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Nissan keeps the Altima alive for 2026 — with tweaks
Nissan has quietly rolled the 2026 Altima into showrooms, nudging the starting price up slightly and simplifying the trim lineup. Once rumored to be discontinued after 2025, the Altima returns as a midsize sedan that leans on refined equipment and a new appearance package rather than electrified powertrains.
Price and trims at a glance
The reworked lineup kicks off with the SV trim at a starting price of $27,580, up from the prior $27,000 base before destination. The long-running entry S trim has been dropped for 2026, leaving SV and SR as the primary offerings. Buyers can choose SV with front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive, while the sportier SR is available in both FWD and AWD flavors:
- SV starting price: $27,580
- SR starting price: $29,080 (FWD) and $30,480 (AWD)
- Destination fee is applied separately (listed at $1,245 on some trims)
These changes reflect Nissan's move to position the Altima as a better-equipped, more focused rival to mainstream midsize sedans.
SR Midnight Edition: a darker look
New for 2026 is the SR-exclusive Midnight Edition package, a visual upgrade aimed at buyers who want a stealthier appearance. The Midnight Edition adds blacked-out V-motion grille, dark badging and window trim, a two-tone black roof, and black 19-inch alloy wheels. Opting for the package also includes a moonroof and dual-zone automatic climate control as part of the visual kit.
Color choices for the Midnight Edition include Tactical Green Metallic, Pearl White TriCoat, Super Black and Gray Sky Pearl. The SR can also be ordered with a Premium equipment package for more creature comforts.
Equipment and technology
Even the SV is well appointed: standard items include 17-inch alloy wheels, Nissan Safety Shield 360 active safety suite, Remote Engine Start, and an 8.0-inch touchscreen with wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Wireless smartphone integration is reserved for the SV Premium Package or comes standard on SR models.
The SR builds on SV hardware with 19-inch wheels, paddle shifters for the Xtronic CVT, Intelligent Trace Control, a sport-tuned suspension, Active Ride Control, and a larger 12.3-inch touchscreen. Inside you get sport seats with contrasting stitching, a leather-wrapped shift knob, sport exhaust tips, wireless phone charging and extra USB ports for rear passengers.
Available Premium content covers conveniences and driver aids such as heated front seats, heated steering wheel, ProPILOT Assist, Intelligent Around View Monitor, and a nine-speaker Bose audio system. Optional packages are priced around $2,000 and $3,400 depending on content and trim.
Powertrain, fuel economy and AWD system
Under the hood the Altima continues with a 2.5-liter direct-injected four-cylinder mated to Nissan's Xtronic continuously variable transmission. Output varies slightly with drive layout: 188 hp and 180 lb-ft of torque in FWD spec, and 182 hp and 178 lb-ft when equipped with AWD. Regular unleaded fuel is recommended.
Nissan quotes combined fuel economy between about 30 and 28 mpg (roughly 7.8 to 8.4 L/100 km), the lower figure applying to models fitted with Intelligent All-Wheel Drive. That AWD system is an on-demand setup using an electronic coupling with internal clutches and magnets to route torque rearward, able to send up to 50 percent of available torque to the rear axle when conditions demand it.
Where the Altima sits in the market
The Altima still slots into a shrinking but competitive midsize sedan segment, squaring off against long-time rivals like the Honda Accord and the Toyota Camry. Notably, Toyota is leaning heavily into hybrid Camry choices for 2026, while Nissan has kept the Altima conventional for now, with no hybrid or electric powertrain offered for the model year.
Highlights for shoppers interested in comfort and tech
- Solid standard safety kit with Nissan Safety Shield 360
- SR offers sportier handling hardware and larger 12.3-inch screen
- Midnight Edition adds aggressive blacked-out styling cues
- AWD system provides on-demand torque distribution up to 50% rear bias
Whether you value appearance upgrades, a better-equipped base trim or the option of AWD for variable weather, the 2026 Altima aims to remain a practical and stylish choice in the midsize sedan field. For buyers looking for electrified power, however, the Altima's conventional 2.5-liter lineup may steer them toward other rivals offering hybrid options.
Source: autoevolution
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