2018 Nissan Altima Pros vs Cons. Should You Buy?

The sleek new 2018 Nissan Altima is a bold statement by Nissan that their cars will maintain core features while upgrading to brand new technologies. This mid-size sedan is top in its class, with gorgeous exterior curves and a comfortable interior to match. The classic, powerful Nissan engine gives the car an aggressive feel on the road, yet still maintains a feeling of supreme safety.

What’s New for 2018

Nissan has kept its upgrades for 2018 subtle in the Altima. Two trims have been removed - the base 2.5 and the upgraded 3.5 SR sport trim - to give the base models more standard options and the upgraded trims more room to breathe. 2018 brings some technology upgrades, particularly that autonomous braking and front collision warning now come standard even on the base model.

 

Top 10 Reasons to Buy a 2018 Nissan Altima – The Pros

1. Fine-tuned Handling

At moderate to high speeds, the 2018 Nissan Altima drives like a good sports car. Handling on curvy roads is spot on, giving you precise control over both short and long curves. Similarly, highway driving is a breeze for the Altima. When you need to switch lanes in a high-pressure situation, the Altima lets you do so without breaking a sweat.

2. Great Acceleration

For a mid-size sedan, the 2018 Nissan Altima accelerates confidently. Its 0 to 60 mile per hour test clocked in at an impressive 7.8 seconds with a load, making it far above average in its class. Its acceleration also holds up under most road conditions - though of course not in overly slippery or icy conditions, as no car really would. During acceleration, the car feels steady and glued to the road.

3. Comfortable Front and Back Seats

As one should expect, the 2018 Nissan Altima has quite comfortable seating. The front seats are designed to feel both comfortable and useful, made with standard cloth lining and shaped for proper hip placement. The back seats provide comfort for both adult and child passengers, something not usually found in mid-size sedans.

4. Fantastic Trunk Space

The base Altima trim offers a solid 14.5 cubic feet of trunk space, a large amount for a car of this size. Great engineering has allowed the trunk to be low and long, giving you extra room for longer cargo. More expensive trims offer more space, with some offering up to 15.4 cubic feet of space. With the back seats folded down, you’ll have no trouble fitting nearly anything into this car.

5. Roomy Back Seats

An aspect that many mid-size sedans struggle with is adequate back seat leg space, but the 2018 Nissan Altima does the job well. The back seats have enough room to stretch your legs out a bit, and the seats can fit three adult passengers with only a tiny squeeze.

6. Sleek, Well Designed Exterior

Nissan has always prided itself on its ability to make cars that are noticeable on the road. The Altima fits the bill, with glossy colors and finishes that instantly catch your eye. The exterior is designed for its aerodynamics and looks, with curves running from the front headlights all the way to the tip of the trunk. This lets your eyes glide over the entire car, taking in its shape with pleasure.

7. Utilitarian Interior

Another aspect of car design that Nissan does well is its ability to make the interiors of its cars have everything they need but nothing more. No frills adorn the car doors, and no extra features that are wastes of space exist. Every single interior component of the 2018 Nissan Altima has a purpose, and you’ll find yourself using every single one. The dashboard controls are intuitive, and the unobtrusive car door handles are in the perfect spots.

8. Crystal Clear Visibility

Blind spots are the bane of every driver, but you can worry less with the Altima. Relatively tiny columns are in the spots where there would normally be gigantic blind spots, letting you see far more of the road than with other mid-size sedans. The Altima also has blind-spot cameras as upgradable options if you’re really worried about the remaining blind spots.

9. Road Feeling

Since most of Nissan’s cars are sporty or have a sport flavor, the Altima has some of that flair as well. Its suspension is tuned to be fast and responsive, and with sport trims that suspension is even more wired. You can feel and connect with the road easily with the Altima, and driving it on most terrains and road types is quite easy.

10. Solid Interior Technology

Sometimes interior technology can get confusing or distracting, but the 2018 Nissan Altima doesn’t exhibit these flaws with its tech. Its infotainment system is located fairly far down the dashboard, mostly removing itself from peripheral vision when driving. Its menus are easy to navigate, and analog buttons accompany the touchscreen to make it even easier to access while driving.

 

Reasons Not to Buy a 2018 Nissan Altima – The Cons

1. Abundant Use of Plastics

While the interior of the Altima is quite uniform and spacious, there is quite a lot of plastic used throughout the 2018 Nissan Altima. If you’re environmentally conscious, you’re going to notice the plastic. Also, using this much plastic means that there will be more creaking and squeaking noticeable inside the car.

2. Low-Speed Handling Lacking

At very low speeds, such as when you’re in parking lots or driving out of your driveway, you’ll notice that steering takes far more effort than you would assume. Something in the system seems to not be programmed well at low speeds.

3. Stiff Ride

If you aren’t used to a slightly sportier, stiff suspension, then the 2018 Nissan Altima’s ride will feel quite bumpy. Some small bumps will pass by unnoticed, but any moderately sized bumps or potholes will definitely be felt by all passengers.

How It Stacks Up to the Competition

The mid-size sedan class is one of the most competitive in the car market today. The Altima has some very close competitors, particularly in the Honda Accord and the Kia Optima. However, both the Accord and the Optima are aging quite rapidly - even when they’re updated - while the Altima feels and drives better with each iteration.

Conclusion

If you’re looking for a solid yet sporty mid-size sedan, then the 2018 Nissan Altima is a perfect choice. Its great handling and great looks make this a cut above the rest.