Short answer
The 2022 Nissan Altima is our first choice here, followed by 2021, 2020, 2018, 2017, 2016 and 2015. Start with a 2.5-litre car, documented CVT maintenance and verified safety equipment.
- Market
- United States
- Model years
- 2015-2022
- Preferred version
- 2.5-litre sedan
- Model-year history
- Nissan Altima recalls and crash ratings
The 7 Best Years for a Used Nissan Altima at a Glance
| Preference | Model year | Best reason to buy | Purchase check |
|---|---|---|---|
| 01 |  | Best starting point in this shortlist | CVT condition and fitted safety equipment |
| 02 | | Earlier sixth-generation choice | Campaigns 21V138 and 23V628 where applicable |
| 03 | | Earlier alternative with the 2.5-litre engine | Steering and camera recalls plus exact engine identification |
| 04 |  | Best final-year fifth-generation option | Hood-latch campaign 20V315 and rearview-camera recall |
| 05 | | Best earlier choice with verified automatic braking | Hood-latch and rear-door latch campaign completion |
| 06 | | Earlier facelift alternative | Campaigns 20V315 and 16V244 where applicable |
| 07 |  | Older fallback after inspection | Hood latch, passenger-airbag classification and rear-door repairs |
No entries match your search.
The 7 Best Years for a Used Nissan Altima: Entry Details
2022 Nissan Altima
US model year 2022 · Best starting point in this shortlistEnlarged curtain airbags and reinforced sill and pillar structures give the 2022 car the strongest year-specific reason to lead. Prefer a 2.5-litre SV or higher, while recognising its Poor rating in the updated side-impact test.
- Preferred version
- 2.5-litre SV or higher
- Purchase check
- CVT condition and fitted safety equipment
Strengths & things to consider
Strengths
- Revised side-impact hardware
- Safety Shield 360 on SV and higher
Things to consider
- Poor updated side-test rating
- CVT maintenance and inspection remain necessary
2021 Nissan Altima
US model year 2021 · Earlier sixth-generation choiceSV and higher grades provide Safety Shield 360, making equipment easier to identify than on some earlier cars. Certain examples need steering-fastener and rearview-camera campaign repairs, so obtain VIN-specific completion records.
- Preferred version
- 2.5-litre SV or higher
- Purchase check
- Campaigns 21V138 and 23V628 where applicable
Strengths & things to consider
Strengths
- Safety Shield 360 on SV and higher
- Available all-wheel drive with the 2.5-litre engine
Things to consider
- Earlier side-impact hardware than 2022
- Certain cars have steering and camera recalls
2020 Nissan Altima
US model year 2020 · Earlier alternative with the 2.5-litre engineThe second sixth-generation year offers available Safety Shield 360 and all-wheel drive. Choose the 2.5-litre engine for this recommendation, since certain 2.0-litre VC-Turbo cars are covered by an engine-bearing recall.
- Preferred version
- 2.5-litre with verified assistance equipment
- Purchase check
- Steering and camera recalls plus exact engine identification
Strengths & things to consider
Strengths
- Available driver assistance
- Available all-wheel drive
Things to consider
- Safety equipment varies by grade
- Certain VC-Turbo cars have engine-bearing recall exposure
2018 Nissan Altima
US model year 2018 · Best final-year fifth-generation optionThe final fifth-generation year made automatic emergency braking and forward-collision warning standard. It leads the older group, provided CVT condition and the hood-latch recall repair are satisfactory.
- Preferred version
- 2.5-litre sedan
- Purchase check
- Hood-latch campaign 20V315 and rearview-camera recall
Strengths & things to consider
Strengths
- Standard automatic emergency braking
- Final fifth-generation year
Things to consider
- No all-wheel-drive option
- Hood-latch and camera campaign checks required
2017 Nissan Altima
US model year 2017 · Best earlier choice with verified automatic brakingSeek a 2017.5 SV or SL, which added standard forward emergency braking, or an earlier car with the optional system. The model year alone does not prove it is fitted, and affected rear-door latches need documented repairs.
- Preferred version
- 2.5 SV or SL with confirmed automatic braking
- Purchase check
- Hood-latch and rear-door latch campaign completion
Strengths & things to consider
Strengths
- Facelifted fifth-generation body
- Broader automatic-braking fitment on the midyear update
Things to consider
- Equipment differs within the same model year
- Certain cars have rear-door latch recalls
2016 Nissan Altima
US model year 2016 · Earlier facelift alternativeThe facelift brought revised styling and available forward emergency braking. A car with that system is the useful target, but inspect the CVT and confirm hood-latch and passenger-airbag classification campaign repairs.
