Edition One VC-Turbo 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl Turbo CVT)
Edition One VC-Turbo 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl Turbo CVT)
Edition One VC-Turbo 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl Turbo CVT)
Edition One VC-Turbo 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl Turbo CVT)
Edition One VC-Turbo 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl Turbo CVT)
Edition One VC-Turbo 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl Turbo CVT)
Enrry A Perez
2020 Nissan Altima
••4.0Posted On: January 30, 2024
Spacious and roomie, Looks so fine
Some features, Long car for parking in city
Car is overall great. Speaks for itself. Has a nice touch. Style. So for so great. Highly recommended to many to have this car. Some can view it as underrated but the car is very phenomenal and superb.
Starting at a price of $24,100 for the Base FWD S Trim, the 2020 Nissan Altima, comes in a total of 7 trim with varying choices of drive trains and prices going over $35,000 for the top of the line Platinum VC-Turbo trim.
Currently in its sixth generation, 2020 Nissan Altima has received minor interior detailing upgrades on SV and above trims while Nissan's Safety Shield 360 safety and driver-assist features have also been made available on the S trim and standard on the SR. With rapidly declining sales of sedans, more and more car manufacturers are coming up with crossover versions of every other car.
Nissan, for one, decided to play bold amidst all this by introducing its completely refreshed midsize Altima sedan in 2019. The brand also markets its Variable-Compression Turbo as a more lucrative proposition than what most of its rivals have to offer. In fact, it is among the top mid-size sedan for money in 2020. Carrying families to picnics, carpool karaoke with friends, and taking children to soccer practices, this one can do it all with ease.
After getting a generational update in 2019, the 2020 model year has not witnessed extensive rework. This time though, the 2020 Nissan Altima four-door sedan receives Nissan Safety Shield 360 safety features as standard from the SR trim onwards, optional on base S, without any unreasonable price jumps.
Starting at a price of $24,100 for the base trim, the 2020 Altima lineup comes in a total of 7 variants. They are S, SR, SR VC-Turbo, SV, SL, Platinum, and Platinum VC-Turbo, being offered in a variety of configurations and features. All variants of Nissan Altima come standard with an FWD drive type, of which most can be configured with an optional Intelligent AWD version as well.
|
Trims |
S |
SR |
SR VC-Turbo |
SV |
SL |
Platinum |
Platinum VC-Turbo |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
MSRP (FWD) |
$24,100 |
$25,700 |
$29,750 |
$27,880 |
$30,240 |
$32,180 |
$35,180 |
|
MSRP (AWD) |
$25,450 |
$27,050 |
N/A |
$29,230 |
$31,590 |
$33,530 |
N/A |
|
Key Features |
Intelligent Forward Collision Warning | Adds/Upgrades from S | Adds/Upgrades from SR | Adds/Upgrades from SR VC-Turbo | Adds/Upgrades from SV | Adds/Upgrades from SL | Adds/upgrades from Platinum |
| Automatic Emergency Braking | LED Headlights | 2.0L VC Turbo DOHC 4-Cylinder Engine | Power sliding glass moonroof | 9 Speaker Bose Audio | Interior Accent Lighting | 2.0L VC Turbo DOHC 4-Cylinder Engine | |
| Rear View Monitor | Dark Chrome V-Motion Grill | LED Headlights with signature | Dual-zone Auto Temperature Control | Leather-appointed seats | Driver’s Memory Seat | Intelligent Lane Intervention | |
| 16” Steel wheels with covers | 19” Aluminum Alloys | Driver's seat power lumbar support | 17” Aluminum Alloys | 4-way Power-adjustable front seats | 19” Aluminum Alloy | Nissan Connect Services | |
| 8” Touchscreen Display | Sport-tuned suspension | Paddle Shifters with Manual Shift Mode | Nissan Pro-Pilot Assist | Nissan Door to Door Navigation | Around View Monitor | ORVM’s with memory |
The turbocharged SR and Platinum VC-Turbo trims with the 2.0L turbo-four get FWD configuration as a stand-alone option. Yes, that is a bit surprising and confusing but it could be a way to not compromise on overall efficiency. Likewise, all other variants justify their standing and are fairly well-rounded packages, now more than ever.
See Full 2021 Nissan Altima Trims and Configurations >>
Compare the 2021 Nissan Altima Specs and Features side by side >>
Our choice would be the Altima SR VC-Turbo trim. It offers a powerful turbo engine and premium features from the SR. However, to people who want a great value proposition, we recommend the SV variant with the Intelligent AWD drivetrain.
