system adds user-friendly navigation along with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. Along with that, there is an option of a Bose sound system which provides a premium setup for the in-cabin entertainment. Other features include:

• 7-inch infotainment touchscreen
• Navigation
• Apple CarPlay, Android Auto
• Voice commands
• 9-speaker Bose premium sound system
• Bluetooth connectivity
• 5.0/7.0-inch touchscreen display 

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"Short of painting it in camouflage, there's little else to be done to let the 2018 Nissan Altima blend in with rivals." - TheCarConnection.Com

The 2018 Altima retains the attire from the 2016 model year update. In that redesign, the Altima adopted freshly designed front fenders, a lower front bumper, and a wide V-Motion grille. It also received reshaped taillamps, a new trunk lid, and a new rear bumper. Nissan has not messed around with this fairly attractive shape of the Altima for 2018.

The 2018 Nissan Altima offers a strong family resemblance, retaining some of the major exterior outlooks with the previous generation models. The rear sports an expressive bumper along with externally extended horizontal tail lamps. The only thing that distinguishes the SR trim from the rest of the Altima models is the subtly integrated rear spoiler and 18-inch wheels.

Among rivals, the Ford Fusion is the heaviest among the competition and weighs 3431 pounds while the Nissan Altima weighs 3212 pounds. All the vehicles have a similar overall footprint on road. But the Altima sits very close to the ground at 5.4-inch as compared to the higher ground clearance of 6.4-inch on the Ford Fusion.

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The Altima has received an overall rating of 5 stars in the NHTSA crash-test. The IIHS has also acknowledged the Nissan Altima as Top Safety Pick in the mid-size sedan segment for the year 2018. Along with that, the Altima is also equipped with various safety features and driver-assistive technologies that help improve the safety factor of the vehicle. Here is the list of those key features:

• Adaptive cruise control
• Front and rear parking sensors
• Blind-spot monitoring
• Rear cross-traffic alert
• Advanced Airbag System 
• Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC) 
• Traction Control System (TCS).
• Intelligent Forward Collision Warning.
• Energy-absorbing steering column.
• Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) 

Read more about the 2021 Nissan Altima Safety Features and Ratings >>

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2018 Nissan Altima vs 2018 Ford Fusion

The Ford Fusion and the Nissan Altima are ranked in the middle of the sedan rankings, but both of them have their own pros and cons. Comparatively, the Fusion is more fun to drive because of its athletic body and the SYNC 3 infotainment is also very advanced. In exchange, the Altima offers better performance and fuel economy.

2018 Nissan Altima vs 2018 Honda Accord

The redesigned 2018 Honda Accord has proved itself as a leading midsize sedan in various aspects. For the same price that you spend on the Altima, you get more standard safety features and engaging handling in the Accord. No doubt, the Accord has more power to offer than the Altima and offers a more spacious cabin including front legroom. The acceleration offered by the Accord is smooth and quicker than the Altima.

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The 2018 Nissan Altima has it all that one looks for in a family sedan. It is a feature-loaded sedan and is great on reliability and safety. The Altima offers a spacious cabin along with needed amenities. Nissan addressed many drawbacks with the 2016 redesign and added much-needed safety features like standard automatic emergency braking and adaptive cruise control for the 2018 model year. Commuters looking for a decent sedan with a handful of important standard safety equipment can opt for Altima without any hesitation.