Best Nissan Altima Model Years (Ranked)

The Nissan Altima has been a mid-size sedan staple for three decades, but not every model year is worth your money. The single biggest factor separating a great used Altima from a money pit is the CVT (continuously variable transmission) that Nissan adopted across the lineup starting in 2007.

Early CVTs were notoriously fragile, while the units from roughly 2019 onward are dramatically more durable. This ranking walks through the ten best Nissan Altima model years based on real engine specs, documented reliability, recall history, and current used-market values, so you can buy with confidence and avoid the well-known transmission traps that sink the worst years.

Direct Answer

The Best Overall used Nissan Altima is the 2020 Altima (L34 generation), which combines the strong 2.5-liter four-cylinder, available all-wheel drive, modern safety tech, and a much-improved CVT that has shed most of the failures that plagued earlier cars. The Best Value pick is the 2015 Altima (L33 generation), a refreshed mid-cycle car that you can buy used for well under $11,000 while still getting comfortable seats, 38-mpg highway economy, and a transmission that — when properly serviced — holds up far better than the 2013 units it replaced.

This list is built for practical buyers who want a roomy, efficient, comfortable commuter and who care more about avoiding a CVT replacement bill than chasing horsepower. Every pick below uses real model-year specs, reliability data, and used-value ranges.

1. 2020 Nissan Altima 🏆 BEST OVERALL

Engine: 2.5L inline-4 (188 hp) or 2.0L VC-Turbo (248 hp) | Used value: ~$16,000–$21,000 | Best for: Buyers who want the safest, most refined Altima with the fewest gremlins

The 2020 Altima sits in the sweet spot of the sixth-generation (L34) car that launched for 2019. By 2020, Nissan had a year of production behind the new platform, and early bugs were largely sorted. The standard 2.5-liter four-cylinder makes 188 hp and 180 lb-ft, returning an EPA-estimated 28 mpg city / 39 mpg highway with front-wheel drive.

The headline feature is that the 2020 Altima offered all-wheel drive with the 2.5 engine — a genuine rarity in the mid-size class and a strong draw for snow-belt buyers. The available 2.0-liter VC-Turbo (variable compression) makes 248 hp and replaced the old 3.5 V6. The CVT in this generation is the much-improved Jatco unit with better cooling and reprogrammed logic, and complaints dropped sharply versus 2013–2016 cars.

Standard Safety Shield 360 brings automatic emergency braking, blind-spot warning, rear cross-traffic alert, and lane-departure warning, and the 2020 Altima earned an IIHS Top Safety Pick with the right headlights. The cabin is quiet, the "Zero Gravity" front seats are genuinely comfortable on long drives, and the trunk is a usable 15.4 cubic feet.

This is the Altima to buy if you want modern tech and the lowest realistic risk of a transmission failure.

Why it wins: it pairs the best-available safety suite, optional AWD, and the most reliable CVT in Altima history without straying into expensive-to-fix turbo territory unless you want the power.

2. 2021 Nissan Altima

Engine: 2.5L inline-4 (188 hp) or 2.0L VC-Turbo (236–248 hp) | Used value: ~$18,000–$23,000 | Best for: Shoppers who want near-new tech and a stronger warranty position

The 2021 Altima added wireless Apple CarPlay availability and made Safety Shield 360 standard across the lineup, including standard rear automatic braking. Mechanically it mirrors the 2020 car: the same 188-hp 2.5 and the same available AWD, plus the VC-Turbo on SR and Platinum trims.

Reliability continues to track well, and because these cars are newer, many are still close enough to original ownership to have clean service records. The 2021 ranks just below the 2020 only because used examples cost more for what is essentially the same excellent package. If your budget allows it, a 2021 with low miles is arguably the safest single Altima purchase on the market.

3. 2022 Nissan Altima

Engine: 2.5L inline-4 (188 hp) or 2.0L VC-Turbo (248 hp) | Used value: ~$20,000–$25,000 | Best for: Buyers who want a refreshed look and the newest infotainment

The 2022 Altima received a mid-cycle refresh with restyled front and rear fascias and a larger available 12.3-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The drivetrains carry over unchanged, which is good news — the 2.5 with optional AWD remains the smart-money choice, and the CVT is the proven later-generation unit.

The 2022 is an excellent car; it ranks here mainly because its higher used price eats into value compared with a 2020 that drives nearly identically. For a buyer who wants the freshest cabin tech without paying for brand-new, the 2022 is a strong target.

