You know a lot can happen in 15 years but the Nissan Altima has been rocking pretty much the same two engine options since the early 2000's.
Well here we are model year 19 in the sixth generation and check it out.
Variable compression, turbo engine.
Plus we've got all wheel drive on tap and it's all repped up in a sleek little package.
So hey Come ride right seat with me and let's go for a drive.
[MUSIC]
So Emmy what is a variable compression turbo engine anyway?
Well I am glad you asked because It is magic.
Essentially we've got some very complicated engineering that can vary the reach of the piston on each stroke so you can have eight to one compression for high performance all the way up to fourteen to one compression for high efficiency.
So, what that means is I've got an engine that produces 248 horsepower and 273 pound feet of torque.
Now, sure that is down from last year's V6 in terms of horse power, but it is up on torque.
And this two litre turbo charged engine produces better fuel economy as well.
29 miles per gallon combined and compared to the 26 combined of the V6.
And it is super smooth, it is not like I can tell when the compression ratio is changing.
I mean if you didn't know there was magic under this hood, you would never know that there was magic under this hood.
[MUSIC]
The only bummer is that, at least for now, if I want all-wheel drive, I've gotta drop down to the 2.5 litre engine.
Now that is the same displacement as last year, but Nissan says that it's full of 80% new parts.
And the output is up as well, 188 horse power and 180 pound feet of torque.
And even though I can't get all wheel drive with this super cool engine, even offering it is a really big deal from Nissan.
But whatever your engine choice, you're going to have a continuously variable transmission and if there is one company.
That understands how to make CVTs livable, it's Nissan.
This thing is great, it really mimics the steps of a traditional automatic transmission, and it's never buzzy, and it's never drummy.
[MUSIC]
[MUSIC]
Nissan's ProPILOT is standard on upper trim lines.
All I've gotta do is press this button here on the steering wheel, and that activates both the lane keeping assist, and full speed adaptive cruise control.
Now this is a hands-on semi-autonomous system, so you've got to keep your hands on the wheel.
But it is a huge stress buster when it comes to stop-and-go traffic.
[MUSIC]
The infotainment system has gotten a redo as well.
Gone is that old tiny little five inch screen and in its place is a large eight inch touchscreen with a reconfigurable home screen.
And the best part, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are both standard.
Plus we've got a whole new interior.
The dash is lower and it really contributes to this open area feeling that I've got in a cabin.
And it's got my favorite zero gravity seats.
That's just what Nissan calls it.
It's not like they defy gravity or anything like that, but they are so comfortable.
And if I can't have my favorite massaging seats, zero gravity seats are a good second place.
Outside the new Altima is longer, lower and wider.
The wheelbase has been increased by about two inches and again that helps contribute to this nice, large cabin that I got here.
LED lighting compliments the front and really on the whole of this, Altima presents a much more attractive package than we've seen from Nissan in a while.
The 2019 Nissan Altima starts at just under $24,000 but this guy here is the limited production edition one.
Now they're only making 3,900 of these so as such it's just a little bit more expensive.
Right around $36,000.
You can expect to find the new Nissan Altima in dealerships in October of 2018.
[MUSIC]
