Nissan's midsize sedan gets a major refresh for the 2016 model year

2016 Nissan Altima

2016 Nissan Altima

Earlier today in The Big Apple, Nissan chairman and CEO Carlos Ghosn took the wraps off a more-than-mildly refreshed 2016 Altima, three and half years after the fifth-generation model made its debut at the 2012 New York Auto Show.

2016 Nissan Altima

2016 Altima exterior changes

Exterior changes to the brand's best-selling U.S. nameplate go beyond the typical front and rear fascia revisions.

In addition to a new front fascia, changes to the Altima's front end include a new hood as well as new and more sculpted front fenders. For well or ill, depending on your viewpoint, changes to the fascia include an interpretation of the brand's "V-motion" grille, part of Nissan's "Energetic Flow" design language first seen on the Murano and Maxima.

2016 Nissan Altima

In back, the transformation is much more pleasing with lower and wider "boomerang" – shaped taillights, a new deck lid and a smaller and more sculpted lower bumper.

Those new fascias also contribute to a ten percent improvement in coefficient of drag (from a 0.29 Cd to a 0.26 Cd), which also aided by a new windshield design, underfloor aero cover and an active grille shutter.

2016 Nissan Altima

New 2.5 and 3.5 SR models feature smoked headlight housings, daytime running lights, fog lights, a rear decklid spoiler and machine-finished alloy wheels, while the 3.5 SR also receives LED headlights (late availability).

2016 Nissan Altima

2016 Altima interior changes

Visible changes to the Altima's slick-looking interior are much less dramatic and limited to a new center stack and center console design with all but the base 2.5 4-cylinder model now featuring Siri Eyes Free, a standard 5.0-inch color screen and a rear view camera.

The new SR grade – positioned between the 2.5 S and 2.5 SV also adds a number of sporty accents to a cloth-trimmed interior including an 8-way power driver's seat, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, paddle shifters a leather-wrapped gear shifter and blue stitching on the seats, steering wheel and shift knob.

2016 Nissan Altima

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

2016 Nissan Altima

2016 Altima structural changes

Changes have also been made under the Altima's skin. High-strength steel is now being used in body structure underneath the new fenders as well as in the A- and B-pillars to both save weight and improve crashworthiness.

Nissan Altima 1.4-liter QR25 engine

Under the hood of the 2016 Altima

Although both engines – a 3.5-liter V6 and a 2.5-liter inline-4 - carryover from the 2015 model year, changes to the 2.5-liter QR25 engine (182 horsepower, 180 lb.-ft. of torque) have been made. They include reduced internal friction, an optimized oil pump and an increase in compression (to 10.3:1 from 10.0:1), plus the aforementioned aerodynamic improvements. The result is an increase of 1-mpg in highway fuel economy for an EPA estimated 27 mpg city, 39 mpg highway (37 mpg 2.5 SR) and 31 mpg combined.

New shock absorbers, rear springs and bushings and new tire designs and enhanced braking and steering feel across the range should improve the 2016 Altima's handling. In addition, the new SR models feature unique suspension tuning with larger front and rear stabilizer bars - 24.2 mm versus 22.2 mm and 26.5 mm versus 20.0 mm, respectively. Front and rear damping forces have also been revised, and body roll has been reduced by 20 percent compared to non-SR models.

2016 Nissan Altima

2016 Nissan Altima pricing

When it goes on sale in November, the 2016 Nissan Altima will be offered in five 2.5-liter engine equipped models, 2.5, 2.5 S, 2.5 SR, 2.5 SV and 2.5 SL, as well as two 3.5-liter V6 equipped models – 3.5 SR and 3.5 SL. Manufacturer suggested retail pricing (MSRP) will start at $23,325, which includes an $825 destination charge.

2016 Nissan Altima