Read Our Full Review Of The 2021 Nissan Altima >>
"The CVT automatic is well-tuned, however, and helps make the Altima an almost invisible partner during day-to-day driving." -Edmunds.Com
The Nissan Altima four-door sedan has two engine configurations on offer across its range. The standard 2.5L DOHC inline 4-cylinder motor delivers 188 hp and 180 lb.-ft. torque when mated to the FWD setup, which is pushed to 182 hp and 178 lb.-ft. with the all-wheel drive type. Then comes the turbo-driven VC-Turbo SR and Platinum trims. These variants source power from a smaller but turbocharged 2.0L inline-4 DOHC motor which replaced the 3.5L V6 of 2018 Nissan Altima.
That engine delivers 248 hp and 273 lb.-ft. torque when running on premium fuel, and 236 hp and 267 lb.-ft. torque on regular fuel. The only downside, these motors come with the FWD configuration only. The competitors – Ford Fusion and Honda Accord – all have very competitive engines with relatively similar displacements. They even have very similar outputs. Although, Nissan is the only one to use a more advanced and efficient CVT unit where others stick to conventional 6 or 8-speed automatics. That Xtronic CVT transmission is the only gearbox available with either of the engines but it is not like other CVTs.
| Models | 2020 Nissan Altima Platinum VC-Turbo | 2020 Honda Accord Touring | 2020 Toyota Camry TRD |
2020 Ford Fusion Titanium |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $35,180 | $36,400 | $31,170 | $34,450 |
| Engine | 2.0L Variable Compression Turbo Inline-4 | 2.0L Turbo Inline-4 | 3.5L V6 | 2.0L Turbo Ecoboost Inline-4 |
| Drivetrain | FWD | FWD | FWD | FWD |
| Transmission | Xtronic CVT | 10-speed automatic w/Shift-by-wire | Direct shift-8AT 8-speed electronically controlled automatic w/intelligence (ET-i) | 6-speed automatic |
| Power | 248 hp @ 5,600 RPM | 252 hp @ 6,500 RPM | 301 hp @ 6,600 RPM | 245 hp @ 5,500 RPM |
| Torque | 280 lb-ft @ 1,600 RPM | 273 lb-ft @ 1,500 RPM | 267 lb-ft @ 4,700 RPM | 275 lb-ft @ 3,000 RPM |
| 0-60 MPH | 5.9 sec | 5.6 sec | 5.8 sec | 6.9 sec |
| Quarter-Mile | 14.6 sec | 14.2 sec | 14.4 sec | 15.2 sec |
| Top Speed | 130 MPH | 125 MPH | 135 MPH | 130 MPH |
The 2.0-liter turbocharged motor of the 2020 Nissan Altima fares well when you compare it to its rivals in the acceleration tests. It chases to the 60 MPH mark in 5.9 seconds, which is quicker than most of its similarly-priced rivals. The other 2.5-liter four-pot, with the naturally aspirated motor, takes about 2 seconds longer to do the same. Nonetheless, both make overtaking easy in the city, and when you have the need to push through traffic on the interstates, you can do it with ease, thanks to the motors' responsiveness.
As far as rivals go, it is the Honda Accord Touring who reigns at the top. It is the first to reach the 60 mph mark and also the quickest to finish a quarter-mile drag in 14.2 seconds. The second in line is Toyota Camry TRD reaching 60 mph mark in 5.8 seconds, i.e., 0.2 second slower than that Honda, due to longer gear shifts and heavier weight. Still, at 135 mph it is the fastest. But Altima’s performance seems even better than the Honda Accord. The steering is precise and there is a good amount of feel from it. It's very direct, and therefore, requires quite a bit of caution to steer the car at higher speeds but remains light and easy during driving sedately.
