2015 Nissan Altima Pros and Cons: What To Know When Weighing Your Decision
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The 2015 Nissan Altima is a well-known contender in the crowded mid-size sedan space and offers a blend of performance, efficiency, and comfort. Just like any vehicle, looking at all of the 2015 Nissan Altima pros and cons is crucial for anyone in the market for a used car and potentially considering an Altima. This way you’ll be able to see the full scope of the potential and limitations before making any big financial decision.
While exploring our list of 2015 Nissan Altima pros and cons, we hope that you’ll gain a thorough understanding not only of the points of excellence that everyone raves about but also the places where the model falls flat or outright fails at something that may be important to you in your journey. There’s a lot to cover, so let’s get into it.
What We Love: 2015 Nissan Altima Pros
Every list of pros and cons has to have some good and some bad, but there’s no reason that we need to start with the bad, so here’s what we love about the 2015 Nissan Altima.
Fuel Efficiency
One of the biggest standout benefits of the 2015 Nissan Altima is the fuel economy. Based on real-world data, the 2015 Nissan Altima can reach up to 37 MPG, with 31 MPG being the average. This is due in no small part to the modest and efficient 4-cylinder engine in the base model. For individuals who travel a lot by car, or have significant daily commutes, the 2015 Altima makes an impressively cost-effective choice for reducing the impact at the pump as well as on the environment.
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Comfortable & Spacious Interior
The interior of the 2015 Altima is designed for comfort and space. It offers generous legroom, with 45.0 inches in the front and 36.1 inches in the rear, and ample headroom at 40.0 inches in the front and 37.1 inches in the rear. This roominess, combined with well-designed seating, makes the Altima’s cabin a pleasant place for both driver and passengers, even on longer journeys. Additionally, the trunk volume of more than 15 cubic feet of storage for luggage, groceries, sports gear, or anything else you need to get from A to B.
Ride & Handling
Another big plus of the 2015 Nissan Altima is the superb ride quality that is reported by owners. The model is designed to create a smooth, comfortable, responsive driving experience, specifically on well-maintained roads. The suspension on the 2015 Altima easily neutralizes small bumps and uneven surfaces, making the ride buttery smooth. It’s worth noting, however, that the handling of the 2015 Nissan Altima feels looser than some sportier competitors in the same market.
Advanced Safety Features
The safety rating given to the 2015 Nissan Altima by the NHTSA is 5 stars and with the loadout of safety features that even base models have it’s not surprising at all. There are the standard safety features that you would expect to see in all vehicles, as well as anti-lock brakes, advanced stability control, and airbags that help ensure the occupants’ safety during front impacts, side impacts, and even rollovers.
Additionally, there is a unique seatbelt pre-tensioning system that actively tensions the seatbelts of all occupants in the first moments of a loss of control or potential accident. This helps keep everyone in the proper positions for other safety features to protect them optimally.
ARE NISSAN ALTIMAS GOOD CARS?
You’re probably asking: are Nissan Altimas good cars? We aim to evaluate the Nissan Altima as a potential purchase for interested buyers.
What We Don’t Like: 2015 Nissan Altima Cons
Ok, we’ve gone through all of the amazing things that set the Altima apart from rivals, but no list of 2015 Nissan Altima pros and cons would be complete without giving an honest look at the potential drawbacks or downsides to owning one. Take a look, and see if anything might be a deal-breaker.
Continuously Variable Transmission
In the realm of “what to not like about your car”, the transmission is typically pretty high up on the list. One of the biggest issues with the 2015 Nissan Altima is due to the Continuously Variable Transmission, or CVT, which runs on belts instead of gears like conventional transmissions. The problem is that in some Altimas, those belts can wear incredibly fast, and can start slipping, creating a hazardous condition at highway speeds.
There have been multiple recalls focused on the transmission, and the cost to repair the issues caused will typically exceed the value of the vehicle. These issues are most prevalent during high temperatures or while under heavy load.
Resale Value Retention
Although the Altima generally retains its value well compared to its peers and has a lower depreciation rate, its value can significantly fluctuate based on the vehicle’s condition, mileage, trim level, and where it’s located. While it has a lower rate of depreciation, a history of accidents or excessive repairs can significantly decrease that value, with only the most well-maintained examples holding roughly half their value nearly a decade later.
Interior Materials Concerns
One final complaint from many owners is that while the interior is spacious and incredibly comfortable, the materials are cheap and easily damaged in more affordable trim levels. Things like sun visors that start falling while driving, and the cloth upholstery quickly becoming damaged or simply falling apart are typical for all but premium trims.
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Should You Buy a 2015 Nissan Altima?
There you have it, our full list of 2015 Nissan Altima pros and cons. At this point, you might be wondering if you should buy a 2015 Nissan Altima, and the answer is that we can’t answer that for you. What it’s going to come down to is balancing the pros and cons against your unique needs, wants, and lifestyle.
There are plenty of benefits, but as you’ve seen there are a few potential drawbacks to keep in mind as well. However, as long as you consider everything in the context of what you need, you may find that the 2015 Nissan Altima turns out to be a great fit.
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