2020 Nissan Altima AWD | Cure For The Common Crossover? 

I just got an AWD Altima. I traded in my 2018 Camry. This car is much quieter, more comfortable, and has way more features. I’m very happy with my decision!

dont listen to all the CVT bashers, parents own a 2012 altima still going strong at 195,000 km. just change oil and maintain car well and you are good

I love Alex, he is always so technical and precise. All videos he does are rehearsed, well thought out, and to the point.

8:46, I like the idea that you always find a song titled as the vehicle name when you show the infotainment system!!

It blows my mind that this car is so much larger than the legacy, but it’s wiped off the map by the legacy in combined legroom and 2nd row headroom. This car is pure rental spec in any trim.

I’d take the Camry. Especially considering the fact that not only is AWD coming for the 4 cyl, but with that combo it’ll be the only non cvt midsize AWD sedan in America. This will eat Nissan Altima sales for lunch

Excellent review, I purchased a 2019 awd Scarlett Altima SL in March of 2022. It was a lease return with 29,000 miles, very happy with the 32 mpg, ride and looks...

I wish manufacturers would make more economy based coupes. You get a lot of people buying vehicles like this for themselves and it proves due to how compact the back seat is, yet its 4 doors and designed around being a sedan. At this point just make it two door, give it bigger doors and you would still have a reasonable back seat for when you need it. Coupes are so much nicer for a single driver it sucks they are either very expensive or muscle cars

About the seats: in China Nissan is called ‘sofa factory’ just because of those comfortable cushions!

Excellent video. What a wonderfully informative and detailed review! Loved the suitcase test, and all the other little details. Finally someone who does more than stomp the throttle and tell us how "disappointed" they are at the car's steering near the redline. Much love and respect..

I love your comparison tables!

I can't wait for your new Legacy review!

Excellent reviews well done sir.

This will be my dream car!! Nice job Alex.

Front-end reminds me of a Peugeot. In a good way. Well done Nissan.

Personally, The Legacy for 2020 M.Y. would be my preference.

Alex, thanks so much for speaking up to #SaveHeadroom . This Altima has the worst headroom in a class of cars already notorious for shortchanging tall occupants. What exactly is the point of a mid-size sedan that cannot accommodate adult rear seat passengers? Once again, we are being forced into SUVs if we want any #practicality whatsoever in a modern vehicle.

*Sees AWD and Nissan in the title with a picture of a sedan* Ah shit, here we go again...

Four years ago today, I'm now considering to buy one as my very first sedan of course bro!

The problem isn't traction in the winter, with a car that has all wheel drive, you run into ground clearance issues when it starts snowing a lot, so don't think you're going to drive a car in a big snowstorm compared to an SUV.

I work at a Kia store and I find it ironic how Kia is charging more now but yet.. the price on something like this and what you get for it..

Alex on Autos Nation 4 Life!

Hey Alex, I would like to see more talking, comparison on lane keep assist systems. How smooth, dependable are they ?

The Altima is a nice rental car. Incredible gas mileage with no start stop. Base engine has decent pep. Great tech in the SL, stereo, easy controls. Rides well, reasonably quiet. Good (unnoticeable) CVT. I would not buy one though, it’s too cheap-feeling, the interior is plain, and the seat cushion has too little thigh support. I’d lean towards the legacy, but the base engine feels underpowered.

I have this same car but in black..great looking, great AWD and great MPG..

Fun fact: Car and Driver tested a Nissan Altima and a BMW 330i on the skidpad and the Altima pulled 0.93 g’s while BMW pulled 0.89 g’s. Just thought I’d throw that out there

