Charms of the 2021 Nissan Altima

The 2021 Nissan Altima is a classic midsize sedan that offers charm and style that can’t be had with the spate of crossovers that are currently popular. Lower, sleeker, and more efficient than most crossovers, it is a combination of traditional thinking and cutting-edge technology that you can find at your local Indiana Nissan dealer. Even the Altima’s new styling is cutting edge, with an almost futuristic super modern look that renders the exterior design of most of its competitors obsolete. Under the skin, the Altima is just as smart, with modern engines and an available advanced all-wheel drive system.

Power and Performance

That available all-wheel drive system provides exceptional bad-weather performance, but the 2021 Altima also offers two engine options that provide a balance of efficiency and capability. These two engines represent the best matches for those who prioritize technology or affordability.

The standard 2.5-liter inline-four available on the Altima is inexpensive, lightweight, and surprisingly efficient, moving the Altima along at up to 39 miles per gallon on the highway. That is tremendously good for a midsize sedan and far better in fact than any of the taller and rather ungainly crossovers that now fill the roads and dealership lots. The 2.5-liter also provides respectable power in addition to incredible efficiency, with a maximum of 188 horsepower and 180 pound-feet of torque. All told, for most people, this engine would provide admirable service and jaw-dropping economy, all while being very mechanically simple and lightweight.

The available 2.0 Liter VC-Turbo engine, by contrast, is a technological tour de force for those who opt for its moderately higher cost. At a glance, the overall specifications of the VC-Turbo engine look good on paper but not necessarily groundbreaking. It is an all-aluminum small-displacement turbocharged four-cylinder engine with high-end computerized engine management and direct fuel injection. Altogether, it produces 248 horsepower and 273 pound-feet of torque. Sounds advanced, but up until this point, all of these attributes just describe a well-built modern engine that makes plenty of power.

But the word configuration is important here because this seemingly benign engine has a dramatically different world-first piece of technology inside it. The “VC” in VC-Turbo stands for variable compression, which refers to an internal mechanism that changes the compression of the engine on the fly in response to sensor readings and a computer algorithm. The compression ratio of an engine refers to how much the air and fuel mixture is squeezed before being ignited to produce power and is an important factor that on all previous production engines was a fixed value at all times. The VC-Turbo found in Nissan models is a breakthrough in engine technology.

Being able to manipulate a fundamental part of the engine architecture at will allows the Altima to gain further efficiency and economy out of every drop of gasoline. All while maintaining the ability to put out large amounts of power at will. Normally firsts like this are seen in endurance race cars or prototypes, but Nissan simply went and put it on a car anyone can find in their local showroom.

The other headline item available to option on the 2021 Nissan Altima is certainly not a world first but is much easier to explain. This is the intelligent all-wheel drive system, an advanced drivetrain feature that incorporates computer-controlled torque vectoring to enhance the Altima’s maneuverability and grip. The system uses an array of sensors to adjust the all-wheel drive system virtually instantly as the vehicle moves over terrain, providing the maximum possible grip for any environment.

Sporty Chassis

Like all modern passenger vehicles, the 2021 Nissan Altima uses unibody construction. This type of automotive construction seamlessly merges the frame and body into a singular unit that is both lighter and stronger than the equivalent body on frame construction. The Altima is largely built from corrosion-resistant high-strength steel, with an aluminum-alloy hood. This mixture of materials ensures both strength and durability while keeping weight to a minimum.

In terms of front suspension, the Altima uses an independent MacPherson strut setup in the front, with coil springs, aluminum links, and a 25 mm solid stabilizer bar. The MacPherson strut suspension setup is both lightweight and compact while not sacrificing comfort or grip. The aluminum suspension links further save weight, while the stabilizer bar curtails body roll and enhances grip when cornering. In the rear, the 2021 Altima is equipped with versatile multilink independent suspension and a 26 mm hollow stabilizer bar specifically tuned for front or all-wheel drive driving dynamics, depending on which is optioned.

The Altima features several available electronically-assisted chassis systems that improve handling. These include Active Understeer Control, which promotes rotation during hard cornering while maintaining the stability inherent in front-wheel drive cars, Intelligent Ride Control, and Intelligent Trace Control. A sport-tuned suspension is available for further increased cornering ability and feel.

Modern Interior

The technology and style of the 2021 Altima doesn’t stop on the inside. The Altima has a flurry of special available features in terms of both infotainment systems and good old-fashioned comfort. To start with, the audio system is compatible with both MP3 and AUX inputs, and the SV trim and above include either a 7-inch or 8-inch color touchscreen standard. This system runs NissanConnect, featuring Apple CarPlay and Android Auto for integrated smartphone support. That’s already more audio options than many would use daily, but the Altima is also available with SiriusXM satellite radio, two front illuminated USB connection ports (one Type-A, one Type-C), and iPod connectivity.

The available convenience features of the Altima, standard on the SR 2.0 grade, are just as comprehensive as the audio features. The 2021 Altima has a Hands-Free Text Messaging Assistant, Bluetooth Hands-free Phone System, Streaming audio via Bluetooth, and a Siri Eyes Free/Google Assistant Voice Recognition system. Additionally, two more illuminated USB charge ports (one Type-A, one Type-C) are available in the rear for your passengers. Steering wheel-mounted controls make driving more focused, while the single panel moonroof makes every trip just a little bit more of an adventure.

Safety Systems

Thanks to Safety Shield 360, Nissan’s advanced driver assistance and collision avoidance technology suite, the Altima is available with some of the best safety features on any current midsize sedan. Even better, Safety Shield 360 is standard on every trim of the 2021 Altima, so you don’t have to pay extra to stay safe. To start with, Automatic Emergency Braking with Pedestrian Detection can react faster than a human driver could to prevent accidents. There is also Lane Departure Warning and ProPILOT assist, which make driving long distances safer and more convenient.

When it comes to optional systems, there is Rear Cross Traffic Alert and Rear Automatic Braking. These systems and Blind Spot Warning keep a constant 360-degree watch on the Altima’s surroundings and can both warn the driver and initiate emergency braking in certain extreme situations. All of this technology works together as a complete system to protect you from the moment you turn your car on until you reach your destination.

A Stylish and Safe Sports Sedan

Built with style in mind, the 2021 Nissan Altima looks the part but isn’t just a pretty face. Available with technology never before seen on any sedan, this affordable and powerful Nissan pushes efficiency and economy to new heights while not neglecting comfort or safety. Whether one opts for the standard 2.5-liter engine or the cutting edge VC-turbo, the Altima provides an experience and even charm noticeably different from other sedan models on the market and markedly better than the cookie-cutter crossovers so common on the streets today.