2023 Nissan Altima features new look, upgraded tech

MANILA: Nissan Altima gets a major makeover for the 2023 model year. It features a new front end styling, upgraded standard safety features and available technologies, new wheel designs, and two new exterior colors.

Customers can choose between two engines, front-wheel drive or intelligent all-wheel drive, and four grade levels. The 2023 Altima comes in eight grades: S FWD, SV FWD, SV AWD, SR FWD, SR AWD, SL FWD, SL AWD, and SR VC-Turbo FWD.

The Altima’s standout feature is the new front fascia, which features an upgraded version of Nissan’s V-Motion grille along with the new brand logo. The “black chrome” grille finish and distinctive grille design on the SR grades set them apart from the other grades. Other notable exterior features include the LED headlights with integrated turn signals in the daytime running lights, dynamic taillight design, and available single panel moonroof.

Two new exterior colors have been added to the options for the 2023 Altima: Gray Sky and Garnett Pearl Metallic. Other exterior color options include Scarlet Ember Tintcoat, Brilliant Silver Metallic, Gun Metallic, Super Black, Pearl White TriCoat, Glacier White, and Deep Blue Pearl.

The Altima SV is fitted with 17-inch aluminum alloy wheels, while the SR, SL, and SR VC-Turbo come with 19-inch aluminum alloy wheels.

The interior gives a nearly luxurious feel in terms of both design and materials. The SR models feature new instrument panel finishes and a new dual-stitch interior fabric design.

The 2023 Altima also offers a high level of convenience and connectivity features, including an available seven-inch Advanced Drive-Assist Display, a Zero Gravity seat design with dual-density foam and bolstering, available leather-appointed seating, and available eight-way power driver’s seat.

The Altima is also equipped with a 12.3-inch HD color display with multi-touch control, Nissan Door-to-Door Navigation system, Android Auto, wireless Apple CarPlay, wireless phone charging pad, and WiFi hotspot.

The 12.3-inch display replaces the previous eight-inch display and has a high-resolution display that offers clear graphics. The customizable home screen features shortcuts to user favorites and one-line destination search.

The Altima also comes with a Bose Premium Audio system with nine speakers, available Noise Cancellation, and Amazon Alexa.

Some features can be accessed on smartphone and smartwatch with available NissanConnect Services powered by SiriusXM. These features include Remote Engine Start/Stop, Remote Door Lock/Unlock, and Valet Alert. The NissanConnect Services Amazon Alexa Skill and Google Assistant Action also provide access to some remote features.

Two four-cylinder engines — a 2.0-liter Variable Compression (VC) Turbo and a cutting-edge 2.5-liter DOHC engine — are available for the 2023 Altima.

The VC-Turbo engine is available exclusively on the Altima SR FWD. It produces 248hp and 273lb-ft of torque and has fuel economy ratings of 10km/L in the city, 14km/L on the highway, and 12km/L combined.

A cutting-edge multi-link system continuously raises or lowers the pistons' reach in order to adjust the compression ratio between 8:1 and 14:1 in the VC-Turbo technology, which makes use of both multi-point injection and Nissan's Direct Injection Gasoline system.

An advanced 2.5-liter DOHC inline four-cylinder direct injection engine that produces 188hp and 180lb-ft of torque is available on all Altima models.

The 2.5-liter engine has fuel economy ratings of 11km/L in the city, 16km/L on the highway, and 13km/L combined for S FWD, and 11km/L in the city, 15km/L on the highway, and 13km/L combined for SV FWD, SR FWD, and SL FWD.

The SV AWD and SL AWD’s 2.5-liter engine has fuel economy ratings of 11km/L in the city, 15km/L on the highway, and 12km/L combined. Meanwhile, fuel economy for the SR AWD’s 2.5-liter engine is rated at 10km/L in the city, 14km/L on the highway, and 12km/L combined.

Both engines are mated to an Xtronic transmission. The Altima SR is equipped with paddle shifters.

The SV, SR, and SL grades with the 2.5-liter engine are offered with Intelligent All-Wheel Drive. The system uses a smart torque split control strategy that automatically adjusts torque to the wheels based on road and driving condition.

Driving confidence is increased as the AWD torque distribution, brake limited slip differential, and Hill Start Assist improve performance on hill starts and rough terrain.

Nissan’s cutting-edge ProPilot Assist system, which is standard on SL and SR VC-Turbo and available on SV, helps Altima maintain its position as the industry leader in driver assistance.

ProPilot Assist uses a forward-facing camera, forward-facing radar, sensors, and an electronic control module to help the driver uphold vehicle speed, remain in the center of the driving lane, and maintain a predetermined distance to the vehicle in front of them if the vehicle speed drops below the driver-set speed. It can also bring the vehicle to a full stop and hold the vehicle when there is traffic congestion.

All Altima models come standard with Safety Shield 360, which includes front, side, and rear safety monitoring and technologies such as Automatic Emergency Braking with Pedestrian Detection, Rear Automatic Braking, Lane Departure Warning, radar-based Blind Spot Warning, Rear Cross Traffic Alert and High Beam Assist.

All grades also come standard with Intelligent Forward Collision Warning and Intelligent Driver Alertness, while the SL and SR VC-Turbo grades are equipped with Traffic Sign Recognition and Intelligent Around View Monitor.

Nissan Altima has an innovative independent front and rear suspension with monotube rear shocks to deliver excellent vehicle response without impacting harshness, in addition to the all-weather traction provided by the all-wheel drive system. Altima SR grades also have specially tuned suspension and chassis for sportier handling and ride.

Pricing for the 2023 Nissan Altima is as follows:

• Nissan Altima S FWD - $25,290 (approximately P1.4 million)
• Nissan Altima SV FWD - $26,090 (approximately P1.5 million)
• Nissan Altima SR FWD - $27,490 (approximately P1.6 million)
• Nissan Altima SL FWD - $31,990 (approximately P1.8 million)
• Nissan Altima SV AWD - $27,590 (approximately P1.61 million)
• Nissan Altima SR AWD - $28,990 (approximately P1.69 million)
• Nissan Altima SL AWD - $33,490 (approximately P1.9 million)
• Nissan Altima SR VC-Turbo FWD - $34,990 (approximately P2 million)

Nissan Philippines discontinued the Altima in 2018 due to low customer demand. Now that the midsize sedan segment in the local market is starting to shrink, there is a little chance that Nissan Altima will return to the country for the 2023 model year.

Photos from Nissan

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