Nissan really really stepped it up

I wish that AWD sedans were the cure for the rise of the CUV/SUV crossovers; but the relatively weak sales of Subaru Impreza and Legacy vs very strong sales of the Subaru Crosstrek/Forester/Outback trifecta prove that AWD will not be a ultimate cure. Practicality is still a big factor, being able to sleep comfortably in your car’s cargo space is valuable to many. Additionally, in a world of diesel rolling coal lifted pickup trucks and road rage, an SUV will always be a bit safer in a crash than a lower sedan with less mass. Best case scenario? Other manufacturers take a page out of the Subaru Crosstrek/Outback’s book: Step 1, turn a beautiful compact sedan into a stylish compact hatchback. Step 2, lift that hatchback to match SUV height and lean into off-road ability. Step 3, make good on the off-road promise by offering a strong AWD option. Step 4, profit. An optional Step 5 to steal the hearts of wealthier new car buyers? Add a 250hp+ option with a V6 or Twin Turbo I4 engine. Soccer moms and soccer dads would love it.

As I noticed in the trim level section the top trim can be equipped with wider tires for better handling than your tester and has active noise cancellation so it might be quieter than an accord. I don't think the cvt is a problem for a lease and Honda also uses them so I don't think they are as unreliable as people say

I have a 2013 Altima and it's been a pretty decent car. I haven't had any problems in 90000 miles (here's hoping that keeps up). And I have to say compared to previous Toyotas I've had the cabin is way less rattly than any of those wore at the same mileage. The difference might be in powertrain longevity. My dad's driving my previous '07 Camry which now has around 200k. The engine sounds like it's gonna live forever. But the Nissan (usually) sells for a couple thousand less than the competition, so maybe it's worth it? It is a very comfortable cruiser.

Here is a fan request. Please please do a detailed comparison of all new 2020 Subaru Legacy and Nissan Altima in the absolute Base models, no options added except the AWD for Altima, with their most Base version infotainment systems and custom tyres. Please I hope you can somehow manage to do that. That will be a really good comparison. And please don't go for the price equivalent version of Legacy to match Altima, that would kill the whole purpose. Just both the cars in their absolute Base versions.

I have a JATCO CVT in my Suzuki at 125k miles, 10 years old, and zero problems. I can not say any thing bad about them for the reliability its given. Maybe that's there good CVT. I know they use the same one in Outlander/Outlander Sport. Outlander Sports are very reliable too I hear. JATCO JFO11E is a good one.

Alex, always enjoy your vids. If you don't know me I do not question that, I plan to get a Model Y in the next 1-3 years. My Jeep Cherokee Trailhawk Lease ends Fall 2020. Anyway, I always like the cargo comparisons you do, but not many try to fit in 30" suitcases. I am just off a trip where I had a 2019 Altima and overall I quite pleased with it. I was able to push back in the trunk two 30" suitcases lying down and a couple backpacks where the truck closes so it fit. Sonata I tried in 2018 did not fit. Fusion forget it especially on a hybrid, probably cannot get in 1 30". Would you ever consider getting a couple 30" suitcases to fit in vehicles? I still think I want a crossover, but this 2020 AWD Altima really felt pretty good. I had a base trim so no brake or maybe that is new for 2020 and that is a super feature, all cars should have it. Thanks and take care!

LOL who puts milk in the center storage armrest 😂

As someone who grew up with the 1st and 2nd gen Maximas, I can say the new Altima looks more like a classic Maxima than the Maxima does.

These people don't lie.Nissans cvt has problems.

The new Nissan Altima still needs two things: 1- An 8-speed direct shift automatic transmission is available at least with SR trim. 2- The AWD system should be available with VC-Turbo engine. Thanks, Alex.

The one reviewed is a 2019 model right? They changed some trim peaces on the interior.

Thanks for the review, can you comment on the cvt in this car in comparison to its predecessor. Is it same or improved ?

do you have an opinion on the long term reliability of the Subaru turbo engine and potential cost of repair?

Ok I’ll admit, that title was clever

Alex... what is the most comfortable front seat in this price range? Thanks again

Perfect for snow belt , 10 to 15 years ago, now its to late i think, also Subaru rules that tiny niche, now there is also Mazda 3 AWD but it appeals to even smaller niche as a drivers car

I'd get the legacy. It has a real awd system, not a slip n grip like the Altima

It seems odd that the Nissan Altima only offers all-wheel drive with the base engine. With more weight and friction it would make sense to offer it with the turbo. There must be some conflict with their current CVT or something.