With its variable-compression technology, Nissan has made this mid-size sedan deliver segment topping MPG figures of 25 in the city, 34 on the highways, and 29 in mixed driving conditions. Combine that with a 16.2 fuel tank and you have a solid driving range of over 400 miles at city speeds and about 550 miles at highway speeds.
| Models | 2020 Nissan Altima Platinum VC-Turbo | 2020 Honda Accord Touring | 2020 Toyota Camry TRD |
2020 Ford Fusion Titanium |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MPG (City) | 25 | 22 | 22 | 21 |
| MPG (Highway) | 34 | 32 | 31 | 31 |
| MPG (Combined) | 29 | 26 | 25 | 25 |
| Fuel Capacity (Gallons) | 16.2 | 14.8 | 15.8 | 16.5 |
| Range (City/Highway/Combined) (Miles) | 405/551/470 | 326/474/385 | 348/490/395 | 346/512/413 |
With the naturally aspirated engine, those numbers move up to 32 miles per gallon in the city and 39 miles per gallon out on the highway. Neither the Accord nor the Camry are as fuel-efficient. But the latter's gas-guzzling V6 is aided by a large 15.8-gallon fuel tank. So it manages to offer a better overall range.
"Rooted in NASA research about how the human body reacts to zero gravity environments in space, Nissan designs the Altima's front seats to reduce stress and fatigue while maximizing comfort." -KBB.Com
The interior design of the Altima sedan is simplistic yet very pleasing to the eye. All controls have been very neatly laid out. The climate controls have dedicated panels which also look very nifty. In between, there’s wraparound plastic trim on the dashboard that has been simulated to look like wood and it looks rather good. The quality of materials used is also slick but fit and finish at all places is not so good as some panels feel flimsy to touch. The steering is thin with a flat bottom and houses several controls for various things.
There’s a 7-inch information display in between the analog dials in the instrument cluster which is also very attractive. The gear shifter is a normal lever, thankfully so, instead of buttons and dials, and there are cup holders beside it. It’s a very pleasing cabin to be in which has been designed very aesthetically. Also, the light colors used in the cabin along with the wide glass panels, make this mid-size interior feel big and airy. Enhancing the experience of the interior are Nissan's signature Zero Gravity seats, which are undeniably comfortable. Although, the second row of Nissan Altima can only seat two people easily.
| Models | 2020 Nissan Altima Platinum VC-Turbo | 2020 Honda Accord Touring | 2020 Toyota Camry TRD |
2020 Ford Fusion Titanium |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Seating capacity | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 |
| Front Row (Headroom/Shoulder room/Legroom) (in.) | 38.0/58.2/43.8 | 37.5/58.3/42.3 | 38.3/57.7/42.1 | 39.2/57.8/44.3 |
| Rear Row (Headroom/Shoulder room/Legroom) (in.) | 36.7/57.1/35.2 | 37.2/56.5/40.4 | 38.0/55.7/38.0 | 37.8/56.9/38.3 |
| Cargo Capacity (cu-ft.) | 15.4 | 16.7 | 15.1 | 16.0 |
If there isn't a third passenger, you have a central armrest with cup holders as well. Also, there's an option to have the seats heated and they offer multi-way power adjustments. However, with over 40-inches of legroom in the second row, Honda Accord's interiors are the most accommodating. When you compare Nissan Altima with its adversaries, you will be happy to note that the space on offer is not at par with the others. But there are plenty of cubby holes on the inside too, and you won't find any shortage of storage spaces anywhere on the inside. So besides logically laying out the cabin, Nissan has also given the Altima a fairly large 15.4 cu-ft boot.
The 8-inch infotainment screen of the Altima is a touch-sensitive unit. It’s easy to use and quite responsive to commands. The graphics are sharp as well. There are a few short-cut buttons below the screen for managing essential functions, making it very handy. The unit also features Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility as standard. However, the touch screen is quite prone to fingerprint marks. Some of the highlights of the infotainment system of Nissan Altima include features like:
"The new Altima is sleeker, more aerodynamic and most importantly, on-trend again." - TheCarConnection.Com
This new generation of Nissan Altima looks handsome and bold. The design is more of an evolution than a revolution, but tastefully so. Its V-Motion chrome grille now comes down the entire length of the bumper, which is further surrounded by another dark-chrome V-shaped bar. The headlamps have been completely redesigned and are now sleeker with arrow-like details inside. The bumper housing the fog lamps has sharp angular cuts and creases to make for a very bold front fascia.
