Nissan’s Altima sedan offers new Midnight Edition option
On the Road,
The Nissan Altima midsize sedan moved into its sixth generation with a complete makeover just three years ago, along with its first turbocharged engine and all-wheel drive options, as well as new safety and convenience technologies.
For 2022, the Altima offers the same five basic trim levels as last year, with no major changes except for the addition of the special Midnight Edition Package ($1,750) exclusively for the SR model..
Trim levels for 2022 begin with the base S 2.5 model with front-wheel drive ($24,550, plus $1,025 freight), SV 2.5 front drive ($25,550), SV 2.5 AWD ($26,950); SR 2.5 front drive ($26,550); SR 2.5 AWD ($27,950); SL 2.5 front drive ($29,990); SR 2.0 VC-T front drive ($30,900); SL 2.5 AWD ($31,390); and Platinum 2.5 AWD ($34,250).
The 2.5 models come with the base normally aspirated 2.5-liter inline four-cylinder engine, with front-wheel drive standard on all but the Platinum, which comes only with all-wheel drive.
All of the 2.5-liter models except the base S model are available with the intelligent allwheel drive, which costs $1,350 extra except on the Platinum model, where it is standard.
The 2.5-liter inline four-cylinder engine is rated at 188 horsepower and 180 foot-pounds of torque with front-wheel drive, or 182 horsepower and 178 foot-pounds
of torque with all-wheel drive.
EPA fuel-economy ratings for the 2.5-liter engine are 28 mpg city/39 highway/32 combined with front-wheel drive S models, and 27/37/31 with front-drive SV, SR, and SL models.
With all-wheel drive, the 2.5liter SV and SL models are rated at 26 city/36 highway/30 combined, while the SR and Platinum AWDS are 25/35/29.
Altima’s new 2.0-liter turbocharged inline four-cylinder engine is offered only on the SR VC-T front-drive model. This engine produces up to 248 horsepower and 273 foot-pounds of torque when run on premium gasoline. It replaces the previous generation’s V-6 engine, which is no longer offered.
A continuously variable automatic transmission comes on all Altima models. No manual is offered even on the sporty turbo
models.
Our test vehicle was the SR all-wheel-drive model with the Midnight Edition Package, which comes only in the Gun Metallic exterior color -- a dark gray – with Charcoal sport cloth/vinyl seats with red contrast stitching.
The Midnight Edition Package adds LED fog lights, heated front seats, two-way driver’s-side power lumbar support, single-panel moon roof, gloss-black painted sport grille, gloss-black painted rear spoiler, satin-black Midnight Edition badge, gloss-black painted 19-inch aluminum-alloy wheels and black painted heated outside mirrors with LED turn signals.
The Nissan Safety Shield 360 package is standard on the SR model. The Driver Assist Package is included, as well, but also is now available on even the base S model.
Platinum models now have an
outside-mirror-position memory. And the Piano Black interior trim is offered on the SV, SL and Platinum models.
SV, SL and Platinum trims continue to come with Nissan’s Propilot Assist, a precursor to autonomous operation. It’s not offered on S or SR models. This system eases the driver’s workload by reducing the amount of acceleration, steering and braking input during highway driving. The goal is to reduce driver fatigue and accidents.
Propilot Assist helps to keep the vehicle centered in its lane, navigate stop-and-go traffic, and maintain both a set speed and a set distance from the vehicle ahead – all done with a simple two-button operation. It includes use of the new Intelligent Cruise Control, a feature that is quickly becoming standard on even lowerend cars these days.