Would there be a big difference in road and tire noise in regards to choosing 17 or 19 inch tires?

As someone who lives in Michigan and has had AWD, RWD and FWD vehicles, honestly you don’t need AWD. Realistically, good snow tires or good tires period are a better investment. I had an S55 AMG years ago, RWD with Dunlop SP sports tires and drove it one time in the snow and ice and it was hell and dangerous but it still made it.

Its has better mpg than the new sentra fwd?i remember it got 30mpg last time you test drove it,

Please review 2019 Macan S

This Altima is way cheaper then the Camry Se with this top trims ? Wow

Well unfortunately when we bought our Altima SR (loaded) the salesman where we went knew very little about the car...even though he said he owned the same model, there were things he didn't know. AND we would have spent more and gotten the AWD had he told there was one... in fact he missed a chance at a great commission as we would have bought a more upgraded trim... such as the AWD Platinum perhaps or the SV.... anyway we do love the car, and it has many amenities- just wished we'd known more about options, as he wasn't very interested in exploring upgraded trims. Nor was he aware of some of the options in the car we bought. I knew more than he did..... (not this reviewer BTW-) it was a totally different dealership and state. If he'd known half of what this guy knows it would have been good.

AWD is wicked good. Mazda3 just added AWD. Zoom zoom.

Not one of the 4 front vents have a way to turn down or off the volume/velocity of the air asked for?? And the seam you mentioned at the center surrounding infotainment...whoa, don't look to GM for interior finish queues! Seems the floating roof integration could have been more seamless as well...too picky am I!

Great Nissan.

This vehicle in the top trim kills the maxima. I still wouldn't buy it but it's an improvement over prior gen.

In hot climates are ventilated seats available. Will a hybrid option also be made available. Thanks Alex.

Taillights should've been LED. Interior is better then previous models, but not up there with the Accord.

Why didn’t they put the 1.6 turbo with awd transmission? They had that in the juke and quashai, and they have it with a manual transmission. The smaller engine could give them room for a mild hybrid option. But whatever

Ballin Safety review!!!

The turn signal indicators are unfortunately filament bulbs. 2:29

Just not a fan of Nissan designs and their CVT is not so hot. The all new K5 (Optima) is coming out this year and rumored to have some cool options. The GT Line is said to have almost 300hp, and AWD available. We will see that in Korea by October. Can't wait.

Thanks Alex! The Altima's V-Motion grille and overall front-end design has grown on me after seeing them on the road. It's a homerun! I think the C-pillar's Floating Roof black trim piece is a well-thought-out and cohesive design endeavor which ties the Alti to other Nissan models. It shines in comparison to the Camry XSE's much cheaper quality paint-only roof separation. Shade thrown at the Camry!

no mazda 6 in the comparisons? lol it's no longer a surprise.what's funny is to take time to talk about the hyundai sonata 2020 a car that is not out yet.

Despite AWD option, I think the interior quality is drab compared to toyota use's red leather, honda accord's acura-like interior, and Mazda's pseudo luxury interior

Nice car but its sales are down 20% year over year, and the half horse collar grill doesn't help. It dips way too low compared to the last gen, and its proportions are off.

Alex do you forsee any possible reliability issues with the AWD Altima compared to the FWD?

Good luck owning one of those POS I’ve never owned a car that’s been in the shop even close as an Altima.. 3 transmissions fuel pump air bag controller struts brakes barley out of warranty 62k miles so if you want to pay for a vehicle twice with repairs buy Nissan.. Oh and they told me it doesn’t qualify as a buy back .. Great product

Oh boy here come the spelling check comments.

I wonder how 2020 Nissan Altima AWD will fare with 2019 Mazda 6

Looks OK, but current designs of many cars are way worse than a decade ago. The sedans are unnecessarily long, the Accord is just ridiculous. Try parking it in Toronto!. The proportions are wrong, the front grills exaggerated, the rear looks more like a coupe than a sedan, the tablet on top of the dashboard is annoying etc etc.. Why I'm not buying a sedan.