4. 2015 Nissan Altima 💎 BEST VALUE

Engine: 2.5L inline-4 (182 hp) or 3.5L V6 (270 hp) | Used value: ~$8,000–$11,000 | Best for: Budget commuters who want maximum sedan for the money

The 2015 Altima is the standout value pick of the fifth-generation (L33) car. It benefited from Nissan's mid-cycle CVT updates that improved durability and cooling over the troublesome 2013 launch units. The 2.5-liter four makes 182 hp and returns an impressive 27 mpg city / 38 mpg highway, while the optional 3.5-liter V6 makes a stout 270 hp for buyers who want real passing punch.

At current used prices — frequently under $11,000 — the 2015 delivers the most usable mid-size sedan per dollar of any year on this list.

The cabin is roomy and quiet, the Zero Gravity seats debuted on this generation and remain a highlight, and parts and service are cheap and plentiful. The one caveat: insist on records showing the CVT fluid was changed roughly every 30,000 miles. A well-maintained 2015 four-cylinder can run a long, trouble-free life; a neglected one is the classic CVT cautionary tale.

Buy the serviced car and the 2015 is unbeatable on value.

5. 2016 Nissan Altima

Engine: 2.5L inline-4 (182 hp) or 3.5L V6 (270 hp) | Used value: ~$9,000–$12,500 | Best for: Value buyers who want a facelifted L33 with extra tech

The 2016 Altima brought a styling refresh with the "V-motion" grille, improved aerodynamics, and a new SR trim with sport tuning. Mechanically it is the same proven 2.5 and 3.5 V6 pairing as the 2015, with the same later-spec CVT. The 2016 also expanded available driver-assistance features such as forward-collision warning and blind-spot warning on higher trims.

It costs a bit more than the 2015 and offers slightly fresher styling, making it the logical step up for value shoppers who want a touch more curb appeal and safety tech without leaving the affordable L33 generation.

6. 2019 Nissan Altima

Engine: 2.5L inline-4 (188 hp) or 2.0L VC-Turbo (248 hp) | Used value: ~$14,000–$18,000 | Best for: Buyers who want the newest platform at a lower price

The 2019 Altima launched the sixth-generation car with the new 188-hp 2.5, optional AWD, the VC-Turbo, and standard Safety Shield 360 on most trims. It is mechanically the same excellent package as the 2020, and it earned an IIHS Top Safety Pick. It ranks slightly below the 2020 and 2021 only because, as a first-model-year car, a small number of early examples reported software and minor build glitches that were ironed out the following year.

Still, a 2019 is a genuinely modern, safe, efficient sedan — and being the oldest of the L34 cars, it is also the cheapest way into the new generation.

7. 2012 Nissan Altima

Engine: 2.5L inline-4 (175 hp) or 3.5L V6 (270 hp) | Used value: ~$5,500–$8,000 | Best for: Bargain hunters who want the last of the fourth-gen car

The 2012 Altima is the final year of the fourth-generation (L32) car, and it is a smart pick for a tight budget. The 2.5 makes 175 hp and the 3.5 V6 makes 270 hp, and the CVT in these cars, while not bulletproof, is generally regarded as more durable than the 2013–2014 units that followed in the new generation.

Fuel economy is solid at around 23 city / 32 highway for the four-cylinder. At well under $8,000, a clean 2012 with documented maintenance is honest, cheap transportation. Just budget for the reality that any high-mileage CVT can eventually need attention.

8. 2010 Nissan Altima

Engine: 2.5L inline-4 (175 hp) or 3.5L V6 (270 hp) | Used value: ~$4,500–$7,000 | Best for: Ultra-budget buyers who want a roomy, proven sedan

The 2010 Altima is a sensible used buy for anyone who needs reliable basic transportation at the lowest possible price. The fourth-generation car offers a comfortable ride, good fuel economy, and the durable VQ-series 3.5 V6 for those wanting power. The CVT is the older-generation unit and benefits enormously from regular fluid changes.

The Altima Coupe and Hybrid variants also existed in this era. With used values often in the $5,000 range, a well-kept 2010 four-cylinder is a lot of car for the money, provided you accept the older safety tech and verify the transmission has been serviced.

9. 2017 Nissan Altima

Engine: 2.5L inline-4 (179 hp) or 3.5L V6 (270 hp) | Used value: ~$10,000–$13,500 | Best for: Buyers who want the most-refined L33 before the redesign

The 2017 Altima is the final mature year of the fifth generation, with all the CVT and feature improvements baked in. It offered available forward emergency braking and a polished version of the comfortable L33 cabin. It is a perfectly good car — it ranks here rather than higher only because pricing crept up to where a buyer is often better served stretching to a 2019 L34 for the newer platform and AWD availability.