- Preferred version
- 2.5-litre with optional forward emergency braking
- Purchase check
- Campaigns 20V315 and 16V244 where applicable
Strengths & things to consider
Strengths
- Facelifted body and cabin
- Available automatic braking
Things to consider
- Automatic braking is optional
- Passenger-airbag classification recall affects certain cars
2015 Nissan Altima
US model year 2015 · Older fallback after inspectionA maintained 2.5-litre example is the oldest fallback here. It lacks the facelift's available automatic-braking system, and hood-latch, passenger-airbag and rear-door latch campaign history adds inspection work compared with the newer choices.
- Preferred version
- 2.5-litre with complete maintenance records
- Purchase check
- Hood latch, passenger-airbag classification and rear-door repairs
Strengths & things to consider
Strengths
- Same basic fifth-generation sedan layout
- Conventional naturally aspirated engine
Things to consider
- Older crash-avoidance equipment
- Multiple VIN-specific recall checks
The 7 Best Years for a Used Nissan Altima: Analysis
What changed on the 2022 Altima
The 2022 Altima gained larger curtain airbags and reinforcement around the door sills and pillars, putting it ahead of 2021 and 2020 here. Its Poor updated side-test result includes inadequate driver head protection after the dummy's head struck the window sill. Compare the Altima recall and crash-rating history if occupant protection is your deciding purchase criterion.
Why 2018 leads the older Altima choices
The 2018 Altima made automatic emergency braking standard, while 2017 fitment depends on the trim and midyear update. The 2016 and 2015 cars require closer equipment checks. All four older years sit within the hood-latch campaign's scope, so demand repair records and inspect CVT behaviour before choosing a car from the Nissan lineup.
Our verdict
Our Verdict
Inspect a 2022 2.5-litre SV or higher first, then consider 2021 and 2020 on condition. Among the older cars, prefer 2018 for standard automatic braking. Walk away from unresolved recall repairs or a CVT that behaves poorly on the test drive.
Strengths
- Seven specific buying years
- Equipment and recall differences identified
Things to consider
- Updated side-impact result limits the 2022 recommendation
- CVT condition can determine whether a car is worth buying
FAQ: The 7 Best Years for a Used Nissan Altima
What is the best used Nissan Altima year here?
The 2022 model leads because it has revised side-impact hardware and available modern assistance equipment. Prefer a 2.5-litre SV or higher, but take its Poor updated side-test rating into account.
Which Altima engine does this guide recommend?
The naturally aspirated 2.5-litre engine. Certain 2019–2020 Altimas with the 2.0-litre VC-Turbo engine are covered by engine-bearing campaign 25V437, making engine identification particularly important on a 2020 car.
Is automatic emergency braking standard on a 2017 Altima?
Not across the entire model year. The 2017.5 update made it standard on SV and SL grades, while earlier fitment varies. It became standard across the 2018 lineup.
What should I inspect on an older Altima CVT?
Review service invoices and assess engagement, hesitation, judder and unusual noise during a cold and warm test drive. Have a qualified workshop investigate symptoms before purchase.
Which years need the Altima hood-latch recall check?
Campaign 20V315 covers certain 2013–2018 Altimas, including every fifth-generation year on this shortlist. Ask a Nissan dealer to confirm the final repair for the specific VIN.
Sources & methodology
Editorial US 2.5-litre shortlist using Nissan specifications, IIHS tests and NHTSA recalls. Order weighs safety updates, equipment, age and recall exposure. It is not a failure-rate score or a current-price comparison.
Maintained by Artsiom Dusau, a software engineer and BMW 4 Series owner. Editorial policy
View sources (10)
- IIHS 2022 Altima ratings and side-impact changes
- Nissan 2022 Altima press kit
- Nissan 2021 Altima brochure and SV equipment
- Nissan 2020 Altima press kit
- Nissan 2018 Altima press kit and standard automatic braking
- Nissan 2017.5 Altima assistance-equipment update
- IIHS 2017 Altima ratings and 2016–2017 braking equipment
- NHTSA VC-Turbo engine-bearing recall 25V437
- NHTSA recall records, including 20V315, 21V138, 23V628 and 16V244
- Nissan rearview-camera recall bulletin for affected 2019–2021 Altima Platinum cars
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