Why this Altima odometer of rpm start with 2? Where is 1?

The best altima was the 06 and below years before the CVT transmission

A fully loaded trim doesn’t have led turn signals or brake lights..

My 21 Nissan Rogue is noticable more premium inside than the Altima. Altima is nice enough but kinda bland. The Rogue just feels like a much much nicer vehicle. Surprised at how different these two are considering the redesigns are only a couple years apart.

I LOVE my 2019 Altima SL. All I would add would be memory seats in the SL (NOT PLATINUM). And even more important would be front park assist. Kind of lame every other angle of the car is protected except for the front. Sucks for parallel parking and garage parking etc. Just kinda lame.

Was really hoping they would add ventilated seats for 2020.

2020 and still no led tail lights and still have cvt😑😑😑😑

I had a Honda ad before watching this video 😂 I guess Honda really wants me to buy a Civic...

Jatco cvt still? Denied.

AWD versions of the Fusion are more expensive, because the Fusion AWD system is superior to the others. It does a much better job of ensuring wheels with traction get power.

Will you be reviewing the new VW Arteon?

Nissan is only one offering coil on speaker audio technology at this price point. I am so tired of replacing speaker distributor caps on my Toyota, I would trade it in but I like the digital response of the tweeters when I stream NPR.

😱😱😱😱😱😱😱Oh no not the CVT transmission again🤭🤭😥😪😔😭😭😭

Nice can

Two more things to worry about made by renault-nissan CVT transmissions oh no all-wheel drive what a bad choice the CVT was bad enough but they're all wheel drive is even worse

When will they offer the chain driven turbo?

Then u Altimatly* decided to take it on the trail? 😂

That VC engine is gonna be an expensive repair.

Hate those Altima wheels

what u can do, Nissan have signed a contract with Jatco company and invested hundreds of millions of dollars into it so they have to put CVT in their cars, Nissan knows that people hate CVT but they need their money back so they wont stop doing in it, me personally I owned 2 cars with CVT the first was 2013 Altima V6, I hated that transmission but didn't blow up like the new generation of Maxima I had, the CVT blow up at 27K, such a disaster transmission and very poor reliability, will never ever buy car with CVT but to each their own ofc.

cvt? awd? oh boy. a winning combination

Did I miss something? What about every entry level German sedan being available with AWD? Are they not considered affordable?

Isn't the Mazda 6 getting AWD?

Give us manual transmission

You’re forgetting about the Camry which has AWD available.

The CVT is definitely a cure for when you have too much money in your wallet.

Alex, I'm confused!! At 10:45 min you show us and describe the Engine Start/Stop button on the console. At 11:06 you tell us that the vehicle doesn't have Engine Start/Stop technology. Very confusing.

Wish my 2018 Mazda 3 Grand Touring had CarPlay 🤬😡

Let Nissan be Nissan and decouple from Renault.

@13:17 0-60 in 7.3 seconds The above is not very good, and it is due to the Altima being a pig from a standing start. Nissan de-tuned the engine, to prevent a fast start. To achieve better fuel economy? To help bad drivers? Who knows? Once the Altima gets moving (maybe around 25 MPH), then it has very good acceleration. Most of the time, it is not a problem. But if you are, for example, in the left lane, waiting at a light, and you realize that you need to make a right at the next light... forget about trying to get ahead of the car to your right. @16:44 The SR style of the Altima handles very good; almost no lean and no tire squeal (those 19" low profile tires and beefy suspension work well). You can take turns at speed, and the car will behave better than you probably think. I am not suggesting that anyone drive like a nut. But there is no other way to describe how stable the SR is on taking corners. It is no Ferrari, but it is very good. Not mentioned in the review is that the stereo is nothing special. It is borderline good. Nissan dropped the ball on providing a well balanced, realistic sounding stereo. Cheers!