For someone committed to the lighter, simpler L33, the 2017 is the best of the breed.

10. 2018 Nissan Altima

Engine: 2.5L inline-4 (179 hp) or 3.5L V6 (270 hp) | Used value: ~$11,000–$14,500 | Best for: Buyers who want a low-mileage final-year L33

The 2018 Altima closed out the fifth generation and is the freshest of the older cars. It carries the proven drivetrains and a well-sorted CVT, and many examples were fleet or rental cars, so condition varies — buy the well-documented one. It earns a spot on this list as a dependable, affordable choice, but it lands at number ten because its used price often overlaps with the much-newer 2019 redesign.

If you can find a clean low-mileage 2018 priced right, it is a quietly excellent commuter.

What to Watch For When Buying

The CVT is the single most important inspection point on any used Altima. On 2013–2016 cars especially, demand documentation that the transmission fluid was changed every 30,000–40,000 miles. Symptoms of a failing CVT include shuddering or "judder" under light acceleration, whining noises, hesitation, and overheating warnings in hot weather or while towing.

A replacement can cost $3,500–$4,500, so a car without service records should be priced accordingly or avoided.

Beyond the transmission, check for dashboard cracking (a known complaint on some 2013–2015 cars), verify the steering and suspension feel tight on a test drive, and confirm the air conditioning blows cold. On VC-Turbo cars, listen for unusual engine noise and confirm oil-change history.

Always run the VIN for recall completion and accident history, and on AWD-equipped L34 cars, make sure the system engages smoothly without noise.

How to Choose

If your top priority is lowest risk and best safety tech, buy a 2020 or 2021 and budget around $16,000–$23,000. If you want maximum car for minimum money, target a serviced 2015 or 2016 under $12,500 and accept the homework of verifying CVT maintenance. If you live in a snowy climate, the AWD availability on 2019–2022 cars is a genuine reason to choose the L34 generation.

Buyers who want real power should seek the 3.5 V6 on L33 cars or the VC-Turbo on L34 cars, with the understanding that the four-cylinder is the cheaper, more economical daily driver. Whichever year you choose, the maintenance records matter more than the model year — a documented car beats a cheaper mystery car every time.

FAQ

Which Nissan Altima year is the most reliable? The 2020 and 2021 Altima are the most reliable model years. By that point Nissan had refined the sixth-generation CVT, build quality had stabilized, and standard safety tech was excellent. Among older cars, the 2015–2016 are the most reliable of the L33 generation when properly serviced.

Which Altima years should I avoid? Be cautious with the 2013 and early 2014 Altima, the first years of the L33 generation, which generated the most CVT failure complaints. They can still be fine if the transmission was serviced or replaced, but they carry the highest risk and should be priced low.

Do all Altimas have CVT transmission problems? No. CVT problems are concentrated in the early L33 (2013–2014) and some L32 cars. The 2015 onward and especially 2019-plus units are far more durable. Regular fluid changes dramatically reduce the risk on any year.

Does the Nissan Altima come in all-wheel drive? Yes, but only on the sixth-generation 2019–2025 cars with the 2.5-liter engine. No L33 or earlier Altima offered AWD, which makes the newer cars the only choice for snow-belt buyers who want it.

Bottom Line

The best used Nissan Altima is the 2020 model, which delivers the most refined drivetrain, available all-wheel drive, standard Safety Shield 360, and the lowest realistic risk of a transmission failure. For shoppers on a tighter budget, the 2015 Altima is the value champion, offering a comfortable, efficient mid-size sedan for well under $11,000 as long as the CVT has been maintained.

Across every year, the lesson is the same: buy the Altima with documented transmission service, and you will get a genuinely comfortable, economical sedan that should serve you well for years.

Sources

• Nissan USA — Altima specifications and model-year features
• EPA fueleconomy.gov — Nissan Altima fuel economy ratings by year
• IIHS — Nissan Altima crash test and safety ratings
• Kelley Blue Book (KBB) — Nissan Altima used values
• Edmunds — Nissan Altima reviews and reliability by model year
• Car and Driver — Nissan Altima generation reviews
• Consumer Reports — Nissan Altima reliability history
• NHTSA — Nissan Altima recall and complaint database