Nissan Announces 2017 Altima Prices

Pricing for most 2017 Altima trim levels, on sale now at Nissan dealers nationwide, is unchanged from last year aside from an additional $10 in freight charges.

2017 Nissan Altima

For 2016, Nissan's best-selling sedan received a bit more than a mild refresh, so not much has changed for 2017. But much to our surprise, despite the rush to crossover vehicles, according to the manufacturer it "continues to lead Nissan sales in 2016 (through August)."

Bringing you up to date, the changes for the 2016 Altima were a new front fascia, a new hood and more sculpted front fenders. Those changes also included a version of the brand's "V-motion" grille, a key element of the "Energetic Flow" design language that first appeared on the current Murano and Maxima.

In back, the updates included a new deck lid, a smaller and more sculpted lower bumper and lower and wider "boomerang" – shaped taillights. 2.5 and 3.5 SR models now feature smoked headlight housings, daytime running lights, fog lights, a rear decklid spoiler and machine-finished alloy wheels, while the 3.5 SR also comes with LED headlights.

The changes last year to the Altima's interior were less dramatic and amounted to a new center stack and center console design. All but the base 2.5 4-cylinder model now feature Siri Eyes Free as well as a standard 7.0-inch touchscreen and rear view camera.

The SR grade, new for 2016 and positioned between the 2.5 S and 2.5 SV, sports a number of sport-inspired accents: a cloth-trimmed interior, an 8-way power driver's seat, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, paddle shifters, a leather-wrapped shift knob and blue accent stitching on the seats, steering wheel and shifter.

Efforts were also undertaken to isolate acceleration noise caused by a soul-sucking CVT. These included an acoustic laminated glass windshield, additional insulation and sound barriers (particularly in the firewall area), new engine mounts and a larger center muffler.

2017 Altima under the hood

Both engines (a 3.5-liter V6 and a 2.5-liter inline-4) carry over. Last year's revisions to the 2.5-liter QR25 engine reduced internal friction, while a new oil pump and an increase in compression (to 10.3:1 from 10.0:1) plus aerodynamic improvements resulted in an increase of 1-mpg in highway fuel economy.

Other changes for 2016 involved the application of high-strength steel in the body structure underneath the new fenders as well as in the A- and B-pillars to both save weight and improve crashworthiness. New shock absorbers, rear springs and bushings and tire designs plus better braking and steering feel should also boosted handling, while the new SR model comes with unique suspension tuning with larger front and rear stabilizer bars for reduced body roll and better handling.