Move over to the side of this sedan and you will see several character lines. One from the headlamps runs along the window-line all the way to the rear doors. The other begins from the tail lamps and ends at the front door. Both these beautifully contour the entire side profile. There’s a chrome band along the shoulder-line and the sloping roof has a black-accented panel on the C-pillar for a sporty look. The 19-inch wheels look great too. The chunky C-pillar does hinder visibility but Nissan's SafetyShield 360 has got you covered.
| Models | 2020 Nissan Altima Platinum VC-Turbo | 2020 Honda Accord Touring | 2020 Toyota Camry TRD |
2020 Ford Fusion Titanium |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Curb Weight | 3436 | 3428 | 3572 | 3676 |
| Length | 192.9 | 192.2 | 194.6 | 191.8 |
| Width | 72.9 | 73.3 | 73.1 | 72.9 |
| Height | 56.8 | 57.1 | 56.3 | 58.2 |
| Ground clearance | 5.1 | N/A | 5.7 | N/A |
| Wheelbase | 111.2 | 111.4 | 111.2 | 112.2 |
At the rear, the tail lamps have been made sleeker and sharper with LED units. The dual chrome-finished exhaust and charcoal diffuser bumper look rather cool. There’s also a subtle boot lid spoiler to finish things off. Overall, it looks smart, contemporary, and is sure to turn some heads. It is longer, wider, and at 5.1 inches of ground clearance sits lower than before. It is the longest sedan here, but the Ford Fusion is the widest at 75.2 inches. Like the interiors, Nissan has focused a lot on tweaking the design and styling for the 2020 model year. To make it stand out from its previous generations, Nissan has kitted the new Altima with a plethora of features on the outside. Some of the most notable features of Nissan Altima include:
This four-door, midsize Nissan sedan is pretty well loaded with safety features, more so for the 2020 model year. Not only does it have the basic safety features we see in almost every car these days but it also has an array of semi-automatic driving features that are really commendable for the segment. It comes with ProPilot Assist which is essentially level 2 automation. So Nissan Altima is semi-autonomous too.
It can manage its distance from other cars, keep itself within a lane, and also provide the steering, braking, and acceleration inputs on its own. All the features are available as standard as part of Nissan Safety Shield 360 offered across the range. That explains why the NHTSA has given the 2020 Nissan Altima a full 5 stars in its tests. Safety Features aboard the 2020 Altima are:
• 10 standard Airbags
• Vehicle Dynamic Control
• Traction Control System
• Anti-lock Braking System
• Advanced Autonomous Braking
• Blind Spot Monitoring
• Forward Collision Warning
• Surround-View Camera
• ProPilot Assist
Read more about the 2021 Nissan Altima Safety Features and Ratings >>
The 2020 Ford Fusion is a very bold-looking car that combines sharp handling with a composed ride. Its interior design is quite boring though and acceleration is not the most spirited. The Nissan Altima, on the other hand, looks great inside and out, has better performance than the Ford, and has a commendable ride quality.
The only downside is the fact that it doesn't handle as well as the Fusion. Fuel economy is poor for the Fusion and really great for the Altima. The technology in the latter is also far better but the Ford Fusion is a little less expensive to own in comparison. That said, the refreshed Altima makes for a better package and offers really great value for just a little premium
The Honda Accord is a stylish-looking car with very well-appointed interiors. It also has lots of standard technology. When it comes to driving, there's nobody quite as good at it. But Nissan Altima is not to be taken lightly. It is just as much fun to drive. In fact, the steering on this Nissan has a lot more feel to it and returns a great response.
It is not very expensive to own this mid-size sedan, and it is also very fuel-efficient. However, the 2.0L turbo-four engine of the Honda Accord is the best overall performer among its competition. It is also the most practical. In that respect, the 2020 Nissan Altima does fall behind but only by so much.
Here’s one car that challenges Nissan Altima really well. A very smart-looking car with well-put-together interiors and loaded with features as standard. What’s good about this Toyota is that it drives really well too. It has a strong and potent V6 engine and offers the right balance between a comfortable ride and enthusiastic handling.
It does not quite have the same fuel economy as the 2020 Altima or its practicality but is pretty competent. In the end, it’s quite difficult to choose between either of these cars but the Toyota Camry TRD costs less even with the V6.
While SUVs and Crossovers seem to be the talk of the town, Nissan has done its bit in re-igniting the fire with the new Altima mid-size sedan. It comes loaded with premium features and breakthrough tech, like Variable-Compression Turbocharged Motor and Nissan SafetShield 360, all for a starting price of $24,100. All these factors make the 2020 Nissan Altima surely seem like a great proposition. Add to all that, a load of offers from the manufacturer and the reliability of Nissan and you may once again wanna re-kindle your love for sedans and park a brand-new Nissan Altima in your garage.
