4 Reasons the 2024 Nissan Altima Made Me Re-Think Owning a Sedan
The 2024 Nissan Altima is fun to drive, has great fuel economy. a spacious interior, top safety features and a premium feel. For under $30K, it's a head turner.
Chastity Velasquez
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Don’t Overlook Driving a Sedan Just Yet.
I haven’t bought a sedan since the summer of 1999. I am strictly a truck and SUV kind of gal, or so I thought. The 2024 Nissan Altima, which starts at a very reasonable $26,000, has me rethinking this stance.
I’m a sports mom and a cool mom. (Well, maybe not according to my 12-year-old son, but that’s a story for another day.) I have always shied away from a car or van and gravitated towards an SUV. However, this midsize sedan is spacious, and thanks to a snappy VC-Turbo engine that provides 248 hp and 267 lb-ft of torque, it has pelnty of pep. It has a sporty look and is fun to drive with lots of added features.
This car emanates solid, good vibes. It also functions as a mom mobile that gets you to all the sporting events.
I had the opportunity to drive the Nissan Altima for a week, and it hauled our golf clubs, baseball gear, fishing equipment, and luggage for a weekend getaway.
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The Nissan Altima 2.0 SR FWD Sedan VC-Turbo. Photo: Chastity Velasquez
The Nissan Altima Has a Lot Going for It
Great Gas Mileage
The EPA-estimated range for for 2024 Nissan Altima is 25/34 mpg for city/highway driving.
I honestly didn’t know that a car with amazing gas mileage was still a thing until I drove the Nissan Altima. We drove over 700 miles in a week on only a tank and a half of gas. A car that is affordable AND good on gas mileage seems like a rare gem to find these days.
Saving money at the pump means you can spend more on all the sporting equipment your kid needs.
Interior and Exterior Details Make It Fun
The Nissan Altima feels nimble. The moment you sit in the leather-appointed seats with red stitching, you know you are in for an energetic experience. That’s just the vibe the Nissan Altima gives off. The 19” aluminum alloy wheels, rear spoiler, chrome grille, exterior ground lighting with the Nissan logo, and exhaust finisher give this car a sleek look.
All the details contribute to a fun driving experience: the 2.0L variable compression turbo I-4 Engine, which offers 236 horsepower and 267 lb-ft of torque, ensures zippy freedom for passing and on entrance ramps. Unlike fixed compression engines, the VC-Turbo constantly adapts. It efficiently raises or lowers the pistons’ reach to provide an ideal balance of power and efficiency for every driving situation.
The Xtronic continually variable transmission, or CVT, with sport suspension means quick acceleration from a standing start, smooth shifting, and a quiet ride. No shift shock here.
It’s Tech-Friendly
We spent a few days in the country, and the High Beam Assist headlights were a wonderful feature. Those winding backroads are pitch black and having the headlights go from regular to high beam when needed made driving a breeze.
The lights automatically turned to high beams when needed, but when a car was approaching, they lowered to normal brightness and then back to high beam brightness after the car passed. It is a great feature.
The Altima also comes standard with a 12.3” HD color touch-screen display and all the features you expect, such as wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, blind spot warning, lane departure warning, ProPILOT assist, remote engine start and more.
Personal Space Isn’t an Issue
Finding a vehicle where my 6’2” husband can fit comfortably and not invade my personal space is hard to come by. So we were pleasantly surprised at how roomy the cabin of the Altima was. He had plenty of leg, head, and arm space to ride shotgun comfortably.
Another reason this is the perfect everyday car is the massive trunk space. No matter if it’s a road trip with numerous bags, a massive grocery haul, or a weekend baseball tournament, everything will fit in the trunk with room to spare.
Related: The 2024 Nissan Rogue Gets a Fresh Makeover and Fresh New Tech
Plenty of trunk space here. Photo: Chastity Velasquez
What We Love About the 2024 Nissan Altima
- Oversized trunk space
- Sunroof
- Roomy interior
- Smooth drive
- Great Gas Mileage
The sleek interior of the Nissan Altima. Photo: Chastity Velasquez
Who the Nissan Altima Is For
- Singles, couples, or small families
- Buyers looking for a sedan that won’t leave you broke
- Drivers who want luxury features without a high cost
- Those who want good gas mileage
The Nissan Altima is a fun drive. Photo: Chastity Velasquez
What You Need to Know About the Nissan Altima
- The interior is sleek, and the technology and touch-screen are easy to navigate
- Great safety features include Nissan Safety Shield 360, intelligent driver alertness, rear automatic emergency braking, blind spot warning, intelligent forward collision warning, intelligent around view monitor, etc.
- Heated seats and dual-zone automatic temperature control
- 8-way power driver’s seat with power lumbar support
The Nissan Altima is budget-friendly. Photo: Chastity Velasquez
What the Nissan Altima Costs
The 2024 Nissan Altima has several well-equipped trim levels: S, SV, SR, SL, and SR VC-Turbo. The lineup starts with the S trim, which starts at $25,730.
Buyers have a choice between two engines: the standard 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine and the Variable Compression Turbo (VC-Turbo) engine. The VC-Turbo engine gives the car added power and speed while still getting good gas mileage.
I drove the 2024 Nissan Altima 2.0 SR FWD Sedan VC-Turbo, which was priced at $38,100.
The Altima is a compelling answer to the question for practical (and super cool) moms who like to get the job done for their families but still wish to keep their car cred intact. And when we see the intersection of value and convenience like this, it’s a real treat to roll in the